BMW

Elliott Smith - Wisconsin - September 21st, 2026

By: Elliott Smith (@elliottj_smith)

Deer named "BMW" after an unfortunate series of events involving a neighboring hunter.  Looking back I have had pictures of him for 3 years. He is at least 5.5 years old, I personally think he’s 6.5 this year. I found his shed this spring. He always summered near us and typically moved off the property during the rut, so I knew I had to get him early this year. I picked him back up on camera this summer right away and then got some great velvet footage of him. I had a good idea where he was bedding from years past and watching him over the summer. As the season opened I had him consistently coming out of an inside corner from his bedroom to his primary feeding area. I needed an east wind to hunt him. Sunday the 20th after all the rain and the cold front moving in I got the east wind and Brennen Bertel and I hung a Tethrd saddle on the inside corner. It was extremely windy and every deer (including "BMW") that came out, ran straight past us into the middle of the bean field.  We got out clean that night. Monday night conditions were similar but with less wind. Cool and east wind. Brandon Schrage and I went right back to the same spot. It seemed too good not to happen and he came right out of the corner to 28 yards. Slower this time I believe because the wind was less. I didn’t give him much time and released the arrow perfectly for a double lung heart shot.  Great way to start the season!