First Traditional deer harvest

[BillW]

Bruce, Since I don't have a spot to hunt in IL I hunt in WI (I have tried over the years). This is a WI buck. I wish I had a spot in my home state to hunt but so far I don't. State land is a 2 hour drive and I would need to find a place to stay. The state land I have hunted in IL is small and has limited access so it is not a great choice (very crowded too). In IL I really think you need private land to do much good. Yes, there are some good bucks on public land but not all IL land has access or is easy for me to get in to. Up in Wi I have a 3-1/2 hour drive and a nice place to stay so it makes for some nice weekend hunts. That is how I usually do it. In 3 hours from NW, IL You can be in the heart of 2,800 acres of public land in WI. Also getting permission to hunt in WI has always seemed easier to me. That is tough to beat.

Thanks!
Bill

[Mike Walker]

Congrats  

[Tom]

Way to go, Bill, the first is the hardest but also the sweetest, nice buck!

[Buffler Razz]

Congratulations, very nice buck. Wish my tracking job was that easy.

[indianalongbowshooter]

Way to go, nice deer.

[sticshooter]

BIG CONGRATS BUDDY! Nice buck for sure. Is he a Wi buck or a IL buck? BTW that curve don't look like the Fedora.LOL<><

[Stalker58]

Congradulations!
That is a beautful buck.

 

[Jake]

Bill, Spent some time with you in a couple of camps and I am glad you finally conneted.  Look forward to seein you in '06 and we sill re-live the Hunt once again!!! Hope your wife likes the new BW!!!

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

Well Bill, I always knew one year I'd be reading something like this from you. Congrats on that fine WI deer!

[the Ferret]

Dandy buck Bill and great pic too! Congrats.        

Hope to see you at Cloverdale next year, and congratulate you in person.

[Guru]

Good for you Bill...he's a dandy!!

[RayMO]

Yes he is a nice one. Congrats Bill  

[BillW]

Thanks to all you guys for your all those nice comments. It sure means a lot coming from all you here. I am leaving tonight to go back up to WI, I have a doe tag to fill. I also now have a renewed confidence. Two years ago I shot a doe with my compound that spun around stumbled and fell after going about 6 yards. That was my shortest recovery till now. This guy covered more ground after the shot and ran down another trail that led him right back towards me but hey I am not counting that. It is how far you had to go after you climbed down, right? The fact that he fell so close was great but it would have been a lot better if he would have run up the hill and saved my back a little. LOL I will confess Monday I was a little sore from the drag out but it was a good sore.

I want to add one more picture to this thread. It is a picture of my buddy Bob who helped me get my buck out of the woods and our friend Fred Kasch who is a 92 year old bowhunter. We were all bowhunting in the same area. That day I had setup a ground blind for Fred but the day before I had him in a 80 acre wood lot of public ground that he could spot and stalk. Hunting with friends makes a harvest even more special.
 

I hope you all have similar or even better luck the rest of this season.
Regards,
Bill

[sticshooter]

Bill this is a great pic. Agian Congrats on a awesome buck.<><

[Family Tradition]

Great pic, would look great on the wall

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Nice.... I got my first Trad bow kill back in September, I'm now trying to get my first buck with a long bow.

[Huntschool]

Bill:

Wisconson is just a township on the north side  of IL any way, isn't it (LOL)  No offence you WI guys.

Great deer anyway and even better with that "singing" widow.  Got to love them too.

[HACKSAW]

A nicely posed picture, tastefully done and the tongue is not hanging out.
Nice shot, Nice photo.
I am sure you will remember this day for a long time to come.
Hacksaw

[OH at work]

Bill, great deer      I'd frame that picture just to remind yourself what great friends you have and that they were with you !!

Joe