Big Find: Michigan Monster Buck (257")!

Posted At : February 17, 2010 3:00 PM | Posted By : Mike Hanback
Related Categories: Big Deer Blog

Mike: This is the story behind this buck as told by the gentleman that now owns the antlers.
What an absolute GIANT! Enjoy, Tony Smith

The deer was found in a field in Lenawee County [Michigan] on Sunday, Feb. 7th, 2010. It had been mostly eaten by coyotes. The cause of death is unknown, but no gunshot wound, broken bones, etc. Natural causes appears to be the best guess. It was found by a friend walking her dog who then called my father-in-law. He brought the deer to my house and I immediately called my neighbor. His brother is an official CBM (Commerative Bucks of Michigan) scorer who green scored the deer at 257.2 (247.4-net). The picture posted is of myself and my son. At this point, there have been no offers from Cabela's or any other parties. The rack is currently at an undisclosed location until the 60-day drying period is over and it can be re-scored by an official CBM panel. I hope this helps to clear up the confusion surrounding the MONSTER BUCK. Who knows, maybe we'll all see it on display at Cabela's some day. -Mike Guenther

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wow!......massive beams and mass!!...congrats...that is a great buck....wonder if any one was after him or seen him before???

# Posted By parrish | 2/17/10 3:23 PM

Mitch Rompola had stuck a arrow in this buck but never recovered it.......: )

# Posted By Scott from MI | 2/17/10 3:57 PM

Wow! Amazing deer. I love seeing big bucks from MI. Is that the biggest ever to come out of MI?

# Posted By Lance | 2/17/10 4:10 PM

Lance, could be. I believe the largest right now on record is 238-2/8" Taken by a hunter. This however is bigger but not
taken by a hunter

# Posted By Scott from MI | 2/17/10 4:23 PM

Hard to believe that deer like that are walking around loose. BTW, Scott, could the arrow have killed the buck? I assume no arrow was found.

# Posted By Rodger | 2/17/10 5:05 PM

I just got an email yesterday saying it was a road kill in michigan...."This monster was hit by a car on Michigan Ave. between Clinton and M-52. He was hit on Tuesday night, the night of the big snowstorm. Clinton police on left, guy on right was 3 cars behind the car that hit the deer and saw the deer flip into the ditch. Look at the thickness of the antler above the cop's hand. I guess this thing scored like 246 inches of rack. could be new state record, not hunting record of course. I heard the guy was going to donate the deer to Cabela's for a mount. The spread inside the rack is 28 7/8". unbelievable. "

What's the real story here Mike????

# Posted By Chad M. | 2/17/10 5:06 PM

I tend to believe this story more than the roadkill story btw.

# Posted By Chad M. | 2/17/10 5:14 PM

Roger, i was just making a joke about the Michigan deer. Remember back in 1998. Mitch Rompola from norther MI had just shot the new world record typical whitetail with his bow and all the stories and bs that went along with it. Seing how this MI buck
has different stories behind it. : )

Rompola Story http://www.sealingexperts.com/welcome_to_bbdc.htm

# Posted By Scott from MI | 2/17/10 5:23 PM

chad i have seen and received both stories i think this one is legit

# Posted By hanback | 2/17/10 6:14 PM

I understand getting a few details switched, but how do you get two completely different stories for the same deer? One hit by a car, found by cop, the other seen by a lady walking her dog and recovered by a neighbor.

Anyways, the beams on this deer are ridiculous. Length and mass are tremendous. I didn't know Michigan still produced deer like that!

# Posted By David in NC | 2/17/10 6:35 PM

And no, Cabela's will not be giving this guy a dime for that deer. Gotta love people and their get-rich-quick strategies.

# Posted By Adam | 2/17/10 7:07 PM

Well hit by a car or an arrow hes still an awesome buck none the less.I doubt cabelas would purchase the deer?I would mount it and call it the one who got away or at least almost beat a small sedan.Either way its a great buck.

# Posted By DaveZ. | 2/17/10 9:00 PM

Mike,

Of particular interest would be what this thing would score as a TYPICAL. If it nets 247+change non-typical, do you feel that it has over 34" of non-typical growth? Looks like a clean 6x6 mainframe and while there are many stickers I don't think I see enough to drop below 213 5/8". Get where I'm going here? Cabelas may be calling him and right quick!

Sully

# Posted By Sully | 2/18/10 2:27 AM

Sully, i had the same thoughts myself....i just have a hard time seeing 247" on him

# Posted By Scott from MI | 2/18/10 9:07 AM

Looks like a 200" typical frame. Best market for that rack would be a private collector, sounds
like he has a couple people to share the loot with.

# Posted By Eric Williams | 2/18/10 10:38 AM

Glad the horns were recovered before the mice and squirrels got to them. I'm not a big fan of selling horns. To me it's like putting a price on a whitetail and that's just not the way I roll.

# Posted By pappa necbone | 2/18/10 12:16 PM

That buck would make an awesome euro mount. Awesome find. I don't see the reason for a shoulder mount of a buck you find though. You didn't shoot it, you FOUND it. Reminds me of a story my oldest son (10) told me. He went to a friends house to spend the night. AJ being a hunter noticed the buck on the wall congratulated the dad to which he said "He's my biggest" to which the son replied...dad, you found that along side the road. The dad replied "Why did you do that to me?" AJ and the boy left the room snickering.

# Posted By Licking Branch | 2/18/10 12:33 PM

This buck totally reminds me of the Damery Buck.

# Posted By Dean Weimer | 2/18/10 12:34 PM

thats over 200 easy there isanother buck in southern MI that grosses 206 3/8 nt

# Posted By TDT | 2/18/10 1:17 PM

There is no way that buck came from MI unless it was farm raised. We don't grow them that big and never have period. In that general vicinity where it was claimed to have been found is hunted heavily. Nowhere in MI is the hunter density higher than right there! If it were legit, hunters would have seen it or gotten a trail cam pic, and many would have seen it in the summer months. Sad if this is a desperate hoax for attention or $$$.

# Posted By Kevin | 2/18/10 9:02 PM

Mike's story is true and legit...this buck was found in the specified area. There are many deer like this in Michigan, and you're correct, people don't see them, but some people do. If I were to see a buck of that size, I certainly wouldn't tell anyone about it. You would have every idiot in the Tri-County area sitting on top of you trying to bag him. Also, that beast is well over 220...

# Posted By JS | 2/19/10 1:43 AM

Kevin, Because you've never seen a buck like this while hunting you automatically discount it's validity?
The gentleman that posses this giant also owns one of it's sheds and another gentleman from the area believes he also has a shed from 2007.
Our problem in Michigan isn't genetics or nutrition it's age. This buck is estimated to be 6.5, a true rarity in Michigan.

# Posted By Tony | 2/19/10 12:39 PM

Licking Branch, Why spend the money on a euro mount? Why not just throw the darn thing in the trash?
If the guy wants to find a cape and mount it, God bless him.
A lot of "found" bucks get mounted, ever heard of "The Hole in the Horn Buck"? The "Missouri Monarch"? just to name a couple.
For crying out loud why can't you just appreciate this incredible specimen for what it is?

# Posted By Tony | 2/19/10 12:45 PM

Well said gentleman! FYI: The car accident story is definitely false. I just saw the email, and the picture that is with this email, is of the police officer and Mike's father-in-law. He was not someone that was driving down the road and saw the deer get hit. I just thought I would clear up that rumor...

# Posted By JS | 2/19/10 1:12 PM

I see bucks like that all the time, behind 10' fences! In all but 1 pic I've seen so far it's left ear is concealed from view. When I did see the left side in a pic half of the left ear was missing. because of an ear tag?? Can't exactly pass a deer off as wild when it has a hole in it's ear from a tag huh? Solution...Just cut it off and blame coyotes, right? LOL This wouldn't be the first attempt at passing a zoo buck off as a wild one, but there getting more creative.

