C.C. Campbell caught up to this heavy-racked Kentucky buck.
- Hunter: C.C. Campbell
- Buck Score: 170 5/8 inches
- Date of Harvest: November 1, 2024
- Location of Harvest: Kentucky
- Weapon of Harvest: Hoyt Ventum 30
“My dad was an avid hunter when I was a small child,” said C.C. Campbell. “I looked up to my dad and wanted to follow in his footsteps growing up. He would always come home from his morning hunts, and if successful, wake me so I could help him recover his harvests. I immediately fell in love with hunting and wanted to go myself.”
Throughout the years, he tagged some great bucks, including a 178 6/8-inch typical 10-pointer.
“Since that buck if a lifetime, I have been fortunate to harvest many more P&Y bucks,” Campbell said. “Just being able to sit in Mother Nature and soak in the beauty that God has given us is the best medicine a person can get.”
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This big Bluegrass Buck has a lot of antler points.
On November 1, 2024, Campbell got some more of that medicine. Hunting on a family farm that’s been in it for generations, he shot another monster buck.
His hunting area is a big funnel with a power line through it. Several bedding areas are around. So are oak flats and other forage. His stand was between two steep hills. To the left, a draw tapers down. To the right, the power line stretches out.
That morning, it was cloudy and 48 degrees (for the low) with a westerly wind. A pack of coyotes chased a young deer in the opening. That was about it for hunt action.
Middle of the day, he reflected on the 15-16 days he’d hunted thus far. He also thought about the previous encounters he had with the buck on October 29 and November 1.
“The evening hunt is one I’ll never forget,” Campbell said. “It wasn’t long before a couple does came through and fed as they crossed the power line.”
Around 5:30 P.M., a young 8-pointer came from the bedding area in front of his position. It fed on acorns. Soon after, another young buck walked out. They sparred for a bit.
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Running trail cameras was a significant part of patterning this deer.
“All of a sudden, they stopped and started staring down the hollow,” Campbell said. “I immediately focused my attention on the direction they were looking. As they stared, a doe came from the hillside in front of the stand and one of the bucks went to check her out. The other one stood at attention and didn’t take his eyes off the hollow. It wasn’t long until I saw what he was staring at. It was him.”
The big buck immediately postured toward the younger bucks. Hair bristled. Legs stiffened. It stopped and made a scrape. Then, it turned, made another scrape, and headed toward the doe.
Just as it did, one of the small bucks chased off the doe. The big deer turned toward the remaining buck and then halted in the open.
“All of this seemed like an eternity, but was only a few minutes,” Campbell said. “At this point, my heart was pounding out of my chest.”
The big deer continued toward the younger buck, and that’s when Campbell drew back. It stopped at 25 yards, and Campbell launched the arrow. The shot connected, and the buck bolted in the opposite direction. It ran 125 yards, stopped in the open, and fell over in sight.
HuntStand’s Whitetail Activity Forecast Tool
Campbell enjoyed the process, and time spent with family, during the hunt for this buck.
Looking back, Campbell realized the deer was holding tight to its core area. He couldn’t pressure the buck, and instead, played his cards carefully. If he didn’t have good winds, he didn’t hunt. He also used HuntStand to help pattern and keep track of the deer.
“I have the HuntStand app,” Campbell said. “I use it regularly to mark any sightings of deer and signs of deer.”
“My dad is 80 now,” Campbell said. “Every time I shoot a deer, he’s the first phone call I make. Without him, I wouldn’t be hunting.”
His wife always encourages him, too. And his, buddy, Chris Smoot, assisted with treestand, trail camera, and other prep work. All three were with Campbell during the recovery.
“Once we recovered the deer, there were a lot of high fives and hugs,” Campbell said. “It was a very satisfying moment for me, because I had the most important people there to enjoy that experience — the ones that know and support my passion.”
Campbell watched this 17-point deer during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He believes this deer was 4 ½ years old at the time of harvest. It scored 170 5/8 inches.
“To me, sitting in a treestand, being surrounded by God’s creation, and the sights and sounds of Mother Nature, soothe the soul,” Campbell said. “The passion that comes with trying to get in the bedroom of a big buck, and get him to mess up so you have an opportunity to harvest that animal, is what keeps me chasing them.”
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