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Randy Harris Buck I shot this deer on October 19, 2002.  With a Hoyt Raptor compound bow. Buckmaster official score 201 5/8. Shot in Randolph county. 21.3 percent irregular points. MORE For information on how to get your business involved in the Missouri Sportsmen's Information network check out our advertising page.

HARRIS BUCK By: Allen “horntagger” Morris THE AGE-OLD QUESTION How do you harvest a record book buck? That is the age-old question by millions of deer hunters around the country. There are two answers to this question. First you as a hunter must hunt in a part of the country that has the potential of having record class whitetail bucks. One thing is for sure if you hunt anywhere in Northern Missouri you have filled in the first part of this equation with the chance of the next state or world record buck just behind the next tree. The second part of this equation is simple, but the hardest to obtain. TIME in the WOODS. Every working man and woman finds this harder to manage every year.

FIRST GLIMPSE This big buck story starts October 13th, 2002 the Sunday before when Randy was hunting this small patch of woods in a pasture, when a field sprayer started work on the property just to his north. Wanting to get a little distance between him and the sprayer, Randy headed down his 12-foot ladder stand and decided to do some scouting in the next patch of woods just of the small hill in the pasture. Randy had rabbit, quail and deer hunted his old neighbor’s farm with the neighbor’s nephew quite a few times and knew it was a good location to hunt. Randy on this scouting trip found a few fresh rubs on some cedar trees, which could be promising location. On the walk back to the truck Randy then spotted a huge racked whitetail buck and doe in the pasture between him and truck, about the same time the both whitetail deer spotted him and they both took off. Heading in the direction of the patch of woods he had just finished scouting. Randy believes this might have been the first glimpse of the huge buck.

On Tuesday, October 15th, 2002 Randy put a new 12-foot ladder stand in the new patch woods the huge rack buck and doe ran to, within site of a few rubs on some cedar trees and left, hoping to get some hunting in over the weekend.

Saturday, October 19th, 2002 Randy after a long day working at the local meat shop, with only dreams of big bucks in his mind, was planning on getting off work at 7:00 p.m. with little to no chance of putting any hunting time in. But all the employees finished all the work for the day, so the boss let them leave early.

Getting off at 4:00 p.m. Randy rushed home got his bow and the rest of his hunting equipment. After a short drive to his old neighbor’s place Randy parked his truck at the entrance gate and made his way quietly for 3/8 of a mile to the new stand location.

THE HUNT

After climbing 12 feet into the ladder stand Randy was finally settled in by 4:30 p.m. it was nice to sit down and relax. With it being sunny and 50 degrees out Randy thought the deer movement might not be very good this afternoon. But, one thing was for sure it was still better than sitting in the house.

After 10 years of hunting and 6 of those bowhunting and only taking whitetail does each year with his bow. Randy was ready to get a chance at a Northern Missouri whitetail record buck. Randy also shot 3D tournaments all summer, and was fine-tuned as any good bow hunter could get for an opportunity to present itself. Time in the wood and location was now in play.

Around 6:00 p.m. the woods started to come alive as two whitetail does came into the thick brush just northwest of him. Moving through the brush they started snorting. Never able to get a clear view of them, the two whitetail does kept snorting back and forth until to each other until around 6:30 p.m. when Randy pulled out his Knight and Hale grunt call.

Randy grunted three times and waited for about three to four minutes to go by and then Randy grunted three more times. The whitetail does stopped snorting and Randy could not here them in the brush anymore.

About five minutes went by, then Randy heard a couple of twigs snap and some leaves crunching to just his southwest. Turning slowly to look, Randy could see a buck walking straight at his location in the woods.

About 55 yards out the whitetail buck stopped. Then the whitetail buck stepped out of the thick brush and started making a scrape, pawing at the ground several times and then taking his antlers and rubbing his forehead on the bushy tree limb above.

Keeping his mind off the antlers, at this point Randy new it was a shooter whitetail buck, but not sure how big at this time. Without any doubt Randy pulled back on his Hoyt Raptor and all the confidence of a true seasoned bow hunter, took aim. With the buck standing 50 yards away and broadside, with a clear shot, this was about to be the moment of truth.

The XX75 aluminum Easton arrow tipped with an 100 grain Thunderhead broadhead, flew threw the Missouri woods with accuracy of a true sportsmen, the arrow made a prefect double lung shot. The buck turned and ran straight
away, but for a short distance of 20 yards and clasped in the brush. As the flash of antlers running away went through Randy’s mind, was the first moment he knew he has become one of the few to take a once in a lifetime buck.

Randy watched the buck fall and knowing he made a good shot. Climbed down out of his stand and slowly made his way towards where he had made the shot. He could here the buck kicking in the brush and knew he should leave it alone for a short time.

Randy’s excitement is now kicking in, wanting to put his hands on the massive rack. He ran back through the pasture to his truck. Opened the gate and drove through the pasture and parked just on the edge of the timber.

Randy made his way back to the location of the buck and there the Missouri buck laid. Randy heart started pounding. Randy said. “It was the most exciting hunting experience I have ever felt it’s hard to explain.  The best feelling I have had, I was way to excited to even think.” Randy only had to drag this deer about 15 yards to the edge of the timber. Grunting and groaning to get the mass of antlers and huge buck in the back of his truck by his self.

On the way to the check station at the fire department, stopped and show his buddy and he went along also to the check station. Every one was very excited and proud of what Randy had accomplished.
 

THE WHITETAIL BUCK This impressive Missouri Whitetail Record Book Buck has 22 points and has Buckmasters Trophy Record score of 201 5/8 with 21.3 percent of irregular points. With inside spread added it has a composite score of 218 4/8. Randy would like to add a special thanks to Michael McCauley at Broken Arrow Taxidermy for doing such a wonderful mount. Congratulations also to you Randy for taking this great Missouri Whitetail.

 

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