My highlight of the year has tobe 2 different ones, both with big bucks. On10/7 I had an encounter with a real monster, 160ish, and it was the closest I had even been to a big buck, and it was awesome. Thewind was PERFECT for the spot I was hunting, and naturally he comes in directly downwind, througha cut bean field that he would need to pack a lunch to get across.He got to with about 45 yards, then smelled me and took off to about 80 yards and just walked away. Either way, it was awesome to see one that big that close.

The second one was on 10/22 and it was a 10-point ofaround the same measurements that got even closer! Hefollowed two does across a field and I started freaking out because they were trotting toward me, so I scrambled to get into position and when they crested a slight rise in the topography, they spotted my decoy and froze, facing me. The buck was at around 30yards, but I will not take a frontal shot, and one of the does spooked and he took off with them. Again, just so cool to get that close!!