My BOAL - did I finally break 150"?
Contributors to this thread:Whitetail Deer
From: Jack Harris
12-Nov-19
It finally all came together tonight at last light. Watched this beautiful creature that doesn't seem possible to be living in NJ, from a distance of 350 yards from 4:20 PM on. How he came to me, at last light - can only be divine. On the small tract of land land my father purchased around 1960, the house I was raised in, and to tell my 83 year old mother at dark " I just shot the biggest buck of my life" as she came out to great me worried what took me so long (at age 55). It will be 1 year on the 27th since dad passed away, the guy that started me with shotgun deer at age 10, and then joining me later on when I found the bow at age 20 and said "dad you are missing the best months of the year to be in the woods - join me". This is one of my casual hunts, when only have 45 to 90 minutes to hunt - perfect spot if wind is right. I always prefer to get that wind that is "just slightly better for me, than it is for the deer" and tonight was that night. This monarch was checking out every doe feeding in fields for 350 yards, the last 10 minutes of shooting light. The last 6 doe he hadn't checked were feeding 17 yards from me in my mother's woods. He just came right in and turned broadside at 17 yards, and the rest is history. I green scored him very conservatively - rather stingy because I did not want to over-exaggerate such a precious thing as "the gross score". Needless to say - still in shock, only folks that can possibly relate are hardcore bowhunters. Thank you dad - for bringing me my 3rd big buck in a row, since you entered hospice and passed. Ok so let's have fun with "SCORE THIS".
From: deerslayer
12-Nov-19
Jack....... I’m in awe man..... wow...... that is a huge buck anywhere, but especially amazing considering the place and story behind it. What a great buck and backstory! Huge congrats my friend.
From: Jack Harris
12-Nov-19
a few more. Will get a dressed weight on it tomorrow
From: Stoneman
12-Nov-19
Congratulations on a great buck and story tying it all together.
From: BullBuster
12-Nov-19
163
From: Jack Harris
12-Nov-19
last ones... For perspective G2's were 11 1/8 and 10 and 2/8. One base was 5 2/8, the other 4 6/8. He had an H4 measurement of 4 3/8, which also matched H3 and H2 on right side! Carried the mass totally on the one side.
From: Hawkeye
12-Nov-19
Congrats! Great buck and story. Wow!
From: Grunter
12-Nov-19
Congrats that is a dandy big buck. Good back story as well. Bet your still in shock!
From: Habitat for Wildlife
12-Nov-19
Wow, congratulations!
From: Charlie Rehor
12-Nov-19
Jack: Congratulations! You always get it right with an appreciative story which includes the bigger picture some call life! Enjoy your success! C
From: Dirty D
12-Nov-19
Awesome, congrats!!!
From: altitude sick
12-Nov-19
Congrats, Great back story and looks like a good shot.
I’m guessing 168 gross
From: Bowboy
12-Nov-19
Congrats on a great buck!
From: Bou'bound
12-Nov-19
173
Wow. Just wow
From: 3rd Degree
12-Nov-19
Great deer Jack! You deserve it. Condolences on your loss. Sounds like he is still in the woods with you. Congratulations on a great buck!
From: Grubby
12-Nov-19
Congratulations jack! That’s a great buck and you deserve it!
From: Scar Finga
12-Nov-19
Score= Huge!!!
I am not good at guessing scores, so I will leave that to others. Congratulations on a beautiful buck!!! That deer is huge!!!
Thanks for sharing the story and the pictures!
From: huntnmuleys
12-Nov-19
Geez that buck is huge!!
From: midwest
12-Nov-19
Congrats, Jack!
From: ki-ke
12-Nov-19
DUDE!!! That is an amazing deer!! Jack, like others have said...on your folks place, where pop introduced you to the outdoors....combining an opportunity at a deer like that, in THIS state, with the emotions of recently losing dad?? I can't imagine how you feel.
Many congrats.
