As the sun painted the sky with strokes of pink and gold over the rugged plains of southwest Oklahoma, I stood quietly in the cabin, waiting for Willie Vernon to arrive. It was a perfect November evening—the kind of weather hunters dream about. A light chill hung in the air, a whisper of the coming winter, and the wind, mercifully, was in our favor. I’d spent more hours than I could count on this land, but this evening was different. I wasn’t just chasing deer—I was guiding a newcomer to our world.
Willie, a super-duper marketing wiz from Christensen Arms, had made the trek to Oklahoma for her very first whitetail deer hunt. A seasoned outdoorswoman, Willie wasn’t new to firearms or the thrill of the outdoors, but the idea of bagging a whitetail had eluded her. That was about to change. She’s a crack shot too. We hosted her at our Range Ready Studios this season for Guns & Gear, and she blew us away with her accuracy and trigger discipline.
She arrived with a Christensen Arms Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR) chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum slung over her shoulder. It was a beauty—a lightweight precision tool that looked as at home in her hands as it would in a museum display. Willie’s eyes carried that unmistakable mix of excitement and nerves, a combination I’d seen countless times in first-time hunters.
“You ready?” I asked, offering a smile that I hoped would calm her nerves.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she replied, grinning.
Willie brought her wonderful daughter and uber-talented husband. He was in tow to capture the hunt through imagery and a relaxing figure to calm the nerves. Her daughter was there as an official booster-of-morale.
The property was a hunter’s paradise: rolling hills, thick patches mesquite, and open fields that practically begged for a well-placed ground blind. The whitetail population here thrives, thanks to careful management and plenty of cover.
Our destination was a ground blind strategically nestled between a dense grove of mesquites and a feeding area. The location offered clear shooting lanes, and the cover needed to stay out of sight. As we settled into the blind, I went over the plan. I was going to sit further back, observing how the hunt played out. I was only a text or phone call away to help guide, but this was a moment meant for family. I didn’t want to intrude on such a special moment.
You see, Willie is raising a strong, young lady and the decision making that goes into taking a whitetail is one of strength. That is a special bond that happens very few times in our lives.
“Patience is the name of the game,” I whispered. “The deer here are smart. You’ll likely see does first, maybe a spike or two. But don’t rush it. The better deer come out when they feel safe.”
Willie nodded, her face a mask of focus.
The hours ticked by with the slow rhythm only hunters know. Willie’s enthusiasm is contagious. She wasn’t just here to take a deer; she was here to immerse herself in the experience. She wanted to feel every moment, from the rustling leaves to the fading light.
As the sun began its descent, the woods came alive. A group of does stepped cautiously into the clearing, their ears flicking at every sound. I couldn’t help myself. I texted her immediately to check on her pulse.
“How are you feeling?” I texted, “We don’t need to take a shot yet, let’s see how this plays out.”
“You’re right, she agreed. “We don’t have anything but time.” Her calmness was almost eerie.
The minutes stretched, the tension mounting with every passing second. Then, as if on cue, he appeared—a gorgeous eight-point buck stepping into the open like royalty entering a ballroom. He was everything you’d want in a first deer: symmetrical, strong, and confident, which ultimately led to his demise.
I was shocked how calm I was. I’m guessing that is because of my confidence in the hunter in the blind
“Willie, it’s your time to shine,” I texted.
The Christensen Arms MHR rested solidly against her shoulder, its carbon fiber barrel glinting faintly in the fading light. The buck took a few steps, paused, and turned.
“Here it comes,” I said under my breath as I watched from afar.
The crack of the .300 Win Mag echoed through the mesquites as the buck collapsed where is four hooves once were planted.
We waited a few minutes to let the adrenaline settle before packing up. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the shadows deepened as we moved toward the buck. It didn’t take long to find him—a perfect eight-point buck lying where he stood.
Willie’s face lit up as she and her daughter knelt beside her first deer. She ran her hands over the antlers, a mix of awe and respect in her expression.
“Well, KJ. That didn’t take long at all. she said.
“He’s a great buck,” I replied. “You did everything right and made an absolutely perfect shot.”
Back at camp, we celebrated with hearty meals and stories. Willie’s buck was the centerpiece, a trophy not just of her skill but of her respect for the hunt. As we talked late into the night, she reflected on what the experience had meant to her.
“I really thought I would have been more shaken up,” she said, “but this was different. I felt at peace about the whole process. It wasn’t just about taking a deer—it was about being part of something bigger. I’ll never forget this.”
And that’s what hunting is all about. It’s not just the pursuit or the harvest—it’s the connection. To the land, to the animals, and to each other. For Willie, this was her first hunt. For me, it was a reminder of why I fell in love with hunting in the first place.
As the stars filled the Oklahoma sky, I knew one thing for certain: Willie Vernon’s first whitetail hunt was just the beginning of her journey into the world of hunting, and it was an honor to be part of it. ~ KJ
KJ
Kevin Jarnagin (KJ) hails from Oklahoma but quickly established Louisiana roots after joining the Gun Talk team. KJ grew up as a big game hunter and often finds himself in a different venture often. His early career had him working with one of the finest PR agencies in the outdoor industry – Blue Heron Communications. Before that, KJ molded the minds of business school students at the University of Oklahoma. Quickly learning he had to grow up sometime, KJ dedicated himself to the outdoors no matter what it took.
Sporting his flat-brimmed cap, KJ traverses the country in pursuit of the greatest game and best adventures. Whether it’s making his way to British Columbia for elk or training with pistols, KJ always seems to find a gun in his hands and adventure on his mind. KJ is a skilled communicator and connector in an industry that he has loved since a child.
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