Heart Shot Buck

Arrow Setup:
Iron Will Single Bevel SB 125 Broadhead with a HIT Insert and a 0.7” Impact Collar on the Iron Will custom Easton Axis Match Grade 5mm arrows with the Iron Will Hybrid Hunter Vanes for a total arrow weight of 497 grains.

The Lifelong Memory Made: 
It was November 9th, 2025, and my Buffalo Bills were getting their butts kicked by the Dolphins. Couple that with the fact it was peak rut and a storm front was rolling through it was a no brainer to get afield and try to get a shot at one of our target bucks. 

The wind told me to hunt from the ground blind, so I snuck in at 3:30 and not an hour later this big boy was coming down a main deer run and stopped right at 30 yards in front of a bush I had ranged. Him stopping there gave me ample time to draw and hold for him to step into the window. As he entered that window he winded me and started to turn but did so where it opened up his left leg. I aimed accordingly and let the arrow fly. 

It was a perfect quartering away shot where it passed directly through his heart and out the opposite shoulder where it stopped. As he ran he ripped the arrow out and broke it. It was too late though. He was strong as he made it over 100 yards before he laid down. This buck is my personal best and scored just over 114.5” with 7 scorable points. And a bonus was that it was close to home so my two daughters were able to come out and track him with me. I couldn’t be happier! 

Switching to Iron Will gave me the peace of mind I didn’t have in years prior. And last year’s success reinforced that peace of mind even more so. I cannot wait to get out into the woods again this year!"

— Mike Kristich