When an avid Arkansas hunter locates a buck on a serious growth spurt, he leans on HuntStand to help close the deal.
One year later, with some critical help from HuntStand, it all came together for David Alan Thompson of Arkansas. And how. For sending in photos and HuntStand success story of a stunning AR 14-point brute, Thompson, 31, is the Week 9 winner in the 2021 HuntStand Big Buck ALERT contest. The win earns Thompson a sweet hunt pack from ALPS OutdoorZ: the versatile Covert pack (see below). The weekly win also makes Thompson eligible for our Grand Prize drawing in late November (more on that below).
“I finally caught up to this guy that I’ve been chasing since last season. He was just a ‘normal’ 10-point last year, but this year blew up to a very unique buck with 14 points and a lot of neat knots and character,” Thompson wrote.
“I was face to face with him on Friday evening, Nov. 12, at just 20 yards, but couldn’t get a shot with my bow; he was chasing a doe and was more concerned with her than he was with giving me a decent shot. Luckily, he came back Saturday evening, and I was able to get it done with my .308 rifle. This buck was taken in Pike County, Arkansas, in a transition area between a six-year-old pine-growth thicket and a creek, not far from a highway.
“I have been using HuntStand since August, to map out trail camera sightings of this buck, and narrow down his possible travel corridors. I used the HuntZone feature to determine when and where to hunt based on the wind, so that I wouldn’t blow him out of the area. It worked! On Nov. 13 he came in upwind of me and kept some thick brush between us. He never knew I was there. He slowly made his way in, and gave me a shot within 15 yards! 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!
