Hunter: Shayne Calzavara
Season: Regular Firearm
Method: Tree Stand
License Requirements: Resident—Either-Sex Firearm Deer Permit $15.00, Habitat Stamp $5.50 Non-Resident—Either-Sex Firearm Deer Permit $250.00, 5-Day Hunting License $28.75 OR Annual Hunting License $50.75 AND Habitat Stamp $5.50
Weaponry/Gear: Mossberg Model 500 12gauge using Winchester Super X slugs
Guide: None used.
Agency Contact:
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, Illinois 62702-1271
(217) 782-6302
http://dnr.state.il.us/
The Tale
I would have to say that hunting is my new favorite sport. Everything about it intrigues me. I absolutely love spending time outdoors and experiencing the beauty of nature.
Recently I had an unforgettable experience hunting whitetail deer.
This past November was the first of the firearm deer seasons in the State of Illinois. Ever since last April, when I applied for my tags, I had been anxiously awaiting my first whitetail hunt. I had taken great preparation for this weekend, including purchasing hundreds of dollars worth of new camouflage from Cabela’s.
My Uncle Dan was the first person to “show me the ropes” of hunting and help me to really experience the outdoors for the first time. Prior to the first day of open season, Dan and I practiced shooting his Mossberg shotgun at the local gun club.
Even though this gun was fitted with a duck-hunting barrel, it was all we had for shotguns. I cycled through about 45 Winchester Super X slugs, getting some idea on this gun’s placement.
Upon returning to his cabin, my Uncle and I washed all our hunting fatigues in scentless soap and went to sleep. We knew that 4:30am would come a lot sooner than expected.
Early the next morning, we dressed in our camouflage, loaded our weapons, and headed for the tree stand. Before we were even in the stand, my uncle spotted a midsize doe exiting from some thick brush along a fenceline. This deer was cautiously looking behind her as she crept out of the cover.
I tried calming myself down and readied myself for a hundred-plus yard shot. Almost instantly, a large buck crept out behind the first doe.
My first shot struck the buck above the right leg, shattering the shoulder. The deer was already too far away to try another shot so we watched it limp over to some brush along a small creek.
After getting permission from the landowner, my uncle and I tracked the blood trail to the edge of a cornfield. We decided that Dan would circumnavigate the field as I pushed the deer out towards him.
I slowly crept along the edge of the corn, almost walking directly on top of the wounded buck. He jumped up as I put another slug into his side. Still moving, the deer walked slowly out of the corn only to meet the finishing slug from my uncle’s shotgun.
I could hardly contain my excitement while Dan taught me how to field dress my deer. After a mini photo shoot with my first whitetail trophy, we got it checked in at the Ogle County check station. It weighed-in at an incredible 225 pounds after being field dressed and had 9 antler points. He was a true monster buck!
I never would have expected that my first whitetail hunt would be as fun and productive as it was. Being able to get outdoors and hunt such an amazing animal is one of my fondest memories.
Maybe I’ll try elk hunting in the Rockies next year!