The Thrill of the Hunt: My Son’s First Archery Buck

If you're a deer hunter, you never forget the feeling of harvesting your first deer. Watching my son experience the excitement of harvesting his first buck with a bow is a memory we'll cherish for the rest of our lives.

A Hunter in the Making

Tommy Carroll/TSM

My son's first word wasn't Mom or Dad. It was "Buck." I used to hold him up in front of one of my deer mounts, point to it, say 'buck,' and let him reach out and touch it. Then one day, he said it himself. From that moment on, I knew something special was beginning. Passing along what I've learned and sharing my passion with the next generation has turned into an incredible journey that we'll cherish forever.

Tommy Carroll/TSM

I remember getting Evan his first bow and setting up a little shooting range in our old barn. I also remember the times he'd sit in the blind with me, watching deer and taking in all the amazing things Mother Nature had to offer. Long before he was old enough to sit in a stand on his own, he was already learning, observing, and sharing those special moments with me.

Tommy Carroll/TSM

It's been such a blessing to share these experiences with Evan and his brother and watch them grow into the fine young outdoorsmen they are today. This past weekend, it all came full circle for the three of us when Evan harvested his very first buck with his bow. It's a moment we'll never forget and one that makes all those years of memories together even more special.

Read More: 10 Michigan Deer Season Safety Tips Every Hunter Needs

One Buck, One Big Memory: My Son's First Deer

Tommy Carroll/TSM

My sons and I have spent years shooting our bows together, putting in countless hours practicing in the barn and from our tree stands. It's pretty special to see all that practice finally pay off. My favorite time of year is always from Halloween until the day before gun season. The deer are moving, and those big bucks we've been watching on our trail cameras start showing up. There's just something about this time of year that makes it so special.

Tommy Carroll/TSM

Evan's big brother, Isaak, spotted the buck coming into the field and watched as it walked straight toward his little brother. Evan didn't even realize the buck was there until it approached and started feeding in the food plot. Evan said, "My legs started shaking, my arms were shaking, and I could barely lift my bow. Then, just like that, one, two, three seconds later, I let my arrow fly. I couldn't believe how fast it all happened!"

Tommy Carroll/TSM

Isaak said he heard the shot, followed by the crash, and immediately made his way over to see what had happened. He said, "Evan couldn't even get any words out. He was just holding his hands up, saying, 'Big buck!'" I heard the shot too, but I was surrounded by deer and couldn't move. Once the area cleared, I made my way down to the boys, only to find out they had already tracked the deer themselves, something I've spent years teaching both of them. Inside, I was pretty choked up inside, but I had to play it cool and let the boys tell me everything that had just happened. It was one of those moments I'll never forget.

Tommy Carroll/TSM

This was a Hall of Fame weekend for the boys and me. I couldn't be prouder of both of them for their hard work, patience, and willingness to wait for the right deer. These are the kinds of memories the three of us will be talking about for the rest of our lives. It doesn't get any better than this, and it doesn't get much more "Pure Michigan" than that!

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Now it's Isaak's and my turn to hopefully get our chance at bringing home a big buck or doe. The memories keep coming, and we're looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season has in store.

👇BELOW: 2025 Michigan Deer Season All Seasons Harvest Report👇