(Currently have picture's just not posted)

The first deer and deer hunter, which is not a rumor, is Nick Panagos, of Southeast Missouri who has taken a buck with a bow on Apple Creek Conservation Area. It has gross score 202 netted 180 typical Boone & Crockett. I have talked with Nick and another writer is currently writing a story on this potential new state record. Hope fully in the near future, I will have a picture and a story from the writer to add.
 

Randy Kasten of Jaskson poses with his trophy, a 24 pointer

Another Southeast Missouri deer and deer hunter that is not a rumor is, Randy Kasten, of Jackson, Mo.  After talking with Randy, if any deer hunter has found a honey hole on his land, it's Randy.      Day break on opening morning of firearms season of November 11th, 2000 Randy and his friend walked out to the woods in Cape Girardeau county, his friend hunted the honey hole in the woods for a short while this morning before he had to go to work. Randy had not seen any thing this morning and decided to hunt that same ground location they have all hunted in the past. After 10 minutes or so, Randy was about to leave and then at 8:30 a.m. two does showed up in some thick cover. Then the buck of a lifetime came in, with his nose down chasing the two does. With buck in some dense cover he took a shot with his 12ga 870 Wingmaster at 40 yards and missed, at this time he did not know what size rack the monster was carrying. Randy could not believe he missed. He then took a second shot and hit the deer in the rear. The buck then, took off running straight at Randy, and with his 3rd and only shot left in the gun, he dropped the deer in its tracks.

In this honey hole in the woods Randy has friends have taken 7 bucks within in 50 yards of this spot, just outside the Jackson City Limits. With beans fields, plenty of rolling hills and dense woods near by the bucks have a natural place to roam and eat.      Last year his friend he hunted with on that day had taken a 4-point buck and during this years season another one of his friends took a 5 pointer. But, nothing measures up to this. 24 pointer, non-typical. Randy age 42 has also taken two other 8 pointers in the six years he has been hunting, but nothing like this.      Interesting part of this story is that a guy that lives about 1 mile away as the crow fly's has found one side of the shed from last year. Congratulations to Randy Kasten on this magnificent buck.     Will have the official score when Don Roper a Boone & Crockett scorer from Farmington, Missouri puts the tape to it on January 24th ,2001. The buck has 3 drop tines and a third pedicel. gam@marz.com

24-point Kasten Buck

Randy Kasten Bucks Final Score
Inside Spread = 22 1/8"
With 3rd Antler included = 222" Non-Typical  Boone & Crockett
Without 3rd Anlter = 206 6/8" Non-Typical  Boone & Crockett
Buckmaster Score = 210 3/8" with 34% of irregular formations
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Trey Lawfield of New Madrid poses with his trophy 25 Point Buck

Big bucks of Southern Missouri don't have a chance when this Trey Lawfield of New Madrid, Mo. enters the woods in New Madrid County.  Since, Trey is one our Missouri farmers he does not have much time to deer hunt. But, this year the short time in the woods had paid off.     This is where the story begins. Around 2:00 p.m. on November 15th, Trey and his father-in-law enter the edge of the woods along a Mississippi River bottom near a cut bean field. He had hunted his relative's land in the past and it had paid off.     While they both sat beside a tree for a couple of hours they decided to move then all of a sudden a doe ran out into the field,so they both decided to stay, if they move it would spook her.    The doe stayed out into the field for about an hour. When some 5 or 6 more deer across this large open field showed up. With their binoculars they could not tell if any of the deer where bucks.     Then just before dark, on the complete opposite side of the field coming out of a thicket, another deer entered the fieldaround300yards away. But this time there was no question, that it was a buck. Witht his large rack deer walking into the wind and angling for another section of woods. Trey knew this would be his only chance he would have.     Trey raised his 300 Browning, and with the buck standing over 250 yards away, took the shot. With the re-coil of the gun Trey immediately lost the deer in the scope.

