Greg, that was/is a fantastic post.

I'd like to think that I achieved my goals for 08 as well.

The first active goal early season was to take a doe on video. Happily, Ben was in the stand behind me when that big moolie came down the field and present itself for a close shot. Ben, for his first filming attempt did an excellent job. Goal one achieved. As we entered the 3rd week of our season, we both decided it was time start hunting on our own as we were cutting our season short by doubling up with the camera. That set forth my next goal, to take a quality whitetail in PA with my season cut short via my upcoming trip to IL. Hunting every evening and Saturday for the next 3 weeks, I never missed an opportunity to be in a tree and when that buck showed up Halloween morning on my first sit in my Hollow, he looked to be a fantastic buck, 3.5 year old, solid "rob" antlers "lol" and when he came to my calls from 80 yards to 8 yards, I knew he was "my" buck for PA. He didn't score exactly what I though he may but in restrospect, he did score as my best inches buck to date. My second goal for 08 was in the books, so far a big mature doe, a respectable mature buck. Now it was off to IL.

Now that IL trip has a roller coaster of emotions, goals, agendas. I'm considering IL a huge success not only for the meat that is now in my freezer and hide/antlers that is at my taxidermist but for the friends made, members met and time spent. I admitted in my IL return thread that I was slightly dissappointed in the size of the buck at the end of the day. I admit again, he shrunk on me a bit, what I thought was a 130" ten point, wasn't. He is however, my new number 1 buck as far as inches go. I missed a world class animal and that now sets new goals for 09 especially my return trip to IL.

And in closing Greg, after seeing the animals I saw in IL, my goals for 09 may increase dramatically. IL changed my view on whitetails probably forever.