Why the Best Hunts Happen in Your Own Backyard

With a busy fall schedule that keeps the Beasley brothers on the road a lot, returning home to Southern Ontario to chase whitetails is still one of their favourite things to do. The fall arrived with high expectations, as several big bucks the brothers had history with were back on their radar. After a dedicated early season spent hanging trail cameras and studying movement patterns, they put together a plan.

The previous fall, the boys chased a big, mature buck, whom they called 54, around, and he seemed to have the boys’ number. Late in the muzzleloader season, Kevin had a heart-pounding encounter with him, and after an intense lead-up, 54 finally presented a broadside shot. Kevin took the shot but unfortunately missed. Kevin misjudged the range, and 54 took three jumps and then just walked off. Kevin was sick about it and lost a few nights of sleep, but the best part was that it was a clean miss, and he was still being caught on their trail cameras. A couple of weeks later, Keith was bowhunting and had an encounter with him as he came out across the field. Unfortunately, Keith was unable to get him, but he enjoyed watching this magnificent creature. The season ended, and no one was able to get their tag on 54, but the boys continued to get him on camera and were now dreaming of seeing him again next season.

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In June, Paul managed to lay eyes on 54, and his antler growth was already amazing. Hopes soared as they now knew that he made the winter. The boys were so excited to watch his frame grow all summer. The pre-season scouting intensified, and the boys began strategically placing trail cameras and mineral near the buck’s core area.

The trail camera pictures started rolling in, allowing the brothers to watch the buck’s progress from the velvet stage in early June through the lush summer months. By late September, he had transformed into a giant around 160. The brothers were eager to see what the early bow season would bring, especially since 54 had been frequently patterning in a nearby bean field.

On the opening day, Paul headed out after him, but with no luck. The next day, the wind was not good, but the trail cameras showed that he was right in front of the blind, with plenty of daylight. On the third day of the season, Paul was back in the blind with perfect conditions. A couple of hours into the sit, Paul looked across the field, and there was 54 coming out of the woods 300 yards away. It felt like hours, but it was probably only 10 minutes for 54 to work his way into shooting range. The adrenaline was spiking as Paul raised his bow. Paul waited for the buck to hit the 30-yard mark. Once he turned broadside, Paul released his arrow, and it hit perfectly right behind the shoulder. Instantly, 54 turned and bolted back to the treeline, but this time he did not make it as he expired just before leaving the field.

Paul was able to call his family and have them come and help recover the deer. It was an incredible moment for him and his family to share and a great way to put some high-quality meat in the freezer early in the year.

As the fall progressed, Keith and Kevin remained busy elsewhere, but the draw of their home hunting grounds was always on their minds. As the late season slowed down, the boys returned home to chase the remaining mature bucks on their list. Kevin kicked off his late-season hunt with his son, Ryan, during the shotgun season. They headed to the blind, hoping to cross paths with a mature buck that had been lurking in the area all year.

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Almost immediately after settling in, the action heated up. As a doe and two fawns came in, they were followed by a curious porcupine. As the sun began to fade, a young buck emerged and cautiously fed within 20 yards of the blind. It was already an unbelievable evening, but it was about to get better.

A sudden snap of a doe's head alerted Kevin and Ryan to movement on their right. Ryan spotted a beautiful 8-pointer, an "up-and-comer" they decided to pass on so he could reach full maturity. Soon after, a nice 9-pointer strolled in behind him. Sticking to their management goals, Kevin decided to pass him on as well.

The snow started to fall shortly after Kevin’s hunt, and with lots of deer movement, Keith tried his luck during the muzzleloader season. After getting settled into the new Muddy Box Blind, Keith almost immediately had a great encounter with a three-year-old buck. He spent the remainder of his evening observing the healthy turkey population as they scavenged for food in the deep snow. Although Keith didn’t harvest a deer, he was thrilled to witness the thriving wildlife as the cold winter settled in.

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Back in the blind, Kevin was joined by his daughter, Kylie, and son, Ryan. They were targeting a mature 7-point buck that had become a regular. An hour into their sit, the does, and fawns started to work into them. A short time later, all the deer looked hard to the right, and antlers were spotted through the thick woods. He was working his way in.

Kevin shouldered his muzzleloader, finding the buck in his crosshairs. As it turned broadside, he squeezed the trigger, making a perfect shot. Instantly, the blind erupted with shrieking, giggling, high-fives, and hugs. After giving the buck time, Kylie and Ryan led the charge, following the blood trail into the woods. It was a hunt they will never forget, as it was their first successful deer hunt.

Hunting whitetail at home is a point of immense pride for the Beasleys. They love every trip that they get to go on, but hunting at home in Southern Ontario with their family is their favourite by far! These are the moments they cherish as they get to teach the next generation what hunting is all about. Southern Ontario isn't just where home is for the brothers; it's where their passion for the hunt was born.

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