E-mail Madness

Ah, November and e-mail--that time of year when inboxes are full because of numerous big deer pictures and rumors. Every morning it seems like I've got a photo and a tale of yet another monster whitetail. Most of these are outside my "designated" reporting area (Good 'ole Dixie), but one I got this morning, supposedly killed in Illinois, needs to be mentioned nonetheless. If you know something about this fantastic typical, we're all ears.

The second buck was bagged by my buddy, David Simmons, up in Western Kentucky on the final day of Kentucky's modern firearm season. Simmons is as enthusiastic and hard-working as any deer hunter I know. If anyone has earned a nice buck, it's him. Below is the story in his words. Congrats, buddy.

"My best deer hunting experience:

Sept 6 - Opening day of bow season, 92 degrees out and I see a bachelor group enter the neighbor's side of the bean field. "Freak Nasty" is there leading the pack and I get a quick glimpse. For the next 3 months, I wish that I took my camera that evening and daydream about that deer. It seems like I'll never see him again.

Nov 22 - my final day of gun season, 3 does enter the south end of the clover plot one by one. 6:45am, a buck finally slides in through the backside thicket. Looks to be a decent shooter anyway, after a front brisket shot at 60 yards and a quick death run, he's down.

As I walk up I realize it's HIM....it really is! After a moment, a prayer, and thanking the landowner, the day is off to a wonderful start.

He's at the taxidermist: 230 lbs. on the hoof; 25" neck. 4.5" base on the left and the freak on the right is sporting a 10.5 inch base with three main beams coming off it and a kicker and a couple stickers! Not sure on age or score yet. Don't really care though.....I'm walking on air."

-Will in Tennessee