Lee Lakosky, alongside his wife Tiffany, has spent years hunting the fields and forests of Iowa, chasing some of the biggest and most elusive whitetail bucks in the country. But the 2023 season brought a surprise that no one saw coming—a giant 8-point that would become one of Lee’s most memorable harvests to date.
The hunt began like any other in the early fall. Lee and Tiffany had already been scouting their property, setting up trail cameras, and studying deer movements. They were anticipating another challenging yet rewarding season, looking for the perfect opportunity to harvest a mature buck. As the days passed and the rut began to pick up, they had their sights set on a handful of impressive bucks they had been tracking, but the surprise came in the form of a mature 8-point.
This particular 8-point was not the type of buck Lee typically targeted. His preference was usually for bigger, more dominant deer—bucks with larger antlers and more impressive racks. However, this 8-point had something special about him. His thick, muscular build and heavy antlers caught Lee’s attention, and as the hunt progressed, Lee started to feel like this buck could be the one.
On a crisp November evening, the conditions were ideal for a hunt. Lee and Tiffany set up in a prime spot where they had seen heavy deer traffic, knowing that their best chance at success was right around the corner. After several hours of waiting and watching, Lee spotted movement through the trees. There, walking cautiously along the edge of a field, was the big 8-point.
The deer moved steadily, unaware of the hunters’ presence, and made his way closer to Lee’s stand. With his heart racing, Lee patiently waited for the right shot. At about 25 yards, the 8-point stopped, offering the perfect broadside shot. Lee took a deep breath, drew his bow, and released the arrow. The shot was clean and true, and the buck bolted into the woods.
After a tense wait and a careful tracking session, Lee and Tiffany found the 8-point lying just a short distance away. The massive deer was a beautiful specimen, with thick, heavy antlers that made him appear much larger than his 8-point designation would suggest. Lee couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. It wasn’t the giant 10-point or the massive 12-point he had been hoping for, but this 8-point was a trophy in its own right—a symbol of the unpredictable and rewarding nature of hunting.
The 2023 season will forever be remembered for this giant surprise. For Lee and Tiffany, this hunt was a reminder that sometimes the best trophies come in unexpected packages, and that every hunt is an opportunity to celebrate the pursuit of wild whitetails in the heart of Iowa.
