Tagged Out!

Savannah Banner killed two bucks and a bear in 2023

I’ve had a stellar hunting season this year (2023), first taking a huge 18-point buck and then my first black bear. It was really special to tag out with what was my target buck, the big 8. I’ve had this deer on camera all season here in Rockingham County, and it was my personal goal to take him with a bow. On Dec. 15, 2023 at 7 a.m., he came into the creek bottom where I had my ground blind set up.

I watched him ease up the holler toward me in the first light of the morning. I could tell it was a big buck without picking up my binoculars, but wanted to be sure this was him since I had a couple of others on camera that I wanted to grow for next season. As he got closer, I could see the huge brow tines I used to identify him and knew I needed to get ready.

I was hunting with my Wicked Ridge crossbow due to being in a ground blind. Shout out to Boneyard Archery in Madison, NC for making sure both of my bows were ready for this season! When the deer came into bow range, I got him in the crosshairs, pulled the trigger, and he dropped in his tracks!

I was shooting a mechanical broadhead and man it did the job! This is the first buck I’ve ever gotten to take with a bow, and it’s even more special to finish off my season with this deer. He weighed 167 pounds and was 19 1/2 inches on the inside of his spread.

–Savannah Banner; Mayodan, NC

___________

Bag A Buck Contest

Congratulations to Banner, who is now in the running for our monthly prize of a free 1-year subscription to Carolina Sportsman Magazine, a Mini Maglite, an 18-ounce Yeti Rambler, a two-pack of Lowcountry Seasonings, as well as our Grand Prize, which includes a 3-year-subscription to Carolina Sportsman Magazine, a 2-day two-person hunt at Cherokee Run Hunting Lodge in Chesterfield, SC, and other prizes to be determined.

See all the bucks entered so far, and upload yours at carolinasportsman.com/bag-a-buck-2023, or email photo and detailed info to images@carolinasportsman.com.