I have been in the Navy for almost 10 years now. I get to come back home to Claiborne Parish about once or twice every two years. Being overseas for over three years now, I had the opportunity to come back around for the first time on Oct. 30, 2020 for about 12 days. I hunted morning and evening from the time I touched down.
Running on very very little sleep due to time changes and the love of hunting, it all paid off on November 3rd. That morning, which was a pretty cold and slow one, I was hunting on one of the best stands on our property here in Lisbon. Patience prevailed; it was around 8:50 am when I saw my first deer of the day, a single doe. She came out at about 30 yards from me and walked on down a long lane to feed. I had been watching her through my scope for about 2-3 minutes when I heard some crashing going on out in the woods directly where she cane from. I knew this was about to be good. I dialed my scope back and flipped the safety off. I finally caught a glimpse of what this guy had on his head, and boy I lost it. Did my best to stay calm until he gave me an opportunity for a shot. As soon as I had a clear chance, I made the shot of a lifetime. Without even getting down to look at him, I sent dad and grandfather a text saying “Monster buck down” and he sure was that. He weighed 205 pounds, and was 19 inches wide, a true Claiborne Parish hoss. Thankful for my family who instilled the love of hunting in me, and my dad and grandfather who put it in the work everyday so that I can do these things when I am able to take a break from the military.