Rob,

Sorry I haven't had a chance to reply until now; I've been on the go something awful the last couple days around here... I saw his pics sometime today for a sec, but wanted to have a chance to read your story before I replied.

It sounds as if you had an awesome, thrilling hunt -- and though he's a bit smaller than you may have liked (aren't they all? ), it was indeed a great experience.

And I do know what you mean about picking the wrong stand; believe it or not, that's why I often hunt the same stand site on consecutive days. It goes agains the conventional grain, but such noted hunters as Bill Winke and Don Higgins (author of Hunting Trophy Whitetails in the Real World) are advocates of the philosophy.

Again, congratulations on your '06 buck! Have you thought about a European mount? I've got one this year that I don't feel qualifies for a full shoulder mount, but I think those "tweeners" are awesome candidates for Euro mounts. (Sorry if you've said something about that in the previous ten pages; I read your post and replied without going through all of them... )