And I scratched it on my #1 hit list buck and my best Alabama buck to date. I taped him out at 143 6/8” gross as an straight up 8 pt. He’s a fine south Bama pine goat

Alright I’ve teased y’all long enough so I’ll post a few pics after my short story. I have two years of history with this deer. I passed him up last year as a high 120’s possibly low 30’s deer. I know what y’all thinking people just don’t pass up 130” deer in this state Anyway I wasn’t sure of his age and he looked young to me so he got the pass. I started sharing a few pics with close friends and a few guys on here that I trust their opinion. The opinion suggested he was mature and at least 4.5 years old going into this season. I was still undecided if I was going to kill him this year. I’m really trying to up my game to 5.5 year old deer. I gave this decision a lot of thought over the coming months as I watched him grow. As the months progressed he was turning into the best deer I would ever have a chance to hunt.

I finally decided I was gonna shoot him if he gave me the opportunity. I realized he was mature and would be my biggest BAMA buck to date. I also realized he lived on a very small property and he would not get a pass if the adjoining neighbors had their opportunity at him. I have busted my but on this property making it the most attractive it can be. I’m very fournate to have a small natural regrowth cutover that is super thick. It’s a buck magnet and holds a lot of deer. I really did not have to do anything cover wise as it was already in place. I set out this summer with the goal to amend my soil and get some summer plots planted.

My 2nd goal was to keep the pressure off this deer until I thought I could kill him. I only hunted this place with the correct wind. I would not put a foot on it other wise. It was hard sitting at home on some of these fine days we have had recently but the wind was not right. I felt like yesterday was going to be a good opportunity to catch up with him. As y’all now we just came off several days of hot weather. The hot weather had literally shut down the mature buck movement in my neck of the woods. I felt like he would be egger to get on his feet with a 20 plus degree cool down and our rut kicking into gear.

I settle into my stand at 3:08 adjacent to the natural regrowth cutover. I had determined he used this area has his core bedding area most of the time. At around 3:30 I catch a glimpse of uelloish horns at the edge of the road I’m watching down. I quickly get my gun shouldered and he steps out. He’s walking at steady pace and I have to holler at him to get him to stop. The wind is blowing 15+ mph and I’m in a loc-on that’s in a gum tree not much bigger than my leg. Needless to say, I was having trouble getting the cross hairs settled. Thankfully they settled in good enough and I squeezed off a round. He buckled at the shot and crashed at edge of the road. At the point I knew I’d be closing out our history together. It’s a bit sad on one hand but very fulfilling on the other.

As I always say I’m truly a blessed man!! I definitely don’t deserve the many great things our Heavenly Father provides for me!! It has truly been a blessed season of the great 8’s for this ole lucky fella!

God bless and good luck