A Welcomed Surprise: Stunning 200-Inch Kentucky Buck Shocks Hunter

• Hunter: Tony Brown
• Buck: 200 inches (Buckmasters)
• Date of Harvest: November 13, 2024
• Location of Harvest: Kentucky
• Weapon of Harvest: 300 PRC Bergara

Big non-typical bucks are rare, and that makes Tony Brown’s 18-point Bluegrass buck a true wonder. He had no previous sightings of this deer, but when it showed up, Brown knew what to do.

He’s been hunting for more than 45 years. He lives in North Carolina. But he, his brother, and some friends have traveled to hunt out of state for about a decade. They’ve hunted Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Missouri. Eventually, his brother bought land in the Bluegrass State.

On November 13, 2024, the day produced 39-degree lows and highs in the mid 40s. Because his brother left to return home for work, he decided to hunt his stand.

“He had been seeing more deer out of his stand than the rest of us had, and he told me the night before to just hunt out of his,” Brown said. “I told him no, but after looking at my trail cam pictures that morning, I decided I would hunt out of his stand after all.”

The spot was in a wooded area on a hill. Thick woods stood around him. His max shot was about 60 yards.

Soon after the morning hunt kicked off, a couple deer walked in and out of view. Some rifle shots cracked in the distance. Squirrels scampered. Blue jays fluttered about. It was a calm day.

At one point, a big 10-point Brown was after made an appearance. It didn’t offer a shot. It walked through the thicket and departed before Brown could do anything about it.

Afterward, a doe and fawn stepped out. Then, suddenly, this massive buck entered the scene.

“I had no idea or knowledge the deer was there,” Brown said. “I heard a stick break to my left, and it was the big buck walking toward the doe. I had to ease up and get my gun without scaring the yearling that was 10 yards from me.”

He got the gun on the buck, settled down, and took the 40-yard shot. The deer ran about 30 yards and fell over. Then, it started to set in that he’d shot a huge deer.

Looking back, he partially credits the success to planting food plots with corn, soybeans, clover and several other food sources. That helped keep does in the area.

Of course, part of his hunting group arrived to assist with the recovery.

“Leroy dropped down to his knees, and grabbed the deer by the antlers,” Brown said. “He looked back at me with a tear in his eye, and said, ‘You don’t realize what you’ve done. This deer will go 200.’ He attempted to take some pictures but was shaking.”

His brother, who’d recently left to go home, called to celebrate with them. He was ecstatic they’d bagged such a big deer.

“Deer hunting is something my father instilled into me and my brother from a young age,” Brown said. “It’s something to get out and enjoy with family and friends. It’s all about being together, having fun, and enjoying God’s creation.”

After news of the buck broke, the neighbors sent Brown and company trail camera photos they had of the deer.

Brown’s taxidermist aged the buck at 6 1/2 years old. It scored 200 inches using the Buckmasters scoring system.

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