John Schmucker's amazing non-typical, shot with a crossbow in Adams County, was one of the show-stoppers on display at the 2007 Ohio Deer &
Turkey Expo.
March 28, 2007 Update
Anyone who thinks 2006 was a down year for trophy bucks won’t find too much evidence of it in Ohio.
While walking around the Ohio Deer & Turkey Expo in Columbus last week, I saw plenty of monster bucks on display. Most noteworthy was the so-called “Amish” buck, shot by Adams County farmer John Schmucker with a crossbow last archery season. At an entry score of 291 2/8 Boone and Crockett points, this is the all-time No. 3 non-typical in Ohio history, and he figures to be recognized as the world’s all-time No. 2 whitetail by crossbow. If you thought this bruiser looked big on the January 2007 issue of North American Whitetail, you should see him "in person."
Not surprisingly, John’s tremendous deer drew swarms of gawkers at the expo. But he so did a number of other giants. One of these was a massive non-typical on display in the booth of taxidermist Travis Millard. This southwestern Ohio buck had been found dead on a tree farm in 2006. Travis is working with NAW editor Duncan Dobie to put together a feature on this deer for our magazine.
Another extremely impressive non-typical was brought in by 14-year-old Breanna Altomore. This palmated giant – the second buck the young hunter has ever taken! – came from northern Ohio’s Lorain County. Although the buck nets out at just over 200 inches, he’s far more impressive than that, with exceptional mass throughout his rack.
NAW's Gordon Whittington (left) admired many monster bucks at the Ohio Deer & Turkey Expo, including Charles Maple's wide, tall 8-pointer.
Ohio just keeps cranking out the giants, and 2006 was clearly no exception. Funny how so many hunters from the Northeast drive right on through the Buckeye State each fall, heading for the “best” places farther west in the heartland. They’re driving past bucks as big as those they’re dreaming of finding in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and other Midwestern hotspots.
This coming weekend I’ll be presenting food plot seminars at the Wisconsin Deer & Turkey Expo in Madison (www.deerinfo.com). If you’re there, look me up, and we’ll share a deer tale or two.
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