On opening afternoon, the buck walked in front of Deckards fathers hunting blind, but he wasnt there to kill it. Travis Gray says if we dont know about it, we cant investigate it. Deciding on a particular area, he settled into the stand on a 50-acre soybean field surrounded by woods, with a food plot located between the crops and timber. GILBERT, W.Va . At 200+ inches, Huffman's deer becomes the new Kentucky state record for typical bucks taken with a crossbow. It was cloudy and cool on Sept. 5. The deer jumped, and then walked back into cover. Lance Hill's South Carolina Stud. Ken Vitale with Buck Knives chats with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller about two new hunting knives for 2023the purpose-built Alpha and PakLite series. That would be the only time Kline ever spotted the buck from the stand. The sun came up and we finally saw a deer around 7:00 a.m. Three does passed through, and then I heard Dad say, Big buck, big buck.. Score: 211 inches (unofficial gross score), "This was the first year I had access to this farm," he said. He decided it was worth checking out and that he still had plenty of time for a stalk. A total of 159,962 deer were harvested. Land Between the Lakes National Recreation area is about 20 minutes from our hometown of Benton, Kentucky. We loaded him up and took him to the Golden Pond check-in station. | He's killed his fair share of good ones, but there's only ever been one "Herman," which is the monster buck he focused on for the past five seasons. A food plot and lots of edge habitat stretched out in front of them. 2022 modern gun Posted: . Ruger's popular American bolt-action rifle has been a hit with hunters for years. I dropped the phone and steadied my bow. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Obviously, he wouldnt be drawing a compound bow for a few months. Opening day of deer season 2021 didn't disappoint with reports of Bluegrass State bucks taken by bowhunters measuring 170-plus inches. We didnt want anyone to know about him. I initially didnt believe it, but she sent me a picture and sure enough they were his. (Photos courtesy of Jamison Standard and Casey Reed). Huff is just fine with the slow pace of life in the country. Hes killed his fair share of good ones, but theres only ever been one Herman, which is the monster buck he focused on for the past five seasons. It was kind of dumb for a deer this big, but people would see him every day, either morning or evening.. KENTON CO., Ky. (FOX19) - An illegal killing of a trophy deer in early November has led to a hunter's arrest for wildlife-related charges and drug charges. Were not opposed to that hunter shooting that deerwed actually encourage hunters to remove the buck in those situations. He taught me all the rights and wrongs, dos and donts, and how to be safe in the field, Settle says. The deer frequented a food plot theyd planted specifically for him, and his movements became very predictable. All rights reserved. It takes an equal mixture of intelligence and luck for a buck to reach that age, especially on public land. It is my girlfriend's family's farm, and her uncle hunted occasionally, but, sadly, he passed away five years ago. All the while, a 162-inch deer showed up on a different farm. Among the accomplishments includes the recently concluded Save the Habitat, Save the Hunt initiative, which in 10 years conserved or enhanced 5.3 million acres of critical wildlife habitat, recruited 1.5 million new or lapsed hunters, and opened new access to 750,000 acres for hunting and recreation. He hadnt heard of any other hunters tagging him, and news of such a giant buck would certainly spread quickly. It got real intense from 50 to 12 yards, he says. After seeing those few trail camera pictures of him, we became obsessed with finding Sasquatchs sheds. The fence is broken down right there, and I couldnt see it from where I was.. He was an impressive 160-inch 12-pointer. 2:33. Kline hoped for the best, but expected the worst. I looked around a little bit and something caught my eye. In the beginning, the deer was mostly typical, but that changed with time. Learn more in the video above, with Remington's Joel Hodgdon and Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. It isnt every day you tag a giant 179-inch deer, and its even rarer to do so with traditional archery equipment. Nathan Taylor started getting trail camera photos of a nice typical in 2019. I rarely hunt with a firearm.". The buck ran a short distance and tipped over. To be so close, and to not be able to pull the trigger, that was difficult to deal with.. Hes so much bigger in person. That got that bucks attention, recalls Settle. We started receiving messages from people all over the country. You are using an out of date browser. Reed had in-person encounters with this giant deer in 2019 and 2020. Two of the biggest deer recorded in Walton County were killed over the last two years - a 178 non typical killed in 2014 and a 163 killed in 2013. Gordon Whittington talks with 13-year-old Troy Metzger about the 2016 hunt that landed the young man a monster non-typical buck on this edition of Big Buck Profile. "I ventured away from deer hunting because of my passion for waterfowl hunting, but there's nothing like harvesting a buck with a bow. Moore got there about 5:45 p.m. in knee-high boots, basketball shorts and a camo top. Thinking his hunt was over, he started to climb down, then decided against it. Photo Gallery See all Photos Jamison Standard's Beanfield Behemoth Updated: 8:51 PM EST November 17, 2021 DECATUR COUNTY, Ind. