"That's why one of the things I try to talk to people about is not getting hung up on antler score or size," Sutter continued. "To me, it doesn't matter if you shoot a 130-inch buck or a 170-inch buck. If you're happy with it, you're blessed. I like the challenge of hunting a buck that's at least 4 1/2 years old, and whatever bone he grows on his head is OK by me.

"But that's my goal, the challenge I've set for myself. If your goal is different, that's perfectly fine and you should be happy with it. The important thing is to appreciate the experience, the fun and challenge of deer hunting that draws us to the sport."

Sutter speaks from deep conviction, and first-hand experience. The farms he and his brother bought nearly two decades ago are now in the heart of Wisconsin's CWD Eradication Zone, where the Department of Natural Resources' goal is to reduce the deer population to zero. Though the veteran deer hunter has supported the DNR's efforts, he knows the plan has come with a deep cost.

"The year before CWD was found here, our deer herd was looking better than it had in 15 years," Sutter said. "We were as excited about deer hunting as we'd ever been. So it just broke my heart to see all those deer getting shot. Now many of the people who hunted here have either quit or are hunting somewhere else. Last fall, on the gun hunting opener, I sat in a stand on my property all day and never heard a gun shot. No one wants to deer hunt here anymore. All I can say to the people who don't have CWD in their area is, 'Consider yourself blessed, because you don't want it.' It would be nice to go back to the way things were, but I'm not sure it will ever happen."

Despite the dramatic changes to his sport, Sutter continues chasing big whitetails in his favorite place -- the Wisconsin farm he bought long ago. That he does so is proof that he does not pursue bucks for their antlers or for fame or for any of the often misguided reasons some people chase big whitetails. Pat Sutter hunts whitetails for the simplest, yet most profound reason of all: He loves it!