I haven't had much time to internet lately, and driving to work realized I hadn't followed this hunt-along. Quickly searched tradgang and found it.
Well, please allow me to add my congrats to Chad on that buck, and join this elite group as having spent a wonderful hunt last year at Chad's place. I probably hunted most of the same areas they did. This thread is giving me a big grin...
Chili at GoldStar, Mickey insists ya gotta do it, and we did. I love traditions like that!
Sitting around the couch at Chad's, killing time watching one of 1500 movies he owns, haha.
Watching the leaves/change color thing from an afternoon stand in bright sunlight. Wow!! Absolutely stunning!
Seeing trails and deer sign only dreamed of around here.
Shooting those haybales and targets behind the house, perfect archery range.
Just being in a private area with that much big buck potential will make you sit a stand on full alert the whole time. You guys do realize what you have there right??? LOL
It was amazing how Chad could rattle up bucks almost at will. One morning he hit the horns and a huge buck blasted down the field edge outta the heavy fog before he could put the horns down, was on him immediately. He switched quickly to bow but missed. You don't get to hear and experience these stories unless in person, and my week was full of that. I missed a small 8pt behind his house in the woodline, that later walked about 30 yards from his house/car while he sipped coffee on the back porch (he slept in). Another time was quietly getting out of that same stand, once on ground, looked up to see a nice dark 8pt walking right at me thru the trees. He turned into the brush at 20 yards, no shot.
I have a line on a small private tract in Illinois for next year, and very much look forward to visiting that area of the U.S. again!
Chad, please tell your father, wife Shannon, and kids hello, and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.