Post by: Barry Wensel on December 30, 2004, 08:46:00 PM
Brother Gene got the monster buck we've been chasing since October this morning. We've both seen and video taped him over a half dozen times each. We had his number and I knew it was just a matter of time. Some people might think I feel bad that Gene got him instead of myself, but I couldn't be happier. I've always considered us a team and could care less who tagged him. We've had a fantastic year to put it mildly. Both of us got 160 inch plus bucks earlier in November; I got a good 6x5 buck in Kansas a couple weeks ago and we both got big bucks in Texas last week (I got the very one everyone saw me miss on TV last year). Gene doesn't want to brag so I'll do it for him. I'm really proud of our joint efforts and want everyone to know we put a LOT of concentrated effort into this one. It all came together, totally legit, totally legal, and totally fairchase. I wanted to thank all of our friends who have shared opinions and supported us in the pursuit of this fantastic critter. Sharing this all is half the fun.I don't know how to post pictures but will try to get 'er done. You guys all need to sit down and get ready for this one! He's 25 inches inside spread, 30 inches outside spread with four droptines. We haven't put a tape to him yet but don't really care. And yes... if anyone wants to x-ray him they're welcome to it. Thanks and Happy New Year to all. Barry Wensel
Post by: southpawshooter on December 30, 2004, 08:49:00 PM
Looking forward to the pix.
Post by: Santiam on December 30, 2004, 08:51:00 PM
I'll check back in a couple minutes :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Post by: aromakr on December 30, 2004, 08:53:00 PM
Bob Burton
Post by: Littlefeather on December 30, 2004, 08:53:00 PM
Post by: BOFF on December 30, 2004, 08:56:00 PM
Post by: Meathook on December 30, 2004, 08:56:00 PM
Barry send me a pic at [email protected] and I will have it up in a matter of minutes. :D
Post by: the Ferret on December 30, 2004, 09:00:00 PM
Congrats to Gene, can't wait to see it. Sounds like a whopper!
Post by: Timo on December 30, 2004, 09:02:00 PM
That there says about everything! Confedence!
Congrats Gene! Now get them pics up barry!
Post by: Dano on December 30, 2004, 09:03:00 PM
Post by: ron bergeron on December 30, 2004, 09:06:00 PM
Post by: 1/4 away on December 30, 2004, 09:07:00 PM
Post by: Meathook on December 30, 2004, 09:08:00 PM
Post by: Meathook on December 30, 2004, 09:10:00 PM
Post by: Santiam on December 30, 2004, 09:12:00 PM
Post by: Walkingstick on December 30, 2004, 09:13:00 PM
Post by: farmerboy on December 30, 2004, 09:15:00 PM
Congrats Wensels......
Post by: LRC on December 30, 2004, 09:16:00 PM
Post by: Pinecone on December 30, 2004, 09:17:00 PM
Claudia
Post by: Jason R. Wesbrock on December 30, 2004, 09:17:00 PM
Congrats! That's quite a deer.
Post by: Huntrdfk on December 30, 2004, 09:18:00 PM
David
Post by: Warren H. Womack on December 30, 2004, 09:20:00 PM
Oh yea, Nice hat.
Warren
Post by: rabbitman on December 30, 2004, 09:20:00 PM
Post by: the Ferret on December 30, 2004, 09:22:00 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/theferret111/gene.jpg)
Dayyeemmm what a buck! Congrats again Gene. I'm gonna send the pic to Rotten Randy and let him drool all over his keyboard.
Post by: Killdeer on December 30, 2004, 09:28:00 PM
Ya might know a thing or two at that! Bofayaz!
Killdeer :bigsmyl:
Post by: Tedd on December 30, 2004, 09:29:00 PM
Barry, did Gene use Daryl for following up and recovery?
Post by: 2Knives on December 30, 2004, 09:29:00 PM
Post by: Hatrick on December 30, 2004, 09:34:00 PM
I could nail 100# does all day long at 20 yards. Woulda missed him at 10.
Gotta get that book, oh yeh, "Come November" back out and reread it. Nice job guys.
Post by: JOHNL on December 30, 2004, 09:35:00 PM
Post by: wolfy on December 30, 2004, 09:35:00 PM
Wolfy
Post by: Dano on December 30, 2004, 09:38:00 PM
Post by: 1/4 away on December 30, 2004, 09:39:00 PM
Post by: infosponge on December 30, 2004, 09:39:00 PM
Good gravy! Well fellas, congrats! And I guess its been proven once again, if you dream of antlers, there's no such thing as dreaming too big!
