Hunt for Unique Indiana Non-Typical Results in 185-Inch Typical

In late July, Indiana resident Eric Fier was at his local gym when he began chatting with a friend who works out at the same place. The discussion soon turned to whitetails and the upcoming season.

"When Seth showed me a few trail-cam pics of a deer I kind of laughed it off," Eric said. "I was like no way that’s a wild deer. It was just to big with points going everywhere."

The big non-typical Seth had shown Eric was on land that bordered Eric’s family farm Seth had leased. Wanting to try and lay eyes on the deer, Eric climbed up atop one of the grain bins at his family’s farm for an evening scouting session. As the sun was settling on the horizon, Eric noticed a deer coming up out of a ditch to feed in one of the ag fields.

"I couldn’t believe it," Eric said. "It was him. The big non-typical was real."

While sitting atop the grain bin, Eric called Seth to tell him of the good news.

When October rolled around, all focus was on the giant non-typical. Hunting the first few weeks of season, neither hunter were able to connect with the buck.

"Feeling like we were pressuring him to much, we shifted our attention elsewhere," said Eric.

On October 20th, with the wind not right and feeling burnt out on pursuing the non-typical, Seth suggested that he and Eric try another farm down the road.

"It was 70 degree," Eric said. "And my wife wanted me to go to a cookout, but I gave in and went hunting."

Seth hadn’t hunted this particular farm yet this year, but last year had a nice 160-class buck on it.

When they arrived at the farm, Seth handed Eric a pruning pole, telling him he may have to cut some lanes to shoot since he’d not been to the stand in over a year. 

Arriving to his location, Eric soon found the stand along a block of timber surrounded by a standing cornfield.

"I climbed up the 16’ ladder stand and looked around to my left and to my right," Eric explained.  "I had two small holes to shoot through."

He elected not to cut any tree limbs, fearing the noise would minimize any chance he’d have at incoming deer.

As the evening progressed, Eric watched several does filter from the woods into the standing corn field by his stand. With around 30 minutes of hunting light left Eric heard one loud grunt off in the distance.

"I wasn’t sure if it was Seth or a real deer," Eric said. "Because I wasn’t sure where he was actually sitting."

Looking back over to his right, Eric soon located the source. It was a giant long-tined typical that Seth had told him about and it was heading right to Eric’s position.

Grabbing his bow, Eric awaited a good shot when the buck stepped into one of his small windows. With the buck standing broadside at 25 yards, Eric released what he felt like was a great hit. Immediately, Eric sent a text to Seth to share the news. With some daylight left, Eric returned to the truck to wait for Seth.

"It was still light out when Seth also arrived beck at the truck," Eric said. "He walked by me and didn’t say a word — he didn't look happy."

Seth hadn't seen a single deer, but the mood changed when Eric told him he'd shot the big 10. Apparently Seth hadn’t gotten the earlier text, but congratulations and high fives began soon thereafter. 

Returning to the stand location, Eric and Seth soon found the buck a short distance away.

"Walking up on it, there was definitely no ground shrinkage," an elated Eric said.

With 10 long sweeping points and a 22-inch inside spread, the giant typical Hoosier grossed 185 inches.