But, his father-in-law was watching with his binoculars and said the buck had his tail down and ran about 20 yards into the adjacent woods.      They walked to the area the buck stood and could see the buck's tracks but could not find any blood. By this time it was getting dark fast so they both decide to drive back to town and get some better lights.       About 2 hours later they had made it back to the field and finally found a blood trail at the edge of the woods. The buck had made a sharp turn in the woods and traveled about 75 yards. The bullet had found it's mark and the 29-year old had made a great double lung shot.      This is not the first buck Trey has taken, but it is the largest. The deer weighed around 200 lbs. The local taxidermist had gross scored the deer around 178 typical.      Congratulations, to Trey Lawfield for making tremendous shot and, for taking a great southern big buck.    I hope to score this deer very soon. As soon as I get an official score I will let you know. horntagger@charter.net

Bruce Scherer Avid deer hunter for the past 23 years has finally taken a buck of a lifetime. Bruce Scherer of Benton, Missouri has harvested a 21 point buck in Bollinger County, Missouri.     After already taking a doe with his bow this year Bruce, had already decide when Missouri's rifle season came around he would not shoot the first deer he had a chance at. Since he already had meat in the freezer.  But, Bruce did not know this brute of Bollinger County was going to show up.     The story actually begins in the summer. In the adjacent county of Madison, a buck with a large rack and a drop tine on the right side was seen feeding in some near by fields several times. A few people believe it to be this buck, and near the end of the story I will tell you why.      The cold morning of November 11th, the opening day of rifle season, was going to be highlight of this 43 - year old from Benton. Bruce, went out on his friends land about 6:00 a.m. walking towards an area he has hunted for several years and, has always had deer come within50yards of the tree.

Bruce Scherer poses with his 21 Point Buck

    After climbing the tree with his Lone Wolf climbing stand, Bruce started working with his seat that would not stay up. With his gun and bag tied to a rope on the ground. Bruce was trying to get the cord around the tree to tie the seat up. When at 6:30 a.m. he heard movement from below.
    A basket rack 6-pointer was working his way by the tree. He decided to freeze so he would not spook this buck and let the buck work it's way to his friends stand over the ridge. But, as luck would have it the 6- pointer came within10ft of the tree and stopped and started looking in the direction of the gun and bag on the ground. It immediately took off running back the way it came but then circled around in that direction anyway.
    Well with the seat fixed Bruce pulled up his gear and sat the gun on the seat and hung his binoculars on one side of the seat and bag on the other. But, what Bruce had forgotten, was to put the cord around the tree in a different direction. When Bruce picked up his gun the seat folded up and all his gear fell 20 feet to the ground below.
    Well with daylight already on him and with very little confidence he would see anything large enough to shoot. Bruce decided to leave the stuff lay.
    About 8:30 a.m. across the wooded valley on the other ridge in front of him. He watched a deer flag it's tail and run over the ridge. Then, watched two or three more deer walking along the ridge also. Unsure if any of the deer where bucks, all Bruce could doi s wait.
    Wondering, why the deer had flagged. Bruce then heard walking in the valley in front of him. Bruce could not see what it was because of the thick brush in that area. Then, finally Bruce saw some movement around60 yards. He watched this buck turn it's head and large rack to one side, then to the other side, working slowly through the thick brush.
    Bruce raised his Remington 7400  30.06andput the scope on what he could see but all that was visible were antlers. The buck then turned out of the brush headed straight at the tree he was in. This is when he knew how large a rack this deer actually had. He kept the scope on the deer but the angle was very bad. All he could do is see the rack getting closer and no chest shot was available and the antlers kept him from taking a spine shot.
    Finally, the 21  pointer had closed the distance to 5 feet from the base of the tree directly below Bruce and near all his gear on the ground. The buck turns its head to one side and this is when Bruce puts the crosshairs on the shoulder and pulls the trigger. The shot hits the deer on top of the shoulder and runs 50 yards back in the direction it came from. This time the 22  pointer stops broadside and Bruce was not taking any chances. He fired a second shot just behind the shoulder and the buck took off running but tried to cross a ditch and folded.

After taking deer almost every year, Bruce has waited in the stand. But, not on this day he came down the tree and walked over to check out a buck of a lifetime. They had the deer weighed later at around190lbs.     While talking with Bruce the best thing about this story was the excitement in his voice. You could tell that this was a great moment, great southern buck and great hunter.       The Official Boone & Crockett score from Don Roper of Farmington, Mo. is 218 non-typical, with a 23 3/8 inside spreadandonly2 7/8 difference between each side of the rack. This buck even had the chance of scoring higher but on the right side a broken drop tine was missing. Just like the buck they watched this summer.     Congratulation to Bruce Scherer for taking this great southern big buck.

Bruce Scherer poses with his official 218 non-typical .

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Andrew French III with his 24 pointer
 

My son help with the story and this one of kind picture.