Post by: sticshooter on December 30, 2004, 09:43:00 PM
Post by: Kurt in Memphis on December 30, 2004, 09:46:00 PM
I read Gene's book, Come November, so I know he can write a chapter (or two) for all us us on this great deer! Just post it here on TradGang.
Congrats---
Kurt
Post by: DeanD on December 30, 2004, 09:47:00 PM
Post by: Weekend Warrior on December 30, 2004, 09:49:00 PM
Post by: Luke Vander Vennen on December 30, 2004, 09:50:00 PM
Post by: Fletcher on December 30, 2004, 09:54:00 PM
Post by: talvey on December 30, 2004, 09:57:00 PM
Post by: NightHawk on December 30, 2004, 09:58:00 PM
Post by: joe skipp on December 30, 2004, 10:04:00 PM
Post by: Jake on December 30, 2004, 10:15:00 PM
Post by: oddan on December 30, 2004, 10:18:00 PM
Post by: B.O.D. on December 30, 2004, 10:19:00 PM
Post by: Joseph on December 30, 2004, 10:26:00 PM
Post by: Dale Hajas on December 30, 2004, 10:48:00 PM
I'll hope for a story about this deer at The United Bowhunters of Pa. Winter Rendevous!!
Post by: bayoulongbowman on December 30, 2004, 10:52:00 PM
Post by: Jim Stewart on December 30, 2004, 10:56:00 PM
Post by: Flatstick on December 30, 2004, 10:56:00 PM
Post by: Hutch on December 30, 2004, 11:03:00 PM
Hutch :thumbsup:
Post by: Barry Wensel on December 30, 2004, 11:22:00 PM
Post by: Brute killer on December 30, 2004, 11:29:00 PM
Post by: Rich Baker on December 30, 2004, 11:33:00 PM
Post by: Gun on December 30, 2004, 11:40:00 PM
Post by: LAR43 on December 31, 2004, 12:00:00 AM
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
My son & I are going out tomorrow for the last gasp try at a 7x7 we've been playing hopscotch with all season.
Larry
Post by: MSwickard on December 31, 2004, 12:22:00 AM
Nothing like the fruits of hard work. Sure sounded like alot of fun chasing that fellow around.
Have a Happy New Year.
Post by: Dave Bulla on December 31, 2004, 12:35:00 AM
Congrats to both of you. I've never taken one near that big but I took my best ever while hunting with my older brother on our parents farm about 400 yards from the house. I can still play that one back in my mind like it was yesterday.
Could you show some of the video of him on the hoof on here? Maybe just a 30 second clip or something to give us an idea what it's like to see a deer like that moving around in the woods.
Dang, what a way to end the year!
Post by: Richard Saffold on December 31, 2004, 12:48:00 AM
Post by: Shaun on December 31, 2004, 12:59:00 AM
You might want to get that one mounted. Just a thought...
Shaun
Post by: Tracy McQueen on December 31, 2004, 01:20:00 AM
I still have the copy you signed for me.
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
I think that one impressed Barry so much he put his hat on straight ;)
Post by: Bryan Burkhardt on December 31, 2004, 01:26:00 AM
Bryan
Post by: Many Arrows Lost on December 31, 2004, 02:43:00 AM
KT
Post by: Danny Rowan on December 31, 2004, 04:05:00 AM
Danny
Post by: joel smith on December 31, 2004, 04:15:00 AM
P.S. Barry, you mentioned you had videoed him several times prior to the kill. sure would be cool to see that footage here. If you're willing, I'm sure Admin. can get it up and running
Post by: Thunder on December 31, 2004, 05:26:00 AM
Congratulations to Barry and Gene, and also to Jason for takin' the pass. Obviously a GREAT day for all of you !
Did you age him ? I'd be real interested in how old he was. Love the rack...lots of character, some trash with sophistication sorta. I especially like the forked tines.
It looked like you were holding a Morrison, but wasn't sure.
Again, congratulations....a very special day for all of you I'm sure !
God Bless.
Post by: Dsturgisjr on December 31, 2004, 06:32:00 AM
Post by: Jim Spencer on December 31, 2004, 07:22:00 AM
Post by: Grizzlymike on December 31, 2004, 07:56:00 AM
Post by: JC on December 31, 2004, 08:01:00 AM
Now, if we could only figure out how to download all the stuff you guys know to the rest of our pea brains....we wouldn't havta worry about deer population control.
