For Kentucky’s Matthew Antle, 2022 has been a year of sweet surprises. Things started trending back in June when a buck he had watched for much of 2021, and believed was long gone, showed up on his cameras—much larger. Then during a 2022 hunt that showed virtually no deer movement, the big deer shows up late—and in range. For sending in an exciting HuntStand success story and photos of a Kentucky giant buck in velvet, Matthew Antle is the Week Six winner of the HuntStand 2022 Big Buck ALERT contest. The win earns Antle a sweet hunt pack from ALPS OutdoorZ: the versatile Trail Blazer (see below). The weekly win also makes Antle 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 had been watching this deer for months leading up to the season, and knew him well from last season,” Antle wrote. “This year, beginning in June, it was obvious he had put some size on. I would say at least 20 inches, with about 10 inches of “trash” points, or kickers, that he didn’t have the year before. I knew I needed to hunt him early. Last year, as soon as he lost velvet, he switched over to acorns, away from his bean-field pattern, and disappeared.
“Sept. 3rd, 2022 finally rolled around. Saturday, opening day, HuntStand forecasted a perfect SE wind for the corner edge of the bean field where this particular stand sits. It’s back in the woods about 20 yards off the field. This is where I believed most deer arrived from their beds. I was right. I had nearly every buck I captured on camera emerge from that direction. There was about three different bachelor groups. But I never saw my target buck.
An Unexpected Chance
“Sunday, Sept. 4 HuntStand forecasted the same wind and I went right back to the same stand. It was overcast with spurts of light rain. This time when 7 p.m. rolled around I hadn’t seen a single deer. Then about 15 minutes later I heard one coming. I pulled up my binos and the first thing I saw was the unmistakable kickers on his right G2. I knew it was him! Not on the exact trail I wanted, but he had no idea I was there. I watched him long enough that I got myself calmed down completely. When he reached 39 yards all felt good, and I let it fly!
“I used HuntStand regularly in the weeks leading up to this hunt, checking the wind directions with the HuntZone tool. A SE wind would be perfect for the stand I wanted to be in. HuntStand’s Satellite and Terrain mapping tools helped me get an idea of where the local deer would be coming from. Sure enough it was exactly how I pictured it, based on trail cam photos. This stand isn’t far from a property line unmarked by fences, so I used the Property Info tool many times in my scouting. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t over, or even close, to a property line. I also wanted to know who I would need to contact during a potential recovery, if the buck crossed any lines.”
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!
