My first whitetail hunt in Missouri was a great experience, like no other hunt I've ever been on ... to say the least.

I have to say, the "tactical chess game" nature of whitetail hunting is very appealing, I'll definitely be doing a ton more whitetail hunting in the future.

Yesterday, I took the boned-out meat from my first archery whitetail to "The Store." The Store is a specialty meat market that has been in operation for 23 years in Raytown, Missouri. I chose to support "The Store" because they participate in Missouri's Share the Harvest program. The Missouri Department of Conservation subsidizes the processing fees associated with each deer donated.

Getting hist first taste of Midwest whitetail hunting, Mark Seacat waiting for a big 160-inch buck in Missouri. Here is his field report via text message:

(Sent Friday 12:11 p.m.) Passed on four small bucks under 20 yards this morning. A great heavy eight point passed by at 75 yards ... ahhh!

(Sent Friday 8:04 a.m.) Last Day for me to fill my tag. After this it's Jeff's turn in Kansas. I already had a small eight pointer check out the scrape we're on in the timber. I think it's going to be a great day!

I'm officially two morning and two evening sits into my treestand hunting career. Talk about a change from the mountain hunting I'm used too. It's a wild difference in hunting style. We've been alternating our setups in hardwood timber patches and sitting on field edges over standing soy beans. I've had a buck underneath me on EVERY sit and the first evening the buck was a great one. Without stand hunting experience, I have literally NO expectations, but I'm hunting with my good friend Jeff Simpson who's a hardcore Midwest whitetail hunter, and he doesn't want me to go home empty handed!

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Jeff's really taking one for the team on this hunt. He's here strictly to help me out and film the entire adventure. That's saying something about his friendship... he's been chasing a buck in Kansas for the better part of two straight months -- a 185-inch stud.

Mark Seacat is reporting on-stand during his whitetail hunt in Missouri. Mark's known as a backcountry hunter, but for this trip he's posted up in a tree stand. Here's his report via text message (the latest message is posted first):

Update (Sent 6:00 p.m.) I just had an encounter with the buck on the right at 28 yards broadside. But the shot was obstructed by branches. Even so, it was an awesome first day in the deer stand!

Sent (1:40 p.m.) Slow so far on morning one. I'm definitely NOT used to this style of hunting. I'm setup over a standing bean field and the temp was 50 degrees walking in this morning.