LAST UPDATED: May 8th, 2015
The countryside of Illinois' west central region is much like any other Midwestern state. Fertile soils, sleepy little towns, and agricultural fields whose sizes rival most modern day airports. Amidst all this are the whitetail and some of the best genetics found anywhere on earth. An area of the country where these trophy whitetail bucks can reach, even exceed, more than 200" in antler! This past 2008 whitetail deer season, many successful harvests and dreams came to fortune; including an amazing whitetail buck with not one or even two droptines, but four! It may be Illinois' largest whitetail taken during this deer season…if it was indeed taken by a hunter.
On January 2nd, 2009, while hunting Menard County, Illinois, a small group of quail hunters came across a dead whitetail buck with imposing head gear. The owner of the property, John Grosboll, was quickly notified and taken to the site of the now famous dead buck. The 60 year old farmer and hunter heard rumors of a giant whitetail in the area, but had no idea just how big that buck truly was.
This buck could quite possibly be the largest whitetail taken or found during the 2008 Illinois deer season.
Not wanting to take any chances, Grosboll notified the proper authorities. The next day, a Menard County, Illinois game warden came out and put an orange dead find tag on the buck's antlers. Although allegations were quickly made on the death of the whitetail and Grosboll's involvement, they have since been dismissed.
With and unofficial green score of 246 inches, the 24 point buck is now awaiting the mandatory 60 day drying period before being scored, and entered, into the Boone and Crockett record book. The Boone and Crockett club recognizes, under a specific category, whitetail bucks who have been found lifeless.
Notice the incredible length of just two of the four droptines!
Although certainly not the way we deer hunters usually want these bucks to be found, Bowhunting.com congratulates the Petersburg area farmer, John Grosboll on this amazing find. Although Illinois saw several 200"+ whitetails taken during the 2008 deer season, as it stands right now, this may be the largest whitetail buck of them all.
Petersburg area farmer, John Grosboll with the 24 point whitetail buck.
Deer hunters who wish to see this incredible whitetail may get the chance to catch a glimpse of him at the 19th Annual Deer and Turkey Classic in Bloomington, Illinois. The dates for the event are February 27 – March 1, 2009.
