North Carolina Mountain Buck Potentially Sets New State Non-Typical Record
On Dec. 7, during the final phase of the rut, Vincent Clark entered a shooting house in Avery County, North Carolina. With most does already bred and bucks exhausted from chasing does, Clark patiently waited in the blind, overlooking a small food plot on private land surrounded by mountains accessible to public hunting. As the sun began to set around 5 p.m., Clark noticed a magnificent buck standing near the edge of the food plot, approximately 100 yards away. To his surprise, it wasn’t the buck he had anticipated, but Clark immediately recognized the massive whitetail from trail cam photos and shed antlers. Seizing the opportunity, Clark took aim with his 7mm Magnum Remington bolt-action rifle and fired. The buck managed to run a short distance before succumbing to his wounds.
Clark shared his encounter with his friend, Christian Gardner, a video producer with Appalachian Holler Hunters. Reflecting on his hunt, Clark expressed how rarely he had encountered this particular buck throughout the years, although there had been a few sightings and camera captures. “This buck had proven to be unpredictable,” he confided in Gardner.
Gardner, having had the chance to speak with Clark extensively and examine the buck the following day, was entrusted with sharing the story of this remarkable deer on behalf of Clark to Outdoor Life. News of the buck’s existence has spread rapidly, attracting the attention of numerous media outlets, all vying for a chance to interview Clark. This has understandably limited Clark’s availability. It is worth noting that the current non-typical deer record in North Carolina stands at 228 4/8 inches, achieved in 1998.
“This deer is a true anomaly, something we may never witness again in our mountainous region,” Gardner proclaimed. “With its 23 points and careful green-scoring by an official B&C scorer, it is expected to exceed 200 inches as a non-typical. The final score has been kept confidential, as there is speculation that Clark’s buck could become the new number one non-typical whitetail buck ever taken in North Carolina. However, this can only be verified after the 60-day drying period for the antlers is complete and a subsequent scoring is performed.”
According to Gardner, the presence of such large bucks is typically associated with coastal areas, rather than the mountainous Avery County, where winters tend to be harsh and whitetail food is limited. The Carolina mountains have relatively few deer, and even fewer giants like Clark’s buck. The highest-scoring buck taken in the area this year measures 143 inches, making it the best deer harvested in five to 10 years.
Gardner observed that Clark’s buck was inspecting scrapes at the time it was harvested. Remarkably lean, the buck displayed loose skin on its back and hams, indicating it was carrying far less weight (approximately 200 pounds) than it should have for its size. Additionally, the buck showed wear and tear, possessing only a few remaining worn teeth. It is estimated that the buck is between 7 and 8 years old and will soon be preserved by a taxidermist.
Reflecting on his achievement, Clark admitted, “I knew that during this late season, success would require perseverance and good fortune. I simply got lucky when he appeared.”
Reflecting on his achievement, Clark admitted, “I knew that during this late season, success would require perseverance and good fortune. I simply got lucky when he appeared.”
A skilled hunter, dedicated conservationist, and advocate for ethical practices. Respected in the hunting community, he balances human activity with environmental preservation.