Anglers and antlers

Pro bass anglers rack up the points during deer season as well.

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A great percentage of Bassmaster anglers hunt during the offseason. For some, it’s their lifelong obsession, while others simply enjoy the experience of getting away to camp and having a shot at a deer. We’ve checked their Facebook pages to see how the season has gone. Here, Gerald Swindle poses with a deer.
A great percentage of Bassmaster anglers hunt during the offseason. For some, it’s their lifelong obsession, while others simply enjoy the experience of getting away to camp and having a shot at a deer. We’ve checked their Facebook pages to see how the season has gone. Here, Gerald Swindle poses with a deer.
Gerald Swindle’s deer hunting career is so distinguished he’s on a show, <i>Hit List</i>, on the Outdoor Channel, where he travels, cameraman in tow, seeking trophy bucks. This one near home is his most recent. ‘I finally killed my ‘Bama buck after years of Moultrie trail cam pics and never a daylight photo. Today he made a Mistake.’ There will be more on Swindle later.
Gerald Swindle’s deer hunting career is so distinguished he’s on a show, Hit List, on the Outdoor Channel, where he travels, cameraman in tow, seeking trophy bucks. This one near home is his most recent. ‘I finally killed my ‘Bama buck after years of Moultrie trail cam pics and never a daylight photo. Today he made a Mistake.’ There will be more on Swindle later.
Brent Chapman is another extreme bowhunting enthusiast. Here, in between hunts on his homestead in Kansas, he trains for an Arizona elk hunt with fellow Elite angler Clifford Pirch.
Brent Chapman is another extreme bowhunting enthusiast. Here, in between hunts on his homestead in Kansas, he trains for an Arizona elk hunt with fellow Elite angler Clifford Pirch.
Chapman is a stickler about setting up a number of tree stands, scouting, then assessing wind and how to enter before deciding where he will hunt.
Chapman is a stickler about setting up a number of tree stands, scouting, then assessing wind and how to enter before deciding where he will hunt.
Here’s Chapman's view from one stand. ‘It's good to be back in the stand again!!! Tonight is my first bow hunt for the season. It's just like Day 1 on the B.A.S.S. tournament trail.’
Here’s Chapman’s view from one stand. ‘It’s good to be back in the stand again!!! Tonight is my first bow hunt for the season. It’s just like Day 1 on the B.A.S.S. tournament trail.’
Ah, there’s the rub. Chapman is noted for assessing deer activity on his property. Here he shows a massive rub in November, saying, ‘The rut is on!’
Ah, there’s the rub. Chapman is noted for assessing deer activity on his property. Here he shows a massive rub in November, saying, ‘The rut is on!’
The result of his efforts are a number of trophy class deer, like this massive buck. ‘My patience paid off ... It's great to live (and hunt) in Kansas.’
The result of his efforts are a number of trophy class deer, like this massive buck. ‘My patience paid off … It’s great to live (and hunt) in Kansas.’
David Walker was thrilled to find a live target in Kansas. ‘What a great way to end the best deer hunt I've ever been on. Saw an unbelievable number of deer and got to take my largest deer yet! Big thank you to my buddy big Dave Smith for the chance to enjoy such a great place as this!’
David Walker was thrilled to find a live target in Kansas. ‘What a great way to end the best deer hunt I’ve ever been on. Saw an unbelievable number of deer and got to take my largest deer yet! Big thank you to my buddy big Dave Smith for the chance to enjoy such a great place as this!’
Reigning Classic champion Randy Howell and his family experienced a fruitful hunt. Here, he and son Oakley wait in the blind for some action.
Reigning Classic champion Randy Howell and his family experienced a fruitful hunt. Here, he and son Oakley wait in the blind for some action.
And there was some action. Oakley got his first deer ever on what the Howells are calling one of the top five most memorable family trips ever.
And there was some action. Oakley got his first deer ever on what the Howells are calling one of the top five most memorable family trips ever.
Howell’s older son, Laker, took home family bragging rights with this 10-pointer.
Howell’s older son, Laker, took home family bragging rights with this 10-pointer.
Robin and Randy get in the trophy shot with Laker and his nice buck. Randy reported both boys made perfect shots.
Robin and Randy get in the trophy shot with Laker and his nice buck. Randy reported both boys made perfect shots.
J Todd Tucker of Moultrie, Ga., had a good deer season, starting off with a nice 8-pointer.
J Todd Tucker of Moultrie, Ga., had a good deer season, starting off with a nice 8-pointer.
His next mission was hunting with son Landon and ‘hoping for a big one.’
His next mission was hunting with son Landon and ‘hoping for a big one.’
