Monster Raxx Trophy Minerals

I had hunted only in Wisconsin prior to this 2007 season and I was fortunate enough to hunt 3 other states. I also incorporated a video camera into my repertoire. This was going to be a tough but rewarding year at least I thought.

Well the year started early as I went out opening day in Wisconsin with my two boys Cory and Shawn. That evening my youngest Cory, who has not had many encounters, drew back on a small doe from my ground blind while filming. We were a new combo so he was waiting for the go ahead from dad. The doe had other plans and laid down, unreal no shot! He was shaking so bad that he thought he was cold (kids are so innocent!). I promptly told him he had ‘buck fever’. It was incredible none the less!
 
The next day I was off to North Dakota. Wow what a difference in terrain. Where are the trees? Too funny as this place is a haven for whitetails! The one thing I regret is not following my instincts as I found a nice 8 pointer one morning on stand that was jumped by a coyote chasing a smaller doe crossing his path about 500 yards off. I was going to go in after him that evening before feeding time among the short, brushy trees with my ground blind. I decided to follow the advice of the land owner and stay on his property as he had seen a nice buck come out of the river bottom the night before. Of course it did not pan out but it was an outstanding hunt with lots of opportunity. I would do it again.

Back to WI and time to tag a doe for EAB. The weekend I got back, I shot a doe. First camera lesson learned.  I did not need the 2x telephoto lens which shrank my field of view so I missed capturing it on film. She turned the other way at the last minute but thought it was a done deal. Man that hurt missing it on film but I have the rest of the season left right?

The Whitetail World Pro staff hunt began in the middle of October. Missouri is a beautiful state to say the least. My kind of hunting, deep dense woods everywhere!  Well the hunting was a bit tougher than I thought as the temps were around high 80’s for the first 3 days or so. Brandon was fortunate enough to cross paths with not one but two world class bucks the first night that had us all (WTW Pro staff, members and friends) ready for anything! So here it was the second to last morning, I was late but heard distinct crunching in the woods behind my ground blind. I eventually could see movement, then “Oh no, it can’t be!” as I got the camcorder steady and ready. I saw white well above the head. Was it MY time? It was! As it stepped into the only clearing, I was ready to draw. Just then I noticed it was the biggest mule I had ever seen. You read it correctly, a donkey!! Ok you all can stop laughing now (this story is suppose to haunt me remember)! Thank you Mike Earp for the generous hospitality from you and your family! It was a great hunting camp with a chance for everyone to meet and laugh. We sure did plenty of that.

Back to Wisconsin... Wisconsin had an early gun hunt this year but I wasn’t ready for my rifle yet so I went it alone with my bow. Where do I go I thought the first day? Finally found my spot. I set my bow down and grabbed a section of my climbing sticks when all of a sudden a nice 10 pointer (wider than his ears) came bounding to me at 15 yards. My release was in my pocket, no arrow nocked! Don’t even think my camera was out. Doom! Are you serious? Well the gun season took its toll and I did not see much but I have an Illinois trip coming up!

I hunted near Vandalia, Illinois with Sandy Run Hunt Co. It may have been the best 5 days of pure hunting in my life to date. The first evening I was drawing back on a nice buck but it all happened too fast, no footage. 5 bucks came in chasing a doe. All were small except this 8. He was descent but not what I came for on the first night. I tried to film what I could but he was growling (I swear) as he was chasing off the little bucks. It was so cool yet happened so fast! A couple days later I was walking out after a windy, cold morning from stand and I saw a nice 10 pointer (120-125ish) chasing doe. I was able to sneak my way down to the edge of the woods (and shaking I might add) but they were gone. Little did I know what the following two days were going to be?

It started slow that morning but that afternoon I was given a climber and permission to go into an area untouched in a long while once ravished by a tornado. As I was setting up the climber I noticed a buck running about 70 yards away. He was an awesome 8 pointer that was white, tall and wide. Apparently there is a 20”+ wide 8 pointer running around this area. Since my climber was already 8 feet off the ground I had to somersault off the stand to get my bow on the ground. I grunted as I could see him running back and forth but he would not respond. Once again, there was no buck, no footage, down to the last day in Illinois. I went into the same area with the same idea the next morning. As I sat there pondering (I mean in a daze which is very unlike me) I caught movement. Here was a marginal buck and it’s the last day but wait coming behind him was a giant (150+ 10 pointer) buck. I had the camera in position, I ranged him at 25 yards but thought better and went with 30 (not sure why). Probably would have been just fine except at the last minute after stopping him, I raised up as to not be tight on a branch running along the bottom of his chest. Man, I did it! I shot a whopper and I caught it on…wait my camera was on standby. That’s ok because I’ll get my picture with him, right? Well I called Bill from Sandy Run and he sent down some help. Although we did recover the last third of my arrow, we did not find much of any sign of blood. Four hours later we formed a posse and walked a line. We jumped the brute and found where he was lying amongst a fallen tree top. He had to jump 5 or 6 feet high to get out. No buck, no way!!! I was devastated! I left Illinois with my head handing very low.

My  last chance during early season archery in Wisconsin. With Illinois still fresh in my mind it was very hard to sit the first couple of days. I managed but did not see much. That Tuesday after work did not leave me much time but I had almost an hour (give an addict an inch and he’ll take a mile!) I thought no camera, just go. I was on stand with 45 minutes left of hunting. Twenty minutes later I saw a nice buck crossing the field about 80-90 yards out. I grunted at him with my Buck Roar and he stopped on a dime! He stood motionless for while. I began grunting softly small little grunts and he came right to the edge of the woods. As he angled in I was amazed! He was tall, I mean every tine. I am guessing about 140’s or so. As I drew back I thought this is going to make up for Illinois, oh my. Just then I let my arrow go to hear a loud thud! Cool, but wait the buck is still moving fine. As he walked away flicking his tail I was astounded as I then ranged the previous distance at 20 yards. I missed!! As I walked back to my truck, I still had shooting time left pondering my season. As I reached my truck I thought this is it, I’m done for the year. Just then it hit me and I laughed out loud!

Even though that year is still haunting me, I had an incredible year spanning 4 states and capturing some cool things along the way. I guess we continue to learn even after 25+ years of bow hunting! I’ll never give up!!!!