This season in Ohio was one for the books—just not the kind you slap a trophy picture on. It was a season measured in inches, moments, and lessons learned the hard way.
Ohio’s always been special to me. This farm—years of management, strategic stands, and thoughtful planning—has finally come alive. Every sit brought another mature buck into view, proof that patience and work pay off. But this year? This year, those bucks had my number.
There was the 8-point hammer, right on the edge of my comfort range at 50 yards. The shot wasn’t there, and I let him walk, knowing it was the right call. And then there was the big 10, responding to the rattling antlers like clockwork—until he ducked my arrow at the last second. Watching that nocturnal nock arc into nothingness? Gut-wrenching. But that’s the hunt.
And then there’s DSP—the Texas Sh!t Pile. That buck lives to ruin my hunts, and this season, he did it again. One step too close, and he blew out the entire field just as things were heating up. DSP doesn’t just show up—he owns the moment, making sure everyone knows it. He’s the kind of buck that keeps you coming back, year after year, just to see if you can finally outsmart him.
I spent hours in my favorite stand—the trifecta—a tree dripping in history and heartbreak. This season, self-filming added a new level of challenge and chaos. Balancing the camera, the bow, and the moment meant there were times when the footage wasn’t perfect, and neither was the outcome. But it’s those seconds—those near-misses—that fuel the fire to get back out there.
What made this season a success wasn’t the inches that slipped away but the moments I gained. The laughs at deer camp, the stories told over coffee, and the pure thrill of watching this property come alive with mature bucks. Success doesn’t always look like a mount on the wall. Sometimes, it’s the chase that fills your soul.
For me, Ohio was a season of inches, and every one of them was worth it.
AUTHOR: Chris Keefer
