2009 Ohio shotgun 193 7/8 19 point non typical

by John Nichols
(Washington County, Ohio)

19 points 204 3/8 gross 193 7/8 net non typical

The first time I saw this buck was in the second week of August. He was feeding with an eight point and a six point right before dark. I knew from one sighting of him at seventy five yards, that his antler growing season would soon end, but I also knew that if he started to shed velvet right then that it was ok. He was already a good one. On August 24 I got my first trail cam pictures of him. In the pictures I could tell he had at least 14 points. I hunted for the buck throughout bow season with only one early season sighting of him at 70 yards. As most big ones do, I think he went totally nocturnal. I could only hope that the upcoming rut would be his weakness and downfall. During the peak stretch of the rut I had the opportunity on several nice bucks but the biggest of them all had disappeared on me. I began to wonder if the sightings on my property was on the fringe of his range. Luckily during our week long gun season the stars aligned as well as my 12 gauge sights on his shoulder as he was trying to sneak his way through some of the thickest cover above me. He had been spooked by a hunting buddy of mine some 250 yards away. The buck was officially scored and will be recorded with the Ohio Buckeye Big Buck Club and Boone & Crockett Awards. The buck has a 21 3/8 inside spread and an outside spread of 26 3/8. Main beams of 26 5/8 and 25 6/8. The deer had a nice drop tine on the right side broke off, sometime between the trail cam photos and his last trip in the woods.