The Story Of Marino, A Five Year Quest | Midwest Whitetail 

I have been here since the beginning, first I want to give an apology to Mike for some of the negative comments when the news hit that you harvested Marino. I told my wife there is no way he just “ took Marino out from under Jared” as some worded it. Maybe some didn’t pick up on the relationship between Mike and Jared as well as the character they both carry, number 1 I knew Jared wouldn’t have any hard feelings . This deer was a legend and a goal of both of these guys, now that we know how it played out and Mike was not even in the area Marino has most recently been as well as after a particular buck then shame on you guys that got a bit aggravated with Mike for taking Marino, sharing the hunts in the deer woods with friends are not about the type of attitude that would be upset with Mike taking Marino instead of Jared. If you were one of the ones with the negative comments I hope now you have some type of understanding what all of this is really about. Thanks to these two as well as all of the crew who bring these stories to us, the content, image quality, intel sharing and overall production is the best thing going in this industry right now. Job well done !!

It feels like yesterday that Jared passed Marino when he was 4 yrs old. Time is flying. Congrats Mike on getting him and a great year.

Thanks Mike and Jared for holding MWW together and putting out great content with an awesome season. Mike, so glad to hear your son is continuing to progress well!

So glad your son is doing well. He's got to be a tough little fellow. Congratulations on a dream season and thank you so much for bringing me along. Wow, what a year!

So happy to hear your son is recovering well, Mike. And congrats again on Marino. The shot of you walking up to him was really surreal and you could feel the emotion. We can get so attached to the animals we hunt and it's a feeling I struggle with a lot.

Sorry Jared

Congrats Mike! Rewards of management. Wow! What a season for you! Glad to see you and Jared showing maturity in a world of so much selfishness. It’s just deer hunting, to many make big bucks gods! Friends should always trump a deer. Thanks. Keep up the great footage and for letting us follow along

I’ve been following this story as long as most. I have some thoughts on how everything played out in the story of Merino. I own my own land and lease/hunt other private and public land. I love every aspect of hunting as do most. The land management, allowing deer to reach maturity, building these stories with certain deer....it’s a passion my family, friends, and I share. With that being said, it is not & has never been about who gets to pull the trigger on any of the bucks. It is the story and the cat and mouse game we play with them that drives me to pursue these animals. When a hunter reaches that mindset, that’s all that matters. The Journey. This journey for Merino has been legendary. Mike and Jared have been blessed to chase and play this chess match with him. I would think the spoken or unspoken thought around Merino at this point was if either had the opportunity to harvest him, they take it, no questions asked. Some speak negatively about how Merino was harvested by Mike with a muzzleloader. How Mike was greedy this year. How he should have passed this Legendary Buck. Blah blah blah. Each buck Mike harvested this year had it’s own Story/Journey and those are all separate in their own rights. To lump them into one and judge him because of it is not right. To say the things said about Mike that have been said because he is having a once in a lifetime season is wrong. Don’t hate on a man because of his Success...(and luck!) If I was Jared, I would have been livid if Mike would have passed this deer. I’m sure Jared is just as happy and exhilarated that he is finally dead as was harvested by them. That’s what the Journey is about, not who pulls the trigger(that’s the easy part) it’s about pulling off the goals set in place in 2017 and reaping the rewards! Congrats to Both Mike and Jared on an incredible Journey they have taken us on with Merino! To many more like it🍻

Congrats Mike and Jared. Although mike was the one who put him down that was a team effort to take that buck, and put in the management work for him. I must say, I’m extremely disappointed that Jared’s point of view of his encounters wasn’t represented. A lot of fans of your channel have followed Jared closely, especially the saga for Marino. To not have both him and Mike both sit down and tell the story is a heart punch. To a lot of people, the Marino story and Jared is peanut butter and jelly. I honestly can’t believe he wasn’t a part of this video and as happy as I am one of you were to harvest him, that puts a weird feeling on the video.

It’s wonderful to hear your sons surgery was a success. Congratulations on taking Marino, you guys did an absolutely incredible job documenting all the history that you have with this deer. The level of professionalism and maturity in the content you guys put out is unrivaled. Every Hunter should watch this and take notes on the way that you guys conduct yourselves. All hunters should strive to carry The same attitude and mentality towards hunting that you guys do. Too many hunters carry a selfish attitude and have resentment for other successful hunters around them they forget that hunting is about enjoying nature And escaping the chaos and stress of every day life. Thank you for putting out videos that show people the way that all hunters and outdoorsman should be. Congratulations and keep up the good work.

