14-year-old bags trophy buck
Fourteen-year-old Piper killed killed a big buck in full velvet during a Youth Day hunt in Richland County, SC on Aug. 9, 2025. Her dad shares the story of the hunt with us here:
Piper has always been a “yes” person. My hunting buddy from the start. She does the work, prepares, and her excitement is contagious. Our small property doesn’t hold a bunch of deer and she has patiently passed on smaller bucks for the past 2 years.
Last night, for youth deer day, her hard work and patience was rewarded.
About an hour before sunset she headed out to the ground blind, where she was joined, as usual, by her kitty, Hermione.
It wasn’t long before I got a text that there was an 8-point in the shooting lane. I kept waiting to hear a shot ring out, but instead, heard the “ding” of a text message.
“I’m not gonna shoot him.”
Another followed shortly after.
“He’s gonna come out, I know it.”
The buck in front of her, while nice, was not the one she had been watching on the camera for the last six weeks, and she was determined to wait. Seven minutes later, another text.
“Something spooked him.”
Target buck shows up
Trying to keep her spirits up, I replied.
“Maybe a bigger deer!! 🙏😉.”
Seven more minutes ticked by and it was starting to get darker. Ding…
”Deer. One of them is him.”
My heart was racing, so I knew hers must have been pounding. I sent her a reminder.
“Breathe slow. Let all your air out. Squeeze slow.”
I waited with intense anticipation. Ding…
”He’s facing me. I can’t shoot him.”
As he stood staring straight at her, she kept waiting, urging him to turn broadside for the shot she wanted. He wasn’t cooperating and time was running out.
Success
Piper has always been serious about being able to make a good shot and is very capable with a rifle. I encouraged her to siege the opportunity.
“Take a neck shot. You can do it.”
I’m not sure if I breathed after I hit send. That’s not an easy shot for a very experienced hunter in the best light conditions, and daylight was fading fast. If she missed I knew how hard she would be on herself.
Two minutes later, I finally heard the crack of the rifle. The text came quickly and to the point.
“Dead.”
I hurried out to join her and grabbed her in a big hug. Her hard work and patience had paid off, and as we approached, we both saw just how nice this deer was. A big 8-point, in full velvet, with giant bases, measuring 5.5 inches around and thick, tall tines.
This was the one she had been looking for, and one neither of us will ever forget.
–Neil Masincupp
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Congratulations to Piper, who is now entered in our Bag-A-Buck Contest, which features a Grand Prize of a 2-day hunter for two hunters at Cherokee Run Hunting Lodge in Chesterfield, SC. To enter your buck or see all the other entrants, visit www.carolinasportsman.com/bag-a-buck-2025.
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