Monday, November 29, 2010

#24 Luke Prusakiewicz

Where did you take the buck? (City/State)
Gaylord, MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)
8 point

The Story: After many days of waiting to see anything, I finally saw this big buck. It took 3 shots to bring this big boy down. I dragged him in and was thanking God all the way.

#23 Isaac Kerr

Where did you take the buck? (City/State)
North Branch

Buck Stats (Points/Features)
11 points, 175 lbs

The Story: Monday morning, opening day, Isaac, my 13 year old son, went deer hunting with his dad, Jim, and uncle, Terry, for the first time. He is an avid sportsman who loves hunting. He has been hunting small game for a few years. Isaac was sitting in his deer stand staring out into the woods for only 2 hours when a doe came by. He took a shot and missed. Then he heard crunching of leaves and a buck pops out of the woods about 60 yards away. Isaac shoots and hits him in the leg. The buck runs off only to return a few minutes later. Isaac has a second chance, this time he doesn't miss. He hits the buck in the vitals and the deer falls to the ground. He calls his dad who is about 80 yards away to let him know. Isaac tells his dad he thinks it is a 6 point. His dad walks up to the deer and counts 11 points on this huge deer! Isaac's first time hunting deer on opening day, he is blessed with the biggest deer he may ever bag in his life!

#22 Carey Williamson

Where did you take the buck? (City/State)
Stevenson,MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)
8 pnt

The Story: Well, I didn't bag this buck, my dad did!! My dad has been hunting the same land with the same fella's since I was small. My daughter was invited to Deer Camp. Please understand that she is the 1st female in the history of me to be invited to this sacred place during reg season. She was unsure if she wanted to go. They sleep in a pop-up and the toilet is in an old dairy barn. It is a toilet seat bolted to a wooden box...yuck! Em enjoyed herself all weekend walking in the woods and just hanging out. It was opening day! They made it out into the woods about 5am. About noon Em didn't feel so well. Dad thought maybe she needed something to eat. They left the blind and headed toward town. Yes, on opening day, they left the woods. After she ate some soup at a local diner Dad, asked what she thought was wrong. She said," I was so nervous about what I would do if I saw you shoot a deer." Dad gave her a hug, took her back to camp and went out to check on my son, Coty. Coty did get a big doe. Well, the next morning, Dad got 3 does. The next morning he got another doe. The next morning, he got his buck...his big 8 point!! Dad loves those kids. He loves everybody! He's a good man a great dad and a wonderful grandpa!

# 21 Chris Robinson

Where did you take the buck? (City/State)
Casper, WY

Buck Stats (Points/Features)
5X4 (11pt including brow tines)

The Story: I know this buck was not shot in Michigan and therefore is not eligible for contest. This was my first hunting trip out of Michigan. A friend and I went out to Wyoming to hunt with my cousin Paul who moved there a few years ago. He told us about the HMA program, where we could get permission to hunt ranches free on the state game and fish website. We got licenses and permission slips and headed out. Paul was busy at work and could only get one day off to hunt with us. We camped on BLM land to keep the cost of our trip down. We walked on average eight miles a day in the mountains. I walked up on this mule deer about three miles from the vehicle. We were able to drive closer, but still had to pack out the meat and the head. It was the most work I've ever done for hunting, but it was the best time I've ever had hunting also. We were able to keep the cost low for such a great trip.

# 18 Randy Page

Where did you take the buck? (City/State)
Estey, Michigan

Buck Stats (Points/Features)
10 pt with a 20.5" inside spread. Dressed 150#

The Story: We saw this buck once in August with 2 other smaller bucks while planting food plots. He had never been seen before and wasn't seen again after August. I was sitting in my tree stand opening day of bow season right at daylight when I saw the first smaller buck. The 10 pt was second. I was amazed to see this guy with a bow in my hand. About 10 minutes later he finally cleared the brush and gave me a 28 yard quartering away shot. I drew back and it was just light enough that I could barely see through my peep. It took about 15 seconds to get comfortable that I could see him good enough to make the shot. The shot was true and he went about 90 yards and piled up. He is my biggest deer and the largest that we have seen in this area. He green scored a little over 125 Pope and Young. Can't wait to get him back from the taxidermist!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

#16 Tiffany and Bradley Piper age 17 (yes, twins)

Where did you take the buck?
Harbor Beach, MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)
8 point buck

It was running across the field and ran past Tiff into the woods. She got so excited that she shot and missed and fell off her pail she was sitting on. The buck stopped and looked at her. She reloaded and shot again and hit it. She was so excited she couldn't stand, she was on her knees. Her twin brother Bradley took over and made sure it didn't run away. Bradley knew that Tiff was determined to get a buck this year and that he didn't want it to get away. The smiles says it all.

#14 Rob Torp

Where did you take the buck? (City/State)
In da Toolies eh

Buck Stats (Points/Features)
140 class 9 pt.er 18 inch spread, 9 inch brow tines.

The Story: Saw him opening morning, and let him go cuz I did not have a great shot. I was semi upset, till I felt God lead me in this thought, " To enjoy the day / hunt and trust Him in everything (in more than just hunting)" The next morning I moved to where I thought I'd have a better shot. As I'm sitting watching where I thought he be, I heard him grunting behind me. He was w/ another good buck and a doe. Mr Weatherby barked and Mr 9 pt was died.
I skipped gun hunting Michigan to hunt in Nebraska. So I can't win this contest, but I wanted to post him to join Smile FMs buck pole.

