With November just a week away, anticipation grows for what is known as the best time of the hunting season. Bucks are more active, searching for does and preparing to fight off any challengers.
While a large number of successful hunters harvest their deer during the rut, there are those who don’t wait, and harvest a big buck prior to the madness that is the rut.
Combing through multiple platforms, here are some of the giant bucks that fell prior to the rut.
Tara Peel – Iowa
With an incredible amount of character, including split G2s and G3s on the deer’s left side. Tara was able to harvest this Iowa bruiser before he became more active looking for does and likely traveling off the property where Tara was hunting.
Tara still has one buck tag to fill with November right around the corner.
Terry Drury – Missouri
It should be shocking to no one that Terry was able to seal the deal on this monster Missouri buck! After five other encounters, it all came together on the buck called “Mick Dundee”.
Had Terry not been able to harvest this buck when he did, chances are he would have traveled off the property.
Owen Reigler – Iowa
Talk about a buck of a lifetime, it didn’t take a hot doe to bring this gigantic buck within Owen’s effective range. sporting 213″ of antler, and having one of the widest inside spreads he has ever seen, Owen is certain this is a buck he will never forget.
Owen credits all the people who helped him during the offseason, prepping, planning, and working hard so that he could have the chance at the buck he called “The Loch Ness Monster”
Trent Siegle – Kansas
After taking a 226″ on this same farm years prior, Trent had the opportunity to buy that exact farm and call it his own. Going into the 2023 season expectations were high, and they were met with another mature buck.
Even with a light and variable wind, this Kansas beast stuck to his pre-rut pattern and walked into Trent’s plot, and the rest is history!
Spook Spann – Tennessee
This buck can be used as the definition of hard work. Strategically planting corn, beans, and clover, Spook was able to put an arrow in this beautiful buck before the need to breed took over and changed this buck’s pattern.
After managing this farm for over 20 years, Spook eludes to the idea that this buck is only one of many that call this farm home.
With a week to go until November, there is still time to get out and tag a big buck before he leaves his home range. On the search for a hot doe, and possibly into another hunter’s sights. Get out and HUNT!