From: Beav
12-Nov-19
What a great buck Jack! Congrats man!!
From: WV Mountaineer
12-Nov-19
Dang it man! Congrats!
From: njbuck
12-Nov-19
Jack, congrats again! I'm not going to "guess" the score since you told me the number already. That is a deer of many many life times here in NJ, such an amazing accomplishment. If we could only get more people to pass on young bucks like you do the results would speak for themselves. Congrats again, you did Jersey Proud.
From: Supernaut
12-Nov-19
Wow, congrats on an awesome buck! I don't know anything about a score but all I can say is.....Buck of a lifetime!
From: Jack Harris
12-Nov-19
Thanks all. I was thinking high 150’s but he grossed 168 2/8 !!!! Great guesses some of u were right on it. The mass and beams and length just added up.
From: Treeline
12-Nov-19
More than big enough!
That buck, the circumstances, location and hunt truly transcends score! Your Dad was certainly there with you on that hunt!
Congratulations!
Buck of a lifetime Jack!
From: jstephens61
12-Nov-19
Regardless of the score, that’s a true buck of a lifetime. The fact that you shot him on your home place just adds to the memories. Nice job.
From: BIG BEAR
12-Nov-19
Wow !!!!! What a great buck !!! Congrats !!!
From: Shug
12-Nov-19
Congratulations Pal
From: Bowfinatic
12-Nov-19
What a buck! Congrats on an awesome deer, thanks for sharing the story
From: iceman
12-Nov-19
Wow man! Awesome deer anywhere. Congrats
From: mattandersen
12-Nov-19
You sure did way to go Jack!
From: Jack Harris
12-Nov-19
Thanks all. I was thinking high 150’s but he grossed 168 2/8 !!!! Great guesses some of u were right on it. The mass and beams and length just added up.
From: hdaman
12-Nov-19
Beautiful deer and a great story!
From: Shawn
12-Nov-19
At 55 some of our big buck careers are just starting!! Great buck but I figured 114"s tops!! As Charlie said, great story and not about the buck!! Congrats!!! Shawn
From: Genesis
12-Nov-19
Great buck Jack!
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
12-Nov-19
Beautiful buck and awesome story to go with it. Congratulations Jack!
From: Meat Grinder
12-Nov-19
Congratulations on an awesome buck.
From: altitude sick
12-Nov-19
Does your mom get excited seeing a big deer like that. What was her reaction?
From: mountainman
12-Nov-19
Great buck! Congrats.
From: HUNT MAN
12-Nov-19
Way to go Jack
From: GhostBird
12-Nov-19
Congratulations Jack... what a stud buck.
From: standswittaknife
12-Nov-19
Very good deer that will go over the 150 but an even better story
From: Ned mobile
12-Nov-19
Great buck and even better story!! Congrats!!
From: Pyrannah
12-Nov-19
Way to go
Congrats
From: MDcrazyman
12-Nov-19
Jack that is awesome man, have you ever seen that buck before?
From: huntinelk
12-Nov-19
Great buck, congrats
From: TrapperKayak
12-Nov-19
Awesome buck and story! I'll go with right at 160".
From: elkmtngear
12-Nov-19
Beautiful Trophy Whitetail, Jack!
From: BigStriper
12-Nov-19
Beautiful Buck Jack, what we all dream about. Real nice.
Kurt
From: T Mac
12-Nov-19
Wow congats jack he’s a stud!
From: Habitat
12-Nov-19
155 great buck
From: Treeline
12-Nov-19
You blew right on by 150 and knocked on B&C's door!
Awesome, awesome, awesome - all the way around!
From: stealthycat
12-Nov-19
162" ... closer to 170 had the G4 on the one side been longer and brows but super buck, gorgeous
From: Bake
12-Nov-19
That's awesome Jack! Congrats!
From: SD BuckBuster
12-Nov-19
166
From: Shug
12-Nov-19
Did I mention... congratulations!!!
