Well guys and gals, my Illinois bowhunting season is officially over! I look forward to once again having skin that isn't dried out from scent-free soaps, a truck that doesnt' smell like Fresh Earth inside, sleeping in on the weekends, anda girlfriend who isn't nagging me because I'm not home enough!

The story is fairly simple. I hung a new stand last night with plans to hunt all day today. I was going to give one last hurrah and see what happens, so moved my Lone Wolf hang-on with sticks into a new tree, to set up with the predicted North winds, and snuck out right before dark to observe a cut cornfield.

I was in my stand 45 minutes before daylight this morning and immediately had a buck come by at 15 yards. I could barely make out his rack and that was it.

The first hour of light was rather unproductive save a few squirrels. About 7:15 a doe and two little ones came by at about 80 yards. 10 minutes after they drifted off behind me they came running back through. I figured they bumped into a buck so I was alert, watching thefield from which they had come.

At 7:40 a spotted a buck walking and immediately thought "shooter". Before grabbing my grunt tube and trying to coax him my way I decided to wait a minute to see where he was going to commit himself to. Sure enough, he turned and came down the trail straight in front of my stand. At 18 yards I grunted to stop him as he entered my lane, placed my pin on him, and sent an NAP Nitron through both lungs. He made it 60 yards before expiring.

I thought he was bigger than he actually is when I shot him, but I'm still happy. I'llget some better photos later when my cameramanarrives. These are stills from my video camera.

I've had a great season, have more than a freezer full of meat, and soon two more mounts for my wall.

Total 2006 score - 2 bucks, 2 does, 1 coyote. The Bowtech Allegiance and NAP Nitrons have done a great job and I couldn't be happier.