# Posted By Kevin | 2/19/10 11:32 PM

Wow half the ear is missing? Hard to believe this one Sounds pretty fishy to me too.

# Posted By Jay | 2/20/10 12:34 AM

Kevin, I'm not sure why you are so adamant that this buck is not a free-range Michigan deer. Unless someone brought this deer from a zoo or a farm and dropped it off in our friend's field, it most definitely is for real. Several people have sighted this same deer in the area and have taken pictures of it at different times during this last year. As for the ear, I'm not really sure what exactly happened. It may have been torn during a fight with another buck, or eaten by coyotes. I don't know. But what I DO know, is that it did not have an ear tag and I didn't cut half of the ear off. I really don't appreciate being called a liar. The fact of the matter is, our friend found it while out walking with her dog. Period! If you don't believe it, then I don't know what to tell you.

# Posted By Mike | 2/23/10 11:55 PM

Mike Guenther, I too saw the pics. That left ear is cut off like Kevin said! It seems very odd to me as well.
1-Michigan does not have deer like that!
2-No live pics or eye witnesses!
3- found dead (so the ear tag could be removed and the ear mutilated and blamed on coyotes) couldn't do that if it was claimed to have been taken during the season!

It's sad when people try to pull the wool over other peoples eyes. 15 minutes of fame? The hope for a payout from Cabelas?
It's just not worth it! Only you and a select few know the truth, but it really doesn't matter does it!
Jay

# Posted By Jay | 2/26/10 11:25 PM

To kevin and jay. how could you possiblly think there is no deer this big in michigan. dumb thought... maybe if you stayed in the woods past nine or actually let a young buck walk by you might see one too.. I have shot a 200" buck in michigan and it was aged at 3 1/2. and I've seen and missed bigger. doesn't take a farm to grow deer this big in fact most farms can't get them this big. hunting pressure isn't hard on a 6 year old deer cause he's smarter than you will ever be. just cause you have shot only six points don't disclaim others. If you was a real EDUCATED hunter you would know this deer is in no way impossible!! And why wouldn't a scavanger eat the ear?? they eat it all thats their job.

# Posted By john | 2/28/10 11:19 AM

OK John, tell everyone your name /year and prove that you shot a 200" buck! You obviously got it scored right? It's not to far of a stretch to say MI doesn't have bucks like this, look in the record books, look whats been harvested in the last 30 years 1 over 225" that's it! Never 247" or 257" and there is a reason for that, THEY DON'T EXIST IN THE WILD!!!! FYI deer farms don't have a problem achieving 200" but I guess like you said " if you was educated" LOL... you would know this. Spoken like a real genius by the way! LOL!!

# Posted By Jay | 2/28/10 11:07 PM

Well jay my name is Johnny Walker. look in the cbm record book in Eaton county 2001 and you'll see my buck and my name he grossed 192 as a non typical and netted 165 as a typical 10 point which is how I scored him. When the new edition comes out look again and you'll see the other 2 bucks I have entered. If I could post a pic I would cause I love showing them off as proof of how to be ethical and educated. your dis belief is total proof of your ignorance. Not that i have to prove myself to you because with your attitude you'll never be listed in those books. I live in an area where there is far more pressure than where this buck lived. just because it's not in your proof book does not mean people don't kill them not everybody scores their deer.I have 15 mounts ranging from 120 to 130 that I never scored.I have 2 sheds that measure over 75inches each from two years ago and 1 buck is still alive, well in the 190 to 200 range and he donesn't live on no farm. Did you see the 30 point 240 buck the 14 year old amish kid killed last year in Nashville .?? bet he grew that on his pig farm huh!. My friend and neighbor has a 176 in your proof book that grossed 190 shot in Eaton Rapids once again no farm..I also know farmers that have tried to grow bucks in fences they don't make 240 sorry and if they do you would know all about it would be no question about this buck. Deer after 4 or 5 years don't get harvested they die of old age. Most are consumed in about a week and the horns within a month or two the 1 percent of them that do get harvested 1/2 are poached and not scored. So tell all of us Jay how many big bucks have you wrapped your hands around ?? Not one I guarantee it cause if you ever did you wouldn't be talking smack about this deer. There is a buck this big in spots all over this state you are just one of the ones to stupid to find them. 10 percent of the hunters take 90 percent of the deer cause the other 90 percent are to lazy to work for it or they just shoot bambie which percent are you Jay? maybe someday you'll get your chance to be proven a hypocrite

