Brian Bontomase

Submitted By Brian Bontomase May 16, 2023We may earn revenue from the products available on this site and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more It was the fall of 1992 in Central PA. Archery season had just opened and I was in full anticipation of what the season held and what might transpire! It was also my … Read more

So I live in Montana in a little town just a short distance from Idaho. I finally at 37 shot my first buck in Montana and man is a big boy! I have been hunting since I was 9 but had to stop hunting when I joined the military in 2005 at age 20. Well … Read more

Submitted By Chris Blackwell Where do I begin . . . . I have a 3 month old newborn so it’s cut my hunting time way back then what I’m used to, I usually can sneak out for one hunt a week. I was able to hunt all day Saturday with no luck in the … Read more

REX’S ROOST It was 48°, pitch black and not a star in the sky, as the overnight shower finally slowed. Every raindrop dripping from the trees, sounded like a far off gunshot as it hit the wet leaf-covered forest floor. I shivered slightly because I was damp from walking in the light drizzle the mile … Read more

Submitted by Paul Zelinsky It was the last day of rifle season 2:30 in the afternoon. I was going to give up and go home. I had a disappointing season from hot, cold, rain, snow, sleet to a truck driving down the gas line where I sat one day. I figured I’d stay and I … Read more

This story is excerpted from my book 2019: One More Year In The Life Of The Luckiest Hunter Alive. Hope you enjoy it. George R Naugle I left for camp the morning of Sunday, November 10. Dave, Larry, and Crawford were also scheduled to be there. Since this week should be the peak of the … Read more

by Kelly James (Syracuse, NY) In May of this year, I lost my dad after a four year long battle with cancer. I lost many things that day, one of them being my hunting buddy that I shared many hours with in the woods, waiting and watching in hopes of seeing deer in the area … Read more

by Dan Beyer – WhiteTail Solutions (Connecticut) Dan Beyer – WhiteTail Solutions Urban Bow Hunt Well I wasn’t going to let our local forecasters spoil another hunt for me so I planned accordingly. I packed my truck with all of my archery gear, set the alarm clock for 4AM and sure enough…they were wrong again. … Read more

by Alex Digregorio (Transfer, PA, USA) Monster Mercer County PA Buck On the morning of December 5, 2008, my dad took off work while I took off school. We went over to a family property of our uncles and cousins. It was known for some big bucks. We arrived about 7:30 am. My cousin was … Read more

by Jesse Kontras (London, Oh) The day was November 13. I had hunted hard all season but to no avail. After classes in Findlay, Oh, I got in my truck and headed south to the central Ohio area. After arriving at home, I threw on my camo and headed to my stand. The wind was … Read more

by SSG Robert Soucy (Kabul, Afghanistan) I’ve been hunting deer since before I knew it. At 5 yrs old I remember waiting for word of my fathers return from his hunting trip to Vermont. When he finally pulled into the driveway with a buck on the roof of the station wagon I would leap with … Read more

by Jimmy DaSaint This story isn’t about winning a writing contest. There will be no descriptive encounters with a grey muzzled buck stepping out of a foggy mist. No, “…and I drew the glistening arrow to my anchor point and waited: one more step, come on! Just one more step!” Instead, I hope you take … Read more

by Rex Holmes, Jr (Natchez, MS) Rex Holmes,Scott & Grayson Phillips, and Wilson Burton THE MOST SPECIAL DEER HUNT EVER #2 It’s hard to believe a year has gone by since the last youth weekend in Tennessee and our participation in The Kids Hunting For A Cure event. This hunt was just as special as … Read more

by Larry Oakley (Kingston, Ontario) Inside The Wild “We kill them because we love them.” At that early age I had not yet isolated the fact, although I had seen it’s signs, that hunting is a lonely sport, that a hunter is essentially a lonely man, more often than a “lone” man; and the bigger … Read more

by Mathew Oloughlin(Miami, Texas) Whitetail Deer And Mule Deer With Locked Antlers Hello, I found two deer locked together by their antlers. One happens to be a whitetail & the other is a mule deer! I am trying to find out how rare of a find this truly is? I have asked all kinds of … Read more

