I remember the first time I saw the 14 point, (6X8) 213 1/8 inch World Record B&C buck that Milo Hansen harvested in 1993 with his .308 Win. Model 88. I remember thinking out loud that I had seen whitetail racks with thicker main beams and a greater spread, but none with the combination of width, height, symmetry and sheer typical whitetail beauty of the Hanson Buck. Its inside spread measured just over 27 inches, its greatest spread was over 29 inches and six of the rack's 10 main points exceed 11 inches. I remember introducing myself to Milo, getting my picture taken with him and his deer and chatting for what seemed like hours. The whole time we talked, I was staring at his magnificent buck and felt overcome with the sensation that I was in the presence of true greatness! It has been almost 10 years since Milo harvested his deer and the Hansen buck is still the undisputed world record typical whitetail buck!

Recently, I took a trip to see the antlers of another magnificent typical buck. One glance and a feeling that indicated I was again in the presence of true greatness instantly filled my body. My Whitetail Fanatic instinct told me that I was looking at a very significant typical whitetail buck. The incredible part about this story is that the buck that grew this fantastic set of antlers is most likely still alive! The antlers I was looking at were a set of sheds that were found in the spring of 2003. They had been slightly chewed by squirrels and other rodents but were otherwise in reasonably good shape.

A potential walking world record typical -- in the wild! Multiple thoughts raged through my mind. My eyeteeth are pointed -- my eyes are located in the front of my head -- that makes me a predator -- I'm going after this buck! Grab my gun? Where is my bow? Sign me up for the early muzzleloader season?. Get me a paper bag to breath into, I think I'm hyper ventilating! Big typicals that are already dead are one thing. Big typicals that are still alive are a completely different thing!

The sheds were found in the Midwest at a location that is obviously being closely guarded. Applying a modest 21-inch inside spread, replicas of the sheds tip the B&C scale at 208. Although there is no way to tell for sure, the sheds give the indication that they could be from a younger deer and conventional wisdom provides me with the tempting thought that given another year to grow in the rich Midwest farm country, this buck may likely produce a new world record! Get that paper bag -- I think I am hyper-ventilating again!

The truly amazing thing about the set of shed antlers is that if you take away the inside spread, this magnificent animal grew almost two (2) more inches of antler than the Hansen Buck. The shed antlers have since been replicated and several of the replicas have already been mounted using existing capes. As previously stated, the replicas were given a 21 inch inside spread and to view the antlers in person I got the impression that the 21 inches is a modest representation of the bucks true inside spread. Despite the 6 inches difference on the inside spread, the Midwest Monsters final score is only 5 1/8 inches short of the world record. Given a full year to grow it is easy to imagine that the Midwest Monster may very well exceed the mark set by the Hansen buck.

The Midwest Monster
Is the Midwest Monster the next potential threat to Hanson's reign as the World Record typical whitetail buck? So far, the Hanson Buck has withstood all challenges. While no one can accurately predict the future, I feel strongly that if a hunter can harvest the Midwest Monster sometime during the next two seasons it will pose a serious threat to the current record.

• Watch for an upcoming full-length feature article including all the details along with a head to head comparison of the Hanson Buck and the Midwest Monster beginning in the October 2003 issue of The Whitetail Fanatic magazine.
• Watch for an upcoming full-length, two-part feature article on the Midwest Monster beginning with the October 2003 issue of The Whitetail Fanatic magazine

* Reprinted with permission of Whitetail Fanatic magazine.

Whitetail Fanitic
Tommy's Tip Of The Month
Whitetail Fanatic Subscription Info: bheying@whitetailfanatic.com
Web Site: www.whitetailfanatic.com
Email: tfassbinder@whitetailfanatic.com