The air is still, the forest hushed under a heavy dawn sky. In the heart of Illinois, Chase Reatherford settles into his tree stand, bow in hand, ready to outwait and outwit one of North America’s most elusive game animals: the whitetail deer. For Chase, this isn’t just a hunt—it’s a ritual. A return to the wild, a reset, and a lifelong pursuit shaped by instinct, patience, and respect.
In this story, we’ll follow Chase’s journey as a bowhunter and uncover the deeper beauty of whitetail hunting in the Midwest. Along the way, we’ll explore what makes this tradition so rewarding and how the right tools, mindset, and local knowledge make all the difference.
Meet Chase Reatherford
Born and raised in Illinois, Chase Reatherford was introduced to hunting by his father, a bowhunter himself. From a young age, Chase and his brother were brought along to observe and eventually join the world of hunting firsthand. “Bowhunting was the only form of hunting my dad did, so that’s what I grew up doing,” Chase says.
What started as quiet mornings in the woods soon turned into a lifelong passion. By age 13, Chase was hunting solo. His persistence paid off a year later when he harvested his first buck—an early milestone in a career shaped by discipline and devotion.
Today, Chase is a proud outdoorsman known for his commitment to ethical hunting and a deep connection to the craft.
Through the Timber: Bowhunting Whitetail in Illinois
If there’s a whitetail hunter’s paradise, Illinois is it. Nestled in one of the most mineral-rich regions in the world, the state produces big-bodied, mature bucks that most hunters can only dream of, but there’s more than just genetics at play. Illinois restricts rifle hunting for deer, giving bucks a better chance of surviving multiple seasons and reaching maturity. For bowhunters like Chase, that translates into challenging, rewarding hunts—and a real shot at trophies that demand skill and patience. “I grew up in arguably the best whitetail hunting spot in the world,” Chase says. “It taught me to be patient and not shoot the first deer that walked by.”
The terrain itself adds another layer. With ridgelines, bottoms, and thick bedding cover, hunters have to think strategically about wind, visibility, and movement patterns—especially during the rut.
In The Stand
Chase’s approach to hunting during peak rut is nothing short of disciplined. He’s often in the stand an hour and a half before sunrise, moving through the dark without a headlamp to avoid alerting nearby deer. Once in position, he lets the woods wake up around him.
He packs in for the long haul: lunch, water, wind indicator. He maintains a routine that includes rattling antlers on the hour.
Some days, he sees nothing. On others, he counts over 70 deer. “I’ve been on plenty of hunts where I haven’t seen anything all day, and in a moment, I have a shot at a big buck,” Chase says. “Those experiences are really what keep me in the stand all day.”
His favorite wind check tool? Milkweed pods. And if you ask what keeps him going through hours of silence? A Snickers bar and the possibility of that one shot.
Tools of the Trade: Chase’s Benchmade Picks
During this hunt, Chase reached for the Hidden Canyon Hunter — a compact fixed-blade knife with a wide drop-point blade and jimping for added grip. “It was small and lightweight for packing—easy to use for simple tasks but also big enough to gut, skin, and butcher,” he says. “I also like the grooves on the knife blade for finger grip when using it in wet/cold/greasy situations.”
For everyday carry, Chase used to rely on the 537GY-1 Bailout®; a slim, lightweight folder ideal for quick tasks and tree stand adjustments. Though he recently lost it in the field, it remained a trusted tool for years.
These knives reflect what Chase values: function, packability, and reliability in harsh conditions. If you're new to whitetail hunting, Chase recommends a durable fixed blade that can handle everything from small cuts to full butchering.
Chase Reatherford pictured holding the Hidden Canyon Hunter — his trusted field knife for whitetail bowhunting.
Lessons from the Whitetail Woods
Chase’s most memorable moment? A buck he missed at sunrise, then took down five hours later after repairing his arrow rest by hand.
From lessons in persistence to real-time adaptability, his story speaks to the core of what bowhunting teaches. “If you are in the tree and notice over and over bucks moving through one area I suggest you get out and move to that location... You don’t want to be the one left out of the action.” The advice he gives to others? Don’t overcomplicate it. Learn to read the wind, know your gear, and focus on the fundamentals.
Chasing More Than Deer
In a world that’s always rushing, whitetail bowhunting offers a rare chance to slow down. To observe. To listen. And to learn. “I hope other hunters have fun with it,” Chase says. “Don’t get wrapped up in all the tech, gear, and this and that. Just being in the woods is a start.”
Inspired by Chase’s story? Discover the knives he uses and explore a range of hunting knives. Whether you’re preparing for your first season or your fifteenth, the right mindset—and the right tools—make all the difference.