Post by: Stick on December 31, 2004, 08:10:00 AM
Post by: Yohon on December 31, 2004, 08:18:00 AM
But Gene and Barry have had a huge influence on me, more than they'll ever know. After being around them for more than 20 years they long ago stopped amazing me...I kinda expect it out of em each year BUT that buck...whew :thumbsup:
Post by: Terry Green on December 31, 2004, 08:33:00 AM
You two are something else. ;)
Post by: mich-mtnman on December 31, 2004, 09:02:00 AM
thats funny. i didnt know bucks got that big!
Post by: JD on December 31, 2004, 09:30:00 AM
Denny Sturgis Jr, I've seen some of the results of your hunts as well, and I'm volunteering to be your adopted brother. The camaraderie and the hunts we will share... :D just like real brothers!
Post by: Raven on December 31, 2004, 09:31:00 AM
Post by: foxbo on December 31, 2004, 10:00:00 AM
Post by: Mark Fedrizzi on December 31, 2004, 10:04:00 AM
Post by: FilmGuy on December 31, 2004, 10:05:00 AM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on December 31, 2004, 10:07:00 AM
Post by: Mark U on December 31, 2004, 10:26:00 AM
I'd would bet you didn't drag him out by his antlers. Would be a bummer to be standing there with a shed in each hand and the buck laying at your feet.
Congrats!!!
Post by: Marty on December 31, 2004, 10:33:00 AM
Post by: stykshooter on December 31, 2004, 10:33:00 AM
Post by: Bob Hildenbrand on December 31, 2004, 10:37:00 AM
Post by: Lee Viv on December 31, 2004, 10:45:00 AM
Congrats on the whopper! Gene, I hope you incorporated this story in your presentation at the United Bowhunters of PA Rendevous in feb. I'll be the one taking notes!!!!
A Wensel Woodsmen, huh? Go figure!!!
Lee Vivian :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Post by: Tom Mussatto on December 31, 2004, 10:48:00 AM
Congrats fellows. Sounds like you had one heck of a year.
Post by: Mark Baker on December 31, 2004, 10:53:00 AM
But no doubt Gene and Barry most certainly are! Congrats to the Wensel family, great deer and great story. How can I get adopted into that family?
Thanks guys for keeping dreams alive for us all!
Post by: Ironfist_Canada on December 31, 2004, 11:15:00 AM
Post by: Tree Killer on December 31, 2004, 11:16:00 AM
:thumbsup: :notworthy:
Post by: frankb on December 31, 2004, 11:38:00 AM
Dang That's a good deer... and it sounds like you had one heck of a time.
Congrats! BIG CONGRATS!
-Frankb
Post by: W. H. Bill Fuller on December 31, 2004, 02:44:00 PM
Post by: kojac on December 31, 2004, 03:00:00 PM
Post by: Ray Lyon on December 31, 2004, 03:20:00 PM
Could you imagine how big he'd look if Too F. Short posed in the picture?
!["[tunglaff]"]("graemlins/tunglaff.gif" "\"\"")
Congratulations guys.
Post by: Jeff Hren-Renegade on December 31, 2004, 03:59:00 PM
Post by: TRADNSC on December 31, 2004, 04:29:00 PM
Happy New Year and as others have said, What a great end to a great season.
David
Post by: luv2bowhunt on December 31, 2004, 07:21:00 PM
Well done and a big congrats!
kevin.
Post by: gregg dudley on December 31, 2004, 08:55:00 PM
Post by: cjones on December 31, 2004, 11:59:00 PM
Post by: paleFace on January 01, 2005, 08:56:00 AM
>~Rob~>
Post by: Donavan Daniel on January 01, 2005, 10:34:00 AM
Happy New Year,
Donavan
Post by: Van/TX on January 01, 2005, 10:43:00 AM
Post by: Jakeboy at home on January 01, 2005, 11:42:00 AM
CONGRATULATIONS!
Jakeboy
Post by: Hawkwind on January 01, 2005, 02:57:00 PM
What broadhead you use on that one :saywhat:
Post by: Frank V on January 01, 2005, 06:03:00 PM
WOW!!!!! Congratulations, I love to hear of family teaming up to hunt. Thanks for letting us share with your joy. Frank
Post by: Morning Star on January 01, 2005, 07:17:00 PM
I'm continually impressed with your strategies guys, sometimes I kick myself in the but for being to conservative when chasing the big'ns.
