I spent the first few hunts enjoying spending time with him and convincing him on about a half- dozen occasions that he shouldn’t shoot that spike or four point. If he would just wait a little while he should probably get a chance at a decent basket rack 6-8 point. I was hoping to get him a chance at a basket rack 12-14 inch 8 point I could mount for him.
Around the second week of December, we were sitting on a food plot planted in Pure Attraction. We were running a little late that day and didn’t get in the stand until 3:15 p.m. That was OK because I knew the best time would be the last 30 minutes of light. About 4:45- 5:15 p.m.
It was warm, in the low 60s and a beautiful day. Around 3:50 another spike walked out from the east and we enjoyed watching him. About five minutes later I looked to the west and one of the biggest bucks I’ve seen in Alabama in a few years was walking onto the field at about 150 yards with another nice buck behind him.
I told Jackson, “There’s the buck you want to shoot.” The sun was in our eyes and Jackson suspected I was messing with him, AGAIN. I assured him I wasn’t. He got his eyes shaded from the sun and asked “How big is he.” Well, I was already suffering from a minor case of buck fever and didn’t want him to get the fever so I said he’s a decent 6- to 8-point. But he is too far, the wind is good, let’s let him get closer.” While we waited for what seemed like three hours but probably 10-15 minutes, 12-15 more deer came out from all directions. It seemed the flood gates had opened. Several more bucks were in the crowd but none were as big as the one we were watching.
The buck got to about 100 yards, and I told Jackson we need to go ahead and take the shot. As I got ready to put the gun up for him he asked, “Why am I shaking so badly?” I said you need to calm down, take deep breaths and let them out slowly. As I got the gun up and ready for him he asked “Why are you shaking so bad?” I ignored the question and told him to do as we had practiced, deep breath, let half of it out and squeeze the trigger. BOOM! The deer ran hard to the edge of the field, and I was worried he would get into the thick clear cut but he fell just before getting off the field. What a buck. A main frame 8-point with two kickers at the base. Jackson had him a 10-point and for sure he had a happy and proud dad.
