Mike Eubanks with Bow, 19" inside spread, 225 pounds

Below is Mike's Story:

I took this buck on the evening of 11-10-04 in Claiborne County at Grand Gulf Bow Club with my bow. I have not scored it yet, but it has a 19" inside with 24" main beams. The G2's are 11" and the G3's are 10". Bases are 5" and 41/2" between the G2 and G3.  

This is my second buck this year with my bow. The first one was an 8 point with a 15" inside spread with nice mass. (sorry, photos not very good) 

The hunting has been slow due to warm weather, but persistence and patience (of course some luck) have been my keys to success. 

There's not a great story behind this deer. I had not seen him before, but I knew we have nice bucks like this one. I was hunting an oak tree dropping acorns in a small food plot when a deer walked out. I was attempting to make sure the first deer that came out was a legal deer when this buck walked out. It was obvious this was a shooter, but getting the shot without spooking the other deer was a challenge. I could hear other deer that had not come out and they appeared to be moving toward my downwind side. I was scared the unseen deer would see my movement or get my wind. Soon the buck moved within 15 yards of my stand and turned broadside while eating acorns. I took my shot and watched the buck run off. I thought my shot was good and had to sit down immediately because I was starting to get rattled. I am usually calm before the shot, but I get rattled after the shot. I waited about 20 minutes got down to find my arrow, it confirmed my thoughts the shot was good. 

It was starting to get late, so I started looking for blood. I found blood, but decided to get some help. This would allow more time for the deer to expire and give me a chance to get a better light.  

I went back to the Bow Club and much to my surprise, there was not anyone else hunting that afternoon. I went back with a better light and found my buck within 15 minutes. I wish some of my hunting buddies would have been there to share my experience. 

Grand Gulf Bow Club is a bow hunting only club in Claiborne County. While we don't have very good club rules prohibiting the harvest of small bucks, most of the seasoned veteran bow hunters are doing a better job of "Letting them go, Letting them grow". 

Last year I won our club big buck contest for the second time. That buck was a 10 point that scored 134".  Below is a picture of that buck.