Parker McCollum Nearly Loses Prize Buck to Snapping ZYN Can

Country music star Parker McCollum described a close call during an archery hunt in northern Oklahoma where the sound of a ZYN can nearly caused him to lose a massive whitetail buck. The incident occurred on the second day of bowhunting season.

McCollum, who has been bowhunting for years, was in his stand when a mature, heavy-horned buck appeared directly below him. At that exact moment, McCollum was reaching for a ZYN pouch and closed the can just as he spotted the deer. The sudden snapping sound caused the buck to stop.

"I'm like, oh no," McCollum recalled, fearing the deer would bolt. "Thinking, you know, he's about to bust ass out of here."

Fortunately, the buck did not run off. However, the next few minutes were tense as McCollum attempted to position himself for a shot without disturbing the animal further. He recounted hitting his elbow against the tree while drawing his bow, all while his heart raced.

"This is the encounter you have been waiting for," he thought at the time.

Despite the near-disaster with the ZYN can and other hunting challenges, McCollum successfully made a clean shot. He described the harvested buck as even more impressive than he had initially realized from trail camera photos, calling the experience "phenomenal."

McCollum is preparing for his first tour of the UK and Ireland with Cody Johnson, but he is already looking forward to his next hunting trip. He expressed a hope to keep his ZYN can quieter on future hunts.