This rumor was put to rest today also. Andrew French of Bertrand, Mo.has taken with his bow on Nov 28th of 2001 a 24 pointer non-typical.  I have an agreement with Andrew that, I will not publish the story and picture until North American Whitetail Magazine has publish their version. But, I will tell you this you will want to read every word of this amazing story. The first time you will get to see this rack will be in the  July issue of North American Whitetail Magazine which is out now. The current score of this rack is 250 4/8" non-typical Boone & Crockett which puts it No. 2 all time bow harvest in Illinois. This may be the 3rd largest harvested in the 2000 season. Falls in the category of 5th or 6th in the world taken with a bow. See Story below horntagger@charter.net

Andrew French III holding his 24-pointer and the other great bucks he has taken.

FRENCH BUCK

(Story by Allen "horntagger" Morris)

horntagger@charter.net

This story is about a Missouri deer hunter by the name of Andrew French of Charleston, Mo. and his 24-point buck that was taken with a bow in Alexander county, Illinois, on his friends land.

The story begins about 1:00 p.m. on November 28^th. When Andrew and his friend Brian started into the woods, since it was a warmer day and they a to walk awhile, Brian decided to carry some of his hunting clothes, when he told Andrew “STOP, your not going to believe it I forgot my bow at the truck.” Andrew went to the edge of the cut bean field and at the base of the tree sat on his API Supreme Climbing Stand. Waiting for Brian, when a doe came running by and stopped and looked at him. It took off running again into the woods.Then the first glimpse of this monster occurred about 20 yards back in the woods. This buck runs by also. Andrew told me at this time all he new was that it had long tines.

Brian showed up and, Andrew told him what he had seen. Andrew had been hunting a different piece of land before this day but, Brian had convinced him to hunt this area because he had seen a huge buck in the bean field twice before and more than likely this was him.

Brian went to the other side of the bean field about 200 yards away directly across from Andrew, about 3:30 p.m. the 24 – pointer appeared 200 yards way on Brian side. Then a little broken tine 4 - pointer showed up on his side of the field. Both bucks saw each other and headed toward the center of the cut bean field and meet. Sizing each other up and sniffing each other’s nose, the 4 - pointer then decided to head out of the field. The 4 – pointer passed by the Andrew within his bow range, but Andrew was after the big boy today.The 24 – pointer started to pass by at 50 yards. Andrew stood up. Which by this time was hard thing to do, since big buck fever had kicked in. He drew back but, would not take the shot, since it was out of his effective bow range, he would not take the shot.

This entire time Brian was watching with his Binoculars, all the events unfold.The buck stayed out of Andrew range and stopped and started feeding again. Brian decided to make things happen. While Andrew was watching the deer just north of his location at about 100 yards and the deer could not see Brian across the field he climb down and entered the woods.With Andrew having no idea of what Brian was about to do, all he could do is watch.A short time later Brian appeared on the north side of the field.

Brian had decided since it was getting close to dark he would try to get this monster of a buck to pass by Andrew for a shot. Brian slowly walked at angle, in the direction of his original location across the field at an angle, hoping the buck would move.The buck would raise its head and look at Brian but then just started feeding again.When he got within 100 yards the buck looked up again and Brian started waving his hands, the buck then decided to start feeding again and put his head back down.

Brian now had worked his way back to the edge of the woods across the field and sat down about 5:00 p.m. the wind changed. Now the buck had winded Brian and started following the same path the 4 – pointer had taken.At 30 yards Andrew, drew back on his PSE bow, but the 24 – pointer then turned into a drainage ditch into the woods.Andrew know had to turn 90 degrees in his API Supreme Climbing Stand so he could take the shot in the woods behind him.He could no longer see the buck, then all of sudden at 20 yards the rack appeared coming out of the ditch and at 18 yards the Easton arrow tipped with a Thunderhead Broadhead found the buck. But, the arrow had hit high and back. He watched the buck disappear around 75 yards in the woods.

Andrew yelled at Brian to come over, they started looking for a blood trail but could not find any.They decided to go for help and went and got a long time friend Tommy.

On the way back to the woods Tommy watched a 8 pointer running across a field headed his way and before he could get stopped the 8-point buck ran into Tommy’s driver side door of his pickup.

Once back to the woods they finally found a blood trail about 75 yards away. At 150 yards the buck had bedded down, it showed promise, because of blood on both side indicated a through shoot. The blood trail was not that great but the buck had bedded again 20 yards away for a second time, but that when it all ended.

At 9:00 p.m. and no blood trail and with opening day of gun season they hated to give up but had no choice.

