Texas

The Stepp Family in Texas again...gotta love it!

BBD

BBD means Big Buck Down, and thats exactly what happened January 1st, 2010 at straight up 5pm.

We got into the stand a little after 4pm, and Rowdy and I were just talking the whole time about anything and everything...just enjoying the day and the hunt.

At 450pm the feeder went off and we continued talking, not thinking anything (or anything worthy) would come out until later.

A small 3 point buck came out first to eat. He must have been hungry because he ran toward that feeder. He came out from back behind us and to the left.

A couple minutes before 5...rowdy says..."Kate, there's a big buck!"

As I said before, Rowdy likes to joke with me, always sayin there's a big buck and there never is. So, I said, "yeah right"

I knew he was serious when he whispered, "put your drink down and get over here."

I looked behind me and to the left where that other buck and come out and there he was...just walking out, head held tall...a wide 8 point that Rowdy swears he had on his camera earlier in the season.

He had me sit on his lap, I told him I was nervous, he said now was the time to be calm. I got the 30 yat 6 situated...he messed with the scope (which he accidently turned on "3" power rather than "9" power...he apologized for that).

I sat there, he said to shoot when I was ready and had a broadside shot. I waited til I stopped shaking (for the most part). Right before I pulled the trigger I heard ... bump bump, pump pump...my heart was about to come out of my chest in the anticipated silence.

BOOOOOM!

My ears were ringing, my eyes were closed as I was afraid to see the results...Rowdy exclaimed, "You got em girl!!"... I started to shake and kissed him and kept saying "oh my god, wow!"

The buck was thrashing around and I was hoping he wouldn't knock off any tines and die right there...that stupid buck got up and ran into the trees!! But his leg was broken so we were hoping he didn't go far.

Now, to wait....15 minutes felt like an hour. But it was cool to replay it with rowdy as he texted away to friends and family.

The 3 point buck came back to eat, but clearly agitated and curious...he kept looking into the trees where my buck ran off and I concluded (and hoped) that buck was there...hopefully dead.

The 3 point only left when we got quietly out of the stand. I followed rowdy to the kill spot and we followed blood. 10-15 yards later...there laid my buck! Rowdy saw it behind me and smiled and pointed. I ran to hug him and we both ran over to my fallen fighter.

He was bigger than we thought...a main frame 8 pointer with two kickers off the back right brow tine. My first buck...deer...anything...a 10 pointer! My favorite part...I made a great shot ..i guess I didn't need "9" power!;) We took pictures...and I was too excited to smile big. I almost cried!

We went back to get the truck and load up the guy. We were off to Derricks deer lease to pick up him and his TWO does he killed! Three deer in the back of Rowdy's truck was quite a site!

Both the guys were really proud of me and that the "yankee" could bust a buck.

We picked the right day and time to come out, because the last time he came out was the 2nd of November and then earlier that same day (about 150pm Jan. 1st)...what a rush!

I can't tell you how blessed and excited I am. I thank God for that experience and I can't wait to do it again. Thank you Rowdy for letting me kill him and for everything you teach me. I'll never forget it and I'm glad it's you I shared it with.

I'm excited for my Euro mount and meat I'll get back! What a great way to start 2010!

10 more months I have to wait to get another chance...it's going to be a long wait!