Congratulations to all of our 2010 Winners!

Thanks to everyone who shared their bucks with us. Susie and I judged these not as a big buck contest but on three different criteria: good clean and well thought out pictures. We say a picture isworth as much as a big buck with a run of the mill picture. An interestingwell written story composed by the person who took the buck. And lastlybut least important a nice buck. Sure big bucks our nice but how you gotyour buck and how you tell about it and the picture are equallysignificant. We salute all who entered and congratulate our winners!

First off Runner Ups. These three were in the running to the final cut andwere all nosed out by a hair.#20 Cindy Asher, #8 Bill Cortez, and # 3 Jeff Juhl.

Now for the winners:

Most Inspiring: -Tie- #7, Anna Gooden and #17, James Taylor
Best Female Youth: #15 Jozlynne Albert
Best Male Youth: # 29 Donnie Burke
Best Male Hunter: #10 CJ Jeffers
Best Female Hunter: # 9 Sarah Vroman
Best Overall: #25, Micah Wood

Again congratulations to all. Susie and I look forward to next year.God bless: Rob & Susie Trott, Great Lakes Outdoors Television

#25 Micah Wood - Best Overall - Grand Prize Winner

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

Scottville/Michigan

Buck Stats (Points/Features)

8 pt. 17" inside spread, 8" G2, 156lbs dressed

The Story: After not seeing anything the night before, we decided to go the the other end of the field and sit next to a corn field. We saw lots of doe in the hay field and then we saw a coyote. The coyote was looking for mice in the field of raked hay.

Then, from the left of us came a nice 8 pt. I was getting ready to shoot it. As I lean forward and turned to get ready for the shot, my dad got my attention to look left again and see this nice buck. It came out at 50 yards, and stared at the coyote in the field broad side to us. My brother and dad were watching with their binoculars as I shot the buck. It ran about 50 yards and died and I said, "Thank you, Lord!"

I shot this buck during the youth hunt and I was 13 at the time. I turned 14 this month.

#9 Sarah Vroman - Best Female Hunter

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

Buck Stats (Points/Features)

8pt 17 1/2 in inside spread 160yd shot 184lbs

The Story: I'm 20 yrs old, I've been hunting since I was 14. I have had several successful hunts, but this by far is the biggest one I have shot. It was opening night and I took this one just after 5pm. I saw this buck earlier in the evening chasing a doe just over a knoll, but he never gave me a shot. I waited patiently and sure enough he came out of the woods 160 yds away. There was no chance he was getting by me again. So I pulled up my muzzleloader and pulled the trigger. After I shot I waited for my dad to help me track my deer. We found him about 60 yds from where I shot him. I was so excited all I could say was he is huge.

#10 CJ Jeffers - Best Male Hunter

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

Stockbridge, MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)

12 pts, 17 1/4" spread

The Story: Here is how my hunting begins! I asked the good Lord to please let me see a deer this morning!. If I see one, please let him come into range. If he comes into range, please let me shoot straight and true. I was sitting there, thinking, "there isn't anything moving, no other shots being fired, they aren't moving." A little voice in my head said, "Go home dummy, you got to get some sleep before work tonight!" As I was packing my gear, I saw them running into my field! Heading away from me! Then the doe that the two bucks were chasing, turned and headed toward me, at an angle! I got the doe in my scope, backed it off to the first buck chasing her. Led him in my scope and Boom!! 90 meters at a full run! One shot, he dropped in his tracks! I racked another round into my gun, got a bead on the second, even bigger buck, led him, but he entered the woods so I wasn't able to get him! No clue how much he weighs as I can't get him lifted on the scale by myself.

The Lord was good to me by granting me the means and ability to receive my trophy and meat for my family! Take care and God Bless you all! :) CJ

#29 Donnie Burke - Best Male Youth

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

Garden, Michigan

Buck Stats (Points/Features)

8 Point

The Story: Where we live, we don't really see a whole lot of deer. So we decided to go to visit my grandpa over Thanksgiving and hunt while we were there. I had only seen a couple doe the first few days. On our last day there, I had a doe in and he had come from the same direction she had, following her. He came in broadside at 35 yards out, and I shot him. He ran and died after about 50 feet. Not bad for my first deer and a 20 guage shot gun with buck shot.

#15 Jozlynne Albert - Best Female Youth

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

Barbeau, MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)

3

The Story: I'm 16 and this was my first year really hunting. On Oct. 28th in walks this 3 point...I've only been watching him for days, and vowed the next time I saw him I'd try to shoot him. So you can only imagine my excitement!! Out came my bow..heart pouding..arms shaking..y'know how that goes! well the buck made a mistake and turned perfectly broadside; I aimed, took the shot, and the rest is history! :D Hallelujah!!

