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A Five Year Drought: The Matt Miller Buck

By Hunting NetworkJune 12, 20153 Comments

I have always heard that, “absence makes the heart grow fonder”, especially when it comes to girlfriends, family and even certain items, but does the same hold true for hunting and harvesting whitetails?  I know there have been several times in my life when hunting had to take a back seat whether that was by my choice or circumstances that were out of my control. Once those periods were over, I seemed to have a greater awareness of how special my time in the woods was, and I seemed to hold the bucks taken after those droughts in higher esteem than any others no matter the size or circumstances.  As you will read apparently the old adage holds true for whitetail hunters as well.  When Pennsylvania native Matt Miller moved to Illinois last year he had no idea that his first sit in an Illinois tree would end in such sweet success.

A multitude of trail camera photos of this Illinois monarch were captured just several hundred yards from where Miller ultimately harvested the animal.

A multitude of trail camera photos of this Illinois monarch were captured just several hundred yards from where Miller ultimately harvested the animal.

Q: Tell me about how this Buck was harvested?

After a limited amount of time in the stand the previous 5 seasons Miller capitalized on his first opportunity to harvest a fine Illinois whitetail.

After a limited amount of time in the stand the previous 5 seasons Miller capitalized on his first opportunity to harvest a fine Illinois whitetail.

A: Well it’s been more years than I care to remember since I last killed a buck with my bow. Whether, it was due to constant 60 hour work weeks, a move halfway across the country, a pregnant wife and then a newborn son. I can literally count the number of times on one hand that I’ve been able to sit in a tree with my bow the past two years. To make matters worse I had been on a personal quest to harvest a buck that would be my personal best, and let numerous good bucks walk in the three years prior.

This story all started in February last year when I  acquired access to a new piece property in Northern Illinois. I had scouted a handful of spots that on paper looked like they could be mature buck bedding areas. Last winter this spot in particular had a single large bed that was worn through the 12 inches of snow. This bed was just uphill from a distinct break-line between cedars and oaks. I setup a stand location about 80 yards from where I found the single bed where an old fence happen to run perpendicular to the cedar/oak break-line. I knew there was only a small chance to get the correct wind needed to hunt this stand, but I took the chance anyway.

Unlike most hunts, this was one of those rare nights we all dream about where everything happens exactly as planned. When I got to the property on opening day of the 2014 archery season I noticed we had the rare E/SE wind that was perfect for the spot. I knew this may be my only chance to hunt this particular stand and get close to whatever buck was bedding nearby. I was excited to say the least. I got settled in the stand at about 3:30, and it was pretty quiet except for the ridiculous amount of squirrels that were gorging themselves on the acorns that were raining down on that oak flat.

At about 5:15, I noticed movement from the top of the hill and realized it was a good buck, he was already about 35 yards out when I spotted him. I got the binoculars on him and realized he was definitely a shooter, but by time I got situated he was in a bit of brush and I couldn’t get a clean shot on him. He lingered in that spot for a few minutes and then actually bedded down about 50 yards out. All I could see was the flicker of ears moving and the occasional flash of antler through the thick underbrush. Because he was uphill of me he was close to eye level with my stand, so I had to stand with the bow in hand for quite a while, as I waited for him to hopefully get back up and come my way.

After over an hour of painful waiting,  he slowly got back up and started quartering towards me feeding on acorns. At just about 28 yards he stopped and turned broadside. I quickly drew my bow and put my 30 yard pin on him. As I touched the trigger on my release I watched as my arrow went rocketing his way. I hit him just a bit high and he dropped in his tracks like someone hit a light switch on him, not even a twitch.

Later as I held those antlers it seemed like such a long time since I had felt those emotions, but I quickly realized the wait was worth it.

Q: What are the major factors that helped you harvest this buck?

A: Spending the time scouting in the off season when the previous year’s sign was still discernible was a huge clue in finding the core bedding area for this buck. Based on the time he showed up and the information I gathered while scouting I am pretty sure I killed him within a hundred yards of his bed.

Matt enjoying his harvest with his son.

Matt enjoying his harvest with his son.

 

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