Paul Swanson of Durham, NC killed an 8-point buck in Caldwell County, NC on Sept. 26, 2026.
He shot the buck with an AR-15 chambered in 300blk during an afternoon hunt while sitting on the ground from 75 yards away.
Swanson’s dad summed up the hunt with these words:
“A few months ago my son Paul asked to go on his first deer hunt. We put together a rifle – A Anderson lower with a Bear Creek Arsenal 16 inch 300blk upper and a JK suppressor – and started practicing. For the 2026 youth hunt we headed to Caldwell county to hunt family property.
We got to the blind early and right at daylight saw a pair of nice bucks 6pt and 4pt walk in. Paul took aim and right as he was about to shoot the bucks spooked and took off. Paul was disappointed but determined. We ended up staying in the blind all day watching groups of doe pass and group of turkeys travel through. Late afternoon a group of 6 does came in and as we watched the biggest in the group, this buck emerged from behind some rhododendron.
The buck gave us a perfect broadside and we knew he was the one. Paul took aim and was nervous and excited. He was having trouble keeping the rifle steady. Finally, he was able to calm down enough to breathe and pulled the trigger. The buck dropped straight to the ground and kicked and rolled behind the rhododendron. We could hear the buck still moving and after a couple of minutes came out from behind the brush. The first shot was high and clipped the bucks spine. The second shot was a clean kill shot and the buck was his. It was an amazing first hunt and a great day in the woods.”
Swanson 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.
