While hunting in the Texas Panhandle with some friends, an intense ice storm rolled in, bringing freezing temperatures. We were out filming a mule deer hunt when the weather turned brutal. Some of my Louisiana buddies (I’m originally from Louisiana) had come to try their luck as well.
On the first morning, we spotted several great bucks, including one we had seen the previous year but never got a shot at—”Wide Load.” He was the first buck we laid eyes on that day. To cover more ground, we split into groups across different ranches. That morning, one of our good friends harvested a deer, but tragedy struck—he suddenly passed away from a blood clot. He had previously beaten cancer, making the loss even more devastating.
After a long and emotional day, our group decided to head back to Louisiana to be with his family. My friends urged me to stay behind and continue the hunt, especially since we had Wide Load on camera. After hours of grieving and reflection, we agreed that our late friend would have wanted me to keep hunting.
With a heavy heart and prayers above, I set out. The bucks were on the move, and sure enough, Wide Load was there, chasing does. He had us pinned down in our side-by-side, leaving us unable to move. Eventually, he bedded down, giving us the chance to stalk within 250 yards. When he finally stood, we took the shot—all captured on camera.
The hunt aired on the Outdoor Channel this year, showcasing the incredible highs and heartbreaking lows of that trip. What a buck. What a journey.
