fly Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 (edited) Opening day of IL. shotgun season: My stand location was on top of a hilltop at least a half mile in the Shawnee Forest. No trails and no motorized vehicles allowed. I had 5 scent wafers out and started doing some light grunting right at daylight 0630 and again at 0700. I was only shooting a mature buck because the drag would be extremely difficult. At 0715 a deer responded and was traveling towards me (downwind of course). I used my binoculars to get a better look since the heavy timber prevented me from seeing if it was a buck or doe. After a couple failed attempts to see him in the binoculars I finally saw him and noticed the thick antlers and a nice spread. Hunting on public ground I knew he was a shooter immediately. I put the binoculars on my hang it all belt and got my shotgun ready. At this time he was about 75 yards away. I had a shot, but decided to wait for a closer one. At 50 yards he was stopped behind a fallen tree and I had no shot. I started to get worried because he was still scent checking a lot. He took one more step and I had a quartering-to shot. I took it and was exhilarated to see him fall in his tracks. I was so excited. I watched for a few minutes taking in the moment. He wasn’t moving so I decided to get down. He heard my movement and got up. He couldn’t lift his back legs, but was moving away using his front legs. Not wanting to take a chance on him getting away or going down the wrong side of the steep hill I shot again. The second shot hit him in the vitals (the first was a little high-spine). Within seconds he shook his head one last time and it was all over. I had my first trophy public ground buck! I got down to see this awesome animal. He was a mature 8-pointer with thick antlers and a 20 inch spread. I sat on the hill for several minutes thanking God and cherishing the moment. It took me until 4pm before I finally got him back to the camp (all by myself). The past spring rains had caused mud slides that caused many large trees to fall into the valley that made harvesting the deer a major challenge. By far this was the hardest I have ever worked for a deer. At camp I weighed the buck. His field dressed weight was 205 lbs. (est. 260 live weight). I put the tape to him, but I’m a big time amature and I like the guessing game so what do you all think he'll score? Edited November 25, 2008 by fly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csualumni21000 Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 Great deer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illinois59 Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 Nice buck! I'm gonna guess 130". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHISKEYSWAMP Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 that's a stud of an 8 point... congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 Wow, nice buck!!! Congrats.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 Great buck!Congrats! That joker's got some width on him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tp793 Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 Great buck, congrats! I'd say 135-140. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earnhardts12000 Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierbuck Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 i don't really know or care what he scores, that's a beautiful buck. Congrats! HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layin on the smackdown Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 congratulations on a tough, well deserved buck!!! looks like the inside spread will make up for a small G3, so i am going to guess a total gross of 137 3/8... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 Very nice buck! Way to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00DodgeGuy Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 Nice deer..... I will say 138 3/8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CSRoth Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 congrats on a nice buck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backwoods07 Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 Shawnee grows some big guys. Great buck! Way to represent IL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosier Hunter Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 Very nice buck! Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 good lookin deer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted November 25, 2008 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 Great deer. I'm going to guess mid 130's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorden Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 Great deer:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted November 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 Thanks everyone. When I measured I came up with 127 and change (gross) and only 2 inches in deductions. I was a little surprised because I was thinking 130's myself. I love those heavy thick racks the best even if the score isn't as high. It seems a number of forum members get a little upset with the attention around scoring. For me it's the entire deer (not just antlers) as well as the actual hunt that makes it a trophy. Scoring antlers is just another piece of the trophy puzzle. I'm having it mounted largely because of the difficult recovery. Some day when I'm not able to drag a 200+ lb. deer a 1/2 mile I'll point to this 8-point and say, "I used to be able to do it." Of course by then the story will be more like 2 miles up several cliffs (instead of 5 ft. creek banks) and the deer will gain another 50 pounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG_BUCK_1 Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 that is a nice IL buck congrats 136 3/8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rookieee Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 congrats nice buck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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