Ohio Buck Could Potentially Be Third Biggest Whitetail Ever, but Scoring Questions Remain
UPDATE: Amid poaching allegations involving the Alexander Buck, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has seized the deer and is investigating. The investigation was initiated after allegations that Alexander hunted on private property without permission. The wildlife officers have confiscated the antlers, cape, and hunting equipment associated with the alleged unlawful taking of the deer. Read the full report here.
Many hunters dream of tagging a record-book buck, a massive Midwestern deer that stands out. These bucks, known as “Booners,” represent the gold standard in antler scoring and record keeping. Most hunters can only fantasize about such an accomplishment.
But what happens when this dream becomes a reality and you harvest a deer with the potential to rank among the top three whitetails of all time? And what if a controversial scoring rule could determine whether it qualifies as a record or not?
Ohio hunter CJ Alexander is experiencing exactly that. In an interview with Outdoor Life, Alexander discusses his potential record-breaking buck, his newfound fame, and the scoring rule that could impact the deer’s placement in the record books.
Alexander’s hunting season didn’t go as planned due to family commitments and equipment issues. However, during a 12-hour sit on his sister’s property, he encountered a buck that left him amazed. Despite making a poor shot, Alexander eventually found the buck and realized its immense size.
Since news of Alexander’s buck spread, he has received offers from antler buyers interested in purchasing it. These offers often come with doubts about the buck’s final score. The controversy revolves around a scoring feature called the “common base,” which can affect a buck’s net typical score.
Alexander is hesitant to submit his buck for scoring by the Boone and Crockett Club due to concerns that the score might be affected by the common base rule. He fears that the Club’s scoring might not be fair, especially considering the past controversy surrounding the scoring of the King Buck.
Despite the uncertainties, Alexander plans to have his buck scored by the Buckeye Big Buck Club, which uses the Boone and Crockett standards but isn’t influenced by the King Buck controversy. He hopes for a more objective assessment of his deer’s score.
As someone who understands the pressure of owning a record deer, Dustin Huff offers advice to Alexander. Huff suggests enjoying the experience and following one’s instincts when faced with decisions. He also reminds Alexander to consider offers carefully and not to rush the process.
Overall, Alexander feels fortunate to have encountered such a remarkable deer and has no immediate plans to sell it. If the buck qualifies as Ohio’s No. 1 all-time typical whitetail, he hopes to exhibit it at Johnny Morris’s Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium or pass it down to his son in the future.
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A skilled hunter, dedicated conservationist, and advocate for ethical practices. Respected in the hunting community, he balances human activity with environmental preservation.