While hunting after a heavy snowfall about 10 years ago, I ran into an older gentleman dragging out a once-in-a-lifetime whitetail. He had taken the buck early that morning and had been struggling to get the huge deer to his truck.
It was about lunchtime, and he was only halfway to his vehicle. I was happy to give him a hand, just for the opportunity to get a close look at the monster.
After he thanked me and we began to go our separate ways, he said, “If you want to shoot a big buck, go sit on this corner of this field tonight, and stay until shooting hours are over.”
Without hesitation, I heeded his advice and shot a great 8-pointer that very evening. That was the first time I sat in what my cousins and I now call Brad’s spot.
My spot.
I have sat there every shotgun season since that day, and I have taken five bucks.
The old man I helped wasn’t my first deer hunting mentor to drive home the importance of staying afield until ...