Skip to main content

Tree Stumps! Matt Frane's Illinois Trophy Buck

Tree Stumps! Matt Frane's Illinois Trophy Buck

Matt Frane's unique Illinois trophy buck takes mass to new levels.

Would you like a side of "mass" with that buck? All jokes aside, Matt Frane's 2011 Illinois trophy buck kill looks like it has two tree stumps for antlers.
Bowhunting the last week of November near Lake County, Illinois, Frane heard crunching in some oaks to his left around 3:30 p.m.. A glance over revealed a walking tree€¦er€¦buck-of-a-lifetime standing not 10 yards from his stand.
The trophy looked up at Frane, who was doing his best impersonation of a statue, when finally the deer stuck its nose to the ground, more curious in fallen acorns then the broadhead that was being released from above.
The arrow blew through the buck's chest, kicking him in the air like cat that found unwanted water. Upon landing, the (mass)ive brute ran straight for Frane's stand and piled up at the front step like an early edition of the afternoon paper.

The buck scored 168 5/8 inches non-typical, featured 21 points, and sported seven-inch bases!

Congrats on a fantastic buck Matt!

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