Mike Sawyers, Virginia

This 16-point bruiser from Tazewell County, Virginia, had a habit of following a small finger of woods from the mountain down to the meadow below. Fortunately, a farmer living in the area relayed news of the deer and his whereabouts to local bowhunter Mike Sawyers, who immediately started scouting hard. Seven months later, on Oct. 7, 1995, Mike's efforts paid off in one of Virginia's finest archery kills. Although the hunter put an arrow through both lungs at 18 yards, the 172 2/8-inch P&Y trophy went about 110 yards before expiring.