Mark Shepard Mark Shepard Pro Bass Fisherman, Avid Hunter & Master Guide A Guiding Life: Living, Fishing and Hunting the American Dream, by Mark Shepard with Phil Fragasso, was published on September 1. The back cover of the book describes Mark and his story like this: Part Ernest Hemingway, part Grizzly Adams, and part downhome … Read more

by Denver R.Crouch (Salt Lick Ky.Bath Co.) I’ve been a die hard compound bow hunter for 29yrs but, due to shoulder replacement surgery on July 26, 2010 I thought my 2010 deer season would be lost. But after talking it over with my Surgeon he gave me the OK to use a crossbow, which I … Read more

Great Big Bucks on the Rosebud By Scott Winston Use caution if you decide to hunt the great big bucks on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Caution, not in the sense that you will find yourself in danger, but caution, in that the mystique of this country will take root in your soul … Read more

by richard burton (haleyville,al) I have lived in Winston County 45 years. I spent20 years hunting deer in Pickens on 500 acres that was a dear paradise! I sold my interest in that land and now hunt exclusively on 200 acres that I own in Winston County, between Haleyville and Double Springs. My farm is … Read more

by emily (Westchester, NY) I live in the suburbs of Northern Westchester, and my property adjoins Blue Mountain Reservation. I saw two big black cat sightings in the past few months, as well as a mountain lion or cougar on my driveway. The big black cats looked like black panthers. One was walking into the … Read more

by LW Oakley (Kingston, Ontario) You are often alone, silent and still while hunting in the cold, grey November woods. Being alone with your thoughts in a dark secretive place gradually heightens your sense of awareness. You see leaves flickering gold and red and yellow as a gentle breeze passes through the trees above you. … Read more

by Jay (Fort Worth, Texas) I have been waiting for my elk hunt at Banded Peak Ranch Outfitters since last September when I had to leave Colorado earlier than expected to make it home for my anniversary. I obviously got married before I became addicted to elk hunting, since my anniversary is September 20. My … Read more

by Dewaine Waak (Honey Grove, TX) First Deer,,, Wow I started chasing whitetails in 1972, I suffered from “buck fever” early on, my dad tried to work with me to calm down and concentrate on a target, instead of just seeing the rack. He had taken several bucks and was proficient at getting his deer … Read more

by Tired of Ohio Public Land Hunting (Muskingum County, Ohio) Every year, it never fails, we follow, we watch , we address all problems that we can control and think that might happen in the places we hunt, which is Ohio public land. In yes, the hottest places in Ohio, Muskingum County, Coshocton County and … Read more

by Patrick Marion (Carthage,NC,USA) Hi my name is Patrick Marion I just got back from Ohio where i stuck a huge 10 point. It was the afternoon of nov.5 and  I was hunting public land in Vintion Ohio. I was siting on the edge of a cutover and open woods with a hard funnel for … Read more

by Jeff Schlehofer (Sugar Grove, Il, Kane) Illinois Trophy Buck John was kind enough to let me share with you a parcel of property that I have owned for over 11 years. If you have access to loopnet you can visualize the property and some of the Deer taken from the property. The property is … Read more

by LW Oakley (Kingston, Ontario) The greatest and most moral homage we can pay to certain animals on certain occasions is to kill them with certain means and rituals. Jose Ortega y Gasset from Meditations on Hunting When you see a deer while hunting your first thought is, “It’s a buck” or “It’s a doe.” … Read more

by Dan Ely (Independence, KY)   Kentucky 8 Point Buck Hunt the BIG rubs!!! Find a funnel that has BIG rubs and offers enough concealment to make the big guys feel comfortable passing through. This will increase your odd’s of bagging a bruiser tremendously in the pre-rut and rut. Also, it is important to be … Read more

by Laura Bauer (Troy, MI, Oakland county) The Chance Of A Life Long Memory Dedicated: With Love To My Dad When I sat down to write this story, I never imagined how clear the memory would be until I began. My father and I have always been close through out my years of growing up, … Read more

by Trent Knutson (Illinois) My First Illinois Buck It was the day before the first shotgun weekend here in Illinois. My dad had to skin and cut up all the meat from his forkie he got a week ago, so I was on my own. I got to my favorite stand, known as the end … Read more

by Kelly James (Syracuse, NY) I remember everyday I’ve spent in the woods as though it were yesterday. The memories are some of the best in my life, most likely because it was time dad and I got to be father and son. He was in the Navy. His duties sometimes kept him away as … Read more

