The massive 18-point buck, known locally as "Black Feet," was being hunted by a number of bowhunters in Pike County, but the hunting gods bestowed their blessings on this high school senior. In addition to being an avid bowhunter, Bryce Frieden is a gifted athlete who excelled in both football and baseball in his high school career.

The huge-antlered buck ambled slowly along a ridge leading gradually up from a valley. He was only 60 yards out when Bryce first spotted him. There was little doubt that this Pike County bruiser was a shooter. The only question in the young archer's mind was: Will I get a shot?

As Bryce watched, the buck rubbed two small trees and headed for a larger tree with a 6-inch diameter. This tree came out of the forest floor at a 45-degree angle and turned upward about 18 inches off the ground. Oddly, the big whitetail eased toward the tree and knelt down on his knees. With focused aggression, he methodically scarred the bark on the bend in the trunk. Bryce remained calm, hoping to get a close shot at this magnificent whitetail.

Returning to a standing position, the big deer continued walking up the ridge. It soon became evident to Bryce that the buck was going to parallel his position at a respectable distance. A 50-yard broadside shot might well be the best he'd earn at the animal. He drew his Mathews Drenalin, put the 50-yard pin on the buck's chest, and hoped that the animal would stop naturally for a standing shot.

A PIKE COUNTY BRUISER
Bryce had no way of knowing that this monster whitetail had just chased a doe past another archer on the adjoining farm. The hunter filmed the rutting buck after making every effort to pull him off the doe. This hunter and seven others were patiently tree-stand hunting on that same neighboring farm. They all had the specific goal of trying to harvest the buck that was now in Bryce's sights -- a buck known to them as "Black Feet."

Black Feet had been named by Tom Ware, owner of Bucks BeWare Outfitters in Pike County, Illinois. While reviewing trail camera film in late September 2007, Tom's mouth dropped open upon viewing a big-bodied buck with a towering rack. The deer appeared to have black feet, which Tom soon realized was nothing more than pond mud. Tom's cameras clicked several more shots of the huge buck, dubbed Black Feet that very day, over the next few weeks. Tom desperately wanted one of his hunters to arrow this colossal whitetail.

Though this Pike County outfitter kept quiet about the buck, other area hunters had also spotted the big whitetail. Rumors were soon rampant. Bryce and his stepfather, Scott Andress, heard stories about a monster buck being seen near the land where they hunted. They hoped that the rumors were true.

HUNTER IN THE MAKING
When Scott married Bryce's mother, Anita, Bryce was only 7 years old. By age 9, Bryce and his stepfather Scott were the best of hunting buddies. Bryce's first deer was a 3-point buck taken with a shotgun. He announced to Scott that day, "I think I shot a doe."

Being very excited over the prospects of his first deer harvest, Bryce had not even noticed that his "doe" was in fact a young buck with antlers. Today the 3-point's skull plate is mounted on a plaque that Scott proudly hung in his business, The Archery Shop, which is in Pittsfield, Illinois.

Scott's fascination with archery soon rubbed off on Bryce. By 15, Bryce could fully set up a compound bow and tune it as well as Scott can. Bryce enjoyed regularly helping at The Archery Shop when school and sports allowed. By the fall of 2007, this well-liked 17-year-old high school senior had made captain of the football team and was being scouted for a baseball scholarship. Football awards included "most valuable defensive player," "all-area linebacker" and "all conference linebacker." As catcher on the baseball team, Bryce's batting average held at around .380.

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