Colt Rhyne, a Texas youth hunter, experienced a once-in-a-lifetime moment on September 27, 2025, when he harvested a rare piebald whitetail doe that had been known to hunters on his family’s lease for more than 13 years.
Colt was hunting with his father, Stephen Rhyne, and sister, Heidi, during the opening day of the season. The doe, known on the lease as “Snow White” and “The Ghost,” had been captured on trail cameras for more than a decade but had rarely been seen in person. She was estimated to be 13.5 years old, which is an exceptional age for a free-range whitetail.
The doe first appeared on Stephen’s SPYPOINT cameras in 2021, though other members of their hunt club had been following her story since the early 2010s. She successfully raised multiple fawns throughout her lifetime, remained cautious around human presence, and often disappeared for long periods, contributing to her reputation among hunters.
What Is a Piebald Deer?
A piebald deer carries a genetic condition that results in patches of white hair mixed with normal brown coloration. Unlike albinism, where all pigment is absent, piebaldism produces a wide range of patterns. Some deer may have small white patches, while others can appear almost entirely white. The condition can also be associated with traits such as curved spines, shortened legs, or overbites, though many piebald deer remain healthy and fully capable of surviving in the wild. Biologists estimate that fewer than two percent of all whitetails display piebald characteristics, making sightings rare and successful hunts even more uncommon.
A Meaningful Moment for a Hunting Family
Colt harvested the doe at close range after she briefly appeared, disappeared, and then re-entered the shooting lane. The moment was emotional for the family, who had watched her for years through trail-camera photos and scouting efforts.
For the Rhyne family, the doe represented years of shared anticipation, early mornings, and trail-camera memories, making the moment especially meaningful.
Stephen described the doe as “a legend of the Pineywoods,” and Colt celebrated with “tears of happiness,” according to his father.
