Whitetail Time Machine: It's Tailgate Season

Whitetail Time Machine is North American Whitetail’s newest and coolest campaign for 2024. It’s fueled by old-school hunting photos sent in by our magazine’s readers and fans during the 1980s and ’90s. Each week, we’re posting another batch of throwback photos, all of which we found stowed away in a huge box that’d been tucked in a corner of our office in Kennesaw, Georgia, prior to its closing.

These photos came to us from hunters across the continent. And trust us when we say they’re “old school” cool. You’ll see everything from vintage camo patterns, classic pickup trucks, retro hairstyles, hunting bows and guns from yesteryear… and of course, big whitetail bucks!

This week, it’s all about the classic “tailgate shot.” This nostalgic pose has been a staple amongst deer hunters for generations. Back in the day, before people cared very much about field photos or making sure they had the perfect shot for their social media page, most hunters made sure they snapped at least one pic of themselves and their trophy in the bed of the pickup. We’ve got hundreds of cool, old tailgate photos in our archives, but here’s four for this weeks’ Time Machine. Check ‘em out!

Texas Truck Buck

Steve Fails of Winnsboro, Texas, hunted Coleman Co. for this super 11-pointer, which barely misses Boone & Crockett minimums at 169 3/8 points. The buck has a 21-inch inside spread and field dressed 155 pounds, proof that central Texas still has some quality hunting.

Indiana Slugger

Tom Bouchie slipped up on this bruiser of an Indiana non-typical during that state’s slug season. A 130-yard shot dropped the buck, which dressed 225 pounds and scores 193 Boone & Crockett points.

Nebraska’s 1988 Record

According to the record book, this 186-point non-typical might be the biggest buck taken in Nebraska during the 1988 season. Steve Blankenship of Omaha dropped the buck in Washington County. The score consists of 30 5/8 inches of abnormal points on a net typical frame of 155 3/8. The buck was shot on Nov. 19.

Georgia Giant

Jim Foshee of Orlando, Florida, took this 20-inch wide 10-pointer, grossing 158 Boone & Crockett points, in Dooly Co., Georgia. The buck, which dressed 192 pounds, was shot on Dec. 14.

Send Us Your Photo!

Have a vintage whitetail picture you’d like to see featured in Whitetail Time Machine? Email us a clear scan of the image and information about the deer, at: whitetail@outdoorsg.com