It will obviously take one rare and incredible animal to best the 213 5⁄8-inch monster that Milo Hanson shot near Biggar, Sask. 22 years ago.
My analysis of the top 200-inch typical racks in the Boone and Crockett book show that the new record typical will have to possess 12 points or more, with the G-2, G-3 and G-4 tines on each antler in excess of 10 inches; an inside spread of 22 inches and likely more; and bases of 6 inches or more, with good mass throughout the 27-inch-plus main beams. The rack will have to be clean and amazingly symmetrical, with few abnormal points and less than 8 inches of deductions. The animal will probably be 5 to 7 years old.
Of the thousands of typical racks that have been entered in the B&C book since 1993, the year Milo shot his giant, 80 racks scored more than 190 inches, and 7 topped 200. It would just take a few more inches of spread, mass and tine length to push a world-class rack like that over the top. Some people believe the new record will be shot soon, maybe one day this fall, though they have been saying that for the past 20 years.
One of the country’s top whitetail biologists doubts it will happen soon, and he has an intriguing theory why. “Most whitetail bucks have non-typical antlers in their genes,” says Dr. Grant Woods. “As they age, especially on managed private lands where there is so much nutritious feed, they start to put a lot of junk on their antlers. It’s actually pretty rare for a 6- year-old buck to be a straight typical these days.”
Woods expects the record for the largest non-typical whitetail (currently a 307 5/8-incher shot in Iowa in 2003) to be broken before the new No. 1 typical falls.
Where might the new No. 1 be shot? Based on my analysis of record-book bucks shot since 2000, I predict Illinois, Saskatchewan, Ohio, Kentucky or Kansas. My 2 sleeper states are Missouri and Nebraska.
Great article. Many points (pun…unintended (note: originally); but after I think about it, I want it to be intended after all) to ponder here Hanback. I generally agree with you on most topics. And, I know you’re basing your prediction on what has transpired since 2000. But, I believe you are hamstringing yourself as far as your list of potential states/provinces to crank out the new typical by not adding these 3 magical spots: Iowa, Wisconsin, and Alberta. And, my sleeper list would definitely include Minnesota, Indiana, and Manitoba (in that order). Just think of it Mike, adding your list and mine together would improve your chances of correctly picking the state/province to crank out the new Numero Uno exponentially. ;)
That’s what makes Hanson’s buck so spacial, free range in the Bush of Sask. Yes there may have been crop lands around but they weren’t for the deer, no supplemental feeding, 5 feet of snow,45 below, preditors and still had the age and body mass to grow those antlers. I’m not bashing people for managing their deer it’s great for population and a healthier herd, love seeing those big racks grow even on my land, “BUT” just think the #1 typical should come El-Natural no supplements.
Would love to see it come from some big woods, open land northern state but will have to agree with the state’s mentioned Mike.
Sadly you are all wrong! Some deer farmer will raise one under cover then release that buck on an open area and kill it or sell it to be killed. Most likely kill it himself as the less witnesses the better.
Bubble buster….. yes I am but I do think there is way too much $$ to be made and someone will keep trying until they succeed at it .
What will it take to topple the world record Hanson buck?
Luck piled on top of luck with some more luck…………..but it’s nice to dream about, isn’t it. When I was a little boy, I use to dream about those big eight and ten pointers on the cover of Field and Stream and Outdoor Life. That dream came true several times, so maybe, just maybe……………..?
Thanks for the criterion! Now I know what to look for :-)
Mike I think it will be sometime here in the next few years. Now more than ever there is an understanding of quality deer management and there are guys out there who are specifically growing whitetails to their liking. Letting more bucks hit that magical 5yr+ mark than ever before..however it will be tough for those bucks not to put on a bunch of trash that would ruin their score. The coues buck that I was chasing in Jan and hope to find again in August here in Arizona would put a hunter in the top 3 ever killed (United States)..possibly #1 with a bow. Pray for me and that a mountain lion or another hunter doesn’t get him first: )
With the “deer management” that has happened over the last 15-20 years I’m sure many thought this record would have fallen before now.
But as Grant Woods said in the article, with the nutrition available today, they put on a lot of “junk”. I’ve also noticed that the genetically manipulated “freak deer” on preserves put on tons of mass, but the non-typical characteristics take over.
I would agree that Kansas and Kentucky are two states that might have a real shot @ creating a new world record typical as both states seem to put out a lot of “clean” racks.
Regardless…it just goes to show that no matter what, it’s going to be very difficult (as it should be) to push the Hanson buck out of the number 1 spot…….
The Johnny King buck should have been the new world record from Wisconsin.
Scott I agree..however that is just the way the cookie crumbled for that buck unfortunately. I think that B&C should switch to a more modern system that fully appreciates every inch of a whitetail’s rack and go by gross score rather than net. I doubt that will ever happen though.