Will Deakins shot this buck during Kentucky’s rifle season.
September 12, 2025
By Josh Honeycutt
Hunter: Will DeakinsBuck: 180 inchesDate of Harvest: November 9, 2024Location of Harvest: KentuckyWeapon of Harvest: GunWill Deakins started getting photos of this buck he calls “Frank” in 2022. His dad purchased the farm in 2013, and since then, they’ve made great improvements to the property. Obviously, that paid off, as Frank decided to call it home. Generally, the deer lived on the farm from October to February.
On October 22, 2024, Deakins started hunting the deer quite hard. In the days that followed, he had one encounter but didn’t get the deer.
This big typical sports incredible beams, mass, and tine length. Finally, on November 9, 2024, they crossed paths for the last time. The weather was calm and cool. Frost covered the ground. Birds sang in the trees. Deakins and his father were hunting together.
Their spot overlooked an open, uncut, L-shaped hayfield. Some oak trees towered around him. A small pond was in the distance.
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The morning hunt started with a shot from the neighboring landowner. He cranked up the tractor, retrieved his deer, and returned to base.
Soon after that, a doe exited the woods in front of him. Then, a couple more does. After that, a small buck. It wasn’t long before Frank stepped out 150 yards away.
Deakins, and numerous neighbors, were after this deer. The big deer freshened a scrape, and Deakins settled his crosshairs. He fired, and the buck fell. After a quick celebration, the pair of hunters walked over and admired the deer.
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“I feel like the chase and the hunt for this deer is unlike any other I’ll ever experience,” Deakins said. “My favorite part, though, is that my dad was with me for this harvest, as he doesn’t hunt much anymore. This was the first time we hunted together in the past few years. I grew up hunting with him, so it was special. It was an unreal moment.
“Being able to spend time out in the woods with Mother Nature is my favorite thing about hunting,” Deakins continued. “I hunt often without harvesting animals, usually because I’m after a trophy buck. It’s mainly my only hobby and one of the things that makes me happiest.”
