Texas Hill Country Trophy, Samantha Inman

With a new rifle over her shoulder, 28-year-old Samantha Inman of Southwick, Massachusetts set out to show the world that women can hunt too and be successful.

She'd practiced all summer at the range and when the rut started in November, she was in the Hill Country of Texas on opening day looking for her first buck.

The second day of her hunt on the Benson Ranch, she had two bucks come in. One was a shooter -- older and wiser than the young buck with him. He stuck to the brush and only showed his nose and the front of his antlers as he searched the wind.

The young buck was nervous and began to snort. He turned and headed away. The older buck raised his head and tried to get his nose into the wind. He was about to go too when Samantha took aim and fired before he could make his getaway. His hind legs flew up and cactus went flying. He stumbled and then went another 30 yards before going head over heels in a cloud of dust.

A few minutes later she was standing over her first deer: a 5-1/2-year-old 10 pointer shot through the heart. A typical natural Texas deer with long thin tines and a wide rack. A great first kill and a promise not to be the last€¦

I was her guide and coached her through this first experience... she was thrilled! -- Craig Moore

Congrats on a great buck Samantha!

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