Rain, Food Plots & a 200-Inch Dream with Levi Mason (Illinois)
- Author
- Mitchell Fox
- Published
- Tue 09 Sep 2025
- Episode Link
- None
Some stories start with blue jeans, old rifles, and lessons from Dad—and Levi Mason’s is no different. Growing up in west-central Illinois, Levi tagged his first turkey at eight, his first buck at ten, and never looked back. These days, he’s balancing life as a husband, father of two girls, Regional Director with the National Wild Turkey Federation, and a land professional helping folks chase the same dreams he’s lived.
In this episode, Levi shares how food plots, neighbors’ sightings, and a lucky call for permission turned into a farm that now holds “Mel,” a buck pushing 200 inches and the only deer on his hit list this fall. He opens up about shed hunting heartbreaks, lessons learned from shady outfitters, and the changes he’s seen in Illinois deer hunting over the past two decades.
From embarrassing donut-fueled mishaps in the woods to hard truths about deer evolving under hunting pressure, Levi’s stories bring equal parts humor and wisdom. It’s the kind of campfire talk that makes you nod, laugh, and remember why we all get up before daylight.
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