Hope that's not the case cause I would like to see some better pics of it. I debated. 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. 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. Key features include muzzle velocities of 2,215-2,400 fps. We told them to grab all his sheds off the mantle and meet us in LBL to drag him out. The new Frontier, available in 8x42 and 10x42, has all the range-finding capabilities a hunter needs. Fast forward to January. "Deer hunting means the world to me. Available in 180- and 200-grain sizes. In this edition of "Big Buck Profile," Gordon Whittington talks with young whitetail hunter Reid Crawford about his trophy buck taken in 2017. "I was doing everything I could on short notice with food plots, cameras and cleaning up stands," Kirkpatrick said. Nathan Taylor started getting trail camera photos of a nice typical in 2019. How many deer were killed in Kentucky 2019? His treestand was positioned on the ridge, with bedding cover at the end of the point. The timber dropped off into a drainage about 60 yards away. One afternoon Dad hunted a nasty thicket, and right at dusk a big buck came in to hit the scrape. CNN . Obviously, he wouldnt be drawing a compound bow for a few months. By summer 2020, we had several more pictures of him, and Sasquatch continued to grow. Both bucks walked to within 18 yards, and Taylor took the shot. But the buck took a full step to the right. The velvet was a little damaged from the branches, but Beach didnt much care. The broadhead struck true, and the giant bolted for cover. "I still can't believe that I was blessed enough to harvest this mature buck," Reed continued. He even had surgery on his wrist. It was also the opening of dove season, and after climbing into the stand, he heard gunshots everywhere. The new Frontier, available in 8x42 and 10x42, has all the range-finding capabilities a hunter needs. Put in his scenario, we would have done the same thing. Kirkpatrick says he rarely hunts in September, though he does when the weather feels like October. We had one camera left, so we decided to put it up by the scrape. The carcass was picked over by scavengers so there was no way to tell what had actually killed the buck. He was now a 200- plus-inch 17-point giant. He shot nice bucks each of the past three seasons, including a nice 13-pointer last year. I was so mad about last year, Kline says. Derek Settle solo hunted a monster buck thats sure to make the record books and is quite possibly the biggest buck ever taken in Kentuckya state that is known for its booners. His second shot struck true. While in the hospital, he learned about the temporary crossbow permit for injured and disabled hunters. He shot the deer on a Saturday morning as it moved from water to a bedding area, Whitt said. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. I looked up at Dad to see what direction he was pointing, but I couldnt see anything with my eyes or with the scope. This makes for heavy hunting pressure and many deer become nocturnal at an early age. Bowhunting is just one of those things that I used to love when I was growing up, Settle adds. Jamison Standard started getting trail-camera photos of a huge buck just a week before deer season and started scouting diligently to try and determine a pattern. That is one of the best-looking racks Ive seen from last season,beautiful color and all those stickers! That's crazy! Much to his surprise, the deer returned this summer. Below, you can see the total number of deer harvested by county and by weapon, according to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife's numbers. Settles biological father, Terry, passed away earlier this year. We began looking for sheds daily again, grid searching the 3000-plus acres. We are investigating this story and will continue to publish updates as we learn more. I looked up at Dad and with tears in our eyes we went crazy, and we said a prayer thanking God for this opportunity. Mel's Perfect 66 Illinois deer scored 204 inches. It was showing up regularly and seemed very huntable. He shared the good news with them, and then met them at his house nearby. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. He had a slow hunt, though, only seeing three does and one small buck. The next morning Dad called me broken-hearted; he found the deer, but it wasnt Sasquatch. LIMESTONE COUNTY, AL (WAFF) - In November, a Limestone County man illegally killed a 25-point deer on private property. Score: 155 inches. 