I got down to the lease Wednesday night after going trick or treating with the family in hopes of bagging my buck during bow season but also took opening week off just in case that didn't happen.

After the first hunt I pull cards and run through them as quick as possible to get a game plan for the week. My #1 was hit or miss at my feeders and probably 80% of my pics were of pigs. My buddy had been down the entire week and his dad was seeing my #1 regularly but unable to get a shot off on him up until this point. I am pretty sure with the hogs pretty much living in my area they had pushed my #1 out of my spot and was only coming around every so often.

I didn't have any pics of the buck we call Snowflake that my brother has on camera but I did have one other 9pt that if I saw him I would take this early in the season.

I hunted hard Thursday and Friday morning but with no luck and the pigs never came in although I could hear them in the thickets and draws around me. The main problem was the variable winds we were getting along with West winds which were not very ideal for my setups.

Most everyone started showing up Friday afternoon including my brother. After visiting for a little while it was time for one last bow hunt before the big gun opener the next morning.

I got settled in and prayed for the best with the variable winds at the best feeder location to get a chance at my #1 buck. Shortly after the feeders go off I have a nice 3-4yo main frame 7 with small double split g2's so he is a 9pt comes in along with a couple of does and a younger buck. The 9pt moves everything off the feeder and comes back to eat. A short time later I catch a glimpse of antlers coming in from the South at the edge of the brush and I instantly recognize it's the other big 9pt I am after.

I click the safety off and get ready. He postures up on the other 9 under the feeder and circles in but keeps going and turns back into the brush without giving me a shot. I start to think he isn't coming in as he disappears at the edge of the brush. I continue to wait for what seems like forever and just before I was about to click the safety back on I see him making his way slowly back towards the feeder. I get ready and aim at a spot he would be just before getting to the feeder but he stops. The is a one small mesquite tree between me and him but it forks perfectly allowing me a shot.

I quickly reposition and get the crosshairs on him. I steady my aim and squeeze the trigger. I watch the arrow go through the mesquite opening and into the vitals with that distinct "thwack"! He bolts and I see red at point of impact and as he runs towards the brush and turns I see red on the exit side. I finally connected on my first crossbow buck.

I quickly call my brother but he doesn't have signal and text a few other guys. I look at the time so I know how much time I need before going on the search. I finally get a response from my brother and we get out of ours stands and head to the truck and atv.

After 30 minutes or so we go back to the feeder and begin our search. I don't find my arrow so we pick up the blood trail. After tracking good blood then little blood and good blood again and after about 100 yards there he is.

He dead ended into a mesquite tree with his antlers perfectly wrapped around the base of the tree.






A few other bucks taken from opening day.

My #1 got taken opening morning.





I was also able to take this large sow Sunday morning.

I took out this boar Sunday evening as well. Ended up being just under 180# and is my 3rd largest to date.

Good harvesting there, congrats

Looks like your camp had a great opener

Congrats on a great buck and hog

To think we are just to your east, but we do not have those kinda deer. Very nice.

Very nice bucks. Looks like a great weekend.

Congrats on a great weekend.

Good times

Congrats on your first crossbow buck. Getting to shoot one that nice up close with a crossbow will definitely get your blood pumping.

Right on man, heck of a hog too

layin em down! good work yall!

Dang, that's a good busy weekend.

Congrats

Great deer and good times....

Thanks everyone. Just laid another big boar down. Not quite as big I don’t think. Pics to come later!!

well done sir

Good job...keep them hogs coming!

fun stuff there!

Looks like a great opener!

Very nice

Blood be flowin like da creek bro! Glad we didn't drown!