2015 - Emerson shoots 16-point buck
Growing up hunting alongside his father, Steve, Tanner Emerson has developed a lifelong appreciation for deer season.
November 17, 2015 • Voyageur Press
This year, he added a trophy-worthy buck to his hunting memories — an impressive 16-pointer weighing 189 pounds.
Emerson harvested the buck near Brookston on opening weekend and has enjoyed sharing the story of his successful hunt. While he isn't sure whether the deer will put him in the running for a Big Buck contest, there's no question it is a trophy worth displaying.
“It was about 11:00,” Emerson recalled. “The buck came across the back ridge. It was about to leave, and I made a wheezing sound.”
The buck turned to investigate the sound, giving Tanner the opportunity he needed. He took his shot, hitting the deer in the heart.
It was several hours before he located his prize buck, which had settled beneath a tree. With help from his father, Tanner dragged the deer out of the woods and brought it to the Country Corner to be weighed.
Over the years, Emerson has harvested several deer, including a few spikes, a six-pointer and an eight-pointer. However, this year's buck easily tops them all.
“This is by far my biggest deer,” he said. “My dad shot a nice 10-pointer two years ago, not too far from where I shot this one.”
Tanner believes the buck's impressive rack may have something to do with its diet, particularly the abundance of acorns available to deer.
Acorns are an important food source for whitetails, especially during the fall. Deer favor the sweeter-tasting acorns produced by white oak trees over those from red oaks when both are available.
Whatever the reason for its impressive rack, the 16-point buck has earned a permanent place in Tanner's hunting memories — and eventually on his wall.
For the Emerson family, however, deer season doesn't end when the harvest is complete. Processing the meat together is another important part of their annual tradition.
“Each year, we clean and process with my nephews, Trenton and Tristan Johnson, and brother-in-law, Martin Johnson,” Tanner said.
From time in the woods with his father to working together around the processing table, Tanner's latest trophy is another memorable chapter in a family hunting tradition.