When it comes to trophy whitetails, areas of western Wisconsin are the undisputed Promised Land. Here’s more proof, courtesy of yet another dedicated HuntStand app user.
If you’ve ever wondered the reasons why sportsmen are so addicted to game cameras, or how they can have such a profound impact on our excitement for upcoming hunting seasons, this four-photo series should explain things nicely. They were captured over two days, July 16 and 17, 2017, by Minnesota’s Andrew Geving, and show a true jaw-dropping, massive buck from western Wisconsin. And as you might guess, Geving is the Week 4 winner of our Big Buck HIT LIST contest.
“I hunt in western Wisconsin in what is known as the St. Croix River Valley,” Geving explained. “I generally hunt the family farm which has a few small wooded chunks, and a large swamp that is nearly impossible to hunt. Here are a few pics of a solid buck I have been chasing for the past two years. This will be my third year hunting this six- or seven-year-old brute. This one little patch of woods seems to attract a handful of large mature bucks each year, but as the summer progresses they disperse. This stretch of woods is situated on a high point surrounded by thousands and thousands of acres of crop fields.
“The swamp is about a half mile away, and the bucks tend to retreat that way as the summer progresses,” Geving said. “There have been many sightings of monster swamp bucks while people are out shining at night, but these deer typically end up becoming ghosts during the hunting seasons. I’ve had some luck the past few years on some giants in this small patch, and I’m hoping this guy will stick around long enough to catch an arrow.
“In some other angles, and after zooming in, this buck appears to have split G3s, and his G4s should split on one side. He has some serious mass and might be sprouting some G5s. My brother shot this buck’s ‘summer buddy’ while gun hunting a few years ago, a buck that had some splits as well.”
For his Week Four win, Geving will be sent a new-for-2017 Thermacell MR450 Handheld Repeller (see image above), valued at $35. More good news? There are eight more opportunities to win a MR450 of your own.
To enter the HuntStand 2017 Big Buck HIT LIST contest, simply send us a few clear, digital trail cam photos (two to four) of a buck (or bucks) taken in the summer of 2017 (day or night images, photos accepted through Sept. 18). Include a few sentences detailing the type of terrain/area where the image(s) were captured (field edge, favorite stand site, etc.) and some info on the buck(s) pictured. Do you have any history with the buck? Is the buck a likely newcomer to your area? Is it somehow unusual or unique for the area? What weapons/seasons will you use to hunt the pictured buck(s)?
Along with your photos, include your full name, age, photo date(s) and state, and also be sure to include your mailing address. Your e-mail subject line should read: Big Buck HIT LIST! Send your photo(s) and requested info to: [email protected]
Thermacell took years of feedback from their customers aimed at the Handheld Repeller, and completely revamped the design, creating the new MR450. The redesigned grill allows for better airflow in an upright position, which helps emit a more-effective zone of protection if attached to your belt. The ignition switch is 50 to 80 percent quieter, and every unit comes with a belt clip for easy access and storage.
Maybe the most exciting feature is the indicator light, which illuminates when the unit has reached the appropriate temperature to emit the zone of protection. The indicator light will also let users know when the unit is running low on fuel—rather than being attacked by mosquitoes. The MR450 uses the same mats and butane cartridges as previous units, so users will experience the same mosquito-free sits in treestands and ground blinds.
