As the rut, the period when deer are most active and aggressive, was ramping up, deer movement picked up — but staying on stand in that weather required more than just patience. It demanded grit, courage and the kind of hardy spirit that defines the most seasoned hunters.

In the midst of all that activity came a truly exceptional moment in Persia: a father-and-son team tagged trophy bucks on the same opening day. The son — aptly named Hunter — fired his shot around 8 a.m., dropping a mature buck with his Tikka rifle in .270, using a 125-grain solid-copper sabot for clean, lead-free performance. Hours later, battling the wind and cold, his father, Adam McInerney, stayed put until just an hour before dark — and then made his own shot count, harvesting his own trophy buck.

“What an incredible day of hunting that none of us will forget any time soon,” Adam said. “It’s a bit comical, but it all came together. Hunter got his buck in the first hour of opening day. We saw his buck sneaking in around 70 yards out and heading toward one of our shooting lanes. Hunter had a great rifle rest, a clear shot, and made that awesome shot. After the morning hunt and taking care of Hunter’s buck, I was able to get back in our weather-protected stand by around 1:30. Around 2:30-3 p.m., heavy showers with lightning and thunderstorms came rolling in. It was quite the show, and I was glad to be protected in what we call ‘the Deer Condo.’ A couple hundred yards away was my buddy, Jimmy, hunting in his two-man hang-on tree stand — zero protection from the elements. As I was wondering how Jimmy was doing, I looked out my window and saw Jimmy walking down the trail. I hollered down and told him to get up in the Deer Condo with me. Hunter had to go to work. So, he did, and we hung out, ate snacks and watched storm after storm roll through, looking for deer movement, until around 4 p.m., when the front ended and the storms let up. Shortly after, we heard a rifle shot ring out from across the valley, over towards Maple Hill. We were positioned on private land about halfway up Snyder Hill. There is a small flat valley to the north with a creek and swampy areas. Maple Hill is on the other side of our area. The rifle shot we heard was loud. Next thing, we hear car horns beeping from the highway, a distance away, so we look out the windows. Then, Jimmy says, ‘Adam, there’s a deer. Adam, do you see the deer?’ To which I reply, ‘No, I don’t see it.’ Then I see a doe trot up this dry creek bed area and stop in a little clearing and stand there, still as can be. I get my rifle and get her in my scope. Jimmy asks, ‘Are you going to shoot the doe?’ I said, ‘Not sure, what if more deer are following?’ At which point Jimmy again says, ‘Here comes the buck, shoot the buck, Adam.’ I tell him, ‘I can’t see the buck from my window yet.’ Jimmy then yells, ‘It’s running right toward us.’ Then, suddenly, up the dry creek bed comes this 8-point, and he is beside himself. Walking tall and proud, and walking as fast as he can without running or trotting, but moving fast, zig-zagging around trees, walking circles around trees, trying to find that doe that is still standing perfectly still, still in the same spot the whole time.

“Meanwhile, Jimmy is saying again, ‘Adam, shoot that buck.’ I reply, ‘I’m trying, man.’ I finally get a clear shot, squeeze the trigger, and nothing happens. My safety is still on! Oh my goodness! Next thing I know, the buck is walking away and into some thick stuff. What have I done? That mistake just lost this buck. We watch and watch, and that doe still hasn’t moved, not 1 inch. Then the buck made a U-turn back toward us, still in frantic motion, all over the place. I found an opening in the woods at around 50-60 yards and was able to take a good shot. We found him at the base of a maple tree. What a great day with two totally different, but awesome hunts, that we will remember and talk about for years to come.”

Adam McInerney was steadfast to keep hunting through the late afternoon storms on opening day last Saturday. His patience was rewarded with a trophy buck to nearly match the buck his son scored earlier the same day. Submitted photo

What makes this opening day hunting story so special isn’t just the double-trophy haul. It’s how rare such a feat is: for two close family members to harvest mature bucks on the same day, especially under punishing weather conditions. An achievement most hunters only dream of. It’s a story about skill, steadfastness, and connection to tradition. It’s why hunting is so deeply woven into the fabric of our western New York outdoor heritage.

On opening weekend, DEC estimates that 470,000 licensed big-game hunters are afield in New York. Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

Nov. 14-25: Alberto Rey “ATLAS” exposition, Marion Art Gallery, SUNY Fredonia, www.fredonia.edu.

Nov. 15 to Dec. 7: NYS Southern Zone regular (firearms) Southern Zone big-game hunting season.

Nov. 18: Children in the Stream, Youth Fly Fishing program, free, Costello Room, Rockefeller Art Center, SUNY Fredonia, 7-8:30 p.m., 12 years old and older, info: 716-410-7003 (Alberto Rey).

Nov. 18: Erie County Fish Advisory Board, monthly meeting, Bison City Rod & Gun, 511 Ohio St., 7 p.m. start. Open to the public.

Nov. 20: Southtowns Walleye Association, monthly meeting, 5895 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg, 7 p.m.

Nov. 20: Lake Erie Chapter of Fly Fishing International, monthly meeting, Burchfield Nature Center, 2001 Union Road, West Seneca, fly tying 6 p.m., meeting 7 p.m.