Bowhunter Tim Russell took this impressive 17-pointer, scoring 185 7/8 P&Y, in Campbell County. His huge deer is last season's top non-typical bow kill. Photo by Bill Cooper

Like many deer hunters across the Commonwealth, Floyd Carpenter had always dreamed of owning his own hunting land. A couple of years ago, he had the opportunity to fulfill that dream and purchased a small tract of timberland in Crittenden County. Although the property had been selectively logged and was not exceedingly large in terms of acreage, it was ideally situated in regard to surrounding lands. Especially significant was a large bordering tract of mature hardwoods.

"The habitat mixture was really good," Carpenter said. "I also established food plots in three different areas that totaled approximately 16 acres. Over the last couple of years, after getting the plots properly limed, I have experimented with a wide variety of plantings, and I have yet to find something the deer won't eat. However, clover and various pea varieties seem to be their favorites."

Fortunately, hunting pressure was not a problem. While hunting did occur on most nearby farms in the area, the majority of landowners favored Carpenter's deer management philosophy of protecting young bucks.

Preferring to hunt with a bow, last fall Carpenter began regularly hunting the location in early September. Not surprisingly, deer were heavily utilizing the food plots and he sighted a number of impressive 6- to 10-pointers. Most were young bucks; however, one heavily framed 8-pointer, obviously mature from the size of its huge body, appeared from time to time.

"I decided, if I had the opportunity, the big 8-pointer would be a good deer to take," Carpenter said. "My brother planned to hunt the property during gun season, and I also told him about the buck and to take it if he had the chance."

Luckily, the 8-pointer never passed within shooting range and Carpenter's buck tag remained unused. This was critical because during the first week in October, an event took place that dramatically changed the archer's hunting priorities.

Early one morning, Carpenter was positioned near one of his food plots when suddenly, 100 yards away at the far edge of an opening, a giant whitetail stepped into view. As he watched, the buck slowly turned and walked several yards along the adjacent woods line before disappearing in the trees.

"Without question, it was one of the biggest bucks I had ever seen, not to mention on my own land; I was really shook up," he remarked. "I had a video camera with me, but I was so excited I pressed the wrong button and messed up most of the footage."

A few days later, in the pre-dawn darkness, the hunter returned to the same location. At first light, the shadowy forms of several deer could be seen moving about near the open food plot.

"Eventually, I was able to see about 10 to 12 deer, both bucks and does, some of which were moving in my general direction," Carpenter noted. "In regard to size, one of the bucks stood out from all the rest, but the deer happened to be facing me and, at the time, I didn't realize it was the same giant buck I had seen a few days earlier."

As the distance between the big deer and the hunter gradually closed to less than 75 yards, Carpenter quickly became aware of the buck's exceptional size. However, his complete attention was focused on the possibility of getting a shot opportunity as the deer continued to walk toward him.