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Moments later, Clark squeezed the trigger on his 7mm Magnum rifle, and the biggest buck taken in North Carolina during the 2021-22 season was on the ground. (Photo courtesy of Jacob Carnine). Logan Beach arrowed this 162-inch giant in Logan County, Kentucky. A couple friends helped Taylor recover the deer. Sweet Streams: 5 Hot Rivers for Midwest Smallies, Euro Nymphing 101: Trout Tactics from Across the Pond, Spin to Win: Panfish Secrets for Catching Limits on Spinners, Best New Baitcasting Rods & Reels for 2022, Backyard Ready: Grilling the Perfect Steak, Winchester Big Bore: Backcountry Bear Protection, Classic Marlin: 336 and 1894 Lever-Action Hunting Rifles, NWTF's Passion for Wild Turkey Conservation Still Burns After 50 Years, First Look: Leupold's BX-4 Range HD Rangefinding Binos, Browning's Max Point, Silver Series Rifle Ammunition, New Hunting Ammo from Remington: 360 Buckhammer, New from Browning: X-Bolt Pro LR McMillan, Hornady's Hot New 7mm PRC Cartridge: SHOT 2023, Hawke Optics' Frontier LRF Laser Range Finding Binoculars, New from LaRue Tactical: Siete Chassis Rifle. I knew that if I would get the opportunity, I didnt want to be all out of breath and shaky., He stopped for a longer break around 55 yards from the buck. Stephen Tucker killed the deer in Sumner County, TN. I looked up at Dad to see what direction he was pointing, but I couldnt see anything with my eyes or with the scope. But he never got the chance. The carcass was picked over by scavengers so there was no way to tell what had actually killed the buck. My dad has been hunting, fishing and camping there for over 30 years, and my brother and I have joined him all our lives. They next day, it showed up in front of another treestand, but both the Deckards were sitting in the blind. EDITORS NOTE: When the photos of this deer were first sent to us by the hunter, Derek Settle, our immediate gut check was: This is a high-fence deer. How many deer were killed in Kentucky 2019? Buy License; Hunt; Wildlife; Fish; Boat; Education; Law . Six weeks before the opener, he fell from a 12-foot ladder stand, and broke or fractured his wrists, ribs, and ankles. The 2021-22 deer season is a wrap, and some big whitetails fell between the opening and closing bells. Stan Potts heads to Montana with his rifle in search of a Big Sky buck. He did some landscaping for the woman who lived on the plot. But almost immediately, skeptical hunters started asking what everyone was thinking: "Was it a high fence deer?" According to Keating, the 50-point buck was not killed inside of a high fence. I looked up at Dad and with tears in our eyes we went crazy, and we said a prayer thanking God for this opportunity. I figured he took off. According to Justin Spring, director of big game records for Boone and Crockett, the answer is simple. He thought it probably had a 14 or 16 point rack. When I saw him on the ground, Ive never really acted like that in my adult life, says Settle. After several tense minutes, he finally offered a broadside, 30-yard shot opportunity. "I could tell he would not get as close as the other buck, but would be crossing my shooting area, so I referenced my orange survey tape.". Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries law enforcement officers say this is the biggest deer theyve seen all season. All Rights Reserved. "I don't believe I will harvest another one this size," Kirkpatrick said. We have big deer here in north Alabama, that is a big deer anywhere in the country, Lindsey said. But Settle says he felt his presence this September. A photo of a dead deer prompted an . Dad always says, Hunt harder, go deeper, stay longer and when you want to quit, youre almost there. LBL does offer a three-day rifle quota hunt in November that you must apply for and draw a permit. What is the most dangerous animal in Kentucky? Hiking, biking, fishing and small game hunting are all very popular. We ended the season with very few pictures, still none in daylight, and no sight of him while hunting. The buck slowly walked into bow range. Browning Ammunition has two big-game hunting loads new for 2023 that are effective on a wide range of species: the Max Point and Silver Series. Thats the time Id [historically] get the most pictures of him.. Congrats on the once-in-a-lifetime hunt, Blake. We finally found the other side in mid-March. "This deer has shown me that all the time and dedication that I put into preparing for this hunt was beyond worth it in the end. 'I just happened to be in the right place at the right time,' hunter Neal Kirkpatrick said of the 211-inch [gross] whitetail he killed in late September. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Winchester's new Big Bore ammo, available in 10 mm, .44 Mag., .357 Mag., and .45 Colt, is specifically designed for big bears in bear country. His desk-mate was a mounted warthog. We had kept Sasquatch a secret from almost everyone; even our closest friends had no idea we were hunting this buck. He was now a 200- plus-inch 17-point giant. It was showing up regularly and seemed very huntable. 