Hunting Journal
The work nobody sees, written down — hunts, fitness, faith, and the lessons learned between seasons.
Some deer become more than a buck you're hunting. They become part of the story. Tank was one of those deer. At ten and a half years old, he was an old, battle-tested buck—a deer that had survived season after season and earned his place on the landscape. Anthony had been following him since September, studying trail camera photos, watching his patterns and looking for the rare opportunity when Tank might finally step into daylight.
There are successful hunts you remember because of the animal. Then there are the ones you remember because of who was sitting beside you. This was one of those mornings.
DEVIL'S PATH Catskill Mountains, New York Devil's Path isn't just another long day in the mountains. Considered one of the most difficult hiking routes in the Northeast, it runs across some of the Catskills' most unforgiving terrain—relentless climbs and descents, steep rock scrambles, rugged footing, and very little opportunity to settle into an easy rhythm. It's the kind of trail that tests you physically and mentally from beginning to end. On August 22, I took it on with my good friend Mike "Capt." Geschwind.
I knew Christ when I was younger, but I didn't really follow him. I went to church with my grandparents, did confirmation, but deep down something was missing. I dedicated my life to public service—military, law enforcement, firefighting—and over time, that took a toll. I grew bitter and angry and fell into alcoholism. I was losing my family and myself. Then one day in October 2022, I was walking alone, lost, desperate, and I prayed, "God, give me a sign. I need you, I need direction." Something sparked in that moment. I quit drinking right then. Sobriety wasn't the whole journey, but it was the start.
I first met Chad and Kristina Whitcomb from Backyard Scents at a hunting event in the summer of 2024. After talking with them about their products and approach, I picked up their scents and started using them. Chad took the time to explain how to build and work mock scrapes properly, and that guidance made a real difference. Since then, I've used Backyard Scents from late summer straight through the end of deer season, and the results have spoken for themselves. What stands out to me is that the scents are 100% natural, with no synthetics, and are designed around the way deer actually communicate. After setting up mock scrapes and licking branches and pairing them with Backyard Scents, I've had mature bucks show up on camera within just a day or two. I have hundreds of trail cam photos and videos showing the results, and I've harvested several bucks while using their products—including my oldest buck to date, Tank-a 10 1/2 yr old Northeast buck. That kind of consistency and real-world proof is what made me a believer in the product. But one of the best things to come from Backyard Scents has been the friendship we've developed with Chad and Kristina. What started as a conversation at a hunting event has grown into a genuine friendship with two people we truly respect. They stand behind what they make, and Chad is always willing to share his knowledge and teach you how to get the most out of the products. For someone looking to give Backyard Scents a try, I'd recommend starting with their All Season Package and learning the process behind it.
Nothing in the DelVecchio Outdoors logo was chosen just because it looked good. Every element has a story behind it. The antlers belong to Tank, a buck whose story means far more to us than the hunt itself. They were recreated specifically from Tank's antlers so that a piece of that experience would always be part of DelVecchio Outdoors. At the center, the broadhead forms the "V" in DelVecchio, a nod to Anthony's lifelong passion for bowhunting and the countless hours spent behind a bow. And tucked into the broadhead is a turkey track, representing another hunt—and another tradition—that has been part of his life for decades. Then there are the words that tie it all together: