Skip to main content

Alabama Muzzleloader Hunter Shoots 196-Inch Public-Land Buck

Michael Perry used years of scouting experience to find a spot to kill a southern giant.

Alabama Muzzleloader Hunter Shoots 196-Inch Public-Land Buck

With a gross score of 196 3/8", this is one special southern buck! (Photo courtesy of Michael Perry) 

Breaking News Bucks 2021

Michael Perry hunts public land on several different WMAs in Alabama. And he has great success in areas where others fail. Michael’s success comes from effort and knowledge gained through years of scouting. He puts in miles checking out new places, and he remembers when he finds a spot that looks good.

Two years ago, he found a new spot that looked promising. There was a creek crossing in the spot, and there was a thicket which could serve as a bedding area. On a hunch, he set up a trail camera that soon captured photos of a good buck. The deer was moving through at night, but Michael figured in time he might catch him on his feet during daylight.

Michael had already taken bucks good enough to make the Alabama Whitetail Records program with his bow and rifle. So, when his wife, Kathy, gave him a CVA .50 caliber muzzleloader for Christmas in 2019, he decided to try for the next one with it. In 2020, he didn’t get it done. But he was still getting pictures of the buck back in the thicket.

The buck was much bigger now, and when the 2021 season rolled around, Michael was ready to try the new area. Work and weather got in the way of hunting until the last day of the muzzleloader season. Michael’s wife also hunts. So, she tagged along, stopping well short of the thicket. He walked another mile in with a climbing stand and got set up.

The morning was frosty, and a little cloudy. Not perfect, but not bad.

At about 9:40 a.m., a nice 3 1/2-year-old deer came within 20 yards of the stand. Michael looked him over and let him walk. That decision proved to be a smart one.

Just five, short minutes later, the target buck showed up. And he was only a few yards further away than the 3 1/2-year-old had been.

Michael put the crosshairs on the big buck’s vitals and touched the trigger.

Alabama Muzzleloader Hunter Shoots 196-Inch Public-Land Buck
Michael's Alabama buck will be a tough one to top in the 2021-2022 deer hunting season.(Photo courtesy of Michael Perry)

The smokepole roared, and the buck went down quickly. Then, like many successful hunts on public land in the south, a very long drag began.

The 6 1/2-year-old deer has a huge rack featuring long beams, split points, stickers and heavy beading on the bases. With a preliminary, green gross score of 196 3/8 inches, this Alabama buck will be tough to beat!

To catch the full version of Michael’s story, subscribe to North American Whitetail magazine. It will be featured in one of our 2022 magazines!

Recommended


Subscribe today for just $8!




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Blake Garlock explains what it takes to fill your tag during a late season morning hunt.
Whitetail

198-inch Iowa Deadhead Found in September!

Blake Garlock explains what it takes to fill your tag during a late season morning hunt.
Learn

How to Use Satellite Images for Deer Scouting

Blake Garlock explains what it takes to fill your tag during a late season morning hunt.
Whitetail

196-inch Iowa Buck Taken by Bow

Blake Garlock explains what it takes to fill your tag during a late season morning hunt.
Whitetail

The BIGGEST Typical Whitetail Taken in 2023!

Blake Garlock explains what it takes to fill your tag during a late season morning hunt.
Gear

Reviewing Sig Sauer's Stabilizing Binoculars

Blake Garlock explains what it takes to fill your tag during a late season morning hunt.
Whitetail

Sam Collora's 213-inch Iowa Archery Giant

Blake Garlock explains what it takes to fill your tag during a late season morning hunt.
Gear

How to Pick Optics for Low-Light Scenarios

Blake Garlock explains what it takes to fill your tag during a late season morning hunt.
Gear

Field Tested: Ozonics' HR 500

Blake Garlock explains what it takes to fill your tag during a late season morning hunt.
Gear

Burris Expands Legendary Fullfield Line of Scopes

Blake Garlock explains what it takes to fill your tag during a late season morning hunt.
Whitetail

Michigan's State Record Typical Buck!

Blake Garlock explains what it takes to fill your tag during a late season morning hunt.
Learn

How to Rattle in a Big Buck

Blake Garlock explains what it takes to fill your tag during a late season morning hunt.
Learn

How to Kill a Big Buck During a Post-Rut Morning Hunt

North American Whitetail Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the North American Whitetail App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top North American Whitetail stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All North American Whitetail subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top North American Whitetail stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use