When I look back at the past 5 years, I think about all of the hunters who have taken beautiful bucks while I was guiding them. I think about all of the hunters on all of the ranches and the ranch owners and the great trophies that I have been so fortunate to be a small part of. I think about the thousands of whitetails that I’ve been able to see, to photograph and to video. It’s been that long since I was on this end of the game. Since I was the one who got to pull the trigger on a trophy south Texas whitetail.

And I must admit that these past 5 years have by far been the best of my hunting experience. The knowledge gained and the memories I’ve gathered amaze me when I look back on them all. I have guided hunters to their first deer, their biggest bucks, 170’s and 180’s class monsters. My photography has grown from a hobby into a part-time career. My enjoyment of it and passion for the outdoors has grown beyond my wildest expectations. I have met hundreds of fellow hunters and formed relationships that will last me for the rest of my days.

Now that I’ve said that…

Sitting in that blind the other evening when that giant walked into view rekindled every fire that I have ever had for hunting. I’ll never forget the feeling when I saw him. I had just photographed him not far from there two weeks before…but this was very different. The sweating palms, the heightened senses, rapid heart rate, dry mouth. I always talk about getting excited when my hunters shoot their deer (and I do get buck fever for them), or when I have a big buck in the lens of my camera, but this was different. Maybe it was the 5 year layoff. Maybe it was the fact that it was here on our ranch, where we’ve worked so hard to get where we are. But it was fantastic. To have my father there beside me was incredible. And to walk up and lay my hands on this giant…was beyond anything I can put into words.

He’s obviously my largest whitetail, and the biggest main-framed 8 point I’ve ever personally seen in the wild. If I never kill another one, I’m one happy kid. But you can bet that given the chance, it won’t take 5 years for me to do this again.

26" main beams...15" right G2, with other tines at 13, 12+ & 11.  19 4/8" inside spread.

248 lbs.

163 1/8 Gross 8 point Score

164 4/8 Total Gross Score

Good Hunting Hardy

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