Ideal habitat. Antler Point Restrictions during hunting season. Both have turned southeast Minnesota into a big buck hot bed; here’s some proof.
Over the past several years Minnesota’s Jim Woods has been exercising his patience. Woods makes use of several game cameras on his southeast Minnesota hunting property and he’s watched several bucks grow into shooters, including the bruiser above. Woods first encountered this buck as a good-sized specimen back in 2015. But for 2017 the buck has made a serious leap, and for that, Woods has been rewarded with a Week 3 win in the HuntStand Big Buck HIT LIST contest.
Got a few summer of 2017 game cam pics you’d like to share? Enter now to claim one of the remaining nine prizes!
“I have been getting photos of this buck at this same location for three years now. Even though he was a good-sized buck back in 2015, this is the first year he has grown to be one of the biggest on my cameras.
“This game camera setup is located along a fence line, and right where a corn field, a bean field, and a hay field all come together. It’s interesting to note that the closest stretch of woods is more than 500 yards away, but this wide-open intersection has historically been a very busy spot all summer long, and it continues.
“I’d like to see this buck when the Minnesota archery season starts September, but if things don’t come together with my bow, the later muzzleloader season would work too. This buck is growing fast and putting on inches with each passing week, as you can see from these photos that cover one month of time.”
For his Week Three win, Woods will be sent a new-for-2017 Thermacell MR450 Handheld Repeller (see image above), valued at $35. More good news? There are nine more opportunities to win a MR450 of your own.
To enter the HuntStand 2017 Big Buck HIT LIST contest, simply send us a few clear, digital trail cam photos (two to four) of a buck (or bucks) taken in the summer of 2017 (day or night images, photos accepted through Sept. 18). Include a few sentences detailing the type of terrain/area where the image(s) were captured (field edge, favorite stand site, etc.) and some info on the buck(s) pictured. Do you have any history with the buck? Is the buck a likely newcomer to your area? Is it somehow unusual or unique for the area? What weapons/seasons will you use to hunt the pictured buck(s)?
Along with your photos, include your full name, age, photo date(s) and state, and also be sure to include your mailing address. Your e-mail subject line should read: Big Buck HIT LIST! Send your photo(s) and requested info to: [email protected]
Thermacell took years of feedback from their customers aimed at the Handheld Repeller, and completely revamped the design, creating the new MR450. The redesigned grill allows for better airflow in an upright position, which helps emit a more-effective zone of protection if attached to your belt. The ignition switch is 50 to 80 percent quieter, and every unit comes with a belt clip for easy access and storage.
Maybe the most exciting feature is the indicator light, which illuminates when the unit has reached the appropriate temperature to emit the zone of protection. The indicator light will also let users know when the unit is running low on fuel—rather than being attacked by mosquitoes. The MR450 uses the same mats and butane cartridges as previous units, so users will experience the same mosquito-free sits in treestands and ground blinds.
