Yesterday was the Illinois shotgun/handgun opener. With temps in the low 20's, a 15mph wind and snow, it was not at all pleasant to sit 15 feet up a tree. Apparently the deer didn't find it pleasant, either, and we only saw a total of 3. Fortunately for me, the only deer that DID give a shot opportunity was this bruiser of an 8-point around 8am. After making his run, it was most fortunate that we found him less than 5 yards from the fence line of the neighboring property where we don't have permission to go.
He's certainly not the biggest buck I've taken but he is certainly the biggest 8-point I've ever tagged. Inside spread 22 1/2", outside spread 24". Gross score 153 2/8", net score 147 4/8".
![[Linked Image]](https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/gallery/80/full/207262.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/gallery/80/full/207369.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/gallery/80/full/207370.jpg)
Nice looking buck! How old do you think he was?
Yesterday was the Illinois shotgun/handgun opener. With temps in the low 20's, a 15mph wind and snow, it was not at all pleasant to sit 15 feet up a tree. Apparently the deer didn't find it pleasant, either, and we only saw a total of 3. Fortunately for me, the only deer that DID give a shot opportunity was this bruiser of an 8-point around 8am. After making his run, it was most fortunate that we found him less than 5 yards from the fence line of the neighboring property where we don't have permission to go.
He's certainly not the biggest buck I've taken but he is certainly the biggest 8-point I've ever tagged. Inside spread 21 1/2".
![[Linked Image]](https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/gallery/80/medium/207262.jpg)
Nice, congrats!
Thank you. I didn't have much chance to analyze his body characteristics before shooting but just knew he was a shooter. My guess is 3.5-4.5, but I need to pull his jawbone to check the teeth.
Nice deer, man! I wonder what it would be like to hunt on relatively flat ground. I’m getting tired of almost vertical slopes with loose shale under the leaves and snow.
That's a nice buck. Congrats
Heck of a buck - congrats!
Thanks, guys. I just edited the original post to correct the inside spread measurement and to add the total score. No complaints from me!
Very Nice! Congratulations
Congratulations, really nice buck.
What a monster eight... big congrats...
Nice. Takes a good 8 to break 140".
Congrats.
I assume over there that even with the sheriff or game warden involved the other landowner doesn't have to grant permission to retrieve game?
Nice. Takes a good 8 to break 140".
Congrats.
I assume over there that even with the sheriff or game warden involved the other landowner doesn't have to grant permission to retrieve game?
Thank you!
Correct: in Illinois even the DNR can't force a landowner to allow you on their property to retrieve game. Not only do we live about 30 miles away, this property is fairly new to me and I don't know the surrounding landowners. It's possible that permission could have been obtained if necessary, but there was a CRP field directly on the other side of the fence and who knows if we would have ever found him. I'm just thankful it didn't come to all that!
Nice. Takes a good 8 to break 140".
Congrats.
I assume over there that even with the sheriff or game warden involved the other landowner doesn't have to grant permission to retrieve game?
Thank you!
Correct: in Illinois even the DNR can't force a landowner to allow you on their property to retrieve game. Not only do we live about 30 miles away, this property is fairly new to me and I don't know the surrounding landowners. It's possible that permission could have been obtained if necessary, but there was a CRP field directly on the other side of the fence and who knows if we would have ever found him. I'm just thankful it didn't come to all that!
Kind of sucks IMO.
I guess if they go to waste because a landowner wants to be an azz and law enforcement cannot get involved then good enough when they feed the buzzards.
Oh man that's a stud. Congrats
Beautiful buck to be proud of and congrats!
That is a Stud 8. Very nice
Great deer. I bet if you extended trespass rights to collect deer that are shot to your neighbors they would reciprocate. I have that agreement with my neighbors. No trespassing for any reason other than after texting or calling to follow a blood trail. Works well.
I didn't say that it would have been impossible to get permission, but this property is new to me and I don't live in the area to already know the surrounding landowners. It will take some research and footwork but may be possible.
Without much of a blood trail at that point, coupled with the fact there was CRP on the other side of the fence, it still would have been a very unpleasant job trying to find him. I'm just very thankful it worked out the way that it did under the circumstances.
Congratulations man. A straight 8 that goes 140 or better is a super nice buck.
Nice! There's just something I love about big ol' 8 pointers.
Nice job! Congratulations!
Congratulations man. A straight 8 that goes 140 or better is a super nice buck.
^^^^THIS^^^^
Congrats a great eight.
A friend's 12 yo grandson shot his first buck the other day. 8 pointer as well. Damned thing launched off a small cliff into a river before being shot a second time. Died in the water so they stripped down to fetch him. Dressed weight 244. Toady Maine mountain buck.
Nice buck, congratulations.
Congrats. That's a great one!
Shoooot..... around here, we are looking for a 110-120" 8pt to brag about. Nice one!
Very, very good buck! Congrats!!
Very nice buck! Congrats sir, that is a once in a lifetime 8 point in my neck of the woods.
Yesterday was the Illinois shotgun/handgun opener. With temps in the low 20's, a 15mph wind and snow, it was not at all pleasant to sit 15 feet up a tree. Apparently the deer didn't find it pleasant, either, and we only saw a total of 3. Fortunately for me, the only deer that DID give a shot opportunity was this bruiser of an 8-point around 8am. After making his run, it was most fortunate that we found him less than 5 yards from the fence line of the neighboring property where we don't have permission to go.
He's certainly not the biggest buck I've taken but he is certainly the biggest 8-point I've ever tagged. Inside spread 22 1/2", outside spread 24". Gross score 153 2/8", net score 147 4/8".
hell of a buck. Congrats!
Very nice buck! Congrats sir, that is a once in a lifetime 8 point in my neck of the woods.
Thank you. I have shot bigger bucks but they all have had more points to achieve their score. This could be a once in a lifetime 8 point even for our area.
NICE
Big 8s are KOOL !!!
Yesterday was the Illinois shotgun/handgun opener. With temps in the low 20's, a 15mph wind and snow, it was not at all pleasant to sit 15 feet up a tree. Apparently the deer didn't find it pleasant, either, and we only saw a total of 3. Fortunately for me, the only deer that DID give a shot opportunity was this bruiser of an 8-point around 8am. After making his run, it was most fortunate that we found him less than 5 yards from the fence line of the neighboring property where we don't have permission to go.
He's certainly not the biggest buck I've taken but he is certainly the biggest 8-point I've ever tagged. Inside spread 22 1/2", outside spread 24". Gross score 153 2/8", net score 147 4/8".
STUD BUCK
Beauty of a buck Jcon!!! Congrats.
A 150"+ 8 point is a giant! Congrats 👍....Hb
A 150"+ 8 point is a giant! Congrats 👍....Hb
Yep, a giant he is! He would scare the hell out of our deer.
Thats one to be proud of !! Congrats !!
Damn fine buck sir! Congrats!
Thats a f_u_kken nice 8 point! Congrats.
Thank you, everyone. It's gonna be a long wait from the taxidermist!
Nicely done. Congrats 👏 👏 👏
Great looking big 8.
Congratulations and well done.
Nice buck, jcon.
Congrats
Stud of an 8 point, congrats !
Did anyone say you should have waited a couple three years on that one? LOL
Did anyone say you should have waited a couple three years on that one? LOL
Shockingly, no.
Damn that is a wide joker! Congrats on a fine deer!