Hunter: Eric Hale
Animal: 4 1/2 Year Old 6 Point Whitetail
Location: Virginia
Weapon: PSE X-Force

Well everyone, Chris and I are finally on the board for Dream Season TV: Redemption. As usual this hunt is not a short one and has a lengthy story to go along with the harvesting of this beautiful 4 1/2 year old mountain buck.

This year Chris and I were very excited to hunt our home stomping ground here in good ole Virginia due to the number of nice bucks we were seeing on our farms. And as usual, buck sightings in August always coincides with our annual food plot plantings. We planted approximately five acres of BioLogic Maximum and Full Draw. One such food plot is positioned on top of a ridge that runs East to West. Along the West/South and East slopes are nasty thickets and clear cuts that serve as a primary bedding area for our deer on this particular farm. This food plot is a long linear shape with several apple trees located near by. The soft mast in Virginia this year is incredible with numerous apple trees breaking from the sheer weight of all their fruit. Chris and I new that with this food plot being positioned on top of this ridge close to a primary bedding area, that something good was bound to happen.

After the food plot was planted, we immediately put out our Reconyx camera monitoring a licking branch on an apple tree inside the food plot. This perennial licking branch has been there for years and proves to be a hot spot to inventory the age class of bucks on this farm. And sure enough with in five days we got 11 different bucks visiting this licking branch with ages ranging from 1 yr. olds to a big 4 yr. old six point. This six point blew us away and the pics of him were awesome. So we immediately devised a plan to try and take him in early October.

We immediately went in and hung a double set on the east end of the food plot that would enable us to shoot not only into the food plot, but to a couple of apple trees close by. We also decided to hang a second set below the main bedding area on several White Oaks that were loaded with acorns. This would give us the opportunity to hunt this buck on different wind directions. Then it was simply a waiting game for the opening week here in Virginia as well as the right wind.

By the first week of October the food plot looked fantastic and the apple trees were still loaded with fruit. To say we were itching to climb into the stands was and under statement. So on October 6th we elected to hunt our White Oak set due to a North East wind. To our amazement, we only saw a few does. On October 9th the wind shifted to a south east and we anxiously climbed into the food plot set. At 6:00 p.m. a spike stepped under one of the apple trees and began to feed. After about five minutes he threw his head up and looked back into the bedding area and stared intently.

Appearing like a ghost the ole six point strolled into view and we went into overdrive. As Chris was positioning to film the buck the little spike caught some movement and was on hight alert. This obviously put the big six on pins and needles.... Finally the little buck trotted into the thicket and the big six followed, but stopped just shy of the thicket. As he did, I squeaked at him to get him to look in our direction and make sure Chris had him, which proved to be a rookie mistake on my part. As soon as I made the noise he bolted back into his sanctuary. To say we were ticked is putting it mildly. Not a good way to start off Dream Season Redemption. But I vowed if I got the chance again, the outcome would be different.

With that being said, October 11th rolled around with perfect weather. We had high pressure sitting in, cool temps, a rising moon in the evening and a perfect South East wind. The only problem was that Chris had an auction to attend and I had no other camera men to film me. So I did the only thing I could and grabbed a camera arm for the tree and set off to try and film the kill myself. After getting settled into the stand, I practiced running the camera on several deer visiting the apple trees and food plot just in case the big six showed up. Like clock work the same little spike showed up at 6:10 p.m. and began feeding under the apple tree.

I thought to myself, I wish that six point would appear one more time. And as if the heavens above were listening, the ole six point came into view like a ghost from the dense security cover. I began filming him and after about 30 seconds noticed I forgot to push record. Luckily I noticed it and hit the record button before I made the number one mistake in filming. I simply told myself to relax and not rush something and make another stupid mistake.

The bucks fed for a few moments and eventually the spike jumped the fence and began feeding in the food plot. I quickly framed the camera on the big six point and grabbed my bow. I came to full draw and let the X Force scream. The lighted nock double lunged the big guy and he bolted straight back into the thick cover. I swung the camera around and came unglued. I have never been so torn down after a shot. I quietly filmed some cutaways and climbed down to retrieve my arrow. It was completely covered in bright red blood. But while looking at the kill shot, it appeared as if I hit him toward the rear of the upper lobes of the lungs.

I decided to air on the safe side after discussing it with Chris and close friends I elected to let him lay over night. I hate that, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. The next morning myself along with Chris, Dad and our good friend Matt (second camera man), went in to recover the buck. After about ten minutes Chris saw the buck first and the celebration began. The buck traveled about 75 yards straight down the ridge into the tight cover.

After examing the buck, we determined that he was quatering away a little bit and that I had in fact got a high double lung hit, which is where we love to shoot em. I can not say enough how awesome it is to have a rig like my PSE X Force that puts out so much kinetic energy topped off with a Rage Broad Head. The impact was devastating and very ethical. We had a great celebration and took some great pics.

Our Dream Season has kicked off to a great start and Redemption at this point is ours. We only hope the rest of our season goes as well and wish all the other Teams all the luck in the world.