# Posted By john | 3/1/10 12:52 AM

LOL, too funny!
That 30 pointer was taken in southern Ohio in 2006! not Nashville not WI. not 2007 08 or 09 ( do a quick google search). Just goes to show you unfortunately there are a lot of hoaxes in the hunting world, you especially can't rely on emails as credible sources (hard to believe I had to tell you that).LOL! Yes you did harvest a 165" in 2001 CONGRATS (TS BIL) and as I understand it you had a lot of doubters as well, which explains your angst! At any rate 165" is a far cry from 257" which is the subject here, as 165" doesn't even qualify for B&C and is hardly "WORLD CLASS". You may choose to believe it and I can choose not too. K! FYI I do have a number of bucks in the books, but don't think that is how you gauge a hunters ability or would lend any credibility to any discussions nor this one. Take a deep breath and relax, don't worry it will be OK! there will be plenty a gullible hunters who will believe it.
have a good day,

# Posted By Jay | 3/1/10 10:04 AM

lol ok jay you win stud. theres no wild 200" bucks in michigan just on farms you proved it . Have fun on your quest to disclaim hunters and to discredit the deer itself.

# Posted By john | 3/1/10 12:06 PM

Stud eh?
Jeez John, you couldn't be more bitter. Not looking to discredit the deer, fabulous buck! And there are no hunters to discredit either, as it was said to have been found dead. right? 200" bucks in MI.? You bet!! Just not 257" in the wild in MI.
have a good day,

# Posted By Jay | 3/1/10 3:51 PM

The buck that the collingsworth kid killed about 15 miles or so from where the deer in question was found is a 17 pt. 200" class deer, its not 257, but that proves that there are 200" deer in MI and specifically more than 1 in this area, as a matter of fact Paul Kintner shot his record buck in 1996 just a few miles away from where collingsworth killed his, and Kintner's was a 200" calss deer as well, and the Davis buck was killed in 2004, but was a little farther away in hudson, but still in the same county as the above mentioned deer and broke Kintner's record, there are big bucks in MI, and there are big deer in lenawee county, a 257" deer is rare no matter where you are, thats why its generating so much interest.

# Posted By Dan | 3/2/10 11:38 AM

Yeah i hunt about 5 miles north of where this deer was hit, close to manchester, but i swear I seen this deer 2 years ago in bow season in a swamp just off of schleweis road. and he was a monster then!!!

# Posted By Brandon | 3/3/10 6:59 AM

oh and for any of you disclaimer fags ...nobody cares.. a deer can grow 200" anywhere just needs the right food space and genetics. wait till this one goes in the books, then you will really look like and idiot.

# Posted By Brandon | 3/3/10 7:06 AM

It was raised right here alright! I have a few pictures of him from this last fall. Still in velvet chasing does around in my front yard! I'm glad he was found.

Mike

# Posted By Mike | 3/3/10 2:45 PM

Wow!! I heard the storie this weekend, we live near where the deer was found! Congrats! That a huge deer! Glad I got to see it for myself :)

# Posted By Nikki C | 3/3/10 4:21 PM

He is absolutely legit! As Mike said above, Mike's my dad, we have pictures of this deer in velvet with other bucks near it and like he said, another of him running a doe down in my front yard. I have seen this deer for the past 2 years, but never past November 14th! Didn't get that big by being dumb.