From: Zbarebow
12-Nov-19
Congrats Jack! Scores are for football games. He is big enough and he is a beautiful looking animal.
From: Southern draw
12-Nov-19
Congrats that’s a beauty!
From: GF
12-Nov-19
I have zero clue as to what it will score, but honestly, brother.... why would you even begin to care?
That’s a really special buck. Nice shooting, too.
From: XbowfromNY
12-Nov-19
Great buck. I'll take a stab at it. 33" of mass, 54" inches of tines, 44" of beams (22" each?), that's 130", tack another 3" of all the eighths and that's 133" plus a 20" inside spread? 153"!
From: Ace
12-Nov-19
Outstanding buck Jack, congrats! Where and how it happened make it even sweeter.
From: Jack Harris
12-Nov-19
I posted score - here it is again. Green, gross = 168 2/8". Should net down to 157/158 but nets are for fish... Just weighed it - 193 lbs dressed. Still in shock.
From: Jaquomo
12-Nov-19
The story makes the buck! Congratulations, Jack!
From: Marty
12-Nov-19
Awesome story and great deer! I would have guessed around 162 gross. A great buck for anywhere, anyway. Congrats!
From: Ironbow-cell
12-Nov-19
Great deer and great story Jack! That's my dream buck right there.
From: EmbryOklahoma
12-Nov-19
Dude!! I'm so happy for you, Jack! Congratulations on a monster NJ buck. I promise I'll never talk bad about that shithole again.
From: drycreek
12-Nov-19
That’s a helluva buck Jack ! Congrats on keeping it together and making the shot on such a buck !
From: Shug
12-Nov-19
Up yours Rick
From: SBH
12-Nov-19
This is sooo great! Awesome Buck Jack! Thanks for the background and story about your dad. Really makes it something Special. When I saw the first pic I’m thinking....ya you got your 150” easy! Tremendous deer. Enjoy it man.
From: orionsbrother
12-Nov-19
Beautiful!!
Congratulations Jack! Gotta love the serendipity!
Very happy for you.
From: patience2spare
12-Nov-19
Congratulations Jack! As I remember you have a nice wall of bucks already! This one will look amazing at the top of your display.. or maybe beside on a nice pedestal! Happy for you! Pete
From: bentshaft
12-Nov-19
Nice.
From: Rupe
12-Nov-19
Congratulations Jack. Gorgeous buck!
From: wooddamon1
12-Nov-19
Beauty, congrats and great story!
From: WV Mountaineer
12-Nov-19
I checked the deer out again and realized I forgot to confirm if it was indeed a 150" deer. Yes, he was a 150" deer a couple years ago.
From: deerslayer
12-Nov-19
Yeah, I was thinking that was a wee bit bigger than 150”!!!! Wow!!!!
From: Zbone
12-Nov-19
Really nice buck, CONGRATS!!!
From: BigOk
12-Nov-19
Great story and great buck, congrats!!!!
From: t-roy
12-Nov-19
Congrats on a great buck, as well as everything leading up to it, Jack! Beautiful deer!
From: ND String Puller
12-Nov-19
What dreams are made of right there! Congratulations
From: carcus
13-Nov-19
Awesome buck! Congrats
From: Julius Koenig
13-Nov-19
Congrats!
From: Jack Harris
13-Nov-19
I do have one small confession. I shot my 9/16 doe, 9/17 velvet 10 point, and 11/11 giant 10 - all with 125 grain, 2.25” cut Swhacker broadheads. My VPA heads were getting boring. Too darn effective. Every deer I was zipping through had arrow buried in dirt. I had a friend convince me I was wasting energy into the earth that could instead drive a bigger cut through a deer. So I got a pack off Amazon fairly cheap. The penetration sucks - I did get two holes on first two deer and arrow fell out of exit side down the trail both having excellent murder scene blood trails. On the last giant buck no exit hole at all and no blood trail at all. However it dropped in site 50 yards at most. I still carry my 125gr VPA’s and was knocking them up most rut hunts. Still my ultimate BH for life. I still think two holes even if smaller cut are better than one.
