13-year-old, really big 1st buck: Buck of the Week

Jason Juda made his first bow kill of a deer a memorable memory.

The 13-year-old from Lombard was hunting with his father Richard Friday evening. They were watching small bucks fighting and chasing a doe in Marion County when in walked a 10-point. Juda’s dad put the distance at 40 yards.

When the 10-point walked into a shooting lane, Juda, who had been practicing at 40 yards all summer, made the shot. He then followed the blood trail to a successful conclusion.

The hunter who nominated Juda texted, “Never seen someone practice [like him] and hold out for a big buck. He could have shot a 1 1/2-year-old at 10 yards. But took the nice buck at 40 yards. He’s a BOWHUNTER. He made my day. He’s our future.’’

BOTW, the celebration of good stories and big bucks bagged around Chicago outdoors, appears Wednesdays on the Sun-Times outdoors page when apt.

Send nominations to straycasts@sbcglobal.net or via Facebook (Dale Bowman) or Twitter (@BowmanOutside).