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. As Herman got older, he turned into a bona fide giant. This page is designed to showcase bucks from the Bluegrass State. Before we interviewed Settle, we confirmed with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife that the buck had been checked in as being killed and tagged in Kentucky on telecheck. Nathan Simmons of Browning and Game & Fish's John Taranto take a closer look at both cartridges at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. He eased toward a stand on top of a ridge that tapers down to a soybean field. Gov. JavaScript is disabled. 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. He had 15 scorable points, and he would still score over 200 inches. He pulled out his phone to try to take a quick video of the deer, but then a squirrel started barking at him. "The farm hasn't been bowhunted for five-plus years. Read Next: How to Tag a Velvet Whitetail Buck (and the Best States to Make It Happen). He was an impressive 160-inch 12-pointer. The Model 336 is expected to be launched soon; the Model 1894 should launch this spring. The next time he looked over his shoulder, he spotted the big deer walking toward him. Settle's buck could be a Kentucky state record. Knowing that Kline had actively hunted this deer for years, the landowner was nice enough to let him keep the rack. (High fence deer in Kentucky do not have to be checked in.) On September 15, Blake Keating killed a Kansas buck that would likely dethrone Luke Brewster's whitetail as the biggest in North American history. ELD-X Precision Hunter). 2:33. Figuring the deer was around 8 years old in the fall of 2020, Kline had been hunting Herman since he was 4 or 5. Hope everyone gets to. A week later we went back to check the cameras and there he was: Sasquatch in daylight. According to Justin Spring, director of big game records for Boone and Crockett, the answer is simple. I immediately facetimed my girlfriend, who was at home with my mom and Luke, to tell them we just killed Sasquatch. The internet celebrity, who is a member of Officials say that increasing the moose harvest is Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. I would only move when it got windy. I immediately had my gun up and the safety off. We know he traveled further than that, but he spent most of his time in this area. I was bringing him along for the ride. It was kind of dumb for a deer this big, but people would see him every day, either morning or evening.. Then he retrieved his gear from the blind returned home to pick up his 16- and 18-year-old boys, who Settle calls his little tracking dogs. They went back to look for the buck. He is truly special. Travis Gray says if we dont know about it, we cant investigate it. What is the biggest deer killed in Kentucky? Features quick-change barrel system. To be so close, and to not be able to pull the trigger, that was difficult to deal with.. His desk-mate was a mounted warthog. "As I walked to my stand, I used my rangefinder to range my tree at 50, 40, 30, and 20 yards. Skis are easily the most efficient way to cover snowy ground on foot in winter. All the congrats to the hunter on taking that buck, but from our record book standpoint, its not an eligible deer, Spring said in an interview with MeatEater. He went to the point of impact and found bright red, bubbly blood. It got real intense from 50 to 12 yards, he says. We then went to the entrance of LBL to get a picture with the Land Between the Lakes sign and Sasquatch. Here are there stories of those giant bucks. I knew this would mean a lot to him. CWP collects hunters' voluntary harvest reports, and estimated 84,000 hunters killed 38,000 deer. Deer: Balancing Expectations for Small Properties, Get to Know Your Neighbors for Better Deer Herd Management, Big Buck Profile: Reid Crawford Kansas Buck, Choosing Correct Magnification for Rifle Scope, Big Buck Profile: Troy Metzger's East Illinois Giant. November 11, 2021 - 3:17 pm. An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky . | Full story on this beast coming soon from Dean Weimer, more I look at that rack, what a buck. Utah Hunter Arrows Insane Opening Day Mule Deer. He taught me all the rights and wrongs, dos and donts, and how to be safe in the field, Settle says. We continued looking for the other side but never found it. Features quick-change barrel system. In the beginning, the deer was mostly typical, but that changed with time. It was cloudy and cool on Sept. 5. That would be the only time Kline ever spotted the buck from the stand. But almost immediately, skeptical hunters started asking what everyone was thinking: Was it a high fence deer?. After seeing those few trail camera pictures of him, we became obsessed with finding Sasquatchs sheds. But nothing prepared Settle for the buck he started getting trail cam pictures of in July 2020 at one of his mineral plots. 