Sixth Time’s the Charm: Texas State Trooper Arrows Possible County-Record Buck
Tarif Alkhatib, a Texas State Trooper and dedicated bowhunter, recently killed a massive buck on Dec. 8 that surpasses all the wall-hangers he has ever tagged in the last 12 years. This extraordinary deer is one of Texas’ most impressive kills this season and has the potential to become the new record for a typical whitetail in Grayson County.
Although Grayson County may not have as many whitetails as other counties in Texas, it is known for producing high-quality bucks over the years. Located in the northeast corner of the state and bordering Oklahoma, it is one of only four archery-only counties in Texas. Some local bowhunters, including Alkhatib, argue that this designation should remain unchanged. Alkhatib firmly believes that the exceptional buck he killed in early December is proof of why the county should continue to prioritize archery hunting.
The buck, called “Shredder” by Alkhatib, is a 12-point mainframe buck. A taxidermist in nearby Fannin County rough-scored it and estimated the gross score to be in the upper-190s, with a net score in the upper-170s. This means that Alkhatib’s deer has a good chance of surpassing the current Grayson County record for a typical whitetail buck, which stands at 175 2/8 inches and was taken in 2007. The final determination will come after the 60-day drying period ends in early February. Regardless, outdoor writer Lynn Burkhead states that Alkhatib’s buck is likely one of the largest typical deer hunted in Texas this fall, regardless of the weapon used.
Alkhatib considers the buck’s tagging as one of the most memorable moments in his bowhunting career. It was not a result of a chance encounter, but rather the culmination of six separate encounters throughout the season. Alkhatib spent a considerable amount of time pursuing and tracking this particular deer. He watched Shredder since last year and noticed that the buck favored one of his properties in Grayson County. By setting up multiple stands and feeders, along with using cell cameras to monitor the buck’s movements, Alkhatib was determined to harvest this elusive deer.
On Nov. 23, Alkhatib had his first encounter with Shredder. The next morning, he saw the buck again, gaining valuable insight into its aggressive behavior towards other bucks. The third encounter occurred a few days later, but Alkhatib did not have a clear shot opportunity. The buck started using a different area of the 400-acre farm, forcing Alkhatib to adapt. However, this change in behavior did not deter Alkhatib, as he encountered Shredder two more times in the following week.
After the fifth encounter, Alkhatib began to feel discouraged, believing that the deer was unkillable. Despite having the buck within range three times, he prioritized an ethical and comfortable shot, not wanting to make a hasty decision. However, his patience and persistence paid off on the night of Dec. 7 when he received a photo of Shredder bedded down with a doe in the same spot as their first encounter. Alkhatib knew he had a good chance the next morning. And his opportunity finally came when Shredder chased off a smaller buck, offering a quartering-to shot at just 18 yards. The buck didn’t go far before dropping and ending their intense game of cat-and-mouse that lasted nearly two weeks.
Alkhatib remains humble about potentially setting a record, stating that he has never officially scored a deer before. However, for this exceptional buck, he believes it’s necessary to have it scored, especially if it becomes the new county record.
A skilled hunter, dedicated conservationist, and advocate for ethical practices. Respected in the hunting community, he balances human activity with environmental preservation.