Congratulations, Mike! I've been following since the beginning! Just amazing and well deserved! What a way to close the chapter. And I continue to pray for your son!

The hunt for Morino was great, but it's nothing compared to hearing that your son's surgery went well and he is doing even better. God bless him and your entire family!

I have been waiting for this video ever since Jared’s blog where he heard your shot. Such an incredible story of an incredible buck, and glad one of you were able to end the chapter. Appreciate everything you guys do at MWW and excited for the off-season

What a unbelievable story! I’ve been watching and patiently waiting to see the ending for years! Now that it’s here I don’t even know what to say.. Congratulations yet again Mike! Truly a unbelievable season

Congratulations Mike, lets see you top the success of this year. You and Jared are class hunters and deserve the success you have!

Thank you to each of you for taking us all along! Being able to observe big pieces of what you each put into going after mature deer is special. It is never easy to get far enough into those animals territory to have an opportunity with a bow. This season has been a treat! I’m looking forward to next season already.

Mike, y’all do a phenomenal job when you put together a story for a buck, congratulations man!! Glad to hear your son is doing great too!!

This story was awesome, I started watching you guys the same year the river bottom farm was purchased and haven’t stopped watching since. Glad to hear your son is doing great. Continued prayers for you and your family

Congratulations to the both of you for another GREAT and ENTERTAINING year. I' ve been an avid hunter/woodsman for over 50 years. You gentlemen produce by far the best hunting show with awesome hunts and content. It`s great to hear an update on Zander--- will continue to pray for him daily for a complete and thorough healing knowing and believing that God is faithful!!

Hell of a year for mike ! Harvesting 3 legends back to back to back .And having the family things going on i couldn’t imagine how he felt.But to watch the consistency and dedication to Marino is epic.Glad to see someone finally wrap a tag around ol boy ! Congrats and God Bless 🙌🏾

No words can express how well deserving you, your families and the whole Midwest team bring to us viewers. So very pleased little Zan man is on the mend. Congratulations on Marino, what a saga, end of an era.

Congratulations Mike!!! I enjoy watching you guys!!! Thank you for the update on your son. Continued prayers!!! You and Jared are class acts. Can't wait till next season!!!

I’ve followed this story with you guys for a long time. Stoked you finally connected with him. So glad your lil boy is recovering. Awesome news about him 🤙🤙🤙

One of the greatest hunting stories ever. Gonna miss the encounters with Marino! What a monarch buck. I hunted a whitetail buck here in Canada for 10 years and he was harvested this fall by a buddy of mine. The jaw has been sent away to Nevada for aging but they are guessing this buck to be 14 years old. The woods feels empty without him there now. Love this hunting story video! Great work, Mike!

This is by far the best hunting show and the best guys doing it. It amazes me the compassion the whole crew at Midwest Whitetail has for what they do. Great job to Mike and the whole crew! We will all keep praying for Xander. Take Care.

Mike what an awesome story of Marino and how he survived for so long by evading hunters after him. I happy for you that you got to harvest him and documented his story so well.

Incredible season for Mike. I have so enjoyed the journey of Marino through the years. I am especially thankful and so glad to here Mike's son is doing so well. Will keep the prayers coming. Everyone at MWW and 41 North do an awesome job and I love the content. Keep it coming!

What a ride! Congratulations Mike….words can’t describe your year and the respect you’ve given these animals!!! Class act and class team!

Congrats mike really. It’s amazing to see all your hunts unfold especially after hundreds of sits in the tree. Doesn’t get any better than that. Congrats my man

Fellas, that was incredible. The storytelling, footage and videography effort really shines in this one. So glad to see you guys continuing the MW brand and taking it your own direction. What an incredible year it has been for Mike and so glad to hear things are going well for your son. This video was definitely in the legendary category. Best of luck to the whole team in 2022, excited follow along in the offseason!

What an epic deer! Congratulations Mike and Jerad! Thanks for all the entertaining videos on this deer. You may never find a more memorable deer than Marino!

Hunting content doesn’t get any better than this right here folks!!! Mike and Jared; y’all are truly first class people and it’s so awesome to see how y’all work together on every strategy and are just as happy for each other instead of any kind of jealously! Jared, I know it’s been a tough year for you but as my grandpaw always said, every dog has his day!! Next year is liable to be your record year. So glad to hear about mikes son doing so well too!!

