Maryland Mega Buck Ends Man's String Of Bad Luck

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Tyler Mercer and his brother, Jeremy, have been bowhunting together since they were kids growing up in New Jersey. Now they share a passion for hunting big bucks in Maryland. In 2021, a buck with a distinctive forked G-2 showed up on one of their cell cams in Maryland. He became known as “Muley,” but no one spotted him during that hunting season.

In late July of 2023, a buck with that familiar fork appeared again. His huge rack earned an immediate spot at the top of their hit list. However, their excitement faded quickly when they realized he had only shown up once before disappearing again. By the time hunting season arrived, both hunters had almost quit thinking about the buck.

Tyler and Jeremy both decided to take some time off work to hunt the first week of November. Tyler wanted to hunt a 140-inch 10-point, which kept showing up near a stand he favors. So, he committed to making the two-hour drive from home as often as he could, and his persistence paid off. The big buck came in, presenting a 12-yard shot. Unfortunately, an alert doe forced a quick shot and a disappointing miss.

“My luck with bigger bucks is not that good,” he says.

On the evening of Nov. 5, Muley returned. Seeing the giant on camera again motivated the brothers, but the emotional rollercoaster was just beginning. The next day of their hunt was a total bust; neither of them saw a deer.

“I was convinced I would never see my target buck again,” Tyler claims. “And I wasn’t feeling very confident overall.”

On Nov. 8, Tyler eased into the woods well before daylight. His green headlight was picking up eyes very close to his stand. As he closed the distance, he could make out the large body and rack of the big 10-point. The buck was eating acorns right below his stand! The deer bounded off into the darkness, and nothing came in the rest of the morning.

Tyler texted his brother and some friends, “I think I have used up all of my chances.” Then, as he hit send, he spotted a big deer coming in. The buck was moving fast, so Tyler stood and grabbed his bow. He ranged the buck at 40 yards, then 30. That was close enough! The lighted nock passed through the buck’s chest and Tyler watched him fall. His next text had an entirely different tone: “Got something BIG!”

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And big it was. The huge rack sports long brow tines, impressive G-2s and 10-inch G-3s. The buck’s spread measures 22 2/8, and the incredible rack gross scores 184! There was plenty to celebrate that night.