Summer is filled with activities that need to be completed before the archery season begins. These include setting up stands, checking cameras, planting fall food plots, freshening scrapes, and inspecting equipment. One of the most crucial tasks is to practice shooting your bow to prepare for the upcoming season. I have spent many evenings in my backyard shooting my Darton Sequel 33 at Delta McKenzie 3D targets. These life-size targets allow me to practice at both short and long distances, ensuring optimal training for the season.
Learning from 2024
During the early 2024 season, I saw TT8 enough times to learn that he preferred to enter the soybean field via three different trails on the western edge of the woods. My SpyPoint cameras confirmed that TT8 continued to use these trails throughout the summer.
On a blisteringly hot day in August, I decided to head to the farm to freshen my BuckRope scrapes and hang an XOP treestand. After walking along the western edge of the field, I found the perfect tree situated between the two trails that TT8 had used in 2024. I took my time hanging the XOP X2 steps and the lock-on stand. After trimming a few shooting lanes, I was drenched in sweat, but I felt impressed with the stand’s location.
As I looked out over the field, I noticed that the deer had heavily grazed the beans, allowing sunlight to shine down on the exposed dirt. Suddenly, an idea struck me, and I knew what I needed to do next.
Praying for Rain
Our summer in Northwest Pennsylvania was unusually dry. I kept checking the weather, eager for the next opportunity to get some rain. After two weeks without any precipitation, the forecast finally looked promising for hatching the next part of my plan. I went to my local outdoor store and purchased a throw-and-grow seed mix before heading to the farm.
Upon arrival, I walked down to my chosen stand location and began spreading the seeds across the ground, ensuring I got them down before the rain arrived. After dispersing all the seeds, I paused to say a quick prayer for the heavens to open up. As I made my way back to my truck, the first drops of rain landed on my face. I felt optimistic about the plot I had planted among the beans.
Jackpot
Rain fell for two days, and I knew it was time for the plants to take off. Initially, I wasn’t sure how well the seeds would germinate, but I wanted to visit the farm to check on the growth of my plot. I stayed away from the farm for a few weeks, and then I saw TT8 at the plot where I had planted the seeds. He was eating something and had finally come out of velvet. He looked great, and I was impressed with his antlers. I realized I needed to get to the farm to see if the seeds were growing.
Lush Green Plot
I stopped at the farm and walked to the spot where I had planted the seeds. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The plot was thick, lush, and teeming with vegetation that deer love to eat. My prayers had been answered: the deer were showing up regularly to feast on the vibrant greenery. The plot was thriving in the western part of the field, benefiting from sunlight during the day and shade for most of the afternoon. The morning dew provided enough moisture to keep the plants green and promote their growth. I hoped this plot would attract TT8 to return every day.
On the Prowl
TT8 had become a regular visitor to the plot, consistently using the two trails near my stand. He would appear first thing in the morning and again in the evening. A few days before the PA Archery season, TT8 showed up at dawn and walked past my SpyPoint Flex S Dark camera on his way to the plot. The Flex Dark cameras, set to “No Glow” mode, performed exceptionally well and never spooked any of the mature bucks on the farm. I could hardly wait for opening day to arrive.
One Day Away
On Friday, October 3rd, I woke up to numerous notifications from my SpyPoint cameras. After taking a few minutes to review the videos, I was amazed by what I saw. One particular video made my heart race! It showed TT8 along with five other bucks in the bean field at 7:12 AM. TT8 was feeding on the beans and playfully tussling with some of the other bucks. He was headed towards the plot to eat before going to bed for the day. I prayed that he would maintain this same pattern the following day for the opening day of the season.
Check Mate
The weather on the first day of archery hunting was extremely hot! The thermometer in my truck read 82 degrees as I drove to the farm. When I arrived, I put on my lightest Rocky camo to stay cool and avoid sweating too much. I climbed into my stand at 5 PM without breaking a sweat, which made me happy. I set up my Wyndscent 2.0 unit and placed a canister of Evercalm inside it, then sprayed myself with Scent Thief. I wanted to take every possible advantage for the evening hunt.
At 5:15, a small spike entered the plot and began feeding on the lush green vegetation. Fifty yards to my left, a large six-point buck was grazing in the beans. Sitting on the western edge of the field, I was already in the shade, and the temperature felt much cooler than the 82 degrees reported. I scanned the bean field, looking for more deer, when I spotted TT8 walking into the field. My heart skipped a beat as I trained my Hawke Endurance binoculars on him. I couldn’t believe he was out in the field already and heading toward me. I quickly grabbed my bow and turned on the camera on my cell phone.
TT8 walked over and nudged the 6-point before moving closer to me. I watched as he took a trail leading into thick cover until I lost sight of him. I hung my bow back on the holder and scanned the woods, feeling incredibly excited to have seen TT8 on the first night. I hoped he would return before the sun went down.
The sun set quickly, and the nearly full moon was already high in the sky. The bean field was filled with deer gorging themselves on the beans and plants from the plot. I couldn’t help but wonder where TT8 had gone and why he wasn’t back in the field. I looked at my watch—it read 6:25 PM. I stood up and began packing my things for the evening.
Suddenly, the sound of a deer trotting through the leaves behind me stopped me in my tracks. I grabbed my bow and turned toward the sound. TT8 stepped out of the thick cover and halted less than fifteen yards away. He was so close and had no idea I was there. I raised my bow, found his vitals with the single green pin on my HHA sight, and released the Black Eagle Spartan arrow.
The Trifecta broadhead penetrated through TT8’s shoulder, and he began to push through the bean field. I sat in shock and disbelief as he quickly toppled over and lay still among the plants. Immediately, I grabbed my phone and called my wife to share the incredible news. She could hardly believe that I had shot TT8 and offered to come help me drag him to my truck. While I waited in the stand, I called a few other friends to share the moment, letting the sun set around me. In the darkness, I could see my blue Halo Nock glowing, still in disbelief at what had just happened.
TT8 is my largest Pennsylvania archery buck to date! I can hardly believe that everything came together on the first day of the season, despite the 80-degree weather. This year-long journey was possible thanks to many friends who listened to me talk about stands, food plots, scrapes, and trail cameras. I feel blessed to have a wife who understands my passion for chasing whitetail deer. God is good!