Just before daybreak with the light of the four wheelers, Andrew and Brian made it back to the edge of the bean field.They picked up the paper trial they had left behind.Andrew took one direction and Brian took the other. With the river bottom like a jungle the searching was hopeless. Andrew then heard Brian yell out. “ I FOUND IT.” Andrew then ran as fast as he could towards Brian.When he got to the deer is when he realized what he had shot. “WHAT A DEER” Andrew stated. “WHAT A DEER.”This 42 – year old veteran bow hunter since 1984 with a 13 point 170 3/8 typical Boone & Crockett Buck, and several other Bucks to his name. But, one thing was for sure nothing compared to this Southern Illinois Monster.

I green scored the deer on January 21^st at 244 7/8” non-typical. The official Boone & Crockett Score is 250 4/8 on January 28^th. Congratulations to Andrew French for taking a once in a lifetime buck.

 
 

Re-printed from the Joplin Globe. By Scott Meeker Globe Staff Writer NEOSHO, MO.- Just 45 minutes after first light on Saturday morning, Dustin McAffrey took the trophy he had always dreamed of.    The opening day of deer hunting season with firearms found the 20-year-old Neosho man in a favorite hunting spot a few miles north of town.  An avid bow hunter, he had taken several deer there in the past few years, but never during gun season.   "I had been rifle hunting before, but I had never pulled the trigger on one," he said.    But he quickly found that he was in the right place to real size his dream of taking the "big, big buck."     The buck that emerged from the cover was one of the largest McAffrey had seen. It carried, he said, "what looked like a small tree-topfor a rack."     Two shots later, he had brought down the 22-point,non-typical buck.     McAffrey referred to it as "non-typical" because thet ines of the rack are not of matching lengths and come off at an angle.     "This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me," he said.  "I've seen another during bow season that was comparable, but I never got close to it. But it wasn't as big as this one.       Allen Morris - the latest news on the Dustin McAffrey buck. It has officially scored BTR 179 3/8 with composite score of 193 3/8. His inside spread was 14 inches (Buckmasters Scoring)

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Wilmoth Racks Up Huge Deer

Pictures Reprinted from the Lawrence County Record Wednesday, Dec 6, 2000 Mt. Vernon, Missouri

A deer and deer hunter in Southern Missouri that is headed to the top of the record books is the one taken by 42-year old Greg Wilmoth. If you have seen the Lawrence County Record Newspaper you have read the story. I talked with Greg on January21st, the account of the hun tis about the same as he had stated to the newspaper.  But, for you hunter's that do not get this paper I will re-cap the story for you.     On November 18th, the last Saturday of Missouri's rifle season Greg Wilmoth and his friend Rob Miller had spotted a large rack buck. They tried to stalk close enough to get a good shot but, when they got to the spot they needed to be the big rack buck had vanished. "We knew it was a nice buck and that's as far as it went." Greg recalled.    On November 19th, Greg Wilmoth, his teen-aged son, Chase, and friend Rob Miller headed for that location that afternoon.  Chase and Rob had decided to hunt an area on Greg Wilmoth's farm that they felt like the buck was likely to appear. With not enough room for three hunters in this area Greg headed to the other side of the hill.     "I'm standing there by this fence, next to a tree and thinking: I really need to be somewhere else" Gregg said.  " I believe every deer hunter has said that a least once in there life."

Greg decided to move and was heading back in the direction of his pickup, when around 100 yards away this 22 - point buck stands up in a thicket. Greg knows it's the deer by the huge rack.     Greg raised his .270 Ruger and fired. The shot knocked him down but the big buck jumped up and runs full speed and jumps the near by fence and continues along the fence for about 40 yards and jumps back over the same fence again.  Greg said "I shot him again and, knocked him down again.     This time, despite the big bucks efforts to get back up, the buck stayed down. Greg was glad it stayed down since he only had three bullets with him to start.     Even after years of hunting, buck fever was coming on strong. Greg didn't even check on the buck, he ran back to his pickup and retrieved his son Chase and friend Rob.     The celebration started once that got to the place the monster buck had finally stopped. With high-fives the group celebrated.    This 22  point buck, which lived in area, growing nothing but fescue for Greg runs cattle operation. The buck weighed in at 245 lbs. When, I talked with Greg I asked him what he had attributed to the bucks large typical rack and body size. Greg said, "We have a special blend of minerals made up for our cattle. The mineral stations are located around the farm. There are deer tracks around them on a constant basis. There is just nothing else for them to eat in the area, to grow something that size."

