Luke Onstad-Spring Grove, MN

I had been watching and scouting the area the buck was in for two weeks. I decided the best place to get close to the buck was on a wooded fence line. The trees and brush on the fence were about 20 yards wide and were seperating a bean field and CRP field.

Now to the opening day of bow season (Sept. 15). The wind was wrong in the morning. That night the wind was right. I sprayed down with Scent-A-Way and coon urine then headed to the stand. I hadn't seen anything until about 5:00 p.m. when I had three people on horseback ride right under my tree. I was ready to get out, but I knew the buck was in the area and it was still early in the evening.

At about six I saw several deer enter the bean field, including a small buck. Then around 7:15 p.m. I look over my left shoulder. I saw the buck standing in the CRP field. He was about 70 yards away. He looked like he was going to walk by. I grabbed my True Talker and grunted once. He picked his head up and turned in my direction.

Finally at about 10 yards he turned broadside. I drew back and got him stopped. I hit him right behind the shoulder. He ran 40 yards and dropped. He was still in full velvet. He green scored 176 2/8.