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Shop eGift CardsRead how one Missouri hunter used their R26X to place the perfect heart shot for their first ever crossbow kill on their biggest buck to date.
How long have you been hunting?
“I started hunting young, probably shot my first doe around six or seven with my dad. Back then we didn't have the gear and clothing that we have now. Since we didn't own any ladder stands, he’d lift me up into a big tree, and we’d climb up together. After multiple trips freezing in my cowboy boots and thin socks, I ended up quitting for a while. Later on, after getting married and trying venison again, I got the urge to get back into it, especially antler hunting. It brought back so many great memories of those early days with my dad and reignited my love for the outdoors. So of course, hunting is all I do these days. It’s a great way to be outside, enjoy nature and the peace of sitting in a treestand. More importantly, I am able to take my friends and family out into the woods and let them take in the joys of hunting.”
What Ravin crossbow were you using and what attracted you to it?
“My daughter was a big reason for me getting into hunting with a crossbow. When she showed interest, I figured a crossbow would be a good way to start. I’d heard great things about Ravin and the accuracy across the product line, which led us to decide to go with the R26X to use together. After her first few shots, I knew this would be the perfect option. She was dead on and hit the bullseye after one of her first shots. Watching her confidence grow with each shot was incredible and made me even more excited to use the R26X in the field. As I expected, this bow has been the real deal, offering accuracy and consistency similar to guns. I know for a fact that if I didn’t have my Ravin that day, this buck would not be up on my wall.”
What made this hunt stand out?
“This buck has been one that I have captured on my cameras across the property for some time now, which always seems to happen when you aren’t in the stand. I planned out my hunt for the next day and had to deal with some windy and warm conditions, which is never a promising sign. Fortunately that day, my buddy decided not to hunt and I was able to use one of his stands in a better location. With all of the wind and the temperatures getting close to 70 degrees, it was a pretty slow hunt that started to lower my confidence that it would end with a buck on the ground.
As the day carried on, I heard movement behind me—normally it’s just a squirrel, but this time, I spotted antlers. The buck took a path where I had only a split second for a shot, so I let him pass. Thirty minutes later, unbelievably, the same buck appeared again, walking right behind me at about 40 yards. This time, I was ready. The shot was clearer, and I had my R26X prepared.
I pulled the trigger, but with the thick brush and the R26X’s speed, I couldn’t see much. I heard a distinct sound, like a broadhead hitting a watermelon, but the buck barely reacted—no jump or kick. I started to worry I’d hit a branch or missed entirely. Deciding to wait it out, I stayed in the stand for about 40 minutes before climbing down to track. At first, I found no blood, which was discouraging, especially since this was my biggest buck to date. But something told me to check further to the left, and to my surprise, there he was—just 30 yards from where I’d shot.
After taking some pictures and sharing the exciting news with my family, I started gutting and processing the buck. I couldn’t help but laugh—after all the stress thinking I’d missed, it turned out to be a perfect heart shot.”
Any other comments on the hunt and/or the deer?
“From now on, I feel confident using this bow to harvest any buck we see—it hits hard, shoots straight, and performs really well, even in windy conditions. It’s a tool I can rely on, but I also try to remember the advice my dad always gave me: don’t get caught up thinking about antlers or the size of the buck. Focus on making a good shot and getting the deer on the ground and then let the excitement take over. That mindset helps me stay calm and allows me to think ahead during those critical moments of the hunt.
Each time I step into the woods with my Ravin, I feel more prepared and in control. I am proud to have that deer in my house and I feel lucky to have shot it to this day. There haven’t been a ton of big bucks taken in our years here and I am glad I brought that Ravin out that day.”