Greg Wilmoth and his son Chase Wilmoth

Greg, has also been, contacted by a few companies, for the mineral recipe. Maybe, some day we will all get to try this mineral for ourselves.      It was not until we took the buck to the taxidermist at Billings. The taxidermist is the one who told us that we had more than we realized.     When Greg and his friend Rob took the rack to Greenfield, Missouri, where McConnell. McConnell who measure for Buckmasters came up with the following measurements. The bone area had a total of 224 1/8 inches. The rack alsohad14.1% of irregular formations, so it fell into non-typical category for Buckmaster. It also had a composite measurement of 244 5/8 inches.      When I talked with Greg the 60-day drying time for an official score from Boone & Crockett measurer had passed but due to more pressing matters had to re-schedule for another day.     After this initial score the rack will more than likely be scored by 3 member panel of Boone & Crockett measurers at the awards banquet at Bass Pro, in Springfield, Mo. this summer.     I commented on how excited his son Chase looked in the picture. Greg said, "It would have been great for him to take this buck, because that's what it is all about any way when you take your kids hunting. But what would he have to look forward to." He had also stated in the paper on "How I even top this."      But, with that type of genetics in the deer herd on his property, I believe his son Chase will have a chance to see this type of rack again. Then maybe we could do this all over again. Now, that would be great story also.      Congratulation to Greg Wilmoth for taking a great southern buck.          As soon as we here the Boone & Crockett score will post it here scheduled for February 4th.   By Dale Ream a B&C scorer and secretary for Missouri Show-Me Big Bucks of Missouri.

Wilmoth hunting party With the prized buck as the centerpiece, Greg Wilmoth (left) poses with his son, Chase (center) and friend Rob Miller after Greg Wilmoth bagged the 22-point buck on Sunday, Nov 19.

Wilmoth Buck.  Shown here being scored yet again.  This one will end up with scratches all over it from being scored so much. master scorer for Buck Master

Well here it is ladies and gentlemen. Greg Wilmoth buck scored 240 3/8 Non-Typical. It's gross typical score was 215 1/8, net typical score was 211 0/8. It had 29 3/8 inches of abnormal points. 11 points right side and 10 points on the left. A tremendous buck, it well rank 5th overall non-typical. 3rd largest hunter taken, 2nd largest by High-Powered Rifle. Again thank you for you timeGreg and Congratulations on a once in a lifetime buck. Your right you should play the lottery more. horntagger@charter.net

"I hope the next world record comes from Missouri. One interesting side note. I believe this I have read this some were. Due to the agreement with Milo Hansen and Mitch Rompole. If the Hansen record is broken, the Rompole buck can be officially declared as scoring higher than the Hansen buck.  Up to now the Rompole buck couldn't be referred to as the world record.  If this new Missouri buck is declared the new world record, there won't be any more controversy." Just click here to read more about the Rompole Buck. "The beef operation has specially blended mineral and feed that is available 24/7 to the cows.  Obviously the cattle aren't the only ones eating it. They have been using this mineral for about five years and the racks on the bucks just grow and grow. We will keep you posted."

"This Wilmoth Buck was harvested Sunday, Nov19th the last quarter moon, highest daytime movement during the predicted rut."  To find out what all this means check out Allen Morris's Moon Chart.

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North Mo Sportsman,  You have requested time and again on the cafe for the submission of photos for your web page.  Here are a few of the deer I have taken with a bow in recent years.  The large 8 scores 151 3/8.  The10-pointeris145 0/8.  The other 10 on the wall plaque is 127 6/8. All of the others have never been scored.  Good hunting.  Jeff Smith  C. Jeffrey Smith, Ph.D. Thanks Jeff, That's a nice pile of bow kills.  Those big ones came by my stand I don't know if I could hold my muzzle loader steady much less a bow.