# Posted By Ryan | 3/4/10 12:50 AM

I drive for a larg trash company.And have seen some very larg whitetails in more populated areas than this.Just two years ago I seen the largest buck of my life and it was also off michigan Ave.But it was just outside the city of yipsilanti just twenty or so miles from this big guy they learn to move at night to avoid trafic and detection.

# Posted By stacey morrison | 3/6/10 10:16 PM

i seen that buck in novber he was in with in 16 yards but could not get a shot with my bow im glad some one got him

# Posted By darrald martin | 3/15/10 5:28 PM

Who said Michigan don,t have big deer.That a nice rack.

# Posted By Chuck Osborn | 3/19/10 1:47 PM

i do know it was found by old lady walking her dog ,how killed not known,she gave it to her neighbor word got around and cabelas offered 160.000 which he wil split with old lady you people need to know your facts before you run your mouth,it was manchester, clinton area too and we do have bigger here in mi i seen one with so many points i could not count them bow season cound not get a shot one step i could have but that's how they get so big there not stupid, and i'm with js If I were to see a buck of that size, I certainly wouldn't tell anyone about it or at least where i saw it . You would have every idiot in the Tri-County area sitting on your lap ,but they do have to wait for the 60 day drying period

# Posted By mikie | 3/21/10 5:58 AM

jay is a idiot I live in lenawee county and ive seen huge deer behind my house nothing quite this big but at least 2oo class it was hit by a car . there are lots of big bucs in mi

# Posted By Rick | 3/21/10 11:22 AM

great find and great deer. hopefully he bread some does and left his traits. good luck next year.

# Posted By alphonse hill | 3/21/10 12:26 PM

A question on the buying of the this nice buck why wouldnt cabela's buy it they offered 200,000 for the poached deer in minnasota even thow it was a B & C 8pt.

# Posted By Randy | 3/22/10 4:01 PM

I like laughing at dumb hunters like you guys! Solomon said that laughter is good medicine so I should be good and healthy by now! To Tony, don't get too worked up, people will rarely believe you when you have something like this. To you retards that don't believe in deer in Michigen, you are being laughed at! I have seen very big racks coming out of there. I have been told that big deer don't exist here in Pa either, but I saw some true monsters in a heavily hunted area this year that no one else has said anything about seeing. it is a good idea to keep an eye out for hoaxes, but lets leave that to the professionals. You judgemental people that are calling "lier" havent even seen the evidence. (no three stories and a pic are not evidence)

# Posted By Chris | 3/22/10 5:06 PM

If anyone makes any money off this it will be the department of natural recourses, if the person holding the rack did not take the deer hunting or recieve a road kill tag for it it is unlawfully obtained, and don't think the DNR hasn't realized that yet

# Posted By tony | 3/22/10 11:42 PM

I might not live in MI but ive seen huge bucks on T.V

# Posted By BrianG | 3/23/10 2:05 AM

tony knows nothing they were issued a tag

# Posted By mikie | 3/23/10 8:55 AM

Nice deer and a great find. Why not keep it for yourself as a conversation piece. If you are set on giving it away try Bill Dance at Bass Pro. He may be more than happy to display it in one of his stores.

# Posted By Steve | 3/23/10 11:52 AM

apparently they were issued a tag, but honestly what does anyone want with a rack of a buck they didn't take with fair chase methods

# Posted By tony | 3/23/10 12:01 PM

Nice deer and ask Tony when do you need a road kill tag for a deer killed by other animals and find the deer body and rack in the field. Michigan hasn't been picking up there road kills as I see so many laying along the road so tell Tony to busy off. Tony sounds like a jerk.

# Posted By Richard | 3/24/10 2:29 PM

state police said it is a 500 fine for picking up deer on side of road and they may call dnr thats why you see so many deer on side of road in mi

# Posted By mikie | 3/25/10 8:17 AM

In case you are not aware Richard, in Michigan you can not legally obtain antlers or any other part of a deer without some type of documentation no matter how it was killed. This sounds crazy I know but it is true no matter how much of a jerk I am. Normaly no one would be the wiser but if it shows up on the internet you better have your ducks in a row, which these people seem to.

