
With the Illinois hunting season nearing its end and very little deer movement, I reached out to another Outfitter friend in Texas about the possibility of a hunt during KC’s Christmas break. We set it up for late December between Christmas and New Year’s. My wife was off work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so she planned on making the trip with us! After getting organized and prepared we had Christmas here at home in Illinois and then headed south to make the 18-hour drive to south Texas.

This would be our longest trip with KC, but he was excited, and I hoped that excitement paired with his iPad would get us through the 18-hour drive. We arrived in Texas to mid-70’s weather, which coming freezing temperatures at home, was a huge and welcomed change for us! We were welcomed into camp and were captivated by the beautiful property as well as the warm welcome from ranch owners Roger and Glenda and Outfitter Kevin and his son Kaden. We got our gear unpacked while KC and Kaden headed down to the lake to fish. Over the next week they would become best buddies. Kevin was well prepared for KC’s arrival and had a great spot picked out for the evening hunt. After an afternoon of fishing and nerf wars with Kaden we headed out to the blind. The deer were moving, and it did not take long for the activity to begin. With some great bucks on trail camera, we knew this was a hot spot, so we were ready and focused as soon as we got to the blind. It was an eventful sit with plenty of action, mainly does and small bucks throughout the afternoon and evening.
At around 5:30 we heard what sounded like a doe running through the woods behind us and behind her was a nice buck, I was able to snap a photo as they chased past us. The buck never presented KC with a shot, however with the best time of the evening approaching we were still optimistic with the activity we had seen thus far in the area. With about 30 minutes of daylight left, Kevin whispered that he could see a buck in the distance heading into the feeder. As the buck came closer, I realized this was a good buck and KC was already setup for a shot if one was presented. I peeked out the side window of the blind as the buck came into range, light was fading fast. As the buck turned broadside, KC took his shot and I saw the lumenock disappear behind the buck’s shoulder. On impact I heard KC exclaim “Got him” so I knew he was also confident in the shot as well.
We waited about 15 minutes and could see the lighted nock glowing in the grass, we inspected the arrow and decided to take the side by side back to camp and get lights. We took up the trail about an hour later and found the buck less than 100 yards from the shot. After taking some photos and going back to camp to show his mom, we headed to the meat pole to skin and quarter his buck. Later that evening I was going back through the photos on my phone and came across the photo I took of the buck chasing the doe earlier that evening. I noticed a familiar sticker off the bucks G2 and came to the realization it was the same buck! What a cool hunt and KC’s first whitetail in Texas and the kickoff to a great week in Texas.
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