Hunter: Ron Bruce
Points: 8 (4L, 4R)
County: Cobb
Season: 2018-2019
Hunt Story
The date was November 22, 2018, Thanksgiving morning. I was going to a Big Game ladder stand positioned in a mature hardwood/pine growth area proximal to a creek winding throughout. I arrived on site and climbed into my stand at approximately 6:30 a.m. while dawn was just breaking. I prayed that the hunt was safe first and foremost, and asked that it be successful if possible. The day was cold with no movement of wind. I sat without any activity until 7:55 a.m. when I caught movement behind and to the right of my stand location. I observed a large bodied 6-point with a polished rack, about a 12-inch spread, moving at a steady gate away from me with his nose down. The buck was approximately 15 yards away and one I had seen before frequenting the area. I watched as the buck left the area excited to see what I believed to be rutting activity. Several minutes passed and I saw activity in front and to the left of my stand, approximately 50 yards away. A mature 8-point buck was walking toward the edge of the hardwood tree line where he stopped while looking out across a barren pine-tree open area. The buck stepped into the opening and began walking away at a steady pace. I raised the crossbow and shot, knowing the distance was pushing my effective range, but still a shot I was capable of making. The arrow fell short and the buck trotted away, stopping at a ridge and looking back before disappearing at a distance of approximately 80 yards. I reloaded another arrow as quickly as possible and began to vocalize a grunt in hopes of calling the buck back. To my surprise, the buck began to walk toward me at a steady gate. The buck closed the distance until he stood in front and to the right of my stand at approximately 40 yards. I raised the crossbow and took aim as I prayed for God to guide my arrow as it took flight. The buck was hit with the arrow angling forward into the body cavity. The buck dropped without further movement where it had stood. I immediately gave thanks to God and walked to where the buck laid dead. A mature 8-point buck was down and another successful hunt was now over. Any successful hunt is memorable, but a successful archery hunt where a mature buck is taken is very special indeed. Happy Thanksgiving!