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. He just sat there, admiring the deer and soaking in the conclusion of a multi-year hunt. Hundreds of deer have been killed to slow a contagious and incurable disease in Idaho, wildlife officials said. He was very visible. This was a great accomplishment considering how many other people hunt sheds in LBL. All rights reserved. I heard the same story as you. Courtesy Logan Beach Logan Beach's Bushwhacking Bruiser Buck: 162 inches Date: Sept. 4, 2021 Location: Caldwell County, Kentucky Method: Compound bow Its unclear when the buck escaped, but Keating started getting pictures of it on September 11. Lance Hill's South Carolina Stud. Just $1 per month , Jason Kline spent years chasing a giant non-typical buck he had named Herman. He took the shot. "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.". Beach was ecstatic. "When walking to my stand, I crossed through the soybeans to avoid the edge of the woods where they may have been bedded or would cross my path coming out of the woods," Standard said. With shaky hands, Standard called his father and asked for help recovering the buck. Derek Settle solo hunted a monster buck that's sure to make the record books and is quite possibly the biggest buck ever taken in Kentuckya state that is known for its booners. Conservation officers said if you see something, say something. We hunted and ran cameras all fall and never saw him. I just kind of put him in the back of my mind. Harvest Comparison by Month. Access the newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the MeatEater community. He spotted this giant in person for the first time in 2019, but didnt close the gap. Published Sep 15, 2021 6:00 PM EDT. Skis are easily the most efficient way to cover snowy ground on foot in winter. One of the things Kentucky deer hunters look forward to is hunting velvet bucks. The buck ran a short distance and tipped over. 1:07. Whether you hunt or not, you take notice of an animal like that, Lindsey continued. When I saw him on the ground, Ive never really acted like that in my adult life, says Settle. Right after Deckard settled in, he spotted the buck in the corn running away from his fathers blind and down into a ravine. That was also when we finally had a daylight picture of him, making us think this could be the year. After our interview with Settle, we were confident that his story was true. So while Keatings buck wont be immortalized in North Americas big game books, it will give him a freezer full of red meat and a trophy on the wall hell never forget. Here are there stories of those giant bucks. Few states offer a good shot at a velvet buck, but Kentucky is one of them. We ended the season with very few pictures, still none in daylight, and no sight of him while hunting. Upon walking up on the deer, Standard raised the buck's head from the soybeans and immediately realized how big it was. Settle was able to get an official SCI Green Score on the incredible buck, which came in at a whopping 311 2/8 inches. Hes a union carpenter and lived a couple of miles from his current property. Read Next: Shed Hunting: Secrets of the Shed Masters. 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. I was just elated with joy. I hate to see a great one taken out by a car. You are using an out of date browser. It was seen last year in the area as well. "He never knew I was anywhere around. It had a 20-inch inside spread with 24-inch main beams and gross-scored 170. The 25-point deer may be impressive, however the way it was killed, is not. Marlin is back in the game with the re-introduction of the classic 336 and 1894 lever-action hunting rifles. I know this buck being harvested out of one of his stands would have made his day. On Saturday, Dad and Luke hunted together with me and Jason in other trees within the same area. "I remember catching a glimpse of the top of his rack coming through the woods," Reed said. 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. We put out cameras that summer covering the best spots over a 1000-acre area. I tried to post the video but it didn't work. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. After the mandatory drying period, the rack scored an incredible 312-0/8. One of the best messages we received was from a local woman saying she may have found three of Sasquatchs sheds while squirrel hunting. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. KY.gov. "My dad raised me to love deer and turkey hunting," Reed said. At 200+ inches, Huffman's deer becomes the new Kentucky state record for typical bucks taken with a crossbow. After that season, he decided to focus all his energy on hunting that deer. It is my girlfriend's family's farm, and her uncle hunted occasionally, but, sadly, he passed away five years ago. LaRue's Ethan Alexander talks about the Siete's features with Game & Fish's Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Dad ran to me and we hugged and thanked God again for an unforgettable hunt that we got to experience together. Published Jan 27, 2021 8:50 PM EST. Needless to say, LBL is not for the faint of heart. This year, the rifle will be chambered in 7mm PRC, the hot new load that was a hit at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. 