#13 Mercedes Farley

Where did you take the buck? (City/State)
Corunna MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)
6 Point 140lbs

The Story: My birthday is on opening day here. But I didn't get the chance to go out on my actual birthday. My uncle took me out Wednesday morning the 17th, hoping for a birthday buck. I didn't think I would get one because I missed last time I shot. But a buck came our way after a while. I watched it in the scope for about 10 minutes. As it started walking away I got at a bad angle but my uncle told me to shoot. So I got the best angle possible closed my eyes and pulled the trigger. It was a 70yrd shot. I got it through both lungs. We watched him drop. It was so cool! My first deer ever. And it was a nice sized buck! That was the best birthday present ever! And the meat is fantastic! The best part about the whole thing was knowing I actually shot that deer and not somebody else! My uncle told me that the shot couldn't have been any better! :]

#12 Chan Teed

Where did you take the buck? (City/State)
Lapeer, MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)
6 point

The Story: It was opening day, at day break. I spotted him first, grabbed my rifle while he put his head down to eat apples. I pulled the trigger, shot him. He took off, and then I doubted myself, thinking "did I really get him'? Shortly after, a much bigger buck came along, but I was on a mission to find mine. This is my first deer. I hunted last year for the first time, but got nothing. A buck, on opening day! I was so geeked. But I had to track him kind of on my hands and knees, a little blood here, then nothing then there would be a drop. I almost gave up. I could hardly breathe I was so excited. My dad helped me track him, and we found him after a couple of hours. I can't wait to enjoy the benefits of my hunt, although my wife is not so geeked about it. This has been a great year. My first deer, and I was saved in April.


#11 John Watkins

Where did you take the buck? (City/State)
Lawrence, Michigan

Buck Stats (Points/Features)
Rat tail 6 point

The Story: As I was sitting in the woods I was talking to the Lord and said, Lord, I'm a child of God and it's my understanding that I deserve nothing but the best so how about sending me that world champion block buster buck! As I sat there in anticipation I was sure he would, and 10 minutes later I seen a deer stick it's head out and thought it was a doe, well that's how the big bucks work sending out a doe first, then it turned it's head and it was a little rat tail 6 point buck, well I thought that's how the big bucks work too sending out a little buck first to clear the way, so out steps the little 6 point and hobbled along barely able to walk due to some amature hunter had blown a hole right through it's leg, well my head hung down and my chin touched my chest with my eyes closed and I said...Lord so that's what you are asking of me? Let it be.... My point here is that I have 38 trophy racks on the wall and I am probably just a little more prouder of this one than the rest but I do have a 21 point hung, I just wanted to say thanks to all the hunters that blink, close their eyes, flinch, or take a vally of shots at a running deer, please take your time and make a true shot.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

#6 Matthew De Vriese

Where did you take the buck?
Oregon Township

Buck Stats (Points/Features)
6

The Story: I went into my backyard where I hunt and sat in the tree for a bit, saw nothing! So I figured what a great time to start praying and praising God...I simply asked that the deer out there reveal themselves to me...about 5-10 minutes l saw several. Then this buck shows up and it was a tricky shot but I pulled back my bow and asked God to guide my shot and arrow...this is only my second season but was told by several avid hunters that it was a perfect shot straight through the heart. I thanked God for being by my side, bringing me the buck and guiding my arrow to "bring home the bacon". He is a good God and always provides.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

#5 Mark Byers

Where did you take the buck? (City/State)
charlotte/MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)
10 pt 17" spread 204 lbs dressed

The Story: I was hunting near my house in charlotte when a 9pt buck with a 15" spread came in. I shot him with my bow and he went about 40yds, as I watched him I heard something else coming in. It came from the opposite direction right into the same spot the 9pt had been. I turn and saw him and could not believe my eyes. A 10pt buck. I shot him also, it was a once in a lifetime hunt. The 9pt dressed out 190lbs. The 10pt was 204lbs dressed with a 17" inside spread. Two bucks 5 minutes apart.

#4 Mark Dennis

Where did you take the buck? (City/State)
Evart, Mi

Buck Stats (Points/Features)
8

Opening Morning around 7am, this buck ran in very quickly and directly under me.So close in Fact I couldnt use my scope , I took a shot and it ran off. Assuming, not seeing any blood that I missed completely, I continued to hunt the rest of the day. The next day I went out and found a blood trail, followed it ,sure enough,spotted the deer Id shot the day before. On the run, shot him again. He dropped this time. Went and got my wife , showed the family. Thankful to God for his provision!!!!

#2 Mark Ignatowski

Where did you take the buck? (City/State)
Howell, MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)
7 pt....

The Story: Son's 1st deer, with a bow, our best family friend/neighbor was in hospital with terminal cancer. He loved my son like his own and was thrilled when Mark bagged this beauty on his property. My son can tell you more of the details. But I can say he was very, very excited!!

#1 - Chuck Jennings

Where did you take the buck? (City/State)
North Adams, MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)
7 Pointer, with 2 broken points

The Story: Had just watched a doe and a fawn pass by and was thanking God in prayer for the favor and blessings for getting to be out and enjoy all of His creation and suddenly there he was. A quick aim with my Dad's 12 gauge with 3 in Mags, and the shot that bagged my first buck in 23 years.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Welcome to Smile FM's Virtual Buck Pole - 2010

This year we are thrilled to welcome back our guest judges Rob & Susie Trott from Great Lakes Outdoor TV show.

Your entry will be considered for one of several catagories; Best Overall, Best Female Hunter, Best Male Hunter, Best Youth Hunter and Most Inspiring Story. Winners will receive a Smile FM Prize pack including an exclusive Camo Hoodie, CD's and Jerky.