I hunted the Shawnee National Forest in southern Ilinois for the first time this year. I went with a couple of retired Navy buddies. We arrived a few days before the muzzle loader / shotgun season began. I had been scouting via topographical maps for the past few months in the area I knew we would be camping in. I had a couple of spots picked out, I just needed to see the terrain with my own eyes and find a spot to sit. I hung a ladder stand and waited for opening day to arrive. I started seeing deer right at first light. The season is only 3 days long so I had plans to be somewhat selective on the first day. By 9am I had seen 12 deer, a few spikes and multiple does and yearlings. It was 32 degrees and the wind was picking up so I decided to put on a jacket that I had carried in with me. I stood in my stand and removed my bino’s and vest in order to put my jacket on. I caught movement behind me and saw this buck running the ridge behind me. A side view was enough for me to know that this was the one I was looking for. I picked up my muzzle loader and when he hit an opening I grunted. He stopped perfect and I made a good broadside shot behind the shoulder at about 60 yards. He went about 50 yards before piling up. The entire evolution lasted less than 15 seconds. By far, my largest buck. I’ve killed wider bucks but none this heavy. He is an 11 point, scored out at 139 ¾ and fiels dressed at 185 Lbs. I was ¾ of a mile from the camp as the crow flies, LOL. It took 4 of us well over 2 hours to get him out on a game cart; it seemed that it was mostly uphill. In the Shawnee there are some big hills. It was worth every minute. There were 8 of us camping and we left with 7 deer. Everyone had shot opportunities some were being more selective than others. I am already making plans for next year. Thanks for reading. ( The 7th deer was a spike taken on Saturday and was not on the pole for the friday pic)
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