HuntStand Points Way To Badger State Bruiser [Big Buck ALERT]

A small private parcel. An outsized newcomer buck. When a dedicated bowhunter leans on HuntStand to help connect the dots, our Week 6 winner is crowned.

As many of you know, some trail cam checks can seem a lot like Christmas morn—especially when you find a burly newcomer buck that makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Such was the case this October for Wisconsin’s Jared Jacobson, 35, of New Berlin. For sending in photos and the HuntStand success story of a bruiser of a Wisconsin buck, first captured on trail cam Oct. 19 and taken with his bow six days later on Oct. 25, Jacobson is the Week 6 winner in the 2020 HuntStand Big Buck ALERT contest that earns him a sweet pack from ALPS OutdoorZ: The Quickdraw 2.0 Sling Pack (see below). The weekly win also makes Jacobson eligible for our Grand Prize drawing in late November (more on that below). We’re still looking for four more weekly winners so enter today!

“This buck was new on our cameras only six days prior to me getting a chance at him,” Jacobson wrote. “We noticed a real nice 12-point buck had shown up and was traveling in daytime a few times that week; we knew it was time to move in and try to harvest him.

“After two days of seeing nothing, the morning of Day 3 HuntStand showed I had the perfect wind for my favorite stand; that ideal wind is from the northeast, which isn’t a common wind for my area. I know when I see that wind show up on the HuntStand HuntZone tool, that it’s time to sneak into this stand.“The buck read the script that morning; he came right to my stand straight on—I had to wait for him to walk right under and past me before I could draw back and get a shot. As I watched the buck got about 15 yards past me, and as I turned to draw my safety strap scraped the tree and the buck had me pinned. After a full minute-long stare-down, (which felt more like an hour), he decided to go about his business. He took two more steps and gave me a quartering-away shot at 20 yards. I drew and put one through his liver, lungs and into his opposite shoulder. He ran 75 yards and dropped. Most likely this buck is my new personal best!

“I’ve used HuntStand as long as I can remember having a smartphone. I love the many features, whether it’s the accurate forecasts, moon phase, sunrise/sunset, or the HuntZone tool—I believe it provides all the pieces to the puzzle to be successful, and I love the fact  HuntStand is constantly improving and adding new features. In the off-season I use the mapping and public/private owner data frequently; I really enjoy finding potential hunt areas that I can either scout, or try to gain access.“The land I hunted on this day is a super-small private parcel—which is a great area when conditions are right. I would say the whole area is no more than 10 acres. My wife actually harvested a really nice 12-point buck last year on the same property, with very similar genetics. And back in 2014, I got a big old 10 pointer there. A property doesn’t need to be big to produce big deer; you just need to be very selective when you move in to try to bag a mature buck, which is why I find HuntStand so valuable. 

“This was the buck only seconds before I shot him. My cam is only 25 yards in front of my stand.

“This is now my seventh year hunting this area. Only me and my wife hunt it. The primary reason this area can hold these bucks is because of the land surrounding it. There’s a bunch of undeveloped land on two edges of the property—about 200 acres to the rear, and another 200 or so to the side. Behind is wetlands and a farmer’s field. To the side is really thick nasty hardwoods. I still hunt tons of public land, and that’s another reason HuntStand is so nice. All the information you need to be successful is at your fingertips.”

To enter the HuntStand 2020 Big Buck ALERT contest, simply send us a few clear, high-res. digital photos (three to five) of your 2020 buck bagged after Aug. 20 (Entries accepted NOW THROUGH NOV. 26) along with a brief story of your hunt that explains how the HuntStand app played a part. 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, as well as the fateful day’s wind and weather conditions, and of course, the blow-by-blow account of the exciting action as it unfolded. Include your full name, age, successful hunt date and state, weapon used, and also be sure to include your mailing address. Your e-mail subject line should read: Big Buck Alert! Send your photo(s) and requested info to: [email protected]

Team HuntStand will choose 10 weekly winners that we began sharing with the extensive HuntStand community Sept. 25; EACH weekly winner will receive the Quickdraw 2.0 Sling Pack (valued at $79.99) from ALPS OutdoorZ (see above). This unique single-sling daypack offers quick and easy swing-around access to gear compartments. Unlike traditional shoulder straps, the single sling allows free range of motion. You’ll also find a drop-down pocket that securely carries a bow or gun, MOLLE webbing with bungee system for toting a quiver or extra gear, and a 2L water reservoir to keep you hydrated. 

In addition, at the end of the 10 weeks, all weekly winners will be placed in a drawing for our Grand Prize: an ALPS OutdoorZ Contender X pack (valued at $229.99; image above). Pack specialist ALPS is calling this feature-packed design the ultimate whitetail day pack; the coolness of the Contender X begins with its innovative self-standing L-shape frame, which allows you to set your pack on any flat surface. The unique U-shaped zipper provides extra-large, flip-down top access to the main compartment—ideal for easy gear access while hanging in your stand or sitting on the ground, without losing precious pack contents. The Lycra covered molded foam suspension ensures carrying comfort even when fully loaded with hunting necessities.

Good luck out there this fall from all of us here at Team HuntStand and let us know when (and how) you score with HuntStand!