I have waited 2 years to go back and hunt Iowa and like most dream of the chance to shoot a big old Booner. There were a number of these Iowa giants on the farm I was going to hunt but 2 of them 225" and 176" were shot before I got there. There were still some great bucks to go after and one in particular was a buck that they said was a big 8. They said his live weight was easily 300 pounds on the hoof before the rut and that he had a big wide 8 point frame but most importantly he was an old mature buck. He was seen less than 2 weeks before the hunt and was intact. The first 2 nights were really warm 55 and 60 degrees. Even though we didn't see any bucks there were still deer coming out in this picked cornfield. The third night we saw a big buck behind a tree line working its way into a shooting lane. I was getting the gun ready when the owner said OH F***!!! His beam is broken. I couldn't believe it the main buck we were going after was broke up just past his G2. I decided to pass. The next night another nice 3 1/2 year old came out and right behind him was the broken beam buck. I could not believe how much bigger he was. He towered over the 3 1/2 year old in body size and the frame of the rack. This was the first time I got a front and rear view of his rack. I was tempted to shoot him as he got as close as 67 yards. That night I talked to the owner and told him I think if he comes out tomorrow I am going to shoot him since I was having such a hard time passing such an old buck. He reminded me of the rule that if you shoot a buck on their farm you have to get it mounted or you are not welcomed back to hunt. I said I understood and told him if I shot him I would get him mounted and also have the antler repaired. As we sat and watched a number of deer and another really nice 3 1/2 year old the broken beam buck made another appearance. He worked his way very slowly from my right to my left. With 10 minutes of legal shooting light left he made it into a shooting lane and I was able to put one threw his lungs from 138 yards with my 20 gauge slug gun. He ran into a river bottom and once we found him we could not believe exactly how BIG his head and body were. He has a big wide frame and a cool tuft of reddish brown hair on the top of his head which really make his grey muzzle and ears stand out. Even though he was not the Booner you dream of I could not be more proud of this old warrior. Here are a few of the pictures of him.
Congrats again, do post pics of the mount after the repair. Don't believe I've ever seen a repaired beam on a mount. Have seen points/tips but those seem to be easier fixes. Having seen him now, I think I would have shot him too
Wow congrats on the deer! He is huge. I like the darkness of the top of his head. Please post up pics when he is done/repaired. How old do you guess him at?
Very cool buck. More impressive is the fact that you shot that old boy with a 20 gauge slug gun. What type of ammo were you using? Cant wait to see the mount. Beefie
I shoot a Savage 220 20 gauge slug gun and use Remington Accu Tip slugs. This is by far the most accurate set up I have used.
Awesome buck brother congratulations! Glad Im not the only one who put lead through an old broken rack buck haha. Was hoping you would join the club!
Heck of a buck and the broken beam it looks like he lived up to his reputation! I still wouldn't get it fixed but can understand your decision to do it. Would love to see a better pic or two to actually see that other beam, before and after.
I am not sure which is a better accomplishment. Shooting an old bruiser or getting gutone4me away from his trail cameras to go hunting !! Either way... Congrats !! Tim
