Joel Masters poses with the massive Sabine Parish buck that capped years of patience and management.
January 17, 2026
By Clifford Neames
Louisiana offers a special two-day hunting opportunity for handicapped hunters the first weekend of October, and Joel Masters took full advantage of it this year. He is on a 3,800-acre lease with a group of like-minded hunters who have agreed to only shoot mature bucks that are 5 ½ years or older.
In 2023, he had a camera-shy buck that managed to stay in the background of images, making him hard to see. That habit earned him the name “Sasquatch."
“Our management plan is uncommon in these piney woods,” Joel said. “We also feed heavily with protein outside of hunting season, but not every buck has what it takes to be a giant.”
Sasquatch was about 130 inches then — definitely one to keep an eye on going forward.
Last season, he grew into a high-150s buck that everyone thought was old enough, but they again agreed to let him walk another year because he showed so much potential.
The camera-shy buck known as “Sasquatch” appears in velvet on a summer trail-camera photo. Bring on the summer of 2025 and Sasquatch was carrying what they suspected was close to 170 inches of antler, and fair game to anyone who could make it happen in the upcoming season.
Luckily, Joel and his dad, Ryan, had him coming to a feeder near an elevated blind on the edge of a powerline. If he would stick to that pattern until the opener, they might be able to seal the deal.
“The night before the hunt, we were concerned about the wind,” added Joel. “It was not going to be perfect for the stand, but we really felt I needed to get out there and try to make it happen. I enjoy hunting with my dad, and the extra set of eyes would help.”
They arrived at the blind an hour before sunrise, spraying down heavily for scent control. A few minutes after daylight, deer began filtering toward the feeder. A large group of does milled around the feeder as the pair scanned up and down the highline.
“I noticed a large bodied deer moving across the opening and into the trees,” Joel continued. “Then he stepped into full view and I knew it was him!”
A proud Joel Masters with the beautifully symmetrical Louisiana giant that exceeded expectations. Joel raised his .30-06 and squeezed off a shot, scattering deer in every direction.
“My heart was pounding, and I was wondering where he went," he said. “Then I looked through the scope and realized he had gone straight down!”
Measuring the beautifully symmetrical rack revealed it was quite a bit larger than expected — a true Sabine Parich giant totaling 183 3/8 inches.
“I don’t expect to ever see another one that big around here,” Joel admitted. “I was very blessed to take it!”