Three views of the same deer.  This is definitely a big one.  Taken by Michael Harvey. It is a 14 pointer that officially scores 186 1\8 gross and nets 167 4\8. Taxidermy by, Mike McCawley Michael Harvey Buck By Allen Morris Michael avid bowhunter from Huntsville, Missouri had put his time in this bow season and had come across 4 very nice bucks which he believe would put him the records books. If he did not take them with a bow, the 2000 Missouri gun season was coming up fast. Since he was hunting on his land he had no worries that the bucks had no other hunters to worry about. About 3 days before the gun season opened. His friend Bruce had seen a very nice buck on the Associated Electric grounds. The same place where Michael’s dad also works. He did not really want to leave the bucks on his own ground but Bruce had finally convinced him to go. On November 11th, 2000 Michael and his two friends headed out before daylight. Michael had found a nice big tree to sit by on the side of a hill over looking some rolling hill of re-claimed striped pits that had about 4 years of sapling growth. When Michael turn he saw a flashlight headed his way. Finally it was Bruce he could not find the spot he had planned to hunt and decide to hunt with Michael.  Finally, daylight had came and gone it was 8:30 a.m. when Bruce decide to stand up then Michael watch a deer run through a clover field at about 150 yards from the direction some shooting had taken place earlier. Then another deer, which they both believe to be a buck, ran through the same area. Then another buck ran through the same opening. After three deer they decided they better move to that area to get a better shot. When they had walked about half way they could see another deer hunter. They decide to walk over and talk with him since he was only 50 yards from the location they had seen the three deer run through. Michael and his friend talked with the hunter a few minutes and decide to leave the area to let the other hunter have a better chance. They had started up a small ridge when they made it to the top Michael and Bruce could see a buck about 1000 yards off standing in a clover field. They also could see another hunter about 200 yards from the buck sitting on an ATV. But, by what they could tell the other hunter could not see the buck. They had decided to split up, to be able to cut the buck off. Bruce stayed in that location and Michael move off about 50 yards. When all of a sudden they could see doe jump up and the buck followed her into a small valley where they could not see either deer. They watch the other hunter circle around to the back of that valley. Now 20 minutes had passed without seeing or hearing a thing. Then a shot from the direction of the other hunter rang out. The doe with the buck on her heels came running up the ridge. The buck had stopped broadside around 300 yards but Michael could not take a safe shot with the other hunter now in view behind the buck. He had to wait. Finally the doe took off running and the buck followed her and about 150 yards away they both jumped a fence. This time Michael had a clear shot and as the buck ran along the fence after the doe. Michael took three shots and missed, the buck never broke stride with all his attention on the doe. With only one shot left in the gun the doe had now doubled back and the buck was hot on her heels. This time the doe stopped and so did the buck and at 150 yards Michael raised his Browning 30.06 and, looking through his Tasco 3x9x40 took aim and hit the buck in his front left shoulder. The buck ran and jumped back over the fence and ran another 50 yards and disappeared into a 6-foot drainage ditch. Both Michael and Bruce decide to walk both side of the ditch just in case the buck runs. Michael now had time to reload and when they got to the area they had seen the buck disappear. Out of the ditch came this huge mass of antlers. The buck turned and started running away this time after two more shots had finally found their mark the buck had dropped. For the first time they had realized how big this Missouri Monster was. Michael at the age of 28 had taken three nice bucks in 12 years of hunting, but nothing even close to this 14-point monster buck. On November 11th, 2000 a sunny cold morning the 14 point typical buck of Randolph county, Missouri had finally meet his match with Michael Harvey. This 14 point whitetail buck gross score is 186 1/8” and net score is 167 4/8” typical. Congratulation to Michael Harvey on a very nice buck and also special thanks to his future wife Jenny for long wait she had while Michael took the time to tell his story at the Missouri Deer Classic in Columbia.

This 21 pointer was taken in Iron County Missouri.

“Iron County Trophy”

by Mark Courtway, Bloomsdale, Missouri

 This dandy buck was taken the third afternoon of the 2000 Missouri rifle season, and what a season it was!I was hunting Mark Twain National Forest in Iron County when this buck stepped out of a massive clear cut.I knew he had used this clear cut often, because I had found his rubs and scrapes before the season opened.

 When he emerged from the clear cut, on my left and slightly behind me, we stared eye to eye.All I could see was legs, chest, head, and very thick, high antlers.Fortunately, the wind was in my favor, or I’m sure he would have vanished as quickly as he had appeared.I fired one shot, which hit him in the heart; he ran 50 yards or so before he finally died.When I approached this monster I was amazed at the thick non-typical rack – the mass was unbelievable!

 This buck scored 169 5/8 Boone and Crockett points, after 21+ inches of deductions.The 21-point deer dressed 181 pounds.I’ll never forget the feeling of awe that overcame me when I first spotted this huge buck!After 32 years of rifle hunting, I finally got a trophy Missouri buck – the buck of a lifetime!Never give up, because you never know when the buck of a lifetime will show up!

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