Jordan Spears of Tobaccoville, North Carolina, was named the winner of the August Bag-A-Buck Contest on September 2, 2026. Spears harvested a 9-point buck in full velvet on August 22, 2026, during a hunt in Stokes County, North Carolina.
Spears used a Ruger American .308 rifle for the evening hunt, taking the shot from 200 yards while sitting on the ground. She described the hunt as starting slowly before a doe and her fawn appeared, followed by the buck approximately 10 minutes later.
The buck presented a clear, sideways shot, which Spears took, hitting it in the shoulder. The animal ran 40 yards before dropping, creating what she called a dream hunt with an orange sunset in the background. Spears and her husband hunt on their family’s lease, utilizing a box blind for the two-day velvet season.
As the August contest winner, Spears received a ShellShock Pro Ultimate Eyes & Ears Combo, a YETI Rambler bottle, and a Carolina Sportsman hat. She is also now eligible for the Grand Prize, which is a two-day hunt for two people at Cherokee Run Hunting Lodge in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. This lodge is located within South Carolina, offering a regional connection for Aiken residents interested in hunting opportunities.