Darrell Kiser of Salisbury, NC killed an 8-point buck in Tyrell County, NC on Oct. 3, 2026.
He shot the buck with a CVA Optima .50 cal Muzzleloader during an afternoon hunt while sitting on the ground from 80 yards away.
Kiser’s son summed up the hunt with these words:
“Posting this for my dad. We have been taking this eastern NC trip together for about 6 years now. My dad and I ride together and cover lots of ground on the coastal game lands. This particular trip is one we will never forget. We had hunted that morning in a still set with no reward. We decided to ride the game lands roads during the afternoon as we have learned over the years it is a great way to see deer mid day traveling and getting water from the canals. We made our way to the end of the driving road on this particular property and decided to sit and watch while we ate a bite for lunch. As we were sitting this buck comes right out into the road and looks directly at us and proceeded to just come our way as if we were holding him up.
My dad managed to get his muzzleloader, place the cap and get a shot off on this deer with his off hand just before it crossed into the canal never to be seen again. I watched the whole thing unfold right before my eyes and knew he had made a good shot and hoped this deer fell on the edge without crossing but we weren’t that lucky.
The deer had swam the canal so we had to make a decision. I knew this was a great deer and no way was I gonna let a canal and a swamp keep this trophy from my dad. So I decided I was gonna swim. Coming out on the other side, I jumped the deer and could see he was on his last legs and I knew it was just a matter of time and that I would be able to deliver this trophy back to my dad who through all the years we’d been going had never taken a deer on any of these trips. It took me roughly 4 hours of tracking, finding, and dragging this buck back out of that swamp and across the canal but as promised, I delivered! I’ve never been so happy to see my dad put his hands on an animal we’ve taken, but knowing I played a significant role in making that happen, this hunt will stick with me forever!”
Kiser 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.
