One thing our area abounds in is large tracts of forested land. However, clear cuts, gated roads and tree stands have limited the number of hunters that actually hunt on foot these days. If you do walk, the odds are excellent you’ll just scare a buck to another hunter in an elevated stand, box blind or ground blind.

But traditional still- hunters still exist, especially in harder to reach areas.

Matt Knowlson uses all of the above methods of hunting, matching his approach to the time of year and weather. However, when snow covers the ground Matt is enthusiastic, for he loves to track big bucks, the ultimate challenge in whitetail hunting.

Matt chose to hunt an area known for large antlers, planning to stillhunt a hemlock bedding area. Though the snow lay deep on the ridge tops, at creek level it was only 6-8 inches. About a mile from the truck he came upon a large track literally running in circles among other prints. Obviously, a buck chasing does.

Since the track was impossible to follow he moved ahead to the area the deer usually bed and here he discovered the large track with two others walking straight at last. Looking ahead, he saw a deer. Immediately, another deer leaped up in an explosion of snow and charged up the hillside and out of sight.

Matt gulped: that was a big buck, wide antlers high above its head. Pulse racing, he calmed himself and waited patiently 30 minutes before taking up the track, allowing the deer time to settle down.

He glanced at his watch: 11 a.m. A surprise birthday party was set for 5 and he was 2 miles from the truck. Keep going? The track led directly away from his vehicle. There just might be time.

Up the hillside until he reached the top of the point. He moved fairly fast as the deer was still running. At the crest the tracks cut sharply left and then quickly left again. The deer was heading back into the bottom where Matt jumped it. In fact, as the tracks angled back to the hemlocks, he was surprised he didn’t see it while he climbing the hill.

The buck finally slowed to a walk; Matt was just creeping along, only three or four careful steps at a time, his eyes scrutinizing the terrain in front and to the sides. This is the most difficult as well as the most important phase of the hunt. Forcing yourself to be patient, refrain from taking one extra step and not fail to thoroughly pick apart the forest surrounding you.

One moment of carelessness, impatience, negligence in your examination of every detail can prove disastrous and spell defeat.

The hill began to flatten out, the snow-laden hemlock boughs only 100 yards in front of him. Something slightly out of place caught his eye and he raised the scope to check it out, as he’d done 100 times before. Probably another stump, log, thick bush bowed under snow or a shadow.

His pulse quickened — that smooth, brown shape was a bedded deer! But which one? He can only see the body. Though he couldn’t see the other two deer, they may be able to see him. Carefully, he scanned his front. What were his options? Looking back to the bedded deer he caught his breath. The buck just shook its head and the formerly invisible large antlers are clearly visible through the cover.

Thinking quickly, Matt slowly sat, removing himself from view, then he began inching uphill and to the side, scooting along on his butt. Higher now, he could see the dark body through some brush from the sitting position. His best option would be to aim carefully and fire. Then, the muzzleloader’s cloud of smoke would momentarily hide the deer.

Immediately standing, he would move quickly to a big tree to his right, finish reloading and possibly have a second shot as deer are often puzzled by the smoke cloud, standing for a few seconds before running.

The crosshairs wavered on the body as he squeezed. Boom! The deep blast echoed through the forest. Instantly, Matt was on his feet, moving to his right as he rammed powder and bullet down the muzzle, opened the breech, removed the fired primer and inserted a new one.

The billowing cloud drifted with him, covering his movements. Snapping the breech shut he stared ahead. There, a deer — a buck! But was it the right buck?

Finger on the trigger he hesitated, the antlers were partially hidden in lower limbs. Then a deer snorted, turned, and ran; there were two tails vanishing into the snowy hemlock forest. Only two tails? A very good sign.

He hurried forward and there lied a magnificent 8-point — high, wide with great tine length. What a prize! His heart raced as joy filled him. What a deer, what a thrilling hunt!

Then a frantic 2-mile drag to beat the clock. Matt commented dryly: “Even my eyes seemed to be sweating!” He pulled into the driveway at 4:30. He’d not only bagged a super trophy, he’d managed to make the party on time. No one’s feelings would be hurt, all would be well.

He leaned back in the truck seat and breathed a deep sigh of relief. There was nothing now to mar a truly marvelous and memorable day.