On Nov. 17 last season I took a very close friend, Don Wages out deer hunting with me on my farm in Illinois. We had the perfect wind to hunt the best stand on this property so we slipped in way before daylight and waited. This stand is situated 150 yards between a 4
year old plot of Alfa-Rack that has been a deer magnet, and a bedding area. On this morning we were anticipating deer (hopefully mature bucks) leaving the food plot and returning to the bedding area. We were not disappointed!!!
One half hour after daylight, Don saw a huge buck walking from the Alfa-Rack plot back into the timber heading right towards him. The buck passed underneath his tree at 8 yards and Don made a perfect shot. This was the largest Buck Don has ever shot in almost 60 years of hunting. He has shot over 170 deer with a Bow but nothing could prepare him for the sight he was about to see when he walked up on this Illinois Bruiser. It would have been a 9x9 but it broke off a point on each antler that were both several inches long. With 16 scoreable points the buck grossed just shy of 200-inches Pope and Young. One half hour later Don also shot a big doe as she left the food plot to return to her bed. Enclosed is a picture of Don’s buck. Don stated to me "that was the best deer hunting day in my 65 year life."
One hour later, we were still in the tree trying to contain our excitement when a 6 year old buck I had nicked named "Curly" walked under us. This buck was also coming from the food plot probably checking for does. I was able to put my tag on old Curly from the
same spot Don had just shot his monster on the same morning. (photo enclosed) It was a great morning of hunting memories that we will cherish the rest of our lives.
Thank You Whitetail Institute for making products that help hunters make memories of a lifetime. In the pictures you will notice how green and lush this Alfa Rack still is, clear into mid November after several hard freezes.
