Lorenda DayCoombs

 This month’s featured buck was shot by Lorenda DayCoombs from Southern Maine. I had the pleasure of meeting both her and her sister Janah at the 2010 Remington/Cedar Ridge bear hunt. From my experiences during that week I can tell you both are hunters, period. They have been hunting for the better part of their whole lives and they can shoot, stalk and kill anything they want. They are as dedicated to the sport as most of the fellow hunters I have met while working in this industry and I will be the first to admit I was impressed with their enthusiasm, commitment and accomplishments. I enjoyed hearing the stories of how their Dad took them out as children. Congratulations to their Dad for taking the time that he did with them. As they shared stories of their hunts during that week, I realized how strong of a bond they have with him because of the hunts they have shared throughout their lives. Lorenda’s 2009 big buck is yet another example of what persistence can do for you. She did not use the excuse of feeling a bit under the weather as a reason not to go out in the woods and it paid off. Apparently she is pretty stealthy in the woods as well because she killed that beautiful buck while stalking to her stand. The BWB team would like to congratulate Lorenda on an awesome big bodied Maine buck. 

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Christopher Kuncaitis

This month’s featured buck was shot by Christopher Kuncaitis while hunting in Northern Michigan. Northern Michigan spells big woods to me so I was pleased to read his success story and wanted to share with you how he outsmarted this big bruiser. In the big woods, you have to be open to employing any tactic necessary to get yourself in the right place at the right time. Hal calls it two points connecting. This old boy had love on his mind. He was chasing a doe when he ran up the hill and came by Chris' carefully place blind. Pre-season scouting provided him with the information needed to be in the right place. Experience told him to be there before daylight and be prepared for any action that might happen. That experience had in there at the right time. As always, a little luck doesn't hurt either. Practice/preparation can also included playing out different scenarios while in your stand and helps you to react correctly when the situation heats up and you have a split second to kill a big buck. The Big Woods Bucks team congratulates Chris on his trophy and wishes him good luck on the trail this Fall.

Chris Dalti
Big Woods Bucks

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Sadie Theriault

This month’s featured buck was shot by Sadie Theriault from Jackman, Me. Sadie is talented young gal that has some really neat hobbies. Besides the obvious of being a good hunter, she also competes in skijoring and dog sledding. I had not seen skijoring before last winter but had a chance to jump on the the back of Sadie's Dad's snomachine and tape her as the dogs pulled her on cross country skis. It was really neat. Sadie's 2009 hunting season is a classic story of putting your time in and not giving up. It is all about 2 points connecting and being innovative enough to find ways to battle the elements as harsh as they may be.  Congratulations Sadie. Sounds to me like you earn this buck.

Chris Dalti
Big Woods Bucks

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In honor of the close of an awesome turkey season here at Big Woods Bucks, I decided to feature a story of 2 Pennsylvania residents who have hunted at Cedar Ridge several times and had a great turkey hunt to share with all. Roger Kinsley and his son-in-law Jason have a great story about a turkey hunt that was not text book but worked because they were patient, had done their homework and had the persistence to get the job done.  Roger and Jason are no strangers to hunting. Between the 2 of them they have about 60 years of hunting experience. They love to deer hunt, turkey hunt, varmint hunt and goose hunt and they shoot as often as possible. After getting to know  them, I have a sense they share in the same camaraderie most of us are privileged to experience while enjoying the activities the outdoors have to offer. Hunting is much more than just the killing of an animal. The BWB team shares in my sentiment that 50% of the hunt is camp life and the memories that develop from our outdoor experiences. Strong bonds and loyalty develop amongst family and friends. The family unit is a worthwhile investment of your time and effort. From my personal perspective, I am doing my best to introduce my son, at an early age, to the many advantages hunting and fishing allows us to experience. I have seen my wife’s curiosity build about hunting and fishing since my son has been born. So much so that she passed her hunter’s safety course a few weeks ago with a 98. My curiosity as to the root cause of her new found interest in hunting has led me to believe she sees my son and I spending quality time in the woods walking down game trails discovering the many forms of clues the animals leave or sharing an early morning breakfast I have cooked for us on the Coleman stove while waiting to set the hook on the next fish we catch. My curiosity as to the root cause of her new found interests has led me to also realize she has been listening to the memories we are creating and the camaraderie we share and wants to share in all of it. I am excited to share the rest of my hunting and fishing career with the 2 most important people in my life. Being as close to Hal and his family for as long as I have has given me a great example to model my efforts after. Hal’s wife and son are avid sportspeople and have enjoyed many years of fun and created memories together that will last a lifetime. I am sure many of you can relate or have shared in the making of some of those lifetime memories with family and friends while enjoying the outdoors. I am proud to say I am an avid sportsman and will declare I feel sorry for those who choose not to experience what nature has to offer and take advantage of all the benefits that go along with it.

