Indiana Giant Harvested with R29X

Embracing every aspect of the hunt is truly what matters. From long sits to close encounters, hunting creates incredible memories passed down through generations. Read how after decades of hunting, the moment every hunter dreams about came in the form of a massive 19-point Boone and Crockett buck that stepped out when one Indiana hunter, armed with his Ravin R29X, least expected it.

Can you tell us about your hunting background and how you got into crossbows?

I started using a crossbow about twenty years ago. My first deer ever was with a Fred Bear recurve bow. That was my first buck, and I think I was seventeen [years old] at the time. I had shot a couple deer with a gun before, but that was my first one with a bow. After that, I moved on to compounds. I remember buying one from an old pro shop out east. I hunted with compound bows for years and started with a Bowtech among others.

I finally got into crossbows, trying a few different brands, and officially landing on Ravin thanks to my wife and a good buddy. He is a retired marine and always looks out for me with gear recommendations. Since that gift, I have been amazed with these bows and their abilities to shoot with speed and accuracy. Lately on the range, I have been able to hit the targets with ease out to 100 yards. I have also been really impressed with the Ravin broadheads, which do not get enough credit. They have been phenomenal and give me a ton of confidence behind the bow. 

Breakdown the big day. How did it all go down?

I hunted on Halloween, the day before I actually made the shot. That day, I was in my ladder stand and had a decent eight-point in front of me. I just had my bow resting on the stand rail, watching him, when I heard something moving fast behind me. There is a pretty steep ravine there, and when I turned around, I saw a massive ten point, probably around 180 inches. Honestly, it was one of the biggest deer I had ever seen in the woods from a treestand.

He was coming in fast, about 40 to 45 yards behind me, hot on some does. I did not want to take a running shot. I never want to risk wounding a deer like that, even with a Ravin in hand. I tried to get him to stop, but he kept cruising, running through the ravine and out of sight. The eight-point in front of me went off after him, and I just watched them disappear. I stayed in the stand for hours, hoping maybe he would come back, but nothing turned up. I could not stop thinking about that deer all day.

I went home that night and did not hunt. I decided to let things rest and planned to be back first thing the next morning. I knew exactly where he would be, so I got up around 3:00 a.m., got ready, and was in the stand about two hours before first light. That morning, it was the first really cool day of the fall, probably around 28 or 30 degrees, but calm, clear, and still. Honestly, I love mornings like that. Everything felt right. It was the perfect start to what would be an unforgettable hunt.

Around eight o’clock, or a little before, two does came into view. I was watching them when I saw a buck step out behind them. I could immediately tell he had a big body. It was a nineteen-point monster, and I truly did not even expect a buck like him to be in the woods. We heard word that a buck like him was possibly in the area and had seen him on camera, but after what I saw yesterday, part of me wondered if I really still wanted to shoot this deer. That’s how big that ten-pointer was, but I knew I could not let a deer like that nineteen-pointer go by.

The does angled away from me, and the buck moved into a spot where I couldn’t get a shot. I thought, “Ah, there he goes”. Then, out of nowhere, a nice eight-point, probably about an eighteen inch spread, walked along the ridge. He grunted, and one of the does started moving toward him.

The larger one was having none of that. He bristled up and came toward the eight-point. Then the eight-point scampered away, the doe followed, and the non-typical came right along the edge of the ridge. I estimated it at about forty yards because I had range-findered it before to know my yardage. There was one decent opening for a shot. He stopped along the edge, looked down the deep ravine, and gave me a difficult angle, but I put the crossbow crosshairs right behind his front leg and shot. He dove over the ravine and disappeared. I heard the crash, crash, crash, and then silence.

I was afraid to get out of the tree, so I waited an hour. It was the longest hour of my life. I was actually surprised at how calm I stayed. I think seeing that huge deer the day before might have helped me stay a little calmer. When I finally got out of the tree, I went to where I last saw him. The arrow was lying on the leaves as if it had been placed there. I had aimed behind his front leg, and because of the angle, the arrow exited at the base of his neck.

I will tell you… that Ravin broadhead put a cut almost six inches long across the front of his neck. I stood there looking at a blood spray probably six feet wide, and I could not believe what I was seeing.

I looked way down at the bottom of the deep ravine and saw a little patch of white. That was him laying right there. I made my way down and finally came across him. I took some pictures while I was there, but one thing I learned from this experience is to take more pictures – I just did not take enough.

It probably took us almost three hours to get him out of where he died. A buddy of mine came with his four-wheeler, and we used a winch to help. The last twenty feet down into the ravine was almost straight, and I had to hold his horns up so they would not dig in. I did not want to risk damaging them by dragging him backward.

That hunt was unforgettable. From seeing that massive ten-point the day before to finally taking down the non-typical nineteen-point, every moment was a mix of excitement, patience, and respect for the animal. It is a hunt I will never forget.

What stood out for you when using the Ravin R29X versus other brands and archery styles?

What sets it apart, in my opinion, is the overall speeds the bow can withstand while maintaining true accuracy out to 100 yards. But it’s not just for me. Heck, my wife can pick it up and she can shoot it with confidence and ease. Everybody that I have let shoot it, ends up loving it and buys their own. And that’s what it comes down to. You have confidence when you have that 40 yard shot, you know. I’m very appreciative of the people that introduced it to me and for my wife gifting it to me. 

How are you going to beat shooting a buck like this? 

You know, you go years without seeing a deer like that, or even having an opportunity to hunt in a place with a deer like that. There is still a giant out there. I’ve got a picture of that giant ten-point and when you see him, you’re like, "Oh my god." Believe it or not, he's still around – I think. But after I got that Boon and Crockett under my belt, you can afford to be a little choosy. It takes the pressure off. If you want meat, you get a doe. 

So if that big ten-point comes by, I’ll be there. But I’m happy to just get out into the woods. I had a buddy who was hunting a really nice ten-point for like three years, and don't you know, opening day last year, that deer came to me. I didn't have the heart to shoot it. That was his trophy. And he ended up killing it two days later, which I was really happy to see.