I was hunting fence line with lots of sign and the deer had been actively using the mock scrape I made back in August. The area I was hunting doesn’t allow cameras so I used the sign to set up. The evening of the hunt I had 2 spikes working the opposite side of the fence up and down for about 3 hours, when I heard some leaves crunching back and to my right. I saw his tail flick and knew it was a seven sized deer by the hind end, and then I saw a glimpse of his antlers and made the decision to shoot if he walked into the little window I had. He slowly made his way in and I steadied waiting for him to appear in my sights and when he did I fired and the rest is history. He ran about 23rd and quickly expired making for a short but hard drag through some thick and vine riddled woods.
Hunter’s name: Daniel Maddox
New Bern North Carolina
Craven County, NC
10/10/2025
8-point buck
