Lucky number 13

When it comes to having good luck during your hunting season, some do well, others are not so fortunate.

This year, the No. 13 came up lucky for former Princeton resident Dennis Mason, now of downstate Watson, who bagged a 13-point buck during the first part of November, and then dropped a 13-point buck with a muzzle loader during the first shotgun season. The first one was a smaller deer with a big rack, and the second one was a big deer with a small rack.

On Nov. 9, Dennis got to his stand by 6 a.m. and really didn’t see any whitetails for more than two hours. At 8:30 a.m., he decided to head for home. He walked for a while and then suddenly he saw the buck very close to a doe. He crept up closer and when the buck turned his head and saw him, Dennis shot his arrow. He followed the buck for about 50 yards where he secured the harvest with a second arrow.

Pope and Young scored his buck at 174. He had split G-2s and G-3s and an outside span of 21 inches. He field dressed out at 220 pounds.

During the shotgun season, Dennis didn’t have luck on Friday or Saturday, so he decided to change locations for Sunday afternoon. He went to a big pasture that had a lot of high grass in it, walked about 200 yards, and then surprised a buck and a doe. Both took off and he quickly sighted in on the buck and fired. Down he went, and Dennis claimed his second 13-point buck in one month. He said this one was a large buck (field dressed out at 245), but the rack was relatively small.

I’d say two 13-pointers in one month is pretty good hunting. Dennis is now waiting till his daughter Grace, 4, is old enough to hunt with him. She already practices on her grunt call. He says it’s never too early to teach kids about hunter safety.

• In my last article, I wrote about the Pheasants Forever Banquet where I will be located Thursday night. But now, I want to get some important information out about the March 19 Whitetails Unlimited Banquet at Wise Guys. I know many of you will want to go, but the important thing now is getting your tickets. Please call Bob Stevens  (815) 646-4146 or Nancy Griffin (815) 875-8244 by Friday evening to reserve your tickets. There will be no tickets sold at the door.