Hunter: Smitty Smith
Points: 9 (4L, 5R)
County: Talbot
Season: 2024-2025
Hunt Story
I had been watching this deer for three seasons and due to a hook that formed in his right antler tip every year, I had named him Dr. Hook. My first crossing with him this year was opening day just 10 minutes into the season but no shot presented itself. Two more opportunities came and went since then, old hook just would not stand still. Well this morning, I started my grunt and rattling sequence and four does rapidly exited a hardwood ridge to my right. Old Dr. Hook made an appearance but I could not tell if it was my target buck or one of the younger bucks that our DMAP has declared off limits. As He moved around in a semi-circle I noticed his pronounced antler tip hook and new who it was. He entered the food plot a bit further away than anticipated and promptly crossed it and left without presenting a comfortable shot. I grunted several times in an attempt to get his attention and he came busting out of thick pines much closer that he had been. As I put my call down and moved my rifle he spotted me and stalled, I just knew he was going to leave but he made a turn and gave me the shot I needed. Old Dr. Hook dropped on the spot with a 130 yard shot. This is the third year of our intensely managed DMAP, and we focus on harvesting bucks that are at least 5.5 years old or older, and I would encourage others to check this program out and grow more mature whitetails. Hunting a mature buck is a far different game and presents a greater challenge. Good luck to all!
