This story began last year when I started getting pictures of a massive buck on my trail cameras. Throughout most of the summer I got pictures and trail camera videos of this buck as he grew into a giant that I was dedicated to chasing that fall. But as so many mature bucks do every year, when October bow season finally rolled around he was nowhere to be found. In fact, I never laid eyes on this buck even one time during the 2007 archery season here in Illinois. After the season was over the buck showed up again on my trail cameras so I was able to confirm that he was still alive and set my sights on him once again for the following fall.

When the 2008 bow season opened I did my best to hold off hunting this spot until the time was right, and last week I decided that it was. With the pre-rut just starting these big bucks are up on their feet during daylight more often now, so I figured I might be able to catch up with him. After several close encounters with this giant I was finally able to pinpoint his bedding area and on the evening of Ocotber 28th he presented me with a 10 yard shot as he walked along a trail from his core area headed towards a doe bedding area.

I made a perfect double lung shot and the brute only made it 150 yards before expiring. My best friends Paul Mazur (Horseshoe), his son Brian, and Justin Zarr were there with me to share in the celebration as we recovered him a short while later. I honestly can’t put into words the feelings that I have right now after so many years of dedication and hard work to finally pay off with the buck of a lifetime. I also owe a special thanks to Andrae D’Acquistio with Whitetail Addictions and Bill Winke for some additional tips that helped me connect with this buck.

The best time of the hunting season has just started and I wish all of you success this fall.

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