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to find this channel, but it is by far my favorite! The first video I saw you told us about your son and since then I’ve gone back and watched countless videos!

Congrats on an incredible season Mike. Marino is the cherry on top. Feel a little bad for Jared but I know it was a team effort. Glad one of you got him to hang on the wall to enjoy for a long time. Thanks again

I am extremely pleased to hear your son is doing very well..I remember telling you on another video I would be sending prayers on the 13th and I definitely did..the date was easy for me to remember as it was my Grandmothers B-day..Congrats on harvesting Marino

Awesome deer Mike and once again, great job of telling the story. Great to hear that your son is on the mend. Prayers up for you and your family! God bless

What an epic journey put into one episode! Congratulations on Marino and to your son for being a trooper through his surgery!

This is what Midwest Whitetail is all about. Very much a “Double G4 type” saga and that’s why I tune in. I know alot of stuff has been talked about on multiple platforms about it being “Jared’s Deer”, but I think you guys covered and told the story very well and it should make people realize that’s these are wild animals and even beginning to think anyone has control or ownership is wrong. Glad to hear the update on your son, that’s the best and most important news of the whole video. Congrats Mike.

Congrats Mike! What a story, thank you for honoring the legacy of Marino with a beautifully done episode. I understand the Bittersweet aspect of chasing a warrior for so long and now will be a void. Looking forward to a new chapter in 2022

Great to see your son doing so well. Prayers coming your way. It’s awesome to see a couple buddies celebrating over a awesome buck. God Bless

The end of an era! Amazing job capturing and delivering the story of that legend. Great to hear about Zander as well, he's a tough little dude!

Finally! What a tail of two seasons for Mike and Jared. God Bless! thanks for sharing

First and foremost, I am very pleased to hear how well Zander is doing! God truly is good! Secondly, I want to congratulate you on closing the chapter on a legendary whitetail. I have not personally had nor seen or heard any other saga such as the one between you, Jared and Marino. I can't thank you enough for allowing us to go along on that journey! Mike, Jared and the rest of the Midwest Whitetail crew, thanks for all the great content, tips, tricks and advice to help make us successful hunters as well. I'm already looking forward to the Chasing November series and to see what you all have in store next season! Hunt safe and God Bless!

So Glad your son is doing better. Congratulations on Marino It's been a truly crazy but amazing journey watching it unfold. Well deserved

Congrats Mike and Jared! Can’t believe it’s then end of this era. Can’t wait to watch.

Most importantly is that your boy is doing so well glad to hear that! My heart sank for you all when you first mentioned it and prayers were awnsered... But you guys work so hard and it's a joy for me and my boys to watch your success and hard work pay off, congratulations!

Can't believe you finally caught up to Marino. Seems like he's been around since I really started watching. Big congrats to you and Jared. Amazing story and lots of work. You both earned this deer. Also, glad to hear your son is doing good. I'll keep praying!

Congratulations on harvesting Marino, Mike! Truly a unique deer. Glad to hear that Xander is doing well. Such a cute little guy!

one of my favorite...glad to see you finally got him..God bless you and your family..love your channel watch every single one of your videos never pass it

Congrats Mike!! That is an awesome buck, and you and Jared both hunted hard for him. It has been a tremendous storyline, and was enjoyable to follow along. I was also very glad to hear that your son's surgery was a success. That is truly a blessing, and an answer to prayer. I'm looking forward to another season of Chasing November.

I usually would skip through a 41 minute RU-vid video and watch it in about 5 to 10 minutes just catching the important parts. I watched this from start to finish and was glued. The way you guys hunt out there and the amount of deer you get to observe and pursue is crazy and really has sparked an interest in Iowa for me. Great to hear that your families are well and can't wait to see Mike's kids in an archery stand

The Marino saga was very nicely put together. Great season for you Mike. I'm glad you and Jared have such a good relationship that you can hunt with each other the way you do. So great to hear your son is doing well and wanting to get out hunting with you. We all know you will teach him well and I'm sure he will learn to be as professional as his father. Can't wait for next year. Keep the great content coming.

Wow what a story, what a buck. Congrats to you! Please don't ever stop sharing with us your passion, chasing bucks like Marino. Soo glad to hear Zander is recovering so well. You are blessed.

OMG I just saw this and am so stoked for you (and Jared). HUGE congratulations!! Edit: I just watch the full video and saw the update on your son. Praise God that things went well and he’s doing so good at this point.

