Mike Kemble's Near-Record 8-Point Buck

December 19, 2011 By North American Whitetail Online Staff

When the drying period ends on January 2nd, we'll find out if Mike Kemble's Ohio trophy is the new bench mark for eight-point monarchs.

Prior to November 3rd of this year, the number 180 3/8 and the names Vernon Winter and Victor Bulliner didn't mean a thing to Ohio hunter Mike Kemble. Winter -- of South Dakota -- and Bulliner -- of Michigan -- both took typical eight-point bucks (Winter in 1965 and Bulliner in 2001) that rank as B&C's best with the score of 180 3/8 inches net.

That all changed however when Kemble was able to drop a magnificent heavy-horned typical eight-point buck that grossed 186 inches and could potentially become the new benchmark for top typical eight points.

Victor Bulliner with his fantastic Michigan eight-point taken in 2001

His question was soon answered though when the buck of his dreams entered the fray, a tall and heavy eight-point giant that was looking for a fight 20 yards from Kemble and his Horton Crossbow.

The bolt flew and found its mark. Kemble watched with trembling excitement as the big deer crashed not 50 yards from where he was hit.

Kemble was elated with his kill, sending texts to buddies up and down his contact list. But the magnitude of having just shot an eight-point that could go down as one of the biggest ever didn't sink in until later that evening.

"I'd thought I'd shot a nice 160-inch-type buck, but when my buddies and I started putting tape to the rack, it started to sink in that I'd shot something special," shared Kemble.

The buck features 6 inches of mass at the bases, a 29 3/4-inch left mainbeam and 29 1/4 right mainbeam. The inside spread was 20 3/4 inches. Kemble is having the buck officially scored on January 2 after the 60-day drying period ends and is hopeful that the deer will come in higher than the 180 3/8-inch number that's now laser-etched in his head.

The buck should easily find itself as the new top eight-point buck for Ohio, which is 177 inches. Whether it'll top 180 3/8 and become the new benchmark for great eights? We'll be sure to let you know whatever the final number ends up being.

Kemble was hunting near Ravenna, Ohio and was set up just inside a small strip of timber that stretched between two big cutouts. In his stand and ready to go at 6:30 a.m., Kemble spotted activity right away when a small buck came trotting past his stand. Shortly after that, a 135-inch buck stepped out and in an effort to bring the nice deer closer, Kemble grunted but instead of drawing the deer in, the buck bolted, leaving Kemble wondering what the heck was going on.

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Vernon Miller took his fantastic South Dakota eight-point buck in 1965

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