Idaho’s Shane Hayes is an avid elk and deer hunter, but he might have a new addiction. It might just be running trail cameras, after his first experience with those all-seeing eyes in the woods turned up a very nice Idaho whitetail. For sending in these photos of an Idaho buck at a river crossing, on its way back to bed on a river island, Hayes is the Week Three winner of our 2022 Big Buck HIT LIST contest.
The weekly win scores Hayes a Wildlife Research Center scent prize package valued at $44.99, and also makes him eligible for our drawing to win a Grand Prize Package valued at more than $630, comprised of a wide variety of Wildlife Research Center products and two proven hunting optics from Burris.
Enter Today!
“This buck was caught at a river crossing, a swampy area between bedding and feeding areas, on July 15,” Hayes wrote. “This deer feeds on private land, and like others in the area they then retreat to river islands to bed. The bedding areas are mostly cottonwood forest, with wild rosebush, and red willow as the understory.
“This camera was placed to garner inventory of the local herd; I have no history at all with this buck. I will be hunting the special late archery hunt; the late season is the best chance to catch this age class of deer rutting.
“Also, the cold and snow are more tolerable for me rather than the heat and bugs of early season. Mainly I archery hunt elk, thus the late season for deer affords me a lengthier season with reduced competition. It is common for daytime temps below freezing; deer in my area feed on alfalfa, wheat, and corn. The late season starts in November, and lasts a month and a half.”
To Enter The 2022 Big Buck HIT LIST Contest:
Simply send us a few clear, high-res. digital trail cam photos (three to five) of a buck (or bucks) TAKEN IN THE SUMMER OF 2022 (Day or night images, photos accepted NOW THROUGH SEPT. 7). Be sure to include the following:
A. The dates and state where the images were taken. All images need a date stamp.
B. A few sentences detailing the type of terrain/area where the images were captured (i.e. cedar swamp edge, funnel leading to soybean field, favorite stand site near wooded creekbed, etc.). Be as descriptive as possible.
C. Some info on the pictured buck(s). Do you have any history with the buck? Is the buck a newcomer to your area? Is the deer somehow unique or unusual for the area? What weapons/seasons will you use to hunt the pictured buck(s)?
D. Along with your photos, include your full name and age, and also be sure to include your mailing address. Your e-mail subject line should read: Big Buck HIT LIST! Send photo(s) and requested info to: [email protected]
Great Gear You Can Win
We’ll choose 10 weekly winners that we began showcasing July 8th; we’re still looking for seven more weekly winners! Each weekly winner will receive a Ultimate Double Scrape-Dripper Kit from scent specialist Wildlife Research Center, valued at $44.99 (see image above). This serious combo includes two of the best Scrape-Drippers and two bottles of the best scrape scent you can use at a mock scrape location. The Magnum Scrape-Dripper drips daytime only and can operate for up to three weeks on 4 fluid ounces of scent. Golden Scrape with break-through Scent Reflex Technology is a perfect blend of Golden Estrus and intruding buck scents. In addition, it combines subtle tones of freshly scraped earth and Territorial Musk.
At the end of the 10 weeks, all weekly winners enter a drawing for a chance at an incredible Grand Prize Combo Package with a value of $630. The package includes a variety of Wildlife Research Center scent and scent-eliminating products (see image above) valued at more than $181, as well as TWO great hunting optics from Burris: A Burris Droptine 8×42 binocular valued at $300, and a Burris Droptine 3-9×40 riflescope valued at $150 (see images below).
Don’t miss this opportunity to get outfitted with some of the best scent products available, and some of the most versatile hunting optics on the market. Proven gear that will help you get the drop on your favorite HIT LIST buck. Enter Today!
