Not by me but by mother nature. We got on this lease 3 years ago and I put up my trusty camera and after the first time up I got a picture of this buck. We have never seen him in the day light. I even found his shed two years ago. Since I am in a 1 buck county he is the only buck I was looking for. If a bigger one came out I would take it but if smaller it would get a free pass. Since he is the biggest we have on camera it seems my season is over before it started. Bow hunting has lost it's fun now. I sure hope a big deer takes it's place. I wonder if it was killed last year or this year.

Here is the first picture I got of him 3 years ago



his shed


Last year


And what I found yesterday about 60 yards from our camp. I scored him tonight and ie was 151 3/4

sorry for your loss...he passed his genes, there will be more

at least you got him, you could of been hunting a gohst all season and get mad because you would never be able to find him again. heck of a buck tho

Nice buck. Sorry to hear that.

why dont you get him mounted, all you would have to do is buy a hide or just get one from a local hunter for free

My wife would leave me if I put one more at the taxidermist. I have a Greater Kudu, Impala, Stembuck and Warthog in Africa waiting to get mounted and shipped. I think I'll do a European mount.

Like someone mentioned above. At least you know a 100% he is gone and not to hold out for him. I wasted a tag last year waiting for a specific buck that I never did see again after the 1st week of rifle season and have not seen since.

Having the pics and sheds from last year plus your find is pretty cool in itself

Thats true at least you recovered him. Still a nice european mount right there. There will be another monster take his place, just wait for the rut. You'll see bucks you havent seen in years.

Make a set of rattling antlers, that would be a cool way to remember the deer....Then you could use him to rattle up a bigger one!!!

I'm sorry for you but in a weird kinda way, excited for you. Let's look at the positives here:

1. You actually found him. Most folks would never have been able to find him.

2. You can still Euro mount him and have the pics and stories to tell.

3. His genes have been passed on to his sons and daughters. Continue to feed and supplement and you will get a harvest on your investment.

Is this the time to say "Good things come to those who wait".

Great buck!

At least you found him and you know someone else didnt get him!

man i hate that for you. hope a bigger one slips up and gives you a shot.

good looking buck, sorry to hear you didn't get the chance to take him. But his genes live on

As others have said....at least you found him and have the knowledge that he was smarter than everyone else but mother nature....

great lookin deer! too bad he had to go, sorry man! But, hey now you can hunt his son and grandson and all!

ac

nice, i feel ur pain, i hunted out where my camper is for several years when i was younger and was just gettin into deer hunting, i never saw very good bucks, and was teachin myself everything, well, one day me and my brother are out building a fence for my grandpa on the place down in a old kelece(sp?) pit that became a tank, and sure enough, i find the entire skeleton of this big buck!! 16in spread 8 point with wicked tall tines!!! i was like WOW, i took the head home, but i shouldve taken better care of it, my dogs got a hold of it and now i just have it connected by the plate, i might remove the antlers this yr to use as rattlers.

or his son or grandson

+1 there Stax! Good idea.

I think you're lucky recovering what you did. At least you have something from him plus you get to keep hunting. It would make a nice Euro mount or plaque mount. Sorry the buck died though.

Sorry to hear that the big one passed. I am willing to bet that he spread his genes around. Im sure that there is probably another decent buck to fill his hoof prints. Hang in there.