From our good friend Matt “Flatlander” Cheever, who has been with us on the BIG DEER blog since day one: Hi Mike, just got a picture of a three-legged buck, have never seen him in our area before so he’s traveled a ways to get here. Wondering what the other BIG DEER bloggers’ thoughts are? Shoot him out of mercy? Let him live as he’s made it this far and seems healthy? Both scenarios cross my mind and I’ll probably not know until he’s in front of me to see how he really looks on the hoof, but I’m curious as to what others think? I may never see him again but thought he was unique.  I’d like to see [...]

        From the Wickliffe Police Department in Ohio: This video is from November 10, 2015 at about 4:30 pm. Two patrol officers were able to pull two deer free from a cistern full of bitter cold water located in a wooded area near Interstate 90 and Bishop Road. An area resident filmed the event and passed the footage on to us. We thought we would share it as it highlights some of the more unusual things an officer is called to do. Not much else to say as the video speaks for itself, but I should mention that the cistern has since been covered and is no longer a hazard. This is great, kudos to these officers [...]

For a couple of years I’ve been emailing with Cory S., a dedicated hunter and family man who has endured years of hospital visits and surgeries with a positive and inspirational spirit. I am happy to report that this year Cory was finally able to get back in the woods, and he was rewarded with his first bow buck. Way to go man, you deserve it. Click here to read the story of Cory’s hunt.  

Last month I embarked on an epic journey to hunt blacktail deer on Kodiak Island, Alaska. It was an amazing DIY adventure, and you’ll see the 2-episode special on BIG DEER TV next fall. Coincidentally, while I was up there, a guy sent me this photo he saw online somewhere. I have no idea of its origin, but I am glad I didn’t see it before I hiked miles in all those thick alders up there on the island. If anyone knows the origin of this picture let me know so I can give it the proper credit: Alaska… Man and beast locked in eternal battle. The man holding the gun was a guide on Kodiak Island back in the [...]

Hi Mike: On November 9th of 2014, while hunting on my lease in East Texas, I stumbled upon these two bucks locked together. They had suffered a horrible fate and had just succumbed to their death.  It appears that the coyotes played a part in their death as well.  It was tragic indeed, but had a bitter sweet ending. I was fortunate to find them on a very cool morning and just hours after they had passed.  Unbelievably, I was able to have them mounted (after gaining permission from a Texas Game Warden to take possession of them) using their original hides and antlers.....no add ons. I consider myself very lucky to have found them, and I believe this to be a [...]