NY buck tops 180 inches as a 9-point typical [Photo]

Net score finalized on 17-pointer

Fredonia, N.Y. — Pat Rogerson knew the buck he downed last fall in Chautauqua County was big.

Now he knows exactly how big.

Rogerson’s 17-point nontypical monster whitetail pushed the 200-inch gross mark, at 197 7⁄8 inches. Its final net score, following the mandatory 60-day drying period, was 182 5⁄8 inches.

The buck was actually scored as a 9-point typical whitetail buck by Bob Turk, and official scorer for the Boone & Crockett Club, New York State Big Buck Club and, for bow-killed bucks, the Pope & Young Club.

Rogerson shot his buck last Nov. 29 with a Remington 1187 12 gauge shotgun.

That day, he was able to get out of work with a few hours of daylight remaining; he owns and operates a pizza parlor in Fredonia. And he had to head home because he “smelled like a chicken wing!” After a shower complete with scent removal soap, he sprayed down his equipment and packed his gear on his  four-wheeler and headed out to his sweet spot. 

Rogerson had already taken a nice buck during archery season and in the process discovered some active deer sign that promised a mature buck might be in the area. Driving to within several hundred yards of his area, he walked the rest of the way to his spot, where he had left his  climbing treestand. The day was perfect, with a slight southeast wind blowing in his favor, enabling him to hunt this specific spot. 

Spraying down with scent eliminator, including his clothing and rubber boots, he worked his climber up to 15 feet, where he dispersed hot doe scent and dominant buck scent. He then climbed up to 23 feet in an effort to keep his human scent out of range. 

Settled into his stand, he emitted four low grunts, then waited and used the doe bleat “can” call followed by an aggressive grunt call. A branch snapped nearby, followed by the squawking of blue jays. Rogerson stood ready for action and heard another branch snap 20 feet to his left. A big buck came into view with its head to the ground, following the scent path that had drifted to ground. Rogerson counted 7 points on one side of the rack and took his time aiming his shotgun. With venison already in the freezer, he felt no pressure as he touched off the copper-tipped Sabot slug. 

The buck did a mule kick and started to run, so he fired a second round and the buck ran out of view. It was 4:15 p.m. with plenty of daylight remaining, and Rogerson was worried his buck might be discovered and perhaps claimed by someone else. 

Rogerson called for some buddies he knew were in the area and directed them toward his spot. It was starting to get dark and the coyotes were starting to howl, with calls coming from three different directions. 

One of Rogerson’s buddies found the buck and called Pat, wanting to capture the hunter’s expression when he saw the trophy. 

Rogerson’s friends did the field dressing and loaded the big buck on the four-wheeler, making sure to secure the rack so no antlers would break off en route.  

Brian Noody of West Wind Taxidermy will be doing the mount. 

As for Rogerson, he is making pizzas at Lena’s Pizza in Fredonia and re-living the story every time a customer comes in and asks about the big buck.