Hunter: Tyler Brown
Points: 10 (5L, 5R)
County: Fulton
Season: 2024-2025
Hunt Story
Spork. I passed a good sized buck with a spork shaped end to his left beam last year. It wasn’t until later in the summer that he appeared on a trail camera in an area I’d never hunted before. He would make appearances on camera occasionally before the season and then he got very regular as September rolled around. He would show a few minutes before sunrise and three different times he appeared on camera within a few minutes of me climbing down out of the stand. I felt really good about my entrance and exit strategy as he showed multiple times almost every night. I was watching the Drury’s 100% Wild podcast and Mark Drury said the 10th-12th of October would be really good with a rising moon and cooler weather coming in. The problem was a unique one. I had a colonoscopy scheduled for Friday and the prep had to begin at 8 pm on Thursday. If you know anything about prep for colonoscopy you need to stay near the toilet. I hunted Thursday anyway. I would rush home after the hunt I explained to my wife. Of course deer were moving early as Mark predicted with a nice, wide 10-point showing up around 5:45 pm. He then eased off and stopped and stared downwind of me at a young 8pt. I kept was waiting for him to blow. The big 10 who was staring him down suddenly turned and ran off into a pine thicket. A small buck ran out of the thick stuff. And then with my binocs I could see the 10 sparring lightly with Spork. Spork walked straight into bow range staring at the 8pt behind me. Concerned he would blow, I got drawn and as soon as Spork gave me a broadside shot, I let it fly. I thought the hit was good but we would discover it was back and low. He walked off slowly with blood pouring down his leg. And now the fun.. I arrived home a bit late but began my prep. Oh the joy. We made a plan for my great friend Josh, the landowner and Travis Gallo the dog tracker to meet back in the morning. Unfortunately, I would be on my way to the hospital for my procedure when I got the call. My wife Shelbie had answered the phone, Spork was found! I quickly checked him in with GADNR on the app. As they recovered my deer and drug him to the truck I would be under anesthesia. I explained to the doc and nurses about my deer but they didn’t share my excitement. A group of friends would see my buck long before I would. Mark was correct about the rising moon, unfortunately with my procedure you might say there were two rising moons. I got a clean bill of health and Spork was in the truck. What a crazy 24 hours. As I’ve said many times, I am blessed and thankful for the Lord who allows us to enjoy His creation!
