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OFF AND RUNNING--HUNTER PROFILE--J.P. MAHN J.p. Mahn and his parents,Biff and Gale Mahn, pulled up at our shop twice last fall. Once to drop off a big 10-point Northern Missouri buck he harvested, which grossed in the 130" class, and then another 160" bruiser he took during shotgun in Illinois. All this during the fall of 2004! He was having Whitetail Works mount both of these deer, so as we were talking deer, I found out that the big Illinois buck was his second trophy whitetail taken in that state. I knew he was something special, and I had to get his story out. You see, J.P. is 16 years old, and has taken 21 deer with archery and gun equipment, with four bucks over the 120 inch class! I recently sat down with J.P. Mahn, and he told me about his love for deerhunting, the tradition of hunting his whole family shares with one another, as well as a couple stories on how he's landed some great bucks! This article will focus on deer harvested in Missouri, with another feature article coming later this year on J.P. and his two Illinois bucks. As far as Missouri deer hunting goes, J.P. harvested his first deer, a spike buck, back in 1999, during Missouri's firearms season. He used a 7mm-08 centerfire rifle, and made a quick and clean kill. The following year, during the 2000 Missouri firearms season, he harvested a 120+" buck on the third day of the season. J.P. and his father, Biff, were in their permanent treestand well before dawn that morning. Soon after dawn arose, out of nowhere a deer appeared, and it was apparent right away it was a buck, a GOOD buck! After watching the deer make a scrape, then shred a tree to pieces, it finally presented a good broadside shot at around seventy yards out. J.P. made good on the opportunity with a perfect shot using his 7mm-08 rifle, and after the hit, the deer bolted into some brush and out of sight. With a little snow still on the ground from a storm earlier in the week, combined with a great blood trail, made tracking the deer easy. Soon after the shot, J.P. was holding the rack of a mature, healthy 8-point Northern Missouri buck! This was his first mature whitetail buck, but certainly wouldn't be his last. J.P. Mahn's family has owned prime hunting property in Clark County, Missouri for over 20 years. The 86 acre farm in Northeast Missouri comprises of a large agricultural field, with the rest in timber. There have been many great hunting memories for the whole family there, with the deer hunting being nothing short of awesome on their property. During the November portion of the 2004 firearms season, J.P. Mahn struck again. This time, the buck at the end of the rifle barrel was a tall-tined, mature 10-pointer that scored in the mid 130" range. This deer, taken on the Clark County farm I just mentioned, has everything a deerhunter wants in a buck. The rack is tall, has good mass, and a lot of character. A chocolate color to the rack makes it even more unique. Following, in J.P.'s own words, is a recount of the hunt for the "BIG TEN": "Oh, there's one right there." It was standing there in front of me, a nice doe thirty yards away. I never even heard it walk up. The deer was spooked so I had to shoot right away. BANG! The doe dropped dead in it's tracks. My ears were ringing and I could smell the familiar smell of gun powder. The temperature was a cold 23 degrees that Sunday morning. I was hunting in Northern Missouri, about five miles south of the Iowa border. It was the second day of rifle season and the weather was perfect for hunting. I waited about thirty minutes to get out of my tree stand. I climbed down, field dressed the deer, and started to drag it to the field edge. I was at the bottom of a huge hill. I made it about half way up and I had to stop to take a break. Just then, another hunter from a different property came and helped me drag my deer to the top of the hill. I thanked him and walked about a half mile back to my truck. I headed back to camp. When I got back I went to pick up my deer on our four-wheeler. Then I ate a quick lunch and headed back out to the woods. I went to my tripod stand. It looks over two giant fields. When I settled in I saw a group of twelve turkeys come out of the woods and start feeding about 40 yards from my stand. Soon turkeys were everywhere, some even went right under my stand. At one time I counted sixty turkeys. It was amazing. I watched them for about two hours. They were all starting to head back to the woods when I looked behind me and there he was! A monster buck. It looked like an 8 or 10 point. The deer was about 300 yards away. It was a long shot but I knew I could make it. Adrenaline was pumping, making me shake and I was nervous. I took a deep breath and relaxed. BANG! The deer jumped and kicked its back legs. It ran into the woods and I couldn't see it anymore. I had an awesome feeling inside me. I waited thirty minutes before I got down. I walked over to where I shot the deer. I found no blood in the field, but I went over to the field edge and found blood. As I was kneeling down looking at the blood, I looked up and saw him lying there about forty yards away. I was so happy. I ran over there and lifted up his head. A 10-pointer! It was huge. That was one great day of deer hunting! That's a great story J.P. has isn't it! He harvested his first deer with a bow at age 11, and participates in archery indoor leagues, as well as outdoor archery 3-D tournaments. He has put out a trail game camera this year, and is always scouting. Look for the story on J.P. Mahn's awesome Illinois bucks coming soon. Keep your eyes open for a lot of stories coming from J.P.'s direction! By Matt McAnally and J.P. Mahn hunter profile-Keith Pinson | Whitetail Feeding Habits All Year Long | The Ridge Stand by Matt McAnally | Off & Running--J.P. Mahn | Elk Photos | Confidence Doe | Shed Hunters | Chad Goetten Buck | hello M.B.B. Rob | Mud Lick Monster | | Return Home | Taxidermy Shop | Hunting Photo Gallery | KIDS TRAIL! | Wild Hog Mania! | Fishing Photo Gallery | |
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