By Norman L. Wines

It was Monday evening, three days into the 2007 Maryland firearms deer season. I had not seen a whitetail all day, and light was fading fast.

Minutes passed, and then I saw something moving through the thicket. It was a large buck with 14 points, it was within chip-shot range of my stand – just 45 yards!

I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was saying to myself, “No way,” and began to shake with excitement.

I raised my Remington 7600 pump-action rifle in .30-06, looked for an opening, and fired.

I missed —not surprising, considering my nervousness. The buck took off and then stopped on an old fire road, still well within range. I took aim and fired again, this time connecting.

I shot a third time, dropping the animal. Only after about 10 minutes and hearing my father calling me on our portable radio was I calm enough to respond with news of the 14-pointer.

I got out of the stand and started toward the downed buck. My father said he would meet me there.

As I approached the buck and saw how big it was, I could not believe it. My father and I stood in amazement at the size of its body and antlers.

I got the deer to camp only to be congratulated by the other hunt club members, which included my brother.

This was a very special time in my hunting career, and to share it with my father and brother was unbelievable. I will cherish this hunt and experience for the rest of my life.