First Archery Buck

November 10, 2007

It was the peak of the rut during North Carolina Rifle season. I had been hunting since the first of Archery season in September. I had multiple opportunities on some small whitetail bucks and a few small does but passed in hopes for a mature deer to be my first successful Archery deer. One buck that I passed on was a small 4 pointer on some farmland near my home. I am sure that he was less than 2 years old. One day while hunting at the farm, I became disgusted when I saw that another hunter had shot, with a rifle, that same small 4 point buck. It was a legal harvest, but the reason it bothered me is that this group of hunters come in from out of town and shoot whatever they see, with no apparent regard for improving the herd. I had been trying to use deer management mentality in my choice of animals to harvest. I try to limit myself to mature bucks and almost any doe that’s not a yearling. But since I don’t own the land and the owner was generous enough to allow me to hunt, there is really nothing I could say. Although, the landowner was somewhat put out with the small buck being taken as well. This and the fact that I had been bowhunting without harvest for 3 years brought me to a decision. I decided it was time for me to take a deer and stop passing on them.
I had been saving a spot behind my house for the rut, and it was time to test it out. I had a homemade feeder made from a 5-gallon bucket and a stick. I knew that some deer were frequenting the area, but wasn’t aware of any big bucks coming around. Several small does appeared and had some corn, and I did not want to shoot the over the corn, so they filled their bellies and made their way. Soon after a small cow-horn buck came through with its nose tight to the ground. Fortunately, I was ready, and he stopped for a split second in the danger zone. Despite my feelings on shooting immature deer, I let my arrow fly. I could tell by the look on his face that he was a goner. I watched as the small buck ran about 50 yards and fell. The relief of seeing the deer go down was overwhelming. I had finally downed a Whitetail Deer with archery gear. My work, practice, patience and all the other things you need to be a successful bowhunter had finally come together and brought my goal to fruition. I could not have been any more excited. I did have some regrets on having passed up many bigger bucks than this one, just to end up shooting a small buck anyway. That is hunting…you have to evaluate every situation, make a decision, and then live with that decision.
With the assistance of my hunting buddy, Matt we brought the deer back to my home. We took some great photos with my oldest daughter excitedly close-by.
This was not a big deer, and not a trophy to some people, but it was the biggest trophy in my hunting career at the time, and freezer full of tasty venison!