Let ’em go and watch them grow. That’s a time-honored mantra for hunters who choose to pass on bucks that are deemed not quite old or large enough for harvest. But it was a mature buck’s broken tine that forced our Week Five winner to pass up the otherwise impressive deer last fall. As you’ve likely already guessed, that decision proved wise. For sending in an exciting HuntStand success story and photos of a now-more-impressive 10-point, South Carolina’s Nic Beard is the Week Five winner of the HuntStand 2022 Big Buck ALERT contest. The win earns Beard a sweet hunt pack from ALPS OutdoorZ: the versatile Trail Blazer (see below). The weekly win also makes Beard eligible for a chance at our Grand Prize: A ground blind/chair combo from Browning/ALPS OutdoorZ and two premium Burris hunting optics with a total value of $1,278!
Enter Today!
“I’ve been using HuntStand for several years now; I like to hunt according to moon phases ever since I noticed that the HuntStand app saves weather conditions (and the moon phase) when you enter your harvest,” Beard wrote.
“I also choose hunting spots based on contour lines using the HuntStand map layers. Those things led me to this fella beginning last year. We had several encounters last season. I passed on him because he had broken off one of his G3 tines. He was a perfect wide-frame 8 point last year.
“This buck gained a few inches this year, but those will be lost with deductions. No worries though—it’s the best all-around buck I’ve ever taken. I hunt private property in Aiken County, and have taken several great bucks thanks to HuntStand. Hunting the right wind direction is key; you can’t beat a buck’s nose.
“HuntStand showed the wind was just right for my stand on the fateful day: Sept. 24. Also, the HuntStand Solunar tool forecasted good movement in the evening, so I headed in to the stand. At 6:51 p.m. I heard the first steps. Even though I couldn’t see him, as cautious as the steps were, I just knew it was my target buck. A total of 15 minutes went by before I caught a glimpse of his rack. It was another 15 minutes before he presented a shot. He was cautiously scent-checking every step of the way, but it didn’t matter. The wind was in my favor! Soon I was pulling the trigger on my Bergara .30-06, and the buck dropped where he stood.”
Who Can Enter?
Who is eligible to enter the Big Buck ALERT contest? Anyone who bags a buck this fall with help from the feature-packed HuntStand app.
How to Enter
To enter the HuntStand 2022 Big Buck ALERT contest, simply send us a few clear, high-res. digital photos (three to five) of your 2022 buck bagged after Aug. 1 (Entries accepted NOW THROUGH NOV. 23). Be sure to include the following:
A. A brief story of your hunt that explains how the HuntStand app played a part.
B. Be sure to tell us if your buck was known to you or a newcomer, then describe the area where your stand sits, or where the encounter took place.
C. Include the fateful day’s wind and weather conditions, and how the exciting action unfolded.
D. Also include your full name, age, successful hunt date and state, weapon used, and your mailing address. Your e-mail subject line should read: Big Buck Alert! Send your photo(s) and requested info to: [email protected]
10 Weekly Winners!
Team HuntStand will choose 10 weekly winners that we began sharing with the extensive HuntStand community Sept. 23; EACH weekly winner will receive the versatile Trail Blazer hunt pack (valued at $119.99) from ALPS OutdoorZ (see above). The Trail Blazer offers 2,500 cubic inches of space and is loaded with features. Included are an expandable pocket that can securely hold your compound bow or gun, a hydration pocket and port, and multiple gear pockets. In addition, it offers a large main compartment, mesh pockets and a handy front lashing system. You’ll also find a blaze orange rain cover.
Our Largest-Ever Grand Prize Package!
At the end of the 10 weeks, all weekly winners enter a drawing for a chance at an incredible Grand Prize Package with a total value of $1,278. The package includes the Browning Eclipse Blind ($299.99) and Huntsman Chair ($199.99) (see image above). In addition, it includes TWO premium hunting optics from Burris: A Burris Signature HD 10×42 binocular valued at $539, and a Burris Fullfield IV 2.5‑10×42 riflescope valued at $239 (see images below).
Good luck out there this fall from all of us here at Team HuntStand! And be sure let us know when (and how) you score while using HuntStand, when you enter the 2022 Big Buck ALERT Contest!
