Prior to the 2005 season, veteran hunter Shelby Madden of Brown County, Ohio had taken three antlered bucks -- two with a muzzleloader and one with a bow. Just before the '05 season, Shelby, 14, purchased a brand-new PSE bow with money received on her birthday. After considerable practice with her new bow, she went hunting with her dad for the first time during the 2005 season on Nov. 12. She and her dad were hunting together in a tree stand on the family farm located near Higgingsport, Ohio.

About 7 a.m., a doe came by at about 40 yards, but Shelby's dad wanted her to hold out for a buck. About 45 minutes later, another doe appeared. Then a nice 8-point buck came down the same path as the doe. As the buck stood in a small opening, Shelby aimed and released her arrow.

The buck jumped straight up and then walked about 10 yards ahead and fell over. Shelby's first hunt of the 2005 season had yielded a fine 8-pointer! The year before, she had done the same thing while hunting with her uncle.

"It's so exciting to be able to go out and hunt with my dad and my uncle," Shelby said. "They are so supportive and they're always there to teach me and guide me during my hunts. My younger sister is starting to do a little hunting now, too. I can't wait to go hunting with her. My motto is: 'Life is too short, hunt hard!'"

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