Matt’s morning started with disaster—his target buck smelled him and busted out before he could even draw his bow. But instead of giving up, Matt pivoted. He moved to the top of the ridge, hoping to cut off cruising bucks as the 2025 Illinois rut began heating up.
That move changed everything.
A buck Matt knew extremely well — the Loppy Buck — suddenly appeared, locked onto a hot doe trail and heading straight toward him. At just 20 yards, Matt grabbed his bow and made a perfect shot, putting this mature whitetail down quickly and cleanly.
What started as a blown hunt turned into one of the most rewarding bowhunting moments of Matt’s season. This hunt proves one thing: never leave the woods — adjust, adapt, and keep grinding.