This year’s gun deer season did not disappoint.

It was especially exciting because we had a target buck on our radar: an 8-point whitetail with a broken brow tine that had been showing up in our food plot. After missing my 240-yard shot on Thanksgiving afternoon, I was pretty sure I had blown my one big chance. I was bummed.

But on the very last day of the season, he came back! Same spot. Same shot. And this time, I did not miss.

Before the season even started, Dad and I put in some work—fixing the broken blind window and trimming shooting lanes so we could actually see the food plot. Preparation matters. Also, luck helps.

Dad likes to call me the “Trigger Man” because I mostly sit there sleeping or scrolling on my phone until he says, “There’s a deer,” and then suddenly I’m locked in and ready to go. Honestly? Sweet deal.

After the shot, we field dressed the deer, which is how I learned that yes, it is possible to get guts in your mouth, and no, I do not recommend it.

When we weren’t hunting, cabin life was full of delicious food, euchre, checkers, and just enough trash talk to keep things competitive.

All in all, it was an unforgettable season—one target buck, one second chance, and one trigger man who came through when it mattered most.