Two hunters shot trophy bucks at the same time
Brett Carson and Case Wiles, both of Williston, SC, doubled up on trophy bucks (a 10-point and an 8-point) during a hunt in Barnwell County on Aug. 15, 2024. The two hunters planned this hunt after Wiles had noticed the two bucks breaking away from their regular group of bachelor bucks leading up to opening day in South Carolina’s lowcountry.
Carson shot his buck with a .308, and Wiles used a 6.5 Creedmoor. Both shots were 100 yards, from the same ground blind, and the two hunters shot simultaneously.
“Case had been having a bachelor group of seven bucks showing up every morning and evening, feeding on a bait pile he had made on a gas line running perpendicular to a soybean field that his father farms,” said Carson. “As the season approached, two bucks began to separate themselves from one another, no longer appearing together with the five other smaller bucks.”
Wiles and Carson talked about the situation, and even though the two target bucks were showing up together less frequently, they decided to attempt to double up on opening morning. The plan came together just about perfectly.
“So that morning, at 5:15 a.m., we made our way to the ground blind at the entrance of the gas line, approximately 100 yards from the corn pile. Around 6 a.m., while looking through my binoculars, I noticed a group of three bucks appear out of the planted pines lining the gas line,” said Carson.
One of those bucks was the 10-point target. And within just a few minutes, the wider 8-point buck showed up.
“They convened at the corn pile, not giving an opportunity for a clean shot, as they were standing very close to one another,” he said.
With both target bucks in sight, the two hunters waited for the right moment to make their shots. The Moultrie trail camera Case had positioned over the corn pile flashed its infrared light, spooking the deer. This caused them to spread out, and both target bucks were now standing broadside, presenting the opportunity for two shots.
“Case asked me if I was ready. We positioned our rifles on our Bog Tripod and Bipod, and Case counted to three. We took our shots simultaneously. Both bucks were hit. Case’s buck dropped where it stood. Mine ran 30 yards into a pine thicket,” he said.
After confirming Wiles’ buck was properly dispatched, they searched for Carson’s. They found it quickly, then celebrated together.
“We were both exhilarated to have taken two nice bucks, simultaneously, on opening morning. We bowed our heads and thanked the Lord for the ability, health, and opportunity to be able to experience such an extraordinary hunt. The two bucks will be getting European mounted with the velvet on their antlers,” said Carson.
Bag A Buck Contest
Congratulations to Carson and Wiles, who are now in the running for our monthly prize of a free 1-year subscription to Carolina Sportsman Magazine, a Sportsman hat, a two-pack of Lowcountry Seasonings, as well as our Grand Prize, which includes a 1-year-subscription to Carolina Sportsman Magazine, a Sportsman hat, and a 2-day, two-person hunt at Cherokee Run Hunting Lodge in Chesterfield, SC.
See all the bucks entered so far, and upload yours at carolinasportsman.com/bag-a-buck-2024.
