First Buck Down in Bertie County, North Carolina

There’s a first time for everything—and this one hit different.

Trading the salt spray for the quiet timber of Bertie County, I set out with Brad Ward of Moana Sportfishing and Buffalo Creek Outfitters. The same guy I’ve chased marlin and tuna with offshore now leading the way through Carolina deer country. Different game, same mindset.

It wasn’t a dawn patrol or some wild chase. Just a calm afternoon sit in a stand, the kind where the light fades slow and the woods start to breathe different. We waited. No rush, no talk—just stillness. Then he stepped out—an eight-point buck, moving deliberate and unaware.

I lined up, breathed steady, and made the shot. Clean and quick. No drama. No noise. Just a solid moment that’ll stick with me.

Standing over that deer, I felt it—respect for the hunt, for the land, and for the process. It’s not about the adrenaline or the story; it’s about patience, presence, and doing it right.

Big thanks to Brad Ward and Buffalo Creek Outfitters for the opportunity and guidance. Whether it’s blue water or deep woods, it’s all about chasing what’s real.

Deep Blue Woods — from the deck to the dirt.

📞 Book your hunt: www.buffalocreekoutfitters.com

📞 Book your fishing trip: www.moanasportfishing.com

🎥 Watch the highlights of the hunt on YouTube: 👉 Click Here