The Old Smoke Pole by Jacob (Troy,MO,United States) One cold afternoon my dad and I had just gotten to our hunting spot. We had never been to this farm before, so we didn’t really know where to set up. So we just set up in the best spot we could find. As we sat in … Read more

by Hunter (Alabama) I had begged my parents to take me hunting since first grade. They are not much for hunting, so I did not get my wish until my uncle invited me when I was 15. He set me and my dad up in a shooting house in November. Our rut in Alabama is … Read more

I have been invited to go to Jefferson county, Ohio deer hunting this season. Is this a good area for a chance at harvesting a trophy buck, and what is the best time to be there? Comments for Jefferson County, Ohio Deer Hunting Sep 26, 2012 Jefferson County by: Anonymous I hunt in Jefferson county, … Read more

by B.R.Yanney (Athens PA) One year I was hunting from this permanent wood stand. Two days in a row I saw this 9 pointer pass about 50 yards away. So I put a hanging stand where I thought I saw this buck traveling. So I’am sitting in this stand and I look down the trail … Read more

by B.R.Y. (Athens PA) 2008 I had seen this big buck I had dubbed El’Toro. I’ll tell you right know I never did get him. My uncle got him in rifle season. But he taunted me all archery season. I’d see him at night when I was walken’ out of the field. Or I’d see … Read more

by Johnny Blackmon (Belle Chasse, LA) A look at the thermometer shows it to be 29 degrees out. A look out the window reveals a serene picture of a moon lit night illuminating the area around the camp and the pond causing a near daytime illusion as the moonlight is reflected on the snow covering … Read more

by Darren (Seattle, Washington) This is my favorite story my Dad used to tell us when we were out deer hunting in Eastern Washington, I was only able to hunt with my Grandfather a couple of times before he passed away. Back in the early seventies my Dad and his Father were hunting Mule Deer … Read more

by Kenneth Mott (Webster County Georgia) Hi my name is Kenneth Mott I am 15 and I have been hunting since I was 8 and I love it. If I could do it for a living I would. I live for opening day. Well I’ll tell you my story now. It was November 28, 2010 … Read more

by Jeff (Lomax,IL,USA) 170 pt B&C There is no such thing as a secret or is there? In Illinois, one of the few states to hold record whitetail bucks, there is the Bow season which runs October 1st and into the deep cold of late January and the gun season that is split into two … Read more

by B.R.Yanney (Athens PA) Your all probably tired of reading my stories and comments on this site. I am bored and temporarily un-employed. I just wanted to summarize some of the strange things that have happened to me while deer hunting. I hope you will leave a comment and tell me some of the strange … Read more

by Michael Lockard (Gassaway, WV 26624) Me and Butch with our bucks. Oct.20,1996 I was 20 yrs old when I killed my first Mule Deer Buck. I was born and raised in Lander, WY and hunted deer since I was 14. I hunted with my dad through the first 4 yrs of my hunting experience. … Read more

by Alex Tombaugh (Erie, Pa) My First Buck Right After We Found Him! On the first day of the Pennsylvania deer season, my dad would always hunt one specific draw. This draw epitomizes most of the Allegheny National Forest. When I was 12 years old my dad took me to this draw to hunt with … Read more

by B. R. Yanney (Athens PA) My dad strapped me to his back when I was 6 months old and took me rabbit hunting. I don’t remember but my mother told me . That was 65′. We moved to Alaska in 69′. We hunted rabbits, grouse, ducks. moose, bear etc. He taught me to shoot … Read more

by Olivia Atherton (St. Paul, Indiana) My Buck It was my first year out. I hardly knew what to expect. Days passed. In the woods I heard the shots as my three brothers and Dad each got a deer but the deer seemed to be avoiding me. Maybe the idea of me hunting was a … Read more

by Marathon-man (Upper Mi) My 1st deer season in which I could legally carry a gun was in November 1978. The whole week prior to opening day I was a day dreaming fool. I would often have visions of the monster 12 point creeping through the Balsam, while trying to digest some crazy geometric theory … Read more

