Skip to main content

Sophie's Birthday Buck, Thad Lauer

This is our 12th year for our annual Illinois bowhunt. I promised my daughter that before I left I would try and kill her a birthday buck. November 9th, Sophie's birthday, dawned cooler but windy. I was hunting a draw between two CRP fields that leads to a bedding area. Right after daylight I had a doe and this 11 point working thru the draw. The doe fed to within 20 yards of me, I knew it was just a matter of time till I got a shot. Finally after working a scrape, this big boy gave me an 18 yard shot.

The Mathews Z7 and G5 T3 did the job. It was a short recovery. This buck green scored 142 1/2. A great birthday present for Sophie! -- Thad Lauer, Jersey Shore PA

Congrats on a great buck Thad!



GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Jeremy Moore and guest Randy Birdsong discuss the value of trapping predators.
Whitetail

First Time's a Charm

Jeremy Moore and guest Randy Birdsong discuss the value of trapping predators.
Whitetail

Big Sky, Big Bucks

Jeremy Moore and guest Randy Birdsong discuss the value of trapping predators.
Whitetail

Early-Season Archery

Jeremy Moore and guest Randy Birdsong discuss the value of trapping predators.
Whitetail

Whitetails & Wheel Guns

Jeremy Moore and guest Randy Birdsong discuss the value of trapping predators.
Whitetail

Love & War

Jeremy Moore and guest Randy Birdsong discuss the value of trapping predators.
Whitetail

Living the Dream

Jeremy Moore and guest Randy Birdsong discuss the value of trapping predators.
Whitetail

Wyoming Whitetail Crossbow Hunt

Jeremy Moore and guest Randy Birdsong discuss the value of trapping predators.
Whitetail

Stan Potts' Debut NAW Hunt

Jeremy Moore and guest Randy Birdsong discuss the value of trapping predators.
Whitetail

September Black Hills Whitetail Hunt

Jeremy Moore and guest Randy Birdsong discuss the value of trapping predators.
Whitetail

Gordon's First NAW Hunt

Jeremy Moore and guest Randy Birdsong discuss the value of trapping predators.
Land Management

The Basics of Trapping

Jeremy Moore and guest Randy Birdsong discuss the value of trapping predators.
Learn

The Basics of Trapping Predators

North American Whitetail Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the North American Whitetail App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All North American Whitetail subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now