#7 Anna Gooden - TIE - Most Inspiring

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

Manton, Michigan

Buck Stats (Points/Features)

7 Point

The Story: I come from a long line of outdoor enthusiasts. Four years ago, at 27, I decided to finally take my hunter's safety course. My Dad encouraged me every step of the way. The past four years have yielded two children for my husband and I, but no deer! It has been hard to find time to hunt being a busy Mom and wife. This year, I was determined to get a buck! My Dad and I went out in the afternoon on opening day. We had not seen anything in the morning, or in the afternoon for that matter. It was nearly dark and my dad said, "Let's give it five more minutes." We both turned our attention to a field where a dark shadow was visible, and moving cautiously. My Dad got his scope on it first and said, "It's a buck. Do you have your scope on it?" I was so excited, I fumbled at first. "No, I don't have it, " I said. "Wait, I've got it." I released the safety on my 6mm and slowly pulled the trigger. My ears rang from the shot. On the field, approximately 60 yards away, lay my first deer -- a 7 point buck! Thankfully, it was an immediate kill shot and we didn't have to track it. I am so thankful I was able to share that moment with my Dad.

#17 James Taylor - TIE - Most Inspiring

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

Buck Stats (Points/Features)

Scored 142 Gross - Net - 139

The Story: It was October 2nd in a new area, with a new bow and new blind. I hadn't seen a thing until the last 10 minutes when I heard a branch snap. It was a 10 point buck about 30 yards away, and he was headed my way. When he got to my shooting lane he was broadside, I was at full draw, I grunted, the buck stopped and looked right at me. I let the arrow go and after the pass through I heard the arrow hit the leaves. It got so dark and I couldn't find any blood, so I went home to wait for morning. When leaving the woods that night I was so excited about the possibility of hitting a buck that I accidently left my new bow on my tailgate and drove off. When I arrived home I realized what I had done. I had lost my bow. My wife and I went back to search for the bow to no avail. I was so upset that I didn't sleep at all that night. The next day I went back and found my arrow. After making three passes through the woods with no luck,I prayed this prayer:"Lord I lost my bow, Please let me find my buck." I looked to my left and all I seen was horns. Another hunter, after seeing signs I posted for my bow, returned it to me! I had my buck and my bow back! Two answered prayers with a happy ending.

# 20 Cindy Asher - Honorable Mention

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

Traunik MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)

4 points

The Story: Yooper bags her first buck! Living out in the country on 40 acres in Traunik MI, near Marquette is something I never thought I'd do...being raised a city girl from Holt MI. When I married my husband and moved to the U.P. it was like coming home since I was born in Escanaba.

I have come to appreciate nature and enjoy Gods creation. The woods is silent, peaceful, and beautiful with an opportunity to read. Today I was reading something a little different...the Black Friday ads and mapping my strategy for the big sales tomorrow!

I was sitting in my swamp blind right by the creek it doesn't get much prettier than that. My husband had been hunting earlier this week in that blind and noticed the 4 point. He offered today to take the ridge blind where I'd been hunting previously....so I could have the swamp blind with an opportunity to maybe.....see and shoot my first deer. The 4 point came in with a Spike and with 1 shot...I bagged my 1st buck.

#8 Bill Cortez - Honorable Mention

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

Pinckney, MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)

6 point/ 21 1/2" spread

The Story: I have shot the two biggest bucks of my life the last 2 of 3 years. I really feel the Lord has been talking to me through hunting. I lost my Dad to cancer on December 1st of 2008. 12 Days later I went hunting (my first time that year because of Dad being sick) and asked the Lord to send me out the biggest buck I have seen or has ever been taken on our property if my Dad was truly there with him. A few minutes later a huge buck came in and walked to within bow range (10 yards). He was by far the biggest buck ever taken on the property and the biggest buck any of us had seen there. A 10 pt with a 21 inch spread. This year on opening day I was talking to the Lord about some things and asked him to send me another one as a sign of what we were talking about and out came the biggest 6 point I have ever seen in our hunting area. I know most would just think its a coincidence but I do not and I am very blessed and thankful.

#3 Jeff Juhl - Honorable Mention

Where did you take the buck? (City/State)
St. Charles, Michigan

Buck Stats (Points/Features)
10 point 17" inside spread approximatily 160lbs dressed weight

My name is Jeff Juhl and I am 51 years old. I have been dear hunting since I was 14 years old. I am a serious hunter and have been since the first day I hunted. I have shot numerous deer over the years, but never a trophy buck. About ten years ago I started bow hunting and it has been my passion ever since. The past two years I have changed my hunting tactics and have gone hunting by boat into places where the average hunter does not get too. This year I even took it a step further. I had the opportunity, thanks to Spot Shooter Archery in Holly, Michigan, to have my bow “blessed” by Pastor Marv Gerbig of Holly Church of the Nazarene. I did not hesitate to take my bow to this event. As you can see God is good!The first week of November was the planned hunt for this year, 2010. Day one was very uneventful. The next morning was slow again so I decided to move my location. At 11 o’clock I did just that. It took approximately two hours to get moved and set back up. It all happened shortly after that. At 3 o’clock I saw my buck walking out in front of me about 60 yards. I used my grunt call to get his attention and he turned around and walked right into me. As you can see by my submission the end of the story was picture perfect.