Now Tucker tries to get his wife, Emily, on a trophy. He wrote, ‘Been hunting with my wife this week. I shot a good one last week so now it's her turn to drop one with her bow.’
Now Tucker tries to get his wife, Emily, on a trophy. He wrote, ‘Been hunting with my wife this week. I shot a good one last week so now it’s her turn to drop one with her bow.’
Tucker’s season came to an end in early December. ‘I tagged out today with another nice 8-point in south Georgia. Now it’s time to get ready for fishing.’
Tucker’s season came to an end in early December. ‘I tagged out today with another nice 8-point in south Georgia. Now it’s time to get ready for fishing.’
Stephen Browning takes an annual trip to southwest Kansas to meet up with friends, writing, ‘The offseason offers the opportunity to recharge a bit and get away from fishing, which really helps you refocus when you come back from being out in the woods. This trip is always something I look forward to. For these 12 days, it’s all about the hunting and enjoying the camaraderie with some of my best friends in the world.’
Stephen Browning takes an annual trip to southwest Kansas to meet up with friends, writing, ‘The offseason offers the opportunity to recharge a bit and get away from fishing, which really helps you refocus when you come back from being out in the woods. This trip is always something I look forward to. For these 12 days, it’s all about the hunting and enjoying the camaraderie with some of my best friends in the world.’
Fred Roumbanis didn’t show his deer (No proof?), but he said he had a great time in Oklahoma and the deer is off to the butcher. ‘Thanks Jodie and Swayer for being there.’
Fred Roumbanis didn’t show his deer (No proof?), but he said he had a great time in Oklahoma and the deer is off to the butcher. ‘Thanks Jodie and Swayer for being there.’
On Nov. 1, Bill Lowen tagged out in his home state of Ohio. ‘Mad hyper growl and swhacker did the job!!’
On Nov. 1, Bill Lowen tagged out in his home state of Ohio. ‘Mad hyper growl and swhacker did the job!!’
Then Lowen headed to Kansas with a crew from Tightlines UV Lure Company, where he got the job done again with his bow.
Then Lowen headed to Kansas with a crew from Tightlines UV Lure Company, where he got the job done again with his bow.
Chad Morgenthaler thought maybe he could have done better but was still pretty happy with this buck. ‘This 9 isn't a giant but I'm glad to have him.’
Chad Morgenthaler thought maybe he could have done better but was still pretty happy with this buck. ‘This 9 isn’t a giant but I’m glad to have him.’
Jeremy Starks’ buck didn’t have the largest of antlers, but his deer sure is a big-bodied beast.
Jeremy Starks’ buck didn’t have the largest of antlers, but his deer sure is a big-bodied beast.
Grant Goldbeck was with the crew ‘shooting some of our culls at our deer lease in Laredo. Found a pretty decent cull 8-point this morning. Quartering towards me 300 Win Mag Smack down.’
Grant Goldbeck was with the crew ‘shooting some of our culls at our deer lease in Laredo. Found a pretty decent cull 8-point this morning. Quartering towards me 300 Win Mag Smack down.’
The younger Elites are keeping pace as well. Bradley Roy of Lancaster, Ky., went out on Sept. 21 for this bruiser. ‘I'm glad I decided to go hunting last night even though it was hot. This big boy stepped out about 7:35 and the rest is history! Gotta love big KY bucks!!! 11 points that scored 150.’
The younger Elites are keeping pace as well. Bradley Roy of Lancaster, Ky., went out on Sept. 21 for this bruiser. ‘I’m glad I decided to go hunting last night even though it was hot. This big boy stepped out about 7:35 and the rest is history! Gotta love big KY bucks!!! 11 points that scored 150.’
In early November, Roy was ready for the modern gun season. He guides for Whitetail Heaven Outfitters and expected some great hunts. ‘It's that magical time of year when they start rutting ... I tagged out early this year as you can see with the picture of my nephew and I.’
In early November, Roy was ready for the modern gun season. He guides for Whitetail Heaven Outfitters and expected some great hunts. ‘It’s that magical time of year when they start rutting … I tagged out early this year as you can see with the picture of my nephew and I.’
Brandon Lester of Fayetteville, Tenn., shared this close-up shot. ‘Cool to get this shot with my phone this morning. He looked at me but he didn't know what I was. He's still bedded down right behind me. And for the record I am wearing Realtree. lol!’
Brandon Lester of Fayetteville, Tenn., shared this close-up shot. ‘Cool to get this shot with my phone this morning. He looked at me but he didn’t know what I was. He’s still bedded down right behind me. And for the record I am wearing Realtree. lol!’
