Help from the HuntStand Hunting app and a steady aim combine to yield an impressive first-ever buck for one happy Indiana hunter.
A first buck. Many recall the accomplishment with a variety of fond memories that will last a lifetime. And this, despite the fact that the deer in question was likely not what many would consider “trophy” sized. And then there are hunters such as Indiana’s Jennifer Whittenburg, who are among the lucky few who start big. Whittenburg made great use of the HuntStand app to help bag her first-ever buck that will not only bring heart-warming memories. The achievement will also help warm her feet, because Whittenburg’s Hoosier State 12-point took Week 10 honors in the HuntStand Big Buck ALERT contest.
“I had been on a girls’ vacation in Florida and had asked my boyfriend to take the following day off, so that I could get back in the woods after missing the previous weekend of hunting,” Whittenburg recalled. “Hunting and sitting in the woods beats any day at work!
“That night I checked the HuntStand App for the sunrise time so I could get into my stand before daylight, and also, for the weather forecast so I knew how I needed to dress. The next morning, October 21, two yearlings came busting through the woods a little after 8 a.m., about 10 minutes prior to what turned out to be a 12-point buck. I was sitting in my treestand when I heard him coming through behind me, on my left side, about 8:23 a.m. Slowly, I was able to position my Barnett Recruit Crossbow to take the 35- to 40-yard shot, as the buck was quartering away from me. I buried my bolt in his chest, and it ended up being a perfect double-lung shot. We found him after a short tracking job, about 100 yards away.
“I never dreamed I would shoot a 12-point buck, especially not my first! I have been hunting for four years and this is my second deer harvest. My boyfriend and I use the HuntStand app on our phones because we like the accurate weather forecasts, and we’re always checking the app for peak game activity times, and our stand ScentCones to determine which stand sites are the best on any given day. I also use the log feature to keep track of the deer I see in the field.”
Congratulations, Jennifer, on an awesome buck and a hunt memory you will never forget. Thanks to all who have submitted photos and stories to date; successful hunters: Keep them coming!
For her Week 10 win, Whittenburg will be sent a pair of ThermaCELL ProFLEX Heated Insoles, valued at $185. More good news? There are several opportunities left to win a pair of your own.
To enter the HuntStand 2016 Big Buck ALERT contest, simply send us a clear, high-res. digital photo (or two) of your 2016 buck, along with a few sentences detailing your hunt, and how HuntStand played a part. Include your full name, age, successful hunt date and state, and also be sure to include your mailing address and shoe size. Your e-mail subject line should read: Big Buck Alert! Send your photo(s) and requested info to: [email protected]
Team HuntStand will choose one impressive buck to highlight each week on our website, as well as on Facebook and Instagram. If your buck is a weekly winner you’ll score some sweet hunt gear: a pair of Team HuntStand-approved ThermaCELL ProFLEX Heated Insoles. Their state-of-the-art wireless thermal technology with convenient remote operation delivers at least 2,500 hours (about four winters) of heavy use. Simply adjust the temperature utilizing the wireless remote control to the setting of your choice: no heat (standby), medium (100°F), and high (111°F). The result is warm, comfortable, sweat-free feet.