#33 Dan Patrick

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

Houghton, MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)

8 point

The Story: I have always enjoyed the great outdoors. For the past two years I have held off from shooting a deer knowing that there were big ones out there. This year I decided to move my blind to a new location near where I have always hunted. The second day of the deer season my eight point came in. He came in behind me and moved to the side of the blind his head stretch just enough to be seen from one side of a tree his shoulder peeking between two other trees. I took a deep breathe and shot knowing I would shoot near the lungs. He ran right into a tree it made bark from the tree scatter into the the air he ran a little further then dropped. I had know idea how big his body was I had to take seven breaks as I dragged him out of the woods to the truck. I knew he had 8 points even once I was up on him I knew he was big but again I did not know how big until my cousin and I compared bucks he to had shot a six pointer shortly after me. Once the bucks were together I know I had gotten a big boy. This deer is 200 lbs and the biggest body buck I have gotten so far I hope you enjoy him as much as me.

#32 Jim Christie

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

North Branch Michigan

Buck Stats (Points/Features)

13 point

The Story: Was watching this buck since last season. This year a doe pushed him toward me. The Doe ran one way, the buck was not quick enough to change direction. I shot and the buck fall and the doe laughed at him...

#32 Francesco Passerini

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

Hillsdale, MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)

10 point buck 145lb stripped 16inch spread.

The Story: I went hunting with my brother -inlaw Scott Calloway on the family property in Hillsdale, MI. This was my 2nd time out hunting in my life. I never hunted before. The hunt was almost over it was just before dark we were packing up to go. I went to walk out of the blind and seen 2 bucks in the field behind me so I took a shot a dropped the buck I ended up with a 10 point monster. It was amazing. That morning my wife and I prayed for our safety and for getting a buck. He gave me exactly what I asked. I feel so blessed.

#31 Carl Eggleston

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

Eaton Rapids, MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)

7 Point

The Story: I was blessed with this buck November 6th during bow season. The weekend prior I had missed a doe and needed meat so I was ready to fill a tag. While in the tree stand I was thinking about the "miss" from the week before and several other times I had drawn back on dear but was unable to see my site pins. I noticed that my peep site was not lining up properly due to my release. I made a few adjustments just as a yearling came and layed down under me at the base of the tree I was in. After about 30 minutes several other deer came into view. There was a large doe in the group and I decided I would shoot her. As I readied for an opportunity I remembered my peep site. So while trying to align the site I made noise. The old smart doe stopped and looked at me. She was about 35 yards out. When I released my arrow she dropped below it and I missed her cleanly. I sat there thinking that I was going home without meat again. I started talking with God and said that I trusted him and if I were to get a deer it would be in His time. Withing 15 minutes I heard deer running and this buck chased a doe to within 40 yards. Thank you Lord for a clean kill. This buck had split brow tines and main beam broken off!

#30 Megan Eggleston

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

Eaton Rapids/MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)

7 Point

The Story: Well this is my daughter Megans buck but I am entering it for her. My name is Carl and this is the second buck my daughter has taken. This is a Thanksgiving afternoon buck. Megan and I went out to our blind about 2:30pm (after way too much eating). We needed to bring lawn chairs with us since the buckets we normally set on just wouldnt do after such a wonderful meal. Shortley after settling in it began to rain. Megan was disappointed because she has lost deer before that became unable to track in the rain. She looked at me as the rain increased and said we probably wont see anything today any way. I answered back I was certain we would. Then she said "There's a buck!". I could not see it yet but told her to wait until it came closer and she had a clear shot. I was fianlly able to see the buck as it trotted toward us. I "meaped" and stopped the deer for Megan. She shot and the deer ran into the pines about 80 yards away. We struggled to see any sign of a hit until we went into the pines. I found blood right away and the deer was only about 10 yards further. We high fived and thanked God for the blessings He gives including the deer that gave its life that we may have food to live.

#28 Marvin Ballast

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

Howell, MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)

4 Point and a 7 Point

The Story: Rare Season for Bow hunting this year. October 16, 2010
Not much to brag about as far as size. Only saw the 4 point. Grunted him in - Shot the four through the spine/lung. It rolled down the hill and was still alive in a sitting position. A 7 point came in and started to attack him on and off for about 10 minutes. When the four laid his head down the 7 went to leave. I grunted him in and shot him through both lungs. Found the 7 Point 50 yards away. Both Bucks taken 20 minutes apart.

#27 Randy Peterson

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

Henderson, MI

Buck Stats (Points/Features)

4 point/busted rack

The Story: It had been a couple years since I bagged a buck. I saw several big bucks during bow season but they were out to far for a shot - calling was unsuccessful. Finally I got my chance. Monday, November 29th I took a shot at a big doe and missed and so I decided to get down out of the treestand. I moved to another part of the woods and while I was walking I spotted a buck and a doe about 600 yards out in the field. I had about 10 minutes before time was up so I patiently waited. I prayed and asked the Lord " It sure would be great if that buck ran right up to me". Within minutes the buck began running full speed directly at me. Two minutes later he was just 15 feet from where I was sitting. I was ready and took the shot! Praise the Lord! As much as I like shooting bigger bucks, I'm reminded that you can't eat the antlers! You need to be willing to take whatever God brings! God is so good!