# Posted By tony | 3/25/10 11:08 AM

I have pictures of this deer. I didn't know how big it actually was until I saw the woods n water magazine. We used to laugh about the elk we had pictures of. I had no idea. My friend said he shot at a 14 point last year. Probably the same one.

# Posted By steve | 3/25/10 8:56 PM

Nice rack! I would love to see this head at Cabela's in Dundee, MI (not far from where it actually lived). I hope it is dontaed, however. I also don't like seeing a price put on a deer's head -- it encourages poaching.

# Posted By JimBow | 3/26/10 9:27 AM

Tony thank you for the information and I take back what I said about you and yes Michigan is mess up.

# Posted By Richard | 3/27/10 9:20 PM

well anyone who says michigan doesnt produce big dear must not spend much time in michigan woods i hunt in a very heavily hunted area in northern michigan and i am in the woods all year round and have seen many 200 plus class deer

# Posted By Paul | 3/29/10 3:12 PM

how many points did this thing have?

# Posted By Rob | 3/31/10 11:58 AM

These are some ridiculous comments. Michigan has plenty of deer of 200. I've killed plenty of deer that have half their ear gone or ripped to shreds. No one is going to see a deer like that and not pick it up I bring home sheds from four points. It would make an awesome mount to put in a home or office and if someone was willing to pay me for it, well i'm definitely not rich so show me the money. Sounds like alot of jealousy going on here. Awesome deer.

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# Posted By wow power leveling | 4/1/10 2:43 AM

HEY THATS MY DEER!!! Just box it up and sent it to the following address........ Seriously, If you don't have it mounted yourself, I would suggest contacting "Legendary Whitetails" they are a mail order deer hunting accessories company in Wisconsin. They have a museum of trophy and record white tails including the Jordan buck. They are always on the lookout for outstanding mounts.

# Posted By Marko | 4/2/10 1:04 PM

i dont see the big deal on whether it was farm raised or in the wild. the guy is not claiming he shot it so its not like he is taking credit. it was found.

# Posted By Ben | 4/2/10 4:25 PM

Nice buck some of you hunters in disbelief of big bucks in your area should spend some time in the woods we have some nice bucks in ND t e
all the weekend warriors that think they are good hunters come out to the country and shoot the first thing with antlers they see I
have watched big bucks crawl under logs into piles of brush into rock piles and then watched elmer fudd walk right by and shoot
a yearling 3X3 so nice buck do not pay any attention to the jealous want to be hunters

# Posted By Tom | 4/3/10 10:16 AM

# Posted By breitling tourbillion watches | 4/7/10 3:51 AM

for all the nonbelievers out there, nobody expected the new world record deer to come out of Minnesota, but it did. even if it was poached by a lowlife. I have seen some big deer here in the land of the lakes but never thought one that big could be around. So there can be big and even huge deer in just about any place even if you don't see them standing in your yard looking in your window..spend more time in the woods, maybe you will see one, maybe not. but don't accuse someone of lying just because you are such a poor hunter that you never see anything bigger than a puppy running under your stand!!

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# Posted By saily | 4/14/10 12:54 AM

WOW, It's too bad this Awesome Whitetail wasn't harvested during the hunting season.
But what a lucky find. I think it would be really cool if Cabela's would make an offer to
display this mount in their Dundee store! I know I would like to see it in person.

Machete from Manton, Mi.

# Posted By Machete | 4/18/10 12:17 PM

A true trophy buck. What is the law in Michigan about possessing game that is found dead? I am pretty sure in Wyoming, hunters (or citizens for that matter) cannot posses road kill or game found dead, in or out of season?

# Posted By The Hunting Consultant | 7/27/10 7:51 PM

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