Hunter: Kris Wall
Points: 10 (5L, 5R)
County: Clarke
Season: 2016-2017
Hunt Story
I have had pictures of this buck all summer but none since the season opened. I knew he was close and where he was bedding, as I had several encounters with him last season. He was using the same core area this year. I had an early dropping white oak that I was getting a lot of activity at for this time of season, so I hung a camera on it and found he was sneaking in 2 out of the last 3 days to get him a nibble right at dark. I got in the tree around 5 pm and it was a sweltering 93 degrees. Not long after I sat down I had a few does and a smaller buck come straight to the tree. For the next couple of hours, I had around a dozen or so does and small bucks come by to feed. It was a tough hunt being pinned down by that many deer for that long a period at close range. At around 7:15, it seemed these deer were on a script and they all left the area. It was very quiet for a bit, and I look up to find this buck is now peering down the fence line to see if there are any deer at this tree. This buck was very anti-social. All the pictures I had of him, he was always alone. He started making his way toward me, and I thought he'd follow the script of the other deer and provide me with about a 18-20 yard shot, but he hung up at 30 yards and started to feed. Not willing to let things go wrong, which can happen anytime with a buck this size, I took the first shot he gave me at 30 yards and delivered a perfect heart shot. I watched the lighted nock go zipping through, and I heard him crash just shortly after he bounded off. I pumped my fists in the air and was eaten up with emotion. Knowing he was down, I got down and walked right to him. I couldn't wait to put my hands on this great, early season Georgia buck! This is why I'm strictly a bowhunter. There's no feeling in the world like it! Thank you!