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. Whitt. Kline had never killed a deer that big. We observed a 2% increase from the 2018-19 season (145,745) and the 2019-20 season is 11% above the 10 year average (133,524). Why don't you come out and sit the rest of the hunt with me?". This year, the rifle will be chambered in 7mm PRC, the hot new load that was a hit at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. This big buck had historically spent the early and late seasons on the Arkenaus property, and spent the rut elsewhere. What is the most dangerous animal in Kentucky? We have big deer here in north Alabama, that is a big deer anywhere in the country, Lindsey said. "This involves stand location, cellular trail cameras, making sure your hunting clothes are as scent-free as possible, not contaminating the area around your stand and, most importantly, always hunting the wind.". So, we hunt it hard. I felt like my dad was with me like an angel on my shoulder, he says. Public Land Results. Brian Butcher shot a deer with massive antlers, but he won't let that give him a big head. Strutter. He was still in early velvet, but I could just tell he had a lot going on under all that fuzz., The deer returned to the mineral plot at different parts of the day for nearly six weeks. 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. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Dr. James Kroll and Haynes Shelton explain why it's important to know your neighbors when operating a smaller deer property. Harvest Comparison by Year. Read Next: 10 Amazing Photos of a Buck Shedding Velvet. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Saskatchewan Hunter Finds Target Sheds After Looking for Multiple Days, Iowa Bowhunter Goes Stealth Mode with a Tree Saddle to Bag 194-inch Non-typical, Nebraska Shed Hunter's Wife and Dog Find 6x9 Set One Year After Learning About the Buck, Dr. They next day, it showed up in front of another treestand, but both the Deckards were sitting in the blind. But now that I actually have him at home, its crazy. Brian Tate Camplin's first deer Dec 11, 2021 Updated Dec 12, 2021. I was thinking, Do I keep hunting this giant? Kline says. Then, around 7 a.m., the big deer walked out, and Ed took the 25-yard shot. I drive down the bypass all the time and me and my cousin once counted 10 in that grew up ditch at one time. It was so bad that my dad would take his sheds off the mantle and hide them if we had company. If you took you vacation every year Nov. 9-12, youre in best window for big bucks moving in day. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. We looked for his sheds and never found those either. We found one side, and it was a mile and a half from the trail camera picture. Neal Kirkpatrick started hunting deer at the age of 9 and credits his grandfather with getting him into the outdoors at such an early age. What is the Most Important Factor in Whitetail Nutrition? Whitetail hunting strategies for the next generation. It stretched the tape to 179 inches. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. No one would believe me anyway. I felt the dread of thinking its never going to work out again. Six weeks before the opener, he fell from a 12-foot ladder stand, and broke or fractured his wrists, ribs, and ankles. Give a Gift Look below you," Moore told him. He quickly recognized the big typical, and watched as it walked all the way to within 15 yards. The arrow struck true, and the deer ran for cover. So, on opening weekend, he moved in and hunted along a promising ridge line. The 2021-22 deer season is a wrap, and some big whitetails fell between the opening and closing bells. Officers say a deer this big sends red flags flying. Right after he got into the blind, he saw something that stirred [his] curiosity., I was getting situated, he says. CX Outfitter, 180 gr. The raw score of the behemoth buck is 212 inches. My dad, Luke, family friend Jason Divita and I covered miles almost every day, and we found one of his sheds in late January. That is one of the best-looking racks I've seen from last season, beautiful color and all those stickers! Hope that's not the case cause I would like to see some better pics of it. The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. "The sun was starting to sink but there was still plenty of daylight left.". Its a natural corridor. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Just $1 per month , A handful of killer Kentucky velvet bucks from this bowseason, By Giant bucks on opening day were taken by Kentucky bowhunters Jamison Standard and Casey Reed. All of those four are among the top 15 in the state in their respective category. Dustin Finley tells me his dad, Larry, killed this deer in Pendleton Co, KY on 11-11-12; they measured him at 226 7/8. Mike Clerkin heads to the legendary Buffalo County, Wisconsin, in search of early season whitetail action. "I stood up and watched him run about 150 yards, falling over just short of a ditch. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. He knew it was a big buck, but he wasnt certain that it was Sasquatch. Kentucky Hunting is the leading online community for outdoors enthusiasts to discuss hunting, fishing, archery, and life in Kentucky. Though Settle didnt post the buck on social media, he immediately sent the photos of his trophy to his stepdad. 4 pointer killed in butler co while hunting with pappy Posted: 11/26/2022. Having disappeared from cameras during the heart of hunting season, its possible that another hunter wounded Herman. But to put something like that in our record books would skew the data.. It started with a friend of ours getting one trail camera picture of him in December 2017. Kirkpatrick immediately called his friends: Chase Geary, who shot a 167 4/8-inch deer earlier in the season; Nick Huff, who's shot plenty of mature deer; and Jake Peveler, someone who knew the land well. That includes the Missouri Monarch and the Hole in the Horn Buck. It had run about 70 yards from where it was shot before it hit the dirt. Land Between the Lakes (LBL) is a 170,000-acre peninsula between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, with 110,000 of those acres being in Kentucky. It all happened within three minutes. I was going really slowly. I just wanted to see what it was like in that stand a few hours before dark.". | However, his obsession and hard work were ultimately what put us on Sasquatch. Sage Marshall joined Field & Stream as an editorial intern in 2018, when he worked at the publications former office in Manhattan. It was Dads biggest LBL deer ever, a 170-inch buck that we had two years of sheds from, but it wasnt the deer he was after. The buck had a huge body, and we guessed him to be 4 or 5 years old. "I never thought in a million years I would shoot a deer that big," said Zach Meadows, who shot the buck with his bow on Nov. 3 in Logan County. "I was very excited about opening day," Standard said. A cold front passed through, and Taylor expected deer to be on their feet. Eventually, the music stopped and the shotgun blasts faded. Jacob Carnine, along with his family, hunted this 193-inch giant for five years on public land in Kentucky. Nathan Simmons of Browning and Game & Fish's John Taranto take a closer look at both cartridges at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. He was by far the smartest deer we have ever pursued. "All I did was get lucky," the Kansas bowhunter told The Topeka Capital-Journal this past week . He saw only two deer that evening: A 3-year-old buck traveling with the big 4.5-year-old he was hoping to see. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. "It came out into the soybeans broadside at 20 yards right in front of me," Standard said. ELD Match, and 175 gr. Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. Subscriber Services. Almost anyone can hunt LBL, all you need is your statewide hunting license, tags and an LBL user permit. To have a deer that big in gun range, and not be able to shoot? 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. On the third day, the buck didnt show at all. In October, the stud disappeared. Ruger's popular American bolt-action rifle has been a hit with hunters for years. Guner Womack, a teen out of Oklahoma, arrowed this incredible 88 buck last night while hunting over a wheat field. Harvest Results by Weapon. The 360 Buckhammer cartridge is designed for lever-action rifles and will be available in two Remington Core-Lokt loads. Deer hunting in Tennessee started strong during the summer and finished strong in January with the harvest almost 20% larger than the previous season. He was laying right where I thought he would be, which is kind of crazy, Kline says. Kirkpatrick scrambled to get ready for deer season. This man pleaded guilty to hunting without permission and hunting by aid of bait, which are both class C misdemeanors. Buy License; Hunt; Wildlife; Fish; Boat; Education; Law . There has been a group of does hanging out across from Kroger for a couple years but I figured they had moved on since all the construction started.