On his first sit of the 2023 season, Ryan Reynolds put his tag on "Banana Split" — a big Nebraska buck that scored 168 7/8 inches.
September 19, 2024
By Clifford Neames
If you've ever hunted in Nebraska, there’s a good chance you've seen plenty of alfalfa fields, cottonwood trees, and yes, whitetails. Bow season begins in early September there. It's hot, sure — but it's also a great time to pattern a big buck. And Ryan Reynolds has a plan that puts him right on them.
Over the past few years, he's used cell cameras to monitor several areas until he locates a mature buck. Then he strategically places homemade blinds on the edges of alfalfa fields where it's feeding. The blinds are on trailers, so he can move them as needed. Additionally, he places them where he can sneak in without being detected. Ozonics is part of the play, too. The deer, which are used to seeing equipment in the field, so it normally doesn't take them long to wander within bow range.
His latest big buck — a 10-point with long bladed tines and some distinctive splits — fell victim on September 5th, 2023. Ryan and a neighbor work together to take older, bigger bucks, and they had been watching this one for several years. By the summer of that year, the buck they called “Banana Split” made its way to the top of the hit list. And wouldn't you know, Ryan closed the deal on his first hunt!
Reynolds and a neighbor had been watching this buck mature for several years. By the summer of 2023, it was at the top of their hit list. When the season opened, the buck was feeding near his blind every afternoon. Ryan needed a north wind to seal the deal, but the first few days of the season didn't feature one. On the afternoon of the 5th, the wind swung around the correct way, and it was go time. Ryan slipped into the blind wearing crocs and shorts — he was ready!
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Deer began entering the field, and before long there were several within a few yards of his ambush. Close is usually great for bowhunters — until it's time to prepare for your shot with all the extra eyes around. One buck even got as close as two yards.
“You're literally hunting all of the deer that come out first,” Ryan said. “If you spook any of them, the game is over.”
Banana Split was the fifth buck to exit the shelterbelt. He was 90 yards away and Ryan needed to work quickly to open the window on the blind.
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Ryan Reynolds knew he needed the correct wind to hunt this particular buck, and was rewarded for his patience with a fine Nebraska trophy. “It got a little tricky,” he added. “There were 12 deer in the alfalfa between him and I, and he was getting closer with every step.”
The buck got within 30 yards and eventually turned broadside — it was time!
“I would like to say it was all good after that,” Ryan continued. “But I hit the blind with my stabilizer, and he went on alert.”
It was just a little too late though. Ryan hit the release and the broadhead went to work. The big buck did a 180 and dashed back into the cottonwoods.
“I knew the shot was good, and then I heard him crash,” he concluded.
Another great Nebraska buck down. Banana Split stretched the tape to 168 7/8 inches, with his long brows and heavy beading adding plenty of character along the way.
