Hunter: Blair Goins
Animal: 141 3/8" Whitetail
Location: Illinois
Weapon: PSE Dream Season EVO

For those of you who follow Dream Season Television, you know that every year the first group hunt is located at Hadley Creek Outfitters in Pike County, Illinois. October was starting to wind down and the group hunt was now upon us. After packing our gear, saying our goodbyes and staying the night in a small hotel, we arrived at Hadley Creek known as Team Alabama. The first few days of the hunt were unsuccessful due to a full moon and warm temperatures. The hunt was originally planned for only four days, but Stacy Ward graciously extended the hunt for three more days. After a cold front pushed through mid week, the deer action really started to heat up. Our guide, Dave Plocher, was doing his best to put the boys from Alabama within forty yards of an Illinois bruiser.

October 28 was day six of the hunt for me and Bart. The previous two days had brought us a lot of action in the “double white-oak” stand. This was our fifth time to sit it. We had seen a new buck every time we had hunted this spot in the previous four sits! There was no reason to leave. As first light hit the timber, a young 10 point came cruising through-a beautiful two year old buck. Not twenty minutes later, a doe comes running off the hill and stops right under our stand. Following her was the buck I had came to Illinois for. I looked at Bart and we both agreed that he was a definite shooter. With no more time to react, the buck comes running right towards our stand. I draw, settle in, and let the Rage missile fly. The only problem was that the buck started moving forward as I let the arrow go. He was quartering away, so I was trying for the liver/lung hit. With the buck already moving forward, my shot was further back than I had wanted. None the less, the buck ran thirty yards and lays down. Within minutes, the long brow ten point taps out and the southern boys have buck number two down! Let the celebration begin, we had done it here at Hadley Creek!

We stayed in the tree waiting on Dave to get over there for another hour or so. Within that hour, a big mature doe comes right to our tree. Bart had wanted me to shoot a doe since we arrived at Hadley so I was about to make him proud. A twelve yard shot made the PSE and Rage combination 2 and the Illinois deer 0! What a fun, fun day at Hadley Creek.

Our work was done at Hadley Creek, the trip was a success and now the Alabama boys are headed to Kansas. Thanks again to Hadley Creek Outfitters and Drury Outdoors for giving us a chance to do what we are doing!

Previous	October 28 - Mike Klemmensen	October 29 - Matt Bullins	Next