Every bowhunter dreams of the day when they finally harvest their biggest buck—a deer that tests their skills, patience, and nerves. For lifelong hunter Matt Johnson, that day came in the fall of 2020, during a hunt in his home state of Iowa. The hunt was years in the making, and when the moment finally arrived, it would forever change Matt’s bowhunting journey.
Matt had been scouting the area for months, meticulously studying deer movement, food sources, and trail camera footage. He had spotted a massive 10-point buck he called “Big Ten,” a buck that seemed to roam a particular ridge on the edge of his hunting property. Big Ten was elusive, showing up mostly at night, but Matt was determined to put in the work to get a chance at him.
The season started slow, with Matt hunting the area for several weeks without seeing much action. But his patience paid off when he noticed that Big Ten had started showing up during daylight hours on the trail cameras. The buck was moving more regularly, and Matt knew it was just a matter of time before he would get a shot.
On the morning of October 28th, the weather was perfect for a hunt. The wind was steady, and the temperature was just cold enough to get the deer moving. Matt climbed into his stand well before daylight, prepared for a long day of waiting. As the sun began to rise, he settled in and kept his eyes peeled, watching the field edges for signs of life.
By 8:30 a.m., the woods were quiet. But then, out of nowhere, movement caught Matt’s eye. Through the brush, a massive set of antlers appeared—Big Ten was walking slowly along the edge of a cornfield, heading straight toward Matt’s stand. His heart raced as the buck closed the distance, unaware of the hunter in the tree.
At 25 yards, Matt knew it was time. He drew his bow, took a deep breath, and let the arrow fly. The shot was clean, striking the buck in the vital zone. Big Ten bolted, disappearing into the woods, leaving Matt in suspense.
After waiting for nearly an hour, Matt climbed down and began tracking the buck. The blood trail was easy to follow, and within a short distance, he found the massive 10-point lying in a thicket. The buck weighed over 250 pounds, with a stunning rack that scored well over 170 inches.
Matt couldn’t believe his eyes—he had just harvested his biggest bow buck ever. The hunt had been challenging, filled with months of preparation, patience, and persistence. It was a moment that every bowhunter strives for: the culmination of years of hard work, and the satisfaction of a truly incredible trophy. For Matt, this would be a hunt he would remember for the rest of his life.
