Then I saw it was a deer passing by me from right to left, but I still couldn't tell if it was a buck or doe. I lost sight of it again. Then when I finally saw it again, it stopped broadside at no more than 15 yards. This was a BIG buck!! However, I didn't have a shot because of the cover and many tree limbs. Calmly, the buck looked left, then right, and checked the wind before steadily moving toward the protective fortress of the bedding area. With each step, the distance grew and my chances seemed to shrink. I almost panicked; yeah right, I did panic, because as I scanned ahead for a shot opportunity, it was obvious that it wasn't going to present itself on his current path. I was about to put down my bow and get my camera because I at least wanted people to see a picture of this giant, but the thought of putting my bow down when I had a buck like this in my sight didn't seem logical.

Just when I thought it was all over, the buck turned slightly left uphill and was walking his last few yards toward the safe haven. Looking ahead, I noticed one deer-sized hole in the direction the buck was heading. It was the one and only hole that would allow a shot and that was "only if" he goes through it. I lost sight of the buck about five yards away from the hole. I drew my bow and with both eyes open, I aimed it into the deer-sized opening, hoping he would walk into it. When I saw the buck again, his head was going into the hole.

I told myself I was going to have to stop the buck because of his steady walk. I nervously waited until his entire body was in the hole before I mouth bleated. He instantly stopped slightly quartering away and looked in my direction. I guessed the buck at 35 yards and aimed my bow's 25-yard single-pin sight a little high on the vitals and released. Time seemed to stand still. Unexpectedly, the deer fell where he stood. My first thought was, Oh my gosh, I must have hit him high, probably in the spine.

Because of not being able to see the deer from the tree, I quickly got down and shot one final, well-placed arrow and he quickly expired. I will admit my adrenaline was at a very high level, and I was nervous at the very sight of this monster. After calming down and checking the distance, it was not 35, but 25 yards. I also think my nerves got the best of me and possibly caused an unsteady release because I did, in fact, hit him in the spine. Fortunately, it was over quickly.

When I went over to the buck and picked up his head, I was totally blown away by the size of his rack. I knew when I first saw him he was big, but he was even bigger than I thought. I was a nervous wreck. My feelings at that point were complete bewilderment and amazement. I had actually taken the buck of a lifetime. To say I was overwhelmed and bursting with emotion would be an understatement. These emotions ranged from being thankful to being very humbled at the same time. For some strange unknown reason I didn't feel worthy of an animal of this magnitude.

I grabbed my equipment and headed out. I didn't want to leave the buck, but I needed help or at least my game cart to get him out.