02:00. In this edition of "Big Buck Profile," Gordon Whittington talks with young whitetail hunter Reid Crawford about his trophy buck taken in 2017. LIMESTONE COUNTY, AL (WAFF) - In November, a Limestone County man illegally killed a 25-point deer on private property. When the deer ranch contacted me, they asked about the deer I shot and wondered where I shot it, Keating said in an interview with MeatEater. We know he traveled further than that, but he spent most of his time in this area. "I killed him at five paces," he said, from a portable stand about 25 feet high in a tree. They use the clearing to get back and forth between the ag-fields and the hardwoods., Settle got to work setting up mineral and food plots and installing several permanent stands. Hell of a buck. I immediately facetimed my girlfriend, who was at home with my mom and Luke, to tell them we just killed Sasquatch. This man pleaded guilty to hunting without permission and hunting by aid of bait, which are both class C misdemeanors. But the left side boasted an Social media is abuzz this morning as deer hunters fawn over what might be the new world record whitetail. It had run about 70 yards from where it was shot before it hit the dirt. Im sad that he died and wasnt killed by someone, but I am glad to have him., Read Next: An Elevated Shed Hunting Experience. I debated. The buck ran about 50 yards and died in the brush. It was also the opening of dove season, and after climbing into the stand, he heard gunshots everywhere. The Model 336 is expected to be launched soon; the Model 1894 should launch this spring. In fact, the closest game farm is nearly 10 miles away from where he arrowed the whitetail. Story is that someone cut it;s head off and left before the F&W guys arrived. Guner Womack killed one of the most perfectly symmetrical whitetails. The broadhead struck true, and the giant bolted for cover. If the words Butcher Buck dont mean anything to you, its damn time they do. But almost immediately, skeptical hunters started asking what everyone was thinking: Was it a high fence deer?. In this edition of "From The Stand," Pat Hogan explains the importance of being aware of proper clearance when using your bow or crossbow out in the field. Or, do I go hunt a deer thatd be the biggest deer Ive ever killed?, I ended up shooting the 162-inch deer, Kline says. Just $1 per month , The full story of how Derek Settle put it all together to take this buck of a lifetime on a D.I.Y. Ryan Mattingly spends a lot of time chasing whitetails. Features quick-change barrel system. I got out of the tree and slowly walked over to Sasquatch. We had one camera left, so we decided to put it up by the scrape. The rifle has five caliber offerings, two barrel choices and three different riser stocks. Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. About 300 yards away, in the corner of a soybean field south of me, the light shined on his rack right when I was looking that way. A couple hours later, he and his father recovered the buck 90 yards from where Mattingly had shot the big velvet buck. Deer. The next morning, Sept. 4, brought cool weather and light southerly winds. In the above video, NWTF's Jason Burckhalter talks about the group's accomplishments and future plans with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. I drive down the bypass all the time and me and my cousin once counted 10 in that grew up ditch at one time. The 360 Buckhammer cartridge is designed for lever-action rifles and will be available in two Remington Core-Lokt loads. To have the opportunity to take a buck like this is a dream come true.". By Chris Lawrence. His treestand was positioned on the ridge, with bedding cover at the end of the point. He had a few stands throughout the farm. His sons took some good deer as well. I've seen some biggins in the middle of Frankfort. The 360 Buckhammer cartridge is designed for lever-action rifles and will be available in two Remington Core-Lokt loads. "I enjoy being in the great outdoors. Of course, since the deer was so visible, everyone in the area knew of him and wanted a crack at the giant. Speaking of city deer is that fort Mitchell deer still kickin. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Hornady's Seth Swerczek goes in depth about the new cartridge with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. It turned out the deer was on a steady evening routine.". But on Sunday morning it was just me and Dad. Jason Kline has spent much of his life chasing whitetail deer. Womack's buck will certainly be close, but he'll have to wait another 59 days to get an official Boone & Crockett measurement. ELD-X Precision Hunter). Access. I didnt even know how to act. I could tell that a lot of deer were running through here, he says, noting that the neighbors also allow him to hunt their adjoining land. Later that night, Lacefield recovered the deerhis biggest ever. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Settle's buck could be a Kentucky state record. But the average age of deer, especially bucks, depends a lot on the choices hunters make. It was broadside and slightly quartering away from Settle. My dad and Jason talked daily about Sasquatch, diving into different topo maps, aerial views and theories of what the deer might do next. We hunted and ran cameras all fall and never saw him. With shaky hands, Standard called his father and asked for help recovering the buck. I never told a soul about him. He was a disabled veteran who served the country in the Army and was commended by Kentucky Senator Robert Mills for making many lasting contributions to his friends, family, community, and nation before his passing on March 25, 2021. Terry was never able to join Settle in the field when he was alive because of his disability. This year, while Saturday's number of 20,263 was lower, hunters made up for that on Sunday with 12,126 deer harvested, for a total of 32,389.