When Chad Widness was in high school, he wasn't the star quarterback or the leading scorer on the basketball team -- he was a hunter, pure and simple.
He never dreamed of going to the state championship or making a starting line-up. His ultimate dream was to snag a record buck.
In the season of 2010, he did just that.
On opening morning, Chad was hunting with his dad, Arvin, on his family's land in Richville. The territory was familiar to Chad, who had been running around on it since he was two years old.
A few hours into the season, Chad picked up on something coming through the woods. It was a buck -- a rather large one with a big body and massive antlers. As Chad stated, it was, "Just what dreams are made of."
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A few shots were fired. Chad and Arvin set out, following the blood trail. Chad finished it off -- a memorable moment for two men who share a common passion for the sport.
After the deer was shot, Chad said the size of it really started to sink into his and his dad's minds.
In deer terms, it had a 'gross typical score' of 199 4/8. After deductions, the score rang in at 190 1/8. It had 12 'scoreable points' with an inside spread of 23 inches, according to Chad. The two 'main' scores were 29 inches and 29 2/8 -- an Otter Tail County record.
It also went into the record books as the 19th largest in the state.
Chad and Arvin said they're still pinching themselves from the 2010 buck.
Chad made his way down to the Deer Classic in the Twin Cities to display his trophy deer. He recalls making the same trip when he was 12 years old -- only then it was to admire others' trophy bucks.
"I was in a state of la-la land down there," he said.
It was the largest buck on the scene.
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Entering into this season, Chad said he doesn't really have many expectations. He's not concerned about topping last year's buck -- he's just excited to get out and enjoy nature.
He plans to bring along his two sons, Jared, 10, and Jake, 6 -- another generation of Widness hunters.
"(I like) just being out there in the woods," Chad said. "Our time is too short. There are things you can see out there that are unbelievable."
Chad and Arvin encourage others in the area to take the time to hunt this year, and to do it in a way that maintains safety for everyone.
