November 13, 2007

Armand Archibald, Jr.
Illinois
9 pointer
Bow: Hoyt Vipertec
Broadhead: Muzzy MX-4
Release: Scott Mongooose
Camo: Scent Blocker

November 3rd, Matt Fowle and I were headed for Illinois. We checked the weather report once we got there, but it didn't look good for November deer hunting - High's in the 70's, but we headed out and hung our stands, put out the Cuddeback and prepared to do our thing. After 3 days of slow movement, we checked the Cuddeback and found several big bucks in one of the spots we had permission to hunt, so naturally, we moved there for a while. I was the only one seeing deer and I got a shot at a nice 9 pointer that we had pics of, but thanks to a small branch, my arrow never made it and he just walked away. I was able to harvest a nice coyote that night though.After about 4 more days of seeing very little deer, we moved to our last property we could hunt. On the morning of November 13th, I finally saw what I had come to Illinois to see! After 2 hours of seeing nothing, the woods lit up with deer. I had bucks chasing does, grunting, snort weezing, but for the next 2 hours, I passed up the bucks I was seeing. At about 10:50am, I had a doe come walking toward me with a busted rack 8 point following behind. Behind him I heard a couple of grunts and this beautiful 9 point came walking between him and the doe. Mind you, all these deer are down wind, clueless that I am there. Only possible because of my Scent Blocker suit. After about 2 very long minutes, the big buck turns to stare down the smaller buck, giving me a chance to shoot him. I had already ranged him at 30 yards, so I drew fast, put the pin on him and the arrow was on its way. The arrow hit the buck high in the shoulder with him quartering to me and dropped him in his tracks. A follow up shot finished the hunt. I had passed up 8 different 8 pointers before this buck. To top it all off, when Matt came to help, we had a wide 8 point come right by us on the ground at 12 yards with no clue we were there. All of this reminding me of why I pay money and drive the miles to hunt in the vacation state of Illinois. Something everyone should try just once in their life, but it sure is good to be home.