Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. — When Stephen Tucker went out to hunt during the muzzleloader season in November 2016, he had no idea just how epic it would be. The Tennessee man ended up shooting a 47-point, non-typical whitetail buck that is now poised to become the new world record.
According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tucker shot the deer on November 7. The buck’s jaw-dropping rack was quickly brought to agency officials for measuring. Using Boone and Crockett methodology, TWRA Captain Dale Grandstaff determined the buck had a “green” score of 313 2/8 inches. Grandstaff then made point deductions that he felt were required by Boone and Crockett rules, resulting in a net score of 308 3/8 inches.
The current world record is a buck harvested in Iowa that scored 307 5/8 inches, but Tucker still wasn’t guaranteed that his deer would become the new record holder because the rack had to undergo the mandatory 60-day drying period. If it shrank much during that time, there was a chance his buck would fall short and Tucker would have to settle for a Tennessee state record.
On Jan. 9, Tucker brought the 47-point rack back to the TWRA offices for follow-up scoring by Boone and Crockett officials. Now dried and ready for a conclusive measurement, the antlers were given an incredible score of 312 3/8.
“I have truly been blessed and I am very thankful,” Tucker told Fox News. “I have had a lot of phones calls and questions and have tried to be patient waiting through the process. I am very appreciative to my family, friends, and the TWRA, especially Capt. Dale Grandstaff, who has led me through the process. I believe he has been as excited about it as I have.”
Although the second score is on the books for Tucker’s buck, he still won’t officially hold the record until 2019. At that time, a panel of Boone and Crockett officials will conduct final measurements at the organization’s awards banquet.
Assuming the antlers are given a similar score at that time, Tucker will finally hold the title of world champion.