I slipped out of work early Friday to get my first hunt of the season in with a couple buddies just outside of Sparta NC.
We game planned on the way up thinking we’ll climb new trees rather than disturb the few stands we have on the property. Having seen some does on this one hill that’s mostly thicket and opens up to a hilltop of mature oaks, I figured I’d find a tree that allowed me to see the edge of the thicket.
With little action for the first 2 hours, I figured I might get a doe or two wandering out as the light faded…wrong. A little 6/7 point snuck up on me, but was on alert looking in to the thick stuff and trying to get any scent he could. Being optimistic I thought the big dog might come walking out at any moment. As the little guy wandered off I checked my shoulders and saw the big dogs 70yds off in the oaks grazing their way across, but away from me. They disappeared and everything went quiet for 45min until the little buck came back. He was still on edge looking back in to the thick stuff. All of a sudden he took off on a dead sprint away from the thicket, when I looked back there was a bruiser standing right in front of me staring at where the little guy went.
Details get fuzzy here as the adrenaline hit, as quickly and sneakily as I could, I grabbed my bow and drew. At full draw something felt off – my string was pressing in to the bridge of my saddle, so I leaned even further around the tree to free it up and let it fly.
He ran 15yds to where I had a clear view – the shot was decent, maybe a little farther back than I’d want (slightly quartering to). He stood there for 10sec before taking off on a dead sprint, making a half circle back to the thick stuff. I watched him wobble and go down. At this point light was fading, I sat with my eyes glued on that spot for an hour as the light faded not seeing or hearing anything. I waited for my buddy to make his way over before starting the recovery.
Luckily it was a quick trail and recovery- he was down and out right in the spot I saw him go down.
Facts:
– first archery buck
– dressed weight 187.5lbs
– inside spread 17” (estimated w/ hands)
– 4.5” antler bases (estimated w/ hands)
– estimated age 5.5yrs
– 9” eyeball to nose (taxidermist confirmed)
– 24” neck (taxidermist confirmed)
Hunter’s name: Kyle Cotter
Charlotte NC
Allegheny County NC
9/19/2025
8-point buck
