When this giant buck disappeared on me back in October of 2021, I thought he was dead figuring some other lucky hunter had tagged him. Fast forward to 2023 he was back on my Reveal Trail cameras, and he absolutely exploded!
I kept an eye on him all summer long at my mineral sites filled with Buck Seduction and by monitoring the mock scrapes I started in the area.
On the evening of October 7th during the Red Moon, I took my oldest boy Jamison out hunting on another farm. Guess who showed up at 7:04 pm hung around my stand until the end of legal light?! I immediately started putting my plan together for the following even
ing.
On the evening of October 7th during the Red Moon, I took my oldest boy Jamison out hunting on another farm. Guess who showed up at 7:04 pm hung around my stand until the end of legal light?! I immediately started putting my plan together for the following even
ing. The following evening on October 8th, I climbed into my stand around 6pm. I probably should not have hunted that spot due to the marginal wind, but my buddy Mark convinced me otherwise. I put a bunch of evercalm scent on my boots as well as the ladder of my stand, then climbed in for the evening sit. I fired up my Ozonics HR400 and turned it to “boost mode” and not 20 minutes later, I had a doe and her fawn feed passed me directly downwind and they never caught my scent!! As the sun began to set I heard a stick break. I turned slightly to catch a glimpse of a single deer leg moving down the hill. Moments later, he emerged in all his magnificent glory!!
As if on a string, Freddie came walking the trail right in front of my stand before stopping right under me at 3 yards! As soon as he turned his head, I drew back my Mathews Bows V3X and settled my pin on his vitals. As he began walking, I hit him with the “Meh” and punched my release. I watched my arrow pass right through his chest, followed by an immediate “THWACK”! I Watched the giant go maybe 35 yards and crash into a tree right in front of me! At that point I lost all control of my emotions. I screamed, cried and I shook hysterically. As I sat there in disbelief, looking down at my blood covered arrow and lighted nock illuminating the area where Freddie had just stood, I couldn’t help but think "now what, it’s over”. That was the most intense 90 seconds of my life and I still cannot believe it. It wasn't until the next day when I realized I had captured Freddie's last steps on my Reveal camera just seconds before I made my shot!
To say I’m blessed, is an understatement!! I owe all the glory to God, all the support to my wife Katie Neitzel and the hard work, scouting, and passing on other good deer to ME!!!
Brandon Neitzel, Oklahoma.
