The Cazador Slam, Part Two
By: Brian Kightlinger
Editor’s Note: In the previous installment Brian told of his four prior hunts included in the Cazador Slam. He chronicles his fifth and final hunt of the Slam, the sika deer, here. Enjoy!
William Newman and his son Bill have operated Happy Hollow Hunts in Middleburg, Pennsylvania, since 1997. William purchased five sika does and a stag and began raising a herd of sika deer. Today, he has over thirty sika deer that roam his operation. I contacted William and Bill about a sika hunt, and they welcomed me to their preserve.
Before driving to Happy Hollow Hunts, I had to coach a soccer game. On the morning of September 24th, 2022, my high school soccer team played against a rival school. The team played well and earned a 3-1 victory. After the game, I drove to Middleburg, Pennsylvania, for my sika deer hunt.
Pulling into the driveway of Happy Hollow Hunts, I saw William and Bill waiting for me. I was greeted with a friendly, “Hello”, and a firm handshake by both the father and son. We talked for a few minutes, and then Bill showed me the cabin where I would be staying. I grabbed my gear and changed for the evening hunt.
Bill and I planned to spot and stalk the sika deer with a bow for a few hours. Together we walked through the thick brush and small trees, looking for sika deer signs. Using my Vortex binoculars, I saw four beautiful stags in the group of sika deer. Bill and I slowly crept closer to the herd of thirty deer. With the wind swirling and sixty eyes watching us, it wasn't long before the lead sika stag barked, and the pack took off.
After watching the deer relocate, Bill and I tried again. The closest I could get to the sika stags was thirty-seven yards. Even though I could make that shot, the stags stood too close together. Without a clear shot, I lowered my Darton bow and waited for the stags to separate. The lead stag pushed the herd deeper into thick cover.
Bill suggested we return to the cabin and get my 50 caliber inline before putting on another stock. After grabbing my inline muzzleloader, Bill and I began another stalk. This time, the stags slipped below us back into thick cover. I knew it was time to get into an elevated stand and wait for a good shot opportunity.
I followed Bill to an elevated shooting house, climbed the ladder, and watched him walk back towards the cabin. Watching the sunset, I wondered if the sika deer would begin to move. In the thicket, I could hear two sika stags fighting.
Not long after the fighting stopped, I saw the herd of sika walking in my direction. The lead stag stopped before entering the clearing. Patiently, I waited for the stag to come into the open. The stag decided the coast was clear and walked out into the open. The herd followed, and I waited for a clear shot.
Finally, the dominant sika stag was alone and stopped in the open. I found his vitals in my scope, exhaled, and pulled the trigger. A white puff of smoke blocked my view, but I heard the bullet hit the stag. As the smoke cleared, I watched the giant sika stag go down while the herd rushed back into thick cover.
My heart raced, and I knew that my Cazador Slam was complete. I climbed out of the shooting house and went to my trophy. Stopping to take in the moment, I knelt by the sika stag and thanked God for the venison and time spent in his creation.
Over the past five years, I have met many wonderful people while pursuing exotic trophy animals. These incredible people have opened their businesses to me and have treated me like family. Because of them, I accomplished the Cazador Slam.
Check out the Records of Exotics for more information on the Cazador Slam.
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