(Photos courtesy of Antlers by Klaus)
December 16, 2024
By Josh Honeycutt
Big 8-point bucks are rare. It takes a lot for one to make it over 140 inches. An 8-pointer in the 150s or 160s is a true feat. But when they grow even bigger, and reach the 170s, 180s, or 190s, it’s truly something to see.
Oftentimes, when 8-pointers reach these levels, it’s due to them hitting key points in certain categories. Generally, it takes long beams that reach into the upper 20s, or even 30 inches, to score so well. It also takes long brow tines, 12-plus-inch G2 and G3s, and heavy mass that carries throughout the beam, to reach such marks. Overall, it takes a special concoction of age, genetics, nutrition, good health, and more, for a buck to get there.
For those who love to see such awe-inspiring deer, here are looks at huge 8-point bucks you must see to believe. They just might be some of the rarest bucks to walk the earth.
The Tom Hermansen Buck Given the storied nature of the state, it’s unsurprising this massive 8-pointer (shown above) called Wisconsin home. Although it sports a main frame with eight points, the double drop tines make it a non-typical and add some character.
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Tom Hermansen shot this 191 7/8-inch whitetail, but according to Antlers by Klaus , he refers to himself as a meat hunter. He was hoping to shoot a doe and fill the freezer. In fact, he was settling the sights on a big doe when this mega walked out in front of him. Seeing it out of the corner of his eye, he quickly shifted gears and dialed in on this buck. He placed the crosshairs on the buck’s shoulder and pulled the trigger. The deer ran out of sight. About a half hour later, he climbed down and retrieved the deer.
The Andre Beaudry Buck You don’t hear of many deer coming out of Quebec, Canada. But when they do, they’re usually pretty big. During the 2000 hunting season, Andrew Beaudry bagged this huge 8-pointer . Its chocolate rack certainly draws the eye.
Scoring 168 inches, it’s about as massive as true 8-pointers come. The deer measures 27 6/8 inches inside, which is almost unheard of, and very rare, in the wild. It’s outside spread is 31 inches. While it has short brows, it’s G2s and G3s are more than respectable. This clean typical is what big-buck dreams are made of.
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The Hog Eight The Hog Eight was taken by an unknown hunter. The year of harvest is unknown, too. However, it was taken in Iowa. According to Antlers by Klaus, its main beams measure 29 2/8 and 31 3/8 inches, inside spread measures 22 1/8 inches, and G2s measure 11 4/8 and 13 6/8 inches.
Scoring 190 inches, this big deer offers a cool 8-point main frame with some extra character. It’s technically a non-typical, thanks to the split G2s. Because of those forked points, it isn’t a true 8-pointer, but they are abnormal points, which are not part of the typical frame. Regardless, it’s a brute of a buck, and it offers a lot to look at.
The Montana 4X4 Another big, clean typical 8-pointer, this one comes out of Montana. The hunter and year of harvest are unknown, but the massiveness of this deer is no secret. In the world of big 8-pointers, it shines. Due to a clean, very symmetrical rack, this buck scores an impressive 164 inches.
The Jim Teafoe Buck This deer wasn’t killed by a hunter. Instead, it was found dead. During the spring of 2011, Jim Teafoe found this deer while shed hunting. Despite likely being on the ground for quite some time, the rack was still in great shape.
This Illinois buck scores 171 inches, and officially reaches “Booner” status. Although it has a couple short sticker points, we’re calling it a true 8-pointer. Great beam lengths, good brows, and towering G2s and G3s make this an impressive whitetail.
The Backyard 8 Another deer to see, this buck known as “The Backyard 8 ” is a buck that really sets itself apart. It was harvested during the 1997 season. The massive Kansas deer scores a whopping 180 inches. The big typical gets there thanks to good mass, great brows, sky-reaching beams, and awesome tine length. It’s as great of an 8-pointer as you can hope for.
The Mark Hayes Buck The Mark Hayes Buck is another great eight. The hunter, date of harvest, and location of harvest are unknown. That said, this huge typical scores an eyebrow-raising 169 7/8 inches. Of course, its good mass, wide inside spread, curvy main beams, long brow tines, and huge G2s and G3s culminate into that great score. The burred bases and brow tines add character, too.
The John Shumate Buck While the John Shumate Buck isn’t a true 8-pointer, it displays a main frame with eight points. Plus, it’s too cool not to share. This Iowa deer scores 172 5/8 inches. But the incredible brow tines, and long G2s are the most impressive features. Of course, it has great mass, and a few extra abnormal points, too. Altogether, it’s an incredible buck.
A Big 8-Pointer of My Own I, too, have taken a big 8-pointer. The journey started in 2017, when I received a trail camera photo of a promising 4 ½-year-old 8-point buck. He showed up in September, but I’d already filled my Kentucky tag for the season. I watched the deer for the remainder of the season.
In 2018, the deer packed on another 20 inches. I followed the deer via trail cameras throughout summer. Eventually, once season opened, I moved in to hunt the deer. The first sit produced a sighting, but he remained just out of range.
The next day, I moved closer to his line of movement from the previous day. I hung a treestand and settled in for the afternoon sit. A cool, light rain dropped temps quite a bit.
The first deer to move were a few does and smaller bucks. Then, the bachelor group the big 8-pointer ran with emerged from the timber. He and two other big bucks fed into the hay field, and picked over the clover. I watched them for several minutes.
Eventually, the deer walked within range. I drew back, settled the pin, and took the shot. It connected, and the buck only went a short distance before expiring. He officially grossed 163 6/8 inches.