You got me in the mood to make a nudge the last weekend!
Again, it's good to be an Iowan EEEHHH!
Post by: Bobby Castello on January 01, 2005, 08:06:00 PM
Post by: Gene Wensel on January 01, 2005, 10:12:00 PM
Most of you know we've been at this game all our lives. A lot of time, effort, teamwork, mental stress and lost sleep went into this one. We constantly worried over multiple close gunshots, poaching, pressuring him too much, etc. Having it all come together, taking him fair and square the right way was most important. Just knowing he was out there made use of the alarm clock unnecessary.
Knowing the passion that guys like us share is a special thing. This is far more than an accomplishment for my brother and I. It is who we are and its nice to know there are lots of others who feel like us.
I will plan on writing a magazine story with all the details but here are some to fill in the blank spots. I named this buck Woody...not as in Woodsman and not as in woodpeckers. Enough said. Woody is a very special deer. He has it all. Brains, dominance and unpredictable movement patterns. His rack has good tine length, good mass, bladed tines, a wide spread (30" outside), four droptines, a dark forehead, lots of character in his face and scars from fighting other bucks whose racks fit between his main beams. We have at least three set camera pix of him (three more rolls of trail camera film are yet to be developed as of this writing). Last night I discovered I have a shed antler from him two years ago before he developed the droptines. No question about it. I think he is 5 1/2 years old. Cementum analysis will confirm this later.
I spotted him first in September of 2003. I saw him twice and Barry saw him twice that season. Barry came close to getting a shot at him. A couple friends hunting the same area also had close encounters. We never found his sheds last spring. Barry got video footage of him on October 17 this season. He disappeared when the rut kicked in. I suspect he went on the road spreading his seeds.
Both of us killed great bucks in early November so our tags were filled. Each of us saw Woody half a dozen times before our late season primitive weapons buck tags kicked in after Christmas, but before Christmas he was always out of range, in low light and never in the same place twice anyway. I was lucky enough to take almost 40 minutes of footage of him one evening during gun season but since I don't hunt with guns, I only had my video camera with me. I got other great deer footage in late November, filled some doe tags and Barry even got footage of a bobcat stalking and killing a squirrel ten yards from his stand. I still don't understand why a guy can't hunt with a bow and arrow during gun season in this state.
By Christmas, Woody's preferred unpicked bean field was pretty much depleted of beans. He moved to a neighboring property to feed on standing corn nightly. When antlers started shedding on local mature bucks, we decided to get more aggressive in our hunting strategies a few days ago. I will save the details for the magazine article but we were blessed with good luck, good friends, good weather, good wind directions, good stand placement and plans that all fell into place. The rest is history.
You know I've heard all this wild stuff that happens when someone kills a monster. My phone has been busy more often than not. Emails are relentless. Biggie Hoffman had to be tied down to be kept from driving up from Georgia just to fondle a set of deer antlers. This morning I was offered $20,000. for Woody's warm nuts, presumably for live sperm. I told the guy they had already assunmed room temperature. Hell, I'll sell Barry's jewels for ten grand though.
I'm sure there will be rumors arise. They will all be untrue. When a guy really loves this sort of stuff and spends a good portion of his life pondering choices, you can't help but wonder about deer and people as individuals and ask oneself why we do what we do. I once heard a guy say if he ever killed a giant nontypical he would give up bowhunting because he had "done it all." I know another guy who in fact did hang it up. I can't help but wonder if they ever loved it in the first place.
I'm fairly certain I've now taken the biggest buck of my life. I don't know how many more seasons I'll get but I'm running below 3/4 of a tank. I'm not only grateful for the opportunity and the outcome, but thankful for close friends, an understanding wife/family and a brother who shares the passion as much as I do. I'm a lucky and blessed guy.
You know that feeling of "hunter's remorse" that sets in after the fact? It ain't happening this time. I feel GREAT. Thank you one and all. May all your hunts get better.
Post by: Timo on January 01, 2005, 10:51:00 PM
Now.....PUT A TAPE ON HIM ALREADY? :D
Post by: Dave Bulla on January 01, 2005, 11:00:00 PM
Aaaaannnndddd....I gotta ask if there is any chance of seeing any of that video here or in a production video in the future?
