The December rut in Tennessee is a magical time for deer hunters. The air is crisp, the landscape takes on a wintery beauty, and the whitetails are in full breeding mode, making them more active and vulnerable to hunters. For many, it’s the final chance of the year to tag a big buck, and for Abbey, this was exactly the moment she had been waiting for. Little did she know, her story would involve both Tennessee and Iowa, marking a pivotal point in her hunting career.
Abbey, an experienced hunter who had spent years in Tennessee’s deer-rich forests, had already seen her fair share of action during the rut. She knew the deer patterns and understood the best places to set up, often targeting areas near food plots or thick cover where bucks would be chasing does. The Tennessee hunt was going well, with several encounters with smaller bucks, but Abbey had her sights set on a monster—a buck she’d seen on her trail cameras earlier in the season.
But despite the action in Tennessee, Abbey’s heart yearned for something even bigger: her first Iowa buck. Iowa is known for producing some of the largest whitetails in the country, and Abbey had made plans to travel to the Midwest to try her luck on its famous hunting grounds. Her anticipation grew as the time to leave Tennessee and head to Iowa approached.
Once in Iowa, Abbey settled into a stand overlooking a heavily used travel corridor. The conditions were perfect—cold, overcast skies and a light breeze that kept the deer on the move. It didn’t take long for Abbey to spot movement in the woods. A massive buck emerged from the timber, his antlers towering above the brush. He was exactly what Abbey had dreamed of—a mature, wide-racked buck, his antlers gleaming in the dimming light.
With her heart racing, Abbey took a deep breath and steadied her bow. The buck closed the distance, offering her the perfect shot. With one smooth motion, Abbey drew, aimed, and released the arrow. It hit its mark, and the buck bolted, but it wasn’t long before he collapsed within sight.
Abbey had done it—she had tagged her first Iowa buck, an impressive trophy that would be a highlight of her hunting career. This hunt, combined with her experience in Tennessee, marked a memorable chapter in her life as a hunter. The December rut had treated her well, and her first Iowa buck would always be a testament to her dedication and passion for the sport of deer hunting.
