It has taken a while, as the bucks would seem to elude me during archery season, but I finally had my chance the Thursday before gun season.

Thursday morning I hunted a spot where I have been getting regular pictures of a large 8-point that I really wanted the chance to take. After seeing nothing that morning, I decided to forego my plan to sit all day and get down and pull cams.

Two weeks prior, I had found a tree that had fallen over the fence on the south border of our lease and the deer were taking well advantage of easy passage, with the barbed wire being down. I set a cam looking at this crossing, and it did not disappoint.

There was one buck, a 10 pointer with tall G2 and G3's, that showed up nearly every day, and by the week before gun, was chasing (and breeding) does.

I had to quickly make a decision as I did not have a stand near this spot and would have to move a climber I had stashed in another area of the farm. I had the stand moved and I was up in the tree by 2:30 Thursday afternoon.

I was immediately noticing deer movement and rut activity. Several does were being pushed by small bucks and some does were still feeding, unperturbed. At about 4pm, I heard movement behind me, a doe was working her way toward me and a few moments later I saw a large body not far behind.

I had to keep my movements even more minimal than normal due to this area of the farm having very little brush and undergrowth, I might as well have been hanging off the side of a telephone pole on the side of the road. Thankfully, the wind was on my side and the doe was concentrated on eating and the buck, on her.

The doe worked her way in front of me, with the buck coming more into view, I could tell he was in full-rut-mode with swollen neck and careless demeanor. I knew I had seen him in the pictures I had just browsed a few hours earlier.

I was able to ease to a standing position, wait as the buck gave me the perfect broadside shot, less than 20 yards away. I release the arrow and watched it disappear into hide, catching both lungs. He took a few steps, stopped, and I could tell he was having trouble breathing, but I rushed to get another arrow nocked as quickly as I could. While I was drawing to put another arrow in him, he started to stumble off for another 30 yards before rolling and eventually expiring.

I texted my dad to let him know I had just put down my first archery buck, and he was there shortly to help me drag him out. It has been a fun, tough season!

Congrats on nice buck. Great story. Awesome pictures of him. At least you know that there's a chance of him producing another great buck in 2-3 years if the doe took.

Nice job Alex on a Great looking Deer......

Really nice!

Very nice.... Congrats!!!

Great job! Congrats!

I really like the story behind the kill. In season scouting reveals a hot funnel and you played it out perfectly. Way to go!

Congrats on a good buck.

Way to put a plan together and get it done.

Great story. I like how you adjusted to the situation. Heck of a buck.

Great buck great Athens bow congrats!

Congrats on a fine first one

Congrats A 13 on a nice buck.....

Nice buck.

Nice job Alex. Well done.

That right there is a fine first bowkill...CONGRATS!!!

nice job adjusting and heck of a way to get started!

That's a great deer! Congratulations!