A familiar hunt area on opening day. A series of treestands set for varying winds. When the HuntStand forecast proves accurate, our Week 7 winner is crowned.
Most any successful hunt typically comes down to a few very critical choices, and for PA’s Jeff Riebling, it was HuntStand that provided the helpful info needed to make the right decisions—and complete a successful opening day ambush in early October. For sending in photos and HuntStand success story of a newcomer PA 8-point, Riebling, 56, is the Week 7 winner in the 2021 HuntStand Big Buck ALERT contest. The win earns Riebling a sweet hunt pack from ALPS OutdoorZ: the versatile Covert pack (see below). The weekly win also makes Riebling eligible for our Grand Prize drawing in November (more on that below).
We’re still looking for three more weekly winners so enter today!
(Details Below)
“Here are a few photos of my PA opening-morning buck; I shot this deer Oct. 2 using an Excalibur crossbow, with some welcome help from HuntStand,” Riebling wrote. “I checked out my HuntStand weather forecast as I was getting ready Saturday morning, and chose my woodlot ‘middle stand’ due to the weather conditions; HuntStand showed the winds would be light and from the southwest at 5 mph. That put the wind in my favor for any deer coming out of the creekbottom below me, and it was also favorable for my hike in to the stand, from the nearby soybean field.
“As the daylight broke, it was a nice cool 58 degrees. It was a partly cloudy morning early, then the sun broke through in my home state of Pennsylvania. At approximately 8:15 a.m. I was looking at the neck and body of a large deer coming up from the creek, but had yet to see its head. The deer suddenly paused behind some cover for a few moments, then carefully took two more steps up from the creek bed, and that’s when I saw the rack. I noticed the nice g2 point on the right side, then settled my sight on its shoulder, and took the shot. I heard the ‘whack’ of impact, then watched as the buck leaped off the knob into the creek, and sprinted up the other side of the creek bed, crashing through the brush for about 30 yards. Then silence.
“I had not seen this buck on any camera prior to that morning. It was also the first time I ever had the opportunity to fill a tag on opening morning. I was happy to do so, as my job will soon be restricting my hunting opportunities with a required seven-days-a-week schedule due to plant shutdown.
“I do not appear in any of the photos because my wife was working, and with the warmer temperatures that were climbing quickly, I knew I needed to get this deer processed as quickly as possible. So, sadly I do not have any photos of both the buck and me, but I do have the buck. Thank you HuntStand!”
To enter the HuntStand 2021 Big Buck ALERT contest, simply send us a few clear, high-res. digital photos (three to five) of your 2021 buck bagged after Aug. 20 (Entries accepted NOW THROUGH NOV. 24). 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 of course, the blow-by-blow account of the exciting action as it 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]
Team HuntStand will choose 10 weekly winners that we will share with the extensive HuntStand community; EACH weekly winner will receive the versatile Covert Pack (valued at $59.99) from ALPS OutdoorZ (see above). This unique compact design will take you from deer season to waterfowling and everything in between. It’s ideal for hunters who want to pack light but still carry essential gear. For cold-weather comfort, deploy the pack in front of your torso, and utilize the integrated hand warmer channel between the belt and main compartment. You’ll also find a clear smartphone pocket on the main compartment lid that offers safe storage of your mobile device.
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 Impulse Pack (valued at $199.99; image above). This ultra-quiet design won’t betray your presence when your next trophy is closing in, thanks to ALPS’ new Deadquiet fabric; it features outer fleece with a polyester backing and incorporates a membrane between the two fabrics to help keep out moisture. The zipper-less main compartment allows you to access items quietly and easily; a series of magnets and an aluminum hook secures the top lid when needed. Ideal for ground blinds or treestands, the flat-bottom structure allows the pack to stand up independently. Included are an ambidextrous quiver holder, two deep side pockets, a drop-down pocket to carry your gun or bow, a two-piece adjustable waist belt with pockets, and a hydration pocket with two side ports.
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!
