I live and work in Missouri but buy an Illinois archery tag now and then as well. As Missouri season started I had a few good deer to chase but did not get much time to hunt due to work obligations. I only had 3 sits in 2 weeks by the time Illinois bow season opened. So Oct 2nd I headed to Illinois with high hopes. We had cool weather heading in and the IL deer seemed to be cooperating according to trail cams and scouting. I had set up a mock scrape in a historically good spot that has two big ridges coming together in the corner of a crp field. It was getting hit daily by 3 different bucks. Mostly between 7-8am. I kind of had an idea of where they were likely bedding and figured I could get in for a morning sit without getting busted. I started to sneak in early - about 5:45. I was pumped for the sun to rise and with the cool morning, rising thermals and nw wind I was feeling bullet proof! The cherry on top was being tucked into a little pin oak in my .5 about 12ft off the ground. I was set up by 6:05 and at 6:48 I shot this buck at 10 yards while he was standing in the Mock scrape. I love it when a plan comes together. I shot the buck with my Bivouac backland longbow. 60" 42@27. I use a Pat Norris springy with a fixed crawl. Shooting 30.5" Easton axis .500's with the 5mm collars, standard insert, and 125gr cutthroat 3 blade. The buck went about 70-80 yards and crashed in the crp. Now I can focus on Missouri! Bring on the cold fronts and fall colors! 🙌
Congratulations...You Done Good!
He's a husky boy! All I've managed to get since opener is track soup!
:thumbsup: congratts! :thumbsup:
Great looking buck, congrats on early kill.
Congrats on a great buck!
congrats...Good job
Congratulations nice buck!
Congratulations :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
That's a Dandy! Congratulations
Congratulations on a very nice buck !!!
Awesome... :thumbsup:
Gotta love it when a plan comes together. Congrats on a nice buck.
Congratulations!
Awesome!
Congratulations sir! That is awesome! Good luck in Missouri! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrats and great story!
Congratulations! Great buck!
That's a beautiful buck! Congrats! :thumbsup:
Congrats!!!! :clapper:
Nice sized deer. Congratulations!!!
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
Excellent...Congrats!!!
:clapper:
Congrats!!! great buck!!!
Jason
Congratulations, what a great buck
Congrats!
Congrats! We got some big ones in Illinois!
Really nice buck. Congrats.
Congrats!
Congrats. Nice buck
Be sure to add pic to following thread https://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=101178.760
great read, beautiful buck, and awesome picture as well!
many congratulations!
congrats on a fine buck! :thumbsup: Well done!
Congrats on a well executed plan and a great buck.
That's a great buck! Congrats!