Noah Hanes (above) of Appomattox kills his first buck. Noah’s grandparents are Margaret Yates and the late Robert Hanes Sr. of Buckingham, and Lindsay and Carolyn Tapscott of Buckingham.

I talk a lot with one of my bus riders mostly about hunting and fishing. Twelve-year-old Noah Hanes of Appomattox talks about hunting a lot. Little did I know at the time that one day I would be doing an interview about his experience hunting deer. A few weeks ago Noah’s mom, Kim, told me that Noah wanted me to know that he had killed a deer. I told her to tell him congratulations and ask him if he wanted me to do an interview for the paper. When I saw Kim the next day she said he had a big smile on his face and said, “Yes.”

I got in touch with Noah’s dad Bob and we made arrangements to meet at McDonalds Saturday morning. I see Noah walk in with his dad right behind him and Noah had a big smile from ear to ear. They sat down at the table and after the introductions. I knew Noah was excited to tell me his side of the story.

Noah went on to say the night before the hunt he couldn’t get to sleep — all he wanted to do was hunt, he was too excited. It was now morning and time to get ready. Noah and his dad had to get going, for they had a ride to get to the 500-acre private property in Scottsville. When they got to the hunting spot and out of the truck, they could tell it was an overcast day.

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