In this guest post, Allie Carroll relates her tale of hunting in Indiana for a monster buck, and how patience was most definitely a virtue. ~ The Editors
After two years of relentless whitetail hunting, through mornings and nights, enduring all weather conditions and passing on decent bucks with the unwavering hope of encountering the buck of a lifetime, last year, that dream finally became a reality.
During a week-long stretch in December, we were granted the opportunity to hunt black powder in Indiana. Seven consecutive days dedicated to hunting, with only an hour-long lunch break, appeared to offer the perfect opportunity to pursue that elusive dream buck. Yet, as the days dwindled down, the likelihood of seizing that chance began to diminish.
The initial three days, my sightings were limited to the same does and small bucks. Faced with this pattern, I decided to change my hunting location for the latter part of the trip. However, doubts began to creep in within the first day of sitting in the new location, as the woods remained devoid of any activity. The following morning proved equally slow until just before lunch when movement caught my attention in a nearby valley. Swiftly raising my scope, I identified a promising buck. This buck was a definite shooter, but next year he would be even bigger, and I was after the monster. For 30 minutes, I observed as the buck grazed along the ridge, eventually settling down close to my stand. It was an unforgettable encounter, one that I wouldn’t exchange for anything.
That night I found myself instantly questioning my choice to pass on the buck – replaying the scenario repeatedly in my mind. Perhaps I underestimated how big he really was? What if I encounter nothing else for the remainder of the trip, and I let an opportunity slip by?
As I sat through the entirety of the next day, my thoughts continued to spiral further. All I encountered was a doe. With only one more day of hunting ahead, the odds appeared increasingly unfavorable.
The final morning started out slow, no movement except for the squirrels and birds surrounding me. Three hours had passed and finally some activity. I hear something crashing through the bushes and when I look behind me I see around six does running with a buck hot on their trail. Despite my efforts, I couldn’t get a clear view of the buck before they vanished, leaving me with a sinking feeling. “What if that was him?” I pondered, wondering if they might circle back.
For a few hopeful minutes, I scanned the surroundings, but they didn’t reappear. I finally accepted their disappearance and turned back around to immediately catch movement at the top of the ridge in front of me. I notice a buck approaching, but I can’t judge his size as he walks straight towards me behind some thick bushes and trees. As he gets closer, he suddenly lies down about 60 yards away. After what feels like an eternity, he stands back up and moves into a position where I can finally assess his size. I immediately knew this was a shooter and was bigger than the one I let walk so I decided to take the shot. Once the smoke cleared, I could see I had hit him. Watching him leap over the ridge, I started shaking, realizing I had just shot at a great buck.
We waited a few hours before tracking him down, following the blood trail from where I shot him. Climbing over the ridge, we were surprised to find him lying there. It was an incredible moment. I knew he was a great buck, but seeing him up close, I was stunned by his size and the mass of his horns.
As tears welled up in my eyes, I found it difficult to comprehend the moment. While I knew I had taken down a remarkable buck, I hadn’t fully grasped its magnitude. Having my partner, Chad, with me was a blessing, as we shared in this experience together, grateful not only for the meat on our table but also for the once-in-a-lifetime buck that the good Lord allowed me to harvest. Truly, God is good.
About the Author
From as early as three weeks old, Allie Carroll has been immersed in the great outdoors, enjoying the woods of Georgia hunting whitetails with her family at the hunting camp. Raised in Florida, she had even more opportunities to experience nature, embarking on fishing trips and alligator hunting. A significant part of her childhood was dedicated to playing travel softball, a passion that led her to college. After graduating, Allie found herself searching for a new purpose, which she discovered in the outdoors. Her love for hunting and fishing intensified, as she realized the therapeutic power of nature. Now, her mission is to share this revelation with other women. As a staff member of Sisterhood Outdoors, she is committed to dispelling the negative stereotypes associated with women in outdoor activities and strives to enhance the experiences and sense of belonging for all women interested in joining this shared sisterhood.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
