Colten Hinch

Harvest Story: Sunday September 27th I went out on an observation hunt. I knew for an observation I’d still be in the chips. I have been on the hunt for this big 10 I called Dwayne. He has MIA since Sept. 19th but I knew the acorns had started dropping so he probably moved into the timber. Setting up that Sunday afternoon he was all I could think about. Seeing him in person would set the course for my season. While I didn’t see him that night I gained key information from what the other deer had shown me. Not just a trail they all used but THE trail. Every deer I saw that night used the same one. By the time last light rolled around I started to get all the deer I had been seeing on the acorns 400 yards to the west. I knew I was close enough not to mess with their beds and to catch a big one coming from his bed to the acorns to the west where my camera was. Friday Oct 2nd we had a heavy cold front rolling through. With temps dropping 15°, the red moon, pressure rising, and same wind conditions I decided to get out to sit over that trail. I started into the woods at 1pm. Real early for a date like Oct 2nd but I knew, being close to the bedding like that, I would have the deer close and I’d rather be early than late. I slowly worked through the woods going up and around the main corridor they were all using. I crossed the trail 25 yards from the tree I ultimately decided to set up in. I knew whatever deer going down that trail would catch my scent but by that time, if it’s the right one, it would be too late for him. I get completely set and in my tree around 2pm. Immediately I was covered up in does. Teams of 3-4 worked through on and off every 15 minutes or so from the time I was set up until the time I shot my buck. I couldn’t believe how early they were up and moving. Fast forward to 6pm. Two does had me pinned. My wind swirled and the mature doe caught my scent. I thought it was game over. Getting down to prime time the last thing I want is does blowing within 150 yards of the main bedding. Fortunately for me, I had luck on my side. The two does worked off back toward the bedding area. With a sigh of relief I look around to make sure there weren’t any more does trying to give me trouble. I saw a nice 10 behind me that made my heart jump. I thought it was Dwayne. I pulled my binos up only to see it’s a nice 130” 10 that I had on camera a few days prior. By this time it’s about 6:30. I watched him for a while taking in the theft I just got away with on those does. I finally return to my senses that there could be other deer around, after all, it’s that prime time. That last hour that everyone looks forward to. I turn to my right and see, standing at 63 yards, is Dwayne. I have never seen him in person. Never even seen a buck like him in person. I am in immediate panic mode. Everything I’ve had set up in front of me since 1 pm seems like a disorganized mess. Understanding this is the biggest deer I’ve had the opportunity to harvest, I take a minute to breathe. Live in the moment. I grab my bow. He’s still at 60 yards raking a tree. Fortunately I am in a massive shag bark hickory. I use it to my advantage. Keeping the tree between him and I. I peak to the left he’s at 40 right on the trail all the does have been on. I move back behind the tree and dial my sight to 43 for my shooting lane I have right to that exact trail just ahead of him. I take another peak to see where he’s going and he’s still there with a doe at 40 yards. I don’t have a shot there so my only option is to wait, back behind the tree I go. I take one last peak after a few seconds and like magic he has vanished. I know the only place he can be is working towards my shooting lanes. I immediately shift to the right and there he is. Not on the trail at 43 yards, but at 25. Perfectly broadside. I hit record on my camera, pull back, stop him, and let one rip. Immediately blood pumps out. He gives out a massive mule kick, plows through multiple trees, and crashes down 30 yards from my stand. Not even a week into season and I’ve killed my biggest buck of my career thus far. Thankful and blessed for the opportunity. I’m still in disbelief. Looking forward to next year already.