The saga is over...I couldn't believe it when i saw the title!!! Congrats!!! Soooooo sooooo happy your boy is doing better and that things are going well for you guys. Congrats on a perfect ending to a crazy season. Here's to 22, can't wait to see what next chapter begins for you and your family!

Glad the surgery went well. What a story that’s why I love watching Midwest whitetail.

AmazIng to see the legend finally fall. Thanks for taking us along for the journey!

Wow! Awesome year you had Mike. I appreciate all the content you and Jarred and your crew bring us every year. Your shows keep me motivated to keep after it and I will continue to follow your show.

Mike, so great, to hear the good report, on your Son. Continuing Prayers, for him, and all of your Family. Great Story, put together, by you guys, on Marino. That's one Deer, that will never be forgotten. Wishing you all, the best, in the off season. Mark.

Best story ever!!!! Thank you for sharing and congrats on a legend! Glad your son is doing good, we will be praying for him. What a year!!!!

I think I speak for everyone when I say there’s no one more deserving. We can always count on you and Jered to put out the best big buck content! Thank you guys for everything y’all do and glad to see your son doing well. God Bless!

Congratulations. That is a capstone level story. Hard to ask for anything more as a hunter. All the history, management and challenges make that deer a superstar!

Congratulations on such a awesome deer what a story of Marino I’ve been following after this for a long time I know you deserved it I know Jared has had a rough season this year but his time will come I love the daily blogs of all the Midwest Whitetail hunts To all the guys at Midwest whitetail keep up the good work I know there’s a lot of hard work effort and time that goes in to it and a lot of in scene and untold effort but we really appreciate all the effort y’all put into it Hold your chin up Jared there’s another year coming Mr so glad your son is doing well

Great execution on the story of Marino "The River Farm Legend". Congrats Mike. Continued Prayers for Zanders healing. Kiddos are more resilient than us older fellas. I have faith he will be a-ok!

What a great story all the way around. You guys put out the best content and do it with humility and class you just don't see much these days. Mike, so glad your son is getting better. Prayer does work. Congrats on a great legend.

Congrats Mike. It’s awesome what you and Jared have put together. Have loved watching these hunts for Marino. Also glad to see your son doing well.

Congrats on finally closing out the Marino saga. Been following it forever. I wish I had a quarter for every time "Marino" was said in all of the videos lol. Congrats again!

So glad you’re son is doing great. Thank you for the update. Congrats on Marino. Not going to lie I was really hoping Jared was going to get him.

Congratulations Mike on an awesome season and getting Marino. Looking forward to the upcoming spring project’s, still praying for your little guy.

Awesome video!... kinda sad to see the end of Marino, mixed feelings as you put your hands on his downed rack... so cool to have the journey shared with us... much respect for the ol legend Marino. Great tribute video!.. great to hear your son is doing well. What a year for Mike!.. keep after it Jared!. I think everyone (including Mike) wanted to see Jared get Marino, but under how Mike cant pass up that shot.. again, awesome story and thanks for sharing! Thank you MWW!

currently on the beach in mexico ! And yes i’m going to watch this right now while i enjoy these drinks 👊🏾Congrats Mike! Hopefully we you all at the classic 🙌🏾

Wow!!! What a great ending to the Marino saga! Congratulations!! And to everyone for all the hard work and great videos!!

Mike… Jared, I remember watching your first encounter with Marino and when you passed him I thought you guys were absolute nuts. I’m so happy it came to a happy ending for y’all.

Hoping for a safe and full recovery for your son. What and awesome story and it's been fun following the chase for that buck. Congrats Mike! And thoughts and prayers with you and your family.

Thanks for doing an amazing job on these vids guys. Love them all and this one was so entertaining to watch !

I cannot believe the legend of Marino has come to a close. I really thought Jarred would be the one to pull it off but congratulations Mike on getting Marino down and the successful year you've had. God bless and take care.

You guys have no idea the smile it just put on my face to see Marino down!! Finally!! Congrats mike!👍🏻

Congratulations Mike. What a great story and deer. I miss the days when Jared and you shared the same tree. Always have been my favorite hunting team. I won’t lie I was hoping Jared would tag Marino with a bow. But happy one of you took him. Look forward to next year. I am very happy to hear things are going so well for your son. Hoping he has a full recovery and can do the the things boys must do lol. I do have a sense of what you and your wife have and will go through. My first son had to have surgery before he was one year old. All went well and but I think it was harder on Mom and Dad lol.