Earlier in the season, Lester killed this buck. ‘Finally dropped the hammer on a decent Tennessee buck this morning! After a tough bow season it felt good to pick up the muzzleloader!!!’
Earlier in the season, Lester killed this buck. ‘Finally dropped the hammer on a decent Tennessee buck this morning! After a tough bow season it felt good to pick up the muzzleloader!!!’
BassFest winner Jacob Wheeler gave a shout-out to friend Matt Arey for setting him up for his first bow kill. ‘What an awesome day!! I don't think I could ask for much more!! Just the pure emotion/adrenaline I had after the shot was crazy!! I was still shaking 2 hours after the shot! Lol. It's definitely a trip that I will never forget.’
BassFest winner Jacob Wheeler gave a shout-out to friend Matt Arey for setting him up for his first bow kill. ‘What an awesome day!! I don’t think I could ask for much more!! Just the pure emotion/adrenaline I had after the shot was crazy!! I was still shaking 2 hours after the shot! Lol. It’s definitely a trip that I will never forget.’
Jonathon VanDam practices bow shooting during an early November snow in Michigan.
Jonathon VanDam practices bow shooting during an early November snow in Michigan.
Practice paid off for JVD on his Kansas hunt the next week. ‘Well he only went about 40 yards! Gotta love when you can watch them drop!’
Practice paid off for JVD on his Kansas hunt the next week. ‘Well he only went about 40 yards! Gotta love when you can watch them drop!’
Tim Horton reported he had a great hunt to bring in this awesome if not aged buck.
Tim Horton reported he had a great hunt to bring in this awesome if not aged buck.
Horton also acted as guide. For some, sharing the hunting experience is what it’s about. ‘These gals are excited to go sit in a shooting house for a few hours. I am not real sure I am ready for what is about to go down. My face says it all!!’
Horton also acted as guide. For some, sharing the hunting experience is what it’s about. ‘These gals are excited to go sit in a shooting house for a few hours. I am not real sure I am ready for what is about to go down. My face says it all!!’
Bassmaster host Mark Zona got in on the Michigan action with his son, Hunter. “Getting some opening day action! What a great morning.’
Bassmaster host Mark Zona got in on the Michigan action with his son, Hunter. “Getting some opening day action! What a great morning.’
Dennis Tietje, an outdoorsman’s outdoorsman from The Sportsman’s Paradise of Louisiana, wasn’t too vain to post this shot of one of his poor shots. ‘Took perfect aim at some fresh venison, but this tree jumped out in front of me!!!’
Dennis Tietje, an outdoorsman’s outdoorsman from The Sportsman’s Paradise of Louisiana, wasn’t too vain to post this shot of one of his poor shots. ‘Took perfect aim at some fresh venison, but this tree jumped out in front of me!!!’
Tietje’s son, Logan, who Dennis guided to a two-deer day last year, brings in some fresh venison for the family again this year.
Tietje’s son, Logan, who Dennis guided to a two-deer day last year, brings in some fresh venison for the family again this year.
Elite angler David Mullins kicks back on a creek bank in Nebraska while filming for Moultrie’s <i>Hit List</i> with Andy Morgan, a co-host on the show with Swindle.
Elite angler David Mullins kicks back on a creek bank in Nebraska while filming for Moultrie’s Hit List with Andy Morgan, a co-host on the show with Swindle.
Back to Swindle, who keeps fans updated with posts like this: ‘If anyone has seen my friend Mr. Bucky, tell him I'm looking for him. I've bought him a ticket to ride the Shank Train.’
Back to Swindle, who keeps fans updated with posts like this: ‘If anyone has seen my friend Mr. Bucky, tell him I’m looking for him. I’ve bought him a ticket to ride the Shank Train.’
Swindle has found success all around the Midwest, like this Illinois buck. ‘Shank Train has left the station.’ He gave kudos to Darien for getting it all on camera for the show.
Swindle has found success all around the Midwest, like this Illinois buck. ‘Shank Train has left the station.’ He gave kudos to Darien for getting it all on camera for the show.
Swindle’s even gotten his wife, LeAnn, some camera work. Of course, they’ve switched spots and he was proud of her when she took a big Illinois buck this year with a bow. ‘She hunted her butt off and it paid off. She has taken time to learn bow hunting from start to finish from planting fields to the kill.’
Swindle’s even gotten his wife, LeAnn, some camera work. Of course, they’ve switched spots and he was proud of her when she took a big Illinois buck this year with a bow. ‘She hunted her butt off and it paid off. She has taken time to learn bow hunting from start to finish from planting fields to the kill.’