8-yard shot downs 9-point buck
Hunter Sanford of Mountain Rest, SC killed a 9-point buck in Hampton County, SC on Sept. 17, 2026.
He shot the buck with a Mathews Triax during a morning hunt while sitting on the ground from 8 yards away.
Sanford summed up the hunt with these words:
“Was down at Hamilton Ridge WMA for the opening week of deer season. Hunting a new place for the first time was difficult. Hunting all week and every buck that I was seeing throughout the first couple of days was 80 plus yards. On the last day of the trip, I climbed down around 11 a.m. and slipped quietly through the swamp bottoms. Was about 150 yards from my truck when I saw my buddy I was hunting with, standing at the bed of my truck. I kinda hung my head in defeat and continued on the trail, I took maybe two steps and looked to my left and saw this beautiful 9-point standing only yards away from me, standing completely still. The only thing I could see was his body and horns. I clipped my release to my D-loop and pulled my bow back, put my pin right behind his front shoulder, and as I squeezed my release, I uttered “who’s your daddy” and that 300 spine Ted Nugget arrow with that 100 grain MegaMeat broadhead went a flying! That baby didn’t go 20! I smoked his butt!”
Sanford is now entered in our Bag-A-Buck Contest, and is eligible to win our monthly prize pack, which includes a set of Ultimate Eyes & Ears Combo from ShellShock Pro, a YETI Rambler bottle, a prize package from Buck Commander and Duck Commander, and a Carolina Sportsman hat, as well as our Grand Prize, a 2-day hunt for two to Cherokee Run Hunting Lodge in Chesterfield County, SC.
