I'll tell you what guys, I have been at this for some time now, I hunt in a state (Illinois) that has great trophy deer and I have seen and shot big deer.....but I have never seen a deer like this....and so close I thought I could reach out an touch it! I don't have the words to describe what I was thinking, I was just in pure awe of this magnificent animal below me. To see them in photos and on TV pales when they are right there in the flesh in front of you.

I couldn't begin to try and score him butwas every bit of 190-200in easy. The landI hunt is located in an area surrounded byforest preserves. Greg I'm sure you know what I'm talking about as you hunt here in Illinois too. Illinois has alot of forest preserve land and there is no hunting on it. Well my parents live right in the middle of one on many acres with a creek running through it. There is no pressure on these deer other than poachers (not many) or car kills, so there are many deer of all ages and I guess it was my time to spot one of the elder statesmen of the herd.

They hang out in the forest preservesin relative peace and tranquility. They make there way on to the property and some years I see many scrapes and rubs some years I don't but I still see deer every year as they always travel through to go from one preserve to another. This year I have found that there is a bedding area in the north west section of the property.

I always knew that the area had thepotential to be home totruly big deer, the setting is right and there was no reason why they wouldn't be there, it's just another thing to actually see one.

I know I'm going on and on about it, I can't help myself, I don't think I will ever see anything like him again....I'm ok with that.