Kentucky’s Biggest Buck Of 2006: The Pennyrile Surprise
A WORLD-CLASS TROPHY
Later, following the required drying period, official antler measurements of the giant rack verified what a super buck Dan had taken. The rack has 19 scorable points, with an antler spread of 29 4/8 inches outside, and 20 3/8 inches inside, with both main beams taping an amazing 30 inches. Tine length is exceptional, with brows (G-1s) that exceed 8 inches, 14-inch G-2s, and G-3s of 12 and 11 inches; even the G-4s are nearly 10 inches. Antler mass is awesome throughout the entire rack, with all eight circumference measurements averaging over 5 inches.
Additionally, the right beam includes a long 10 7/8-inch drop tine that gives the rack a truly unique character.
In regard to scoring, the 6x5 typical frame grosses an extraordinary 213 4/8 and nets, after minor asymmetry deductions, 205 5/8. After adding in the eight abnormal points, totaling 40 6/8 inches, the final non-typical B&C score stands at 246 3/8.
While this is a great score, ranking the buck No. 5 on the state’s all-time list of non-typical whitetails, it doesn’t tell the whole story. The typical frame of this deer is truly world class. Had there been no abnormal points, the typical score of 205 5/8 would have topped the current state record of 204 2/8 by more than an inch. Additionally, this score is only 4/8 of an inch less than the famous James Jordan buck from Wisconsin, which stood as the world-record typical for over 20 years. This means the Kentucky buck would have ranked as the No. 3 typical in the world.
On another note, the Pennyrile buck is easily the largest whitetail ever taken on the state’s public lands and would probably rank as one of the top all-time public land bucks in North America.
THE AMAZING 2004 SHEDS
Following news that the huge buck had been taken on Pennyrile, Bob Burke produced the buck’s matched pair of 2004 shed antlers and had them officially measured and entered into the North America Shed Antler record book. The sheds exhibit amazing similarity in size and shape to the 2006 rack, with both having the same basic 6x5 typical frame. For example, the right shed antler totals 95 2/8 inches, as compared to 98 6/8 inches for the rack’s right antler, and the left shed antler totals 90 3/8 inches, as compared to 94 3/8 inches. The sheds have only 25 inches of abnormal points; however, two drop tines had been broken off the right antler. The shed antlers (without an inside spread measurement) have a final non-typical score of 204 6/8.
Dan’s buck was aged by tooth wear at 6 1/2 years, which means the deer was 4 1/2 years old when it dropped the sheds. There is no known evidence of the buck’s 2005 rack.
Recently, Dan and David had the opportunity to revisit Pennyrile and return to the area where he had taken the giant whitetail. During their walk, Dan commented about the long distance and how many miles he had walked the night he took the deer.
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