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Kody Pickell

This month’s featured buck was shot by a young man named Kody Pickell from Grove City, Ohio. Kody shot this beautiful 11 pointer while hunting with his Dad. His Mom tells us Kody has had a passion for the outdoors since he was 5 years old. Since that age, his Dad Jay and his Godfather George have taken him shed hunting, shown him how to set up trees stands and taught him how to locate scrapes, beds and tracks. At the age of 8, his Dad started to take him to the youth gun hunt and when Kody was 10 he received his first Horton crossbow. Every year since then he has killed a deer. As you can see from the picture, he hit pay dirt in 2009. Kody also likes to go 4 wheeling and he works on cars. It is exciting for the team at BWB to read all of the stories submitted by fellow hunters and hear their passion for the outdoors expressed in the words they choose to describe their experiences. It is especially exciting to hear of more and more young people and women taking an interest in hunting or the outdoors in general. It is a great way to spend family time and strengthen the family unit. Congratulations Kody for your accomplishment and good luck this fall. The BWB team would also like to congratulate Kody’s parents for their effort to encourage Kody to enjoy the outdoors but also create strong family ties that will likely pay dividends as Kody grows older.

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Gordon Shepard

This month’s featured buck was shot by Gordon Shepard of Burtts Corner, New Brunswick Canada. Gordon shot this big 10 point buck, which dressed out at 204 lbs., on the last day of the bow season in October after many encounters with him starting in the summer of 2009. Based on the story he tells of his hunt, it wasn’t by chance that he got a crack at this buck. Gordon did his home work and used many of the core principals we believe hunters need to master to consistently kill big bucks. Hal has a full chapter dedicated to 3 of the principles, “The 3 P’s”, in his new book “Hunting Big Woods Bucks Vol.2” available on this website. Gordon must have gone to the same school as we did while honing his skills because he employed a combination of practice, patience and persistence to kill this buck. His reward was a compilation of valuable experience, memories and confidence that 2 points will connect if given enough time and effort. Big bucks generally don’t come easy and in the finale, a hard fought battle of wits and endurance is far more rewarding than just killing a big buck by chance. Don’t get me wrong, a gift once in a while is welcomed, but beating a buck at his own game on his own turf is quite an accomplishment. Gordon accomplished something lots of fellow hunters will never allow themselves to experience. Congrats Gordon on a great buck and hats off from the Big Woods Bucks team for a well fought battle. You earned your chance at that buck.

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 Scott Fulner

This month’s featured buck was shot by Scott Fulner of Joelton, Tennessee. Scott is a long time friend of both Hal and me. He owns a very successful printing business in Tennessee and has been instrumental on several large projects for Cedar Ridge and Big Woods Bucks. Scott is also an accomplished hunter having taken many whitetails and other game around the country. He has been a guest at Cedar Ridge on many occasions and has taken several big bear with his bow. After years of watching this beautiful buck on his trail cameras, it is not surprising to me that Scott finally had his chance. Knowing him personally, he possess all the attributes of a true hunter and has mastered the fundamentals we speak about which every hunter needs to possesses in order to be able to consistently take game. He has a passion and a sense most seasoned hunters develop over the years and he followed his gut feeling to hunt in the stand he chose that evening. It was two points connecting as Hal tells people over and over. Persistence paid off in this instance as Scott was able to add another beautiful buck to his impressive game room. Congratulations old buddy and we will see you on the trail! 

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