Look what I found...
 

Was in Shawnee National Forest Southern Illinois this past weekend doing a little recon work for firearm season and look what I stumbled upon...



It was around 50 yards off of a road in a dry river bed so I figure it was either a road kill that limped away or could have been a wounded animal that nevergot tracked down last season. I was pretty excited when I found it as I never expected to find anything like this. Wish I got a chance to take this guy when he was stillroaming the forest. Main beams are 18 inches with a 16.5 inch spread...10 points.

It is actually in amazingly good condition...skull is intact, antlers are untouched, no cracks anywhere. I have not began to clean it. Still weighing options...I will definitely minimally wash it down and get off the loose dirt. I have done a few european mounts that turned out excellent and have been brilliant white when finished but those were all fresh kills, with this guy I am strongly considering just cleaning it pretty well and leaving it in the weathered condition. Just seems right for this old boy...it looks pretty cool as is...

RE: Look what I found...
 

Thats sweet. It's hard enough to find racks, but to find one that's still in goos shape is something. Esp. when it's been there for awhile. Should make a good mount.

RE: Look what I found...
 

Your right. That is cool!

RE: Look what I found...
 

Probably died from blue tongue seeing how you found it in a dried up creek bed. Look back there and if it was BT there will probably be more. It seems to hit the big bucks pretty bad in some areas of the mid west.

RE: Look what I found...
 

Deer that die from blue tongue die early in the season and the antler burrs are typically still sharp. That deer died well into the season. You can see how worn the antlers are from rubbing.

RE: Look what I found...
 

Excellent find, good to know that caliber running around your hunting ground

RE: Look what I found...
 

i'd say he's been dead for longer than a year. i have a 8 point hanging in a tree that isa european mount in progressand he still has alot of skin on his forhead and one ear. i wish i would have boiled it but never did.

RE: Look what I found...
 

Cool pic, not common to find them in such good shape.

RE: Look what I found...
 

ChicagoTRS,

Where will you be hunting the Shawnee at? I'll be on a piece of Private ground a few mile north of Shawnee in Saline Co. Looks like if your name is an indication of where your from, I'll be making that 6 hour drive with you. The drive down I'm excited for, the drive back Sunday Night, not so much!!

RE: Look what I found...
 

Yep I will bemaking the same drive...I hunt Jackson County public land...will be my 5th year hunting there. I will make the round tripdrive 3 times this month and next...it is not too bad...my goal this year is to make it without getting a speeding ticket. 1st season this year should fall right in the peak of the rut...expecting a good year.