When I think of Deer hunting, I think of Wisconsin and when I think of Wisconsin there a more than a few things that come to mind. Cheese Curds, Walleye, the fall leaf change where the hills are just a blaze with color, deep snow, frigid winter temperatures, and the Green Bay Packers. I currently live in the Southeast but learned to hunt in Wisconsin back in the late nineties. What a tradition, like no other state I have ever hunted in. The body size of the whitetail is simply huge, and the mass and antlers of a mature trophy whitetail is just not found in the southern states. I have been chasing trophy whitetail for a while now. By bow, rifle, and with dogs in the south. I have hunted around fifteen different states for whitetail, and they just do not compare. Wisconsin is a state that puts out banners welcoming hunters. You would be hard pressed to find someone you can not strike up a conversation about last year’s deer season at a drop of a hat. If you are searching for a reason to visit Wisconsin that has not been mentioned above, then know this. Wisconsin is the nations number one Trophy whitetail hot spot. More records in the Boone and Crocket or Pope and Young record book than any other state (Top-record-book-whitetail-states)! So, when I decided it was time to go after a trophy buck of a lifetime, I decided on Antler Adventures. With an onsite breeding program second to none and specializing in double drop tine bucks and massive typical trophy whitetails I decided this is my destination.

My whitetail hunt takes place in late September, the first cool fronts are starting, and the morning temperatures are in the low 40’s and afternoon highs are high fifties to low sixty’s. Perfect weather for a Wisconsin Whitetail Deer Hunt and especially getting the deer up on their feet and moving. We first surveyed the property, looked at a few stands, and glassed fields to get an idea of how the deer were moving. Overly impressed with what we were seeing the whitetail were on their feet and moving. We saw some jaw dropping double and even one triple drop tined buck. I could hardly sleep the first night with the feeling this was going to be an epic whitetail hunt. Our first morning sit was in a wonderfully comfortable Red Neck blind. The blinds are equipped with Buddy heaters for those colder hunting days and premium chairs for comfort. All the stands are elevated and overlook feeders or food plots to increase your odds of success and some of the best guides in the business. The first stand we sat at had a large pond slightly behind us and to the right. With the crisp morning and sunrise, we started to see movement from the thick brush downhill from us coming from the pond. Whitetail were starting to funnel up and through. What a funnel this was, I do not remember exactly how many deer we saw that morning, but it was more than you can count on both hands. Saw some nice deer, but I was not there for just a nice deer I was coming for a fully guided trophy whitetail deer hunt of a lifetime or go home empty knowing we hunted hard. I did notice that morning the genetics in this area was a little different from the fields we glassed the evening before. The mass of the bases on many deer seemed huge. I was told they had beer can bases on some of these monster whitetail deer but until you see it you cannot appreciate what that really means.

After a good breakfast and some needed rest, we headed back out to the whitetail stand for an evening hunt. I normally like to change up stands but I saw a deer that first morning and said to myself if I could get a shot at his dad, I am going to take it. This area just felt so secluded I new the evening hunt would be at least as good. We are in the stand for maybe 30 minutes and what do you know but junior shows back up. He does not stop but is passing through. A couple of 160” to 170” class drop tine bucks are working their way in. Seriously considering the larger of the two bucks thinking he may go over 190 inches with the mass from the drop tines. Then up from a big gulley and through the brush steps out one of the most beautiful trophy whitetail deer I have ever seen. He starts to slowly work his way in, and I start to notice he is bigger than big. Then it hits me this is kin to that first big buck but is not dad this is grandpa coming in. He has double split brow tines, huge palmation on both sides, a double kicker on each side, and this has now become my moment in time. Trying to keep my composure and hoping the adrenaline stays low I am watching him coming straight for my guide and I. Trying not to make eye contact and not move all I can think of is to try and relax. Well easier said then done. This big buck is coming into bow range on us. Me with my 30-06 at 25 yards and a quartering towards me shot this is not good. This monster is just browsing along for about 10 minutes and gives me a broad side shot but would not you know it I have a about a 14-inch pine blocking his vitals, then he steps out and goes directly at me again. This was one old smart whitetail, just would not turn away from my guide and me. After another five minutes or so, finally, he takes a couple steps and goes completely broadside. My guide gives me the green light on the shot, I squeeze the trigger, and down he goes. I know need to compose myself. This is by far the biggest Wisconsin deer I have ever harvested, a true giant in a land of giants. I did not want to get out of the blind. Just wanted to sit there absorbing what just happened and trying to take it all in. It was strange I guess how I did not run out to put my hands on him and grab those antlers. It was more import that I remember that moment, my buck is down and not going anywhere. Thinking of the countless hours I have put into hunting, the miles hiked, the food plots I have built, stand locations scouted. It all has come down to this moment, the memories, and stories to be told. I hope you to can come and experience Antler Adventures, the guides, the lodging, meals, and memories you will share for a lifetime.