Deer of the Year: In Their Own Words

To enter your own buck in our 2014/2015 Deer of the Year program, click here.

Ed Pepin, Maine (above)
“I’d started a new job and didn’t have much hunting time—only a few hours one Saturday. I headed into a thicket and spotted a buck but missed clean. Out from behind a pine steps a monster. After a misfire, I chambered a fresh round and shot. It felt good. I found blood and then saw its antler in the high grass. My buck grossed 188 1/8.”

Chad McKibben, Ohio
“On January 6, wind chills hovered near ₋25. On stand, overlooking a hay field, I spotted a buck at 140 yards—one that I’d been hunting for two years. I cocked the hammer on my muzzleloader and fired—nothing. I quickly thumbed the hammer again, steadied the scope, and fired. My buck was down. He measured 165 B&C.”

Matt Serwa, Wisconsin
“Suddenly, this giant buck was standing just 20 yards from my stand­­. I never heard him approach. I drew back, but my peep was twisted. I did my best to peer around the peep, but I shot over his back. I missed a second shot, too. Somehow, he gave me a third. With the peep aligned, I made a pretty good hit. The 19-pointer grossed 201 3/8.”

Jon Dahlstrom, Idaho
“My brother, Jeremy, and I were finally fortunate enough to draw tags close to our hometown of Pocatello. We passed up several bucks before locating a nice 4×4. I won a quick game of rock-paper-scissors and took the buck. During the last few hours of daylight on the last day of the season, Jeremy got his buck, too—a dandy 4×4 with stickers.”

CLICK HERE TO ENTER DEER OF THE YEAR

Now we want to hear about your hunt. Visit our Deer of the Year page and upload your buck photo and story for a chance to win a spot on the September 2015 cover of Outdoor Life and some great gear from Gerber.