by Bryan R. Yanney (Athens PA) I was glassing my uncle’s farm, and I noticed a group of mid sized bucks. Every evening in September, they would come from various areas of the woods and group up, before heading into the corn field. They would walk single file through an open field, right along a … Read more

by Bryan (Missouri) I spent years buying cover scents from WalMart, Bass Pro, etc. and they always smell nothing like they are supposed to. Last year I made my own cedar and acorn cover scents and they worked like a charm. I made Acorn and Cedar cover scent. Has anyone else had any success doing … Read more

by Jeff McLain (Lowell, MI) GPS & Compassess A Compass or GPS is one of the most important survival tools for many outdoor enthusiasts. At Outdoor Sports Depot, you can buy a discount compass including a Brunton Compass, Silva Compass, or Sighting Compass for orienteering, hiking, and military uses. A pocket compass is a useful … Read more

One hot summer evening about five years ago, I was relaxing in my family room watching TV. Just a typical summer evening, doing the usual channel surfing and snacking. I had the main french doors open for an occasional breeze, but the screen wasn’t closed all the way. I caught some movement over by the … Read more

by Landon (mitchell SD USA) It was the night before opening day of deer hunting. I’m getting my gun polished and everything ready to go. My 22-year-old brother comes home for the opening day. I thought I was just about done packing my hunting stuff, but he told me I was forgetting something. I replied, … Read more

by Ed (New Lexington Ohio, USA) First let me tell everyone that I have been a deer hunter for many years, ever since I was 16. I am 45 now and a disabled hunter. This story starts about six weeks ago when a real close friend and hunting partner for the past 12 years came … Read more

(Genoa, NE) Imagine this. In Nebraska, you shoot a deer say, 15 minutes before sunset. The deer runs off into the trees. You go follow it’s blood trail, bringing along with you a flashlight or hunting headlamp, your knife, your weapon, and all the other essentials. You hear a pickup pull up next to your … Read more

by Rex Holmes, Jr (Roxie, MS) By Rex Holmes,Jr. In 2009 a couple of hunting buddies, Joey and Ross and I decided we would go on a 10-day deer hunt to Wyoming. In addition to the experience of the hunt, our purpose for going was to get video footage using The Vapor Maker® from Vapor … Read more

by Jordan Cadwell (Oxford WI ) JD’s First Buck It had been a frustrating 2010 gun season in Wisconsin. I had been hoping to get a nice deer that year because the previous year I hadn’t even taken a shot at anything. After hunting for five days with my dad, (I’m 14 btw)and not seeing … Read more

by Jesse (OHIO) My work for this big Ohio buck started in May of 2010. My brother Luke and I put in a great deal of work in the off season setting scouting cameras, putting down mineral licks, and tilling food plots. We had two pretty good bucks on camera all summer. Without many daylight … Read more

by Terry Yonce (Bowling Green, KY) My 9 point Kentucky buck It was a cold morning in Bath County Kentucky, on the park where I was deer hunting with my step dad and his kin. We all got up and they were busy fixing breakfast and I had a long walk ahead of me to … Read more

by Bill Diggs (Montclair, New Jersey) A Buck Of a Lifetime How many hunters can say they got the Buck of a Lifetime? Well my story is a journey that spans a life time or seems like it anyway. Thirty years ago at the age of 34 I decided to hunt deer. But my story … Read more

by Michael Ellis Potts (Murfreesboro, TN USA) My Tennessee Buck My Dad and I have hunted together for as long as I can remember and man the memories we have made and the laughs we have shared . It truly amazes me sometimes when I remember back on some of our hunts together. Well this … Read more

by Trevor Caskey (Wooster OH) My half rack deer It was early bow season and I’d been hunting bow season hard for about 3 years. At this point it was October 17th and I’m sitting in a stand we had put up in the summer, about 3 months before bow season. So here I am … Read more

by Chance (Angelina county , Tx) It was a cold Saturday evening of the year 2012. Me and my dad had been waiting for the first opportunity to get in the woods possible. It was the first day of youth season and dad took me out on an evening hunt. He said we were gonna … Read more

by Kenny Cosby (Moseley Virginia) Hoss Virginia 6 Point Buck This is a friend of mine, Donnie that I work with on the left and his brother. The 1st day of Virginia deer hunting season came on saturday. They got the surprise of their life when this big 6pt buck came running by. After seeing … Read more