From: Wayniac
13-Nov-19
Congrats on an awesome deer and a great story
From: Mule Power
13-Nov-19
Congratulations Jack. That’s a really nice one there! Definitely over 114. :-)
From: Patdel
13-Nov-19
Beautiful buck Jack. Congrats.
From: lewis
13-Nov-19
Great buck and story thanks for sharing Lewis
From: SteveB
13-Nov-19
Congratulations Jack! Well done sir!!
From: IdyllwildArcher
13-Nov-19
Grats Jack. Great deer anywhere - absolutely amazing that he was shot in NJ.
From: BC
13-Nov-19
Awesome buck Jack. good job.
From: longbeard
13-Nov-19
Way to go Jack! That’s everybody’s dream buck and YOU got him. U da man!!!
From: Stan NJ
13-Nov-19
Big congrats Jack...definitely buck of a lifetime for the Garden State...well done!
From: GF
13-Nov-19
Gotta love a boring broadhead!
From: MDcrazyman
14-Nov-19
I used schwackers for a long time with good results, the all steel ones should penetrate better i haven't tested those yet.
From: Rupe
14-Nov-19
Congratulations on a great deer Jack.
From: Steve Leffler
15-Nov-19
Congrats Jack. Awesome deer and great story. Thanks for sharing.
From: APauls
15-Nov-19
Congratulations Jack. I love it when guys kill big deer that can really appreciate it. Buck of a lifetime NO DOUBT!!! Congrats again
From: KSflatlander
15-Nov-19
Great buck. Got to love those with wide spreads. 22 inches...so cool
From: ryanrc
15-Nov-19
Nice!
From: Jack Harris
20-Dec-19
For all you score junkies - I did it again with the rack off the head. Instead of my original 168 2/8 gross it went down to 168 1/8”. This buck will go in the book as a typical probably around 156/157 though - he was not one for symmetry although other than the one g4 he certainly looked symmetrical. Kudos again to Altitude Sick for originally nailing it at 168. Made this handy spreadsheet a while back - it’s better at math than I am.
Again to have taken this off my Dad's property (the only buck I have ever shot there -it's usually my go to doe spot) and to have eclipsed my only real NJ bowhunting goal which was to shoot one buck in my lifetime that breaks 150 gross - still really hasn't sunk in.
From: TrapperKayak
20-Dec-19
Scores mean little to me, that's just a great buck and experience for you all around. That thing would make me want to take dozens of pictures too, and I'd stare at it for hours while hanging, and when it gets mounted. Awesome!
From: Scar Finga
20-Dec-19
Congratulations Jack!!!
Great buck man! I am very happy for you!!!
God Bless and Merry Christmas!
From: Smtn10PT
20-Dec-19
Beautiful buck, congrats!
From: Candor
20-Dec-19
What a great story and illustration of how family, heritage and hunting can be such a full feeling in our lives.
From: RT
20-Dec-19
Nice buck by any standard. Congrats.
From: Scrappy
20-Dec-19
Man that is a buck of a lifetime and on your family farm is priceless.
I used to use big mechanical broadheads but just got to expensive. Seemed I would never get a complete passthrough and always wound up with a broken arrow.
Congrats
From: Mad Trapper
20-Dec-19
Outstanding ! Congrats!!
From: TREESTANDWOLF
20-Dec-19
He’s a dandy buck and great story.
Congrats
From: bigswivle
20-Dec-19
Nets r for fishing!!!!! Great deer anywhere!!!!
From: BullBuster
20-Dec-19
Great buck. I was thinking 170 in my head. I agree about VPAs. Penetrate and fly great but marginal hole sizes and resultant blood trails. Never hit a shoulder with them but I’d bet they’d do major damage.
From: Marty
20-Dec-19
Gonna have to set new goals!! :) Congrats again!
