Even though both matching G-2s are only 3 inches long, the extraordinary tine length on the rest of Keith's amazingly symmetrical 7x7 rack more than makes up for any deficit. Although aging a buck by its tooth wear can be tricky, Keith's Kansas dream buck was believed to have been only 3 1/2 y ears old!

The tale of the hunt, in Keith Manca's own words: "For the last seven years my brother Anthony and I have traveled from our homes in Danbury, Connecticut, to southern Kansas for an annual whitetail hunt. During this time we've pinpointed some really productive 'honeyholes.' We hunt private land, and we always look forward to the excitement and anticipation that this trip brings each year because it's the one time when we can dedicate ourselves to our passion for chasing monster whitetails. This annual trip also brings us together to share stories about past hunts, sightings of big Kansas megabucks and, in some cases, missed opportunities.

"In 2007 we planned to hunt two different pieces of property. Anthony wanted to hunt a parcel on which he'd had great success the previous two years. I planned to hunt a new parcel of land that we had located near the end of our 2006 season. We didn't have time to actually hunt that new property in '06, but we were able to do some scouting. We found several sizable rubs and scrapes and other good sign in the woods near a CRP field.

"Extending out into the CRP field about 100 yards on that tract were two fingers of small-growth cottonwoods. These trees created a funnel for the deer to use as cover when moving to the woods from the field. I decided to place a tree stand right in the center of this funnel. To me it looked like an ideal location for the 2007 season.

A HOPE AND A PROMISE
"On Nov. 5, 2007, the first day of our hunt, the conditions couldn't have been more perfect. The weather forecast for that week called for clear skies and cold temperatures, and we knew the chase phase of the rut should be in full swing. After taking some practice shots with my Mathews Switchback and Easton arrows, I couldn't get into the woods fast enough. It had been a year since I had set up my stand, and I was excited about sneaking back in to my never-before-hunted 'honeyhole.'

"As I stalked toward my stand, I was amazed to see tree after tree that had been completely shredded. My heart started pounding. I passed rub after rub on trees that had been all but torn out of the ground. The spot that I had picked the year before was smack-dab in the center of a monster buck's living room. It was a honeyhole with a capital 'H.'

"While sitting in my stand, I counted over 20 rubs and multiple scrapes all around me. My stand overlooked the huge CRP field. The CRP was bordered by milo and wheat along each side. Most important to me was the picture-perfect view that I had of the Kansas River and a large bottom. This was a good day to be alive and a great place to hunt whitetails!

VISIONS OF THINGS TO COME
"That afternoon I saw a few does sneaking out of the woods through the cottonwood fingers into the CRP. Thirty minutes later I heard a loud buck grunt in the finger of cottonwoods to my left. It was obvious that a mature buck was chasing one or more does around, but it was too thick to see him. The chase went on for a while before I finally got a glimpse. When I laid my eyes on this whitetail, I was floored. He was a monster. His body was as big as a steer, and his rack easily would measure 150 to 160 inches

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