What a great story of a great deer. Really cool how you and Jared worked so hard to make it finally happen. Having a good buddy to hunt with is the best thing about hunting. I know Jared is just as happy as you are! Awesome update on your little dude too, been and will continue to pray for his full recovery! Don’t give a bit of mind time to the negative comments, those poor folks don’t understand what brotherhood truly means. Looking forward to next season, congrats Mike and Jared!

First off it’s awesome to hear your son is doin better! Second congratulations on closing the chapter on a legend of a deer! Y’all had an awesome season!

bittersweet is definately the feeling I think we're all glad to see that you got him but oh so sad to see the story end. we've all been watching the notorious Marino for years and he kinda grows on ya. thanks for sharing it with us. awesome job and great to hear the good news on your son.

Another Fantastic Story , Congrats Mike!!! Can’t wait to see who the next legend buck will be for you, Jared and Owen !

Hands down the best hunting video I have ever watched glued to the screen the entire time. Congratulations guys that is a story of a lifetime! So pumped I will remember this for a lifetime thats forsure. Your son is a true warrior as well sir. So happy all the prayers were answered and everything worked out for him and yall! What a epic year i can only dream to have this amount of success one year. Cant wait tell next season much love for Oklahoma!

Congrats Mike! I’ve been waiting for one of you to wrap your hands around him. I’m glad you guys got him before one of your previous interns set up on your property line!

Great job Mike! Glad your son is doing well!🙏 In all honesty probably the best episode of Midwest Whitetail just because of the history (longer than any other hunter and buck that I know) that you and Jared have with Marino! You guys are doing a great job with Midwest Whitetail and Im sure Bill is proud of yall carrying the torch and tradition!💪🏹🦌

So glad to hear your son is doing well Mike. Also, congrats on getting Marino. You and Jared do an excellent job at deer management.

Congratulations on such a phenomenal old Warrior With the history you had with him one of you certainly deserved to bring it to a close God-bless and our prayers are still with you and your family

Been waiting in anticipation to watch the full story of Marino! Been watching along since the beginning of the legend that he was/is and hoping u guys would end the story with a tag around his rack. Crazy how the final chapter took place on this legend of a deer!

Absolutely amazing Mike congrats! Also amazing edit! So impressive! Still sending prayers for a good pain free recovery for the big guy.🙏

What a story with Marino. It’s a bittersweet ending because it almost sad he isn’t around anymore. Very happy for mike with his harvest. Honestly after jared wasn’t able to capitalize on the mystery buck I had high hopes to see jared with a arrow in Marino. Reality says these deer move like crazy and late season it is not surprising that he shows up on in a completely different spot. You guys are a awesome team and produce the best content keep it up MWW!

So glad your son is doing well. Continued prayers. Congratulations on amazing season. Great bucks.

Just great stuff Mike!! I have to say that you and Jared have set a really high bar!! I really don't think I enjoy anyone as much as I do the two of you!! Y'all do things the right way and that truly is the rewarding aspect of the time and effort you put into your hunts!! Just all around great content, drama, emotion, etc. Can't wait till next year!! Glad to hear Mike that your son is doing well and hopefully makes a full recovery and you get to add another one to the lineup of young hunters!! God bless and keep up the great work!!

Been waiting all day!!! Finally get to watch it all unfold congrats Mike!

Wow! What a hunt and simply an amazing story of a hard hunted buck. Contrary to my now deleted comment on instagram, I now understand much more clearly what transpired with the harvesting of Marino. What an amazing season, congratulations Mike!

Congrats Mike, appreciate all the team at midwest does to bring the content.

Congrats Mike on a tremendous buck harvested. My deepest respect and gratitude to Marino, who certainly was a challenge to all of you. Best of luck to your son and family sir.

Congrats to Mike. All that hard work and time you and Jared put into your shared property having food for the late season provided us with some great footage of that legend.. Thank you Jared. Thank you Mike and thank you to the camera and production guys. Buy far the absolute best hunting show on RU-vid.

What a beautiful legendary buck. I had tears because I have watched before I have subscribed. So great to hear Zander is doing great from his surgery.

Thank you for the effort and all the history you all put into this video! You guys are amazing! Congratulations on closing the book on Marino but more importantly great to hear that your son is doing well!

Great news about your son mike! Great to see Marino you guys inspire the heck out of me. Thanks for the great content.