Post by: bowbender61 on January 01, 2005, 11:12:00 PM
Congratulations to both you and Barry. Like others have said, It couldn't have happened to a nicer couple of guys. Sure would like to see that brute in Kzoo sometime. Every time I think of you guys, I can't help but think about the story of the natives, baboon, and the superglue. :D
Post by: Warren H. Womack on January 01, 2005, 11:29:00 PM
You and your brother Barry, have certainly been an inspiration and source of knowledge for most all of us. It's always nice to see our hero's, continue to shine.
With me being 6 months older than the two of you, I can certainly relate to a lot of your, in this time in my life, comments.
Thank You,
Warren
Post by: R. Combs on January 02, 2005, 08:49:00 AM
My heart would still be jumping out of my chest if I had a deer that size come by my stand.
Rick
Post by: Al Dente on January 02, 2005, 09:19:00 AM
Post by: sticknstring202 on January 02, 2005, 10:36:00 AM
Post by: kojac on January 02, 2005, 01:45:00 PM
Every time I'm on here I have GOT to pull this thread up and look at that monster. wow
Post by: joe lucas on January 02, 2005, 01:55:00 PM
Post by: Allen Ziebarth on January 02, 2005, 02:07:00 PM
I almost didn't recognize you with your hat on straight!
CONGRATS on that WHOPPER!!!
You both deserve a big pat on the back this season.
Allen
Post by: Carcajou on January 03, 2005, 07:39:00 AM
Post by: ber643 on January 03, 2005, 07:54:00 AM
Post by: Biggie Hoffman on January 03, 2005, 12:11:00 PM
Post by: John Sturtevant on January 03, 2005, 01:07:00 PM
Lots of knife handles there.
Very nice buck and a great story.
Have always crossed my eyes at the “no bows during gun season” laws. Makes no sense, but I guess we’re fortunate to have the bow season we have.
Post by: Ladams on January 03, 2005, 01:19:00 PM
Larry
Post by: 1/4 away on January 03, 2005, 01:57:00 PM
PS If either of you want to adopt me I'm available...LOL
Post by: Two Hats on January 03, 2005, 02:12:00 PM
Post by: Yance on January 03, 2005, 02:17:00 PM
Post by: Roughcountry on January 03, 2005, 04:22:00 PM
Post by: quadesstick on January 03, 2005, 05:51:00 PM
Post by: Jeffrey Holchin on January 03, 2005, 06:06:00 PM
Jeff Holchin
Post by: Terry Green on January 03, 2005, 07:45:00 PM
Biggie....awe shad up!!!!!! :knothead:
Post by: kennym on January 03, 2005, 08:38:00 PM
Post by: bowmac on January 03, 2005, 10:06:00 PM
Post by: Ted A. Young on January 03, 2005, 10:24:00 PM
Post by: Biggie Hoffman on January 04, 2005, 07:44:00 AM
Gene called me while he and Barry were standing over the deer when they found it. I don't know which of them was more excited. Great guys both.
Two of my closest friends and I can't say enough about how hard they go at it. I used to think I was a diehard whitetail bowhunter but I'm just a weekendeder compared to these guys.
Post by: PBNJ on January 04, 2005, 10:00:00 AM
Post by: peter c iacavazzi on January 04, 2005, 02:49:00 PM
Barry once confided in me that he learned all his secrets from you! He said "that Sweet Biggie is a "BIG" deer hunter."
Peter
Post by: JohnV2 on January 04, 2005, 03:16:00 PM
I got to transport Woody to the taxidermist who lives near where I live. Armed escorts and secret routes the entire way. Unfortunately I did not get trusted to transport the rack, just the cape. Foiled my entire plan. I was going to call Gene about an hour after leaving on my cell phone and say "I don't know what to say...I stopped at McDonalds to get a burger and wasn't inside any longer than three minutes...". Ha, would have loved to see him squirm while pulling this on him!
Post by: Dave Bulla on January 04, 2005, 03:59:00 PM
Hey Gene, I meant to ask ya if this one made your knees shake? I was in the middle of reading your book "Come November" that I got for Christmas this year when these pics first popped up and that is the first thing I thought about. He'd make me shake so bad I'd probably drop my bow.
Post by: Thunderflight@work on January 06, 2005, 08:49:00 AM
TF
Post by: trkytrack on January 30, 2005, 12:18:00 PM
BENN'''
:bigsmyl: