Some deer just have a way of getting under your skin — not because they’re the biggest you’ve ever seen, but because of the history, the challenge, and the memories built along the way. For me, that deer was Heavy 10.
My story with Heavy goes all the way back to December 2018, when I first caught him on trail camera. Even back then, he carried the frame of a special buck — thick, mature, and already earning the nickname “Heavy.” Over the years, I had several encounters with him, most notably in 2022, but he always found a way to slip the net. Year after year, picture after picture, he kept showing up — a ghost that somehow managed to stay one step ahead. That all changed the morning of my hunt this October.
At 8:15 that morning, Heavy had hit a scrape not far from one of my favorite sets. With my girls still out of town for the day, I knew it was the perfect window to get in there. The conditions were right, and my gut told me it was time.
The evening sit started strong — deer movement was steady, and the timber felt alive. Around 5:45, I caught movement through the thicker brush. Three does eased through, and just as I started to follow them with my eyes, I heard it — deep, guttural grunting. Instinct kicked in. I grabbed my bow, turned on the platform, and waited. Then he appeared.
Heavy broke through the brush, grunting with every step, his frame unmistakable even in the fading light. He worked his way to about 15 yards, hit a scrape, and then angled toward me before turning perfectly broadside at 12 yards. I settled the pin and released.
He didn’t make it far — maybe 70 yards — before tipping over.
When I finally walked up to him, the weight of the moment hit. Years of trail cam photos, close calls, and long sits all came rushing back.
Later that night, as I went back through old pictures, something caught my eye. I compared them to a shed my buddy Cody had found back in February 2021. That antler, likely a year old when it was picked up, matched perfectly to Heavy’s left side — dating all the way back to 2019.
Based on everything we’ve seen and the timeline of photos, we’re confident he was at least 8 years old — maybe even 9 or 10. His teeth are being sent in for aging, but truthfully, the years and the story are what make him special.
Heavy wasn’t just another deer — he was a piece of the farm’s history, a symbol of persistence and patience. To finally tag him after all these years feels like closing a chapter I’ve been reading since 2018.
And I couldn’t have written a better ending.
Written by Keegan Bruner
