Classic old time photo

lv4huntn · Jan 9, 2006

My great-grandfather killed this buck in 1956 in Idaho. It is the number 14 Idaho all-time typical and supposedly scores 204. It doesnt have any eyeguards but is 33 inches wide and super semetrical and tall. This is the only photo ever taken of it. When my great grandfather died ten years ago, my grandfather took the rack and had it for a year or so until his brother took it and wont let anybody even see it! I am only 23 and remember taking it to school in junior high for a report I did on deer. Unfortunately I didnt know anything about scores back then. My grandfather found this picture the other day and gave it to me. He told me not to tell his brother! If you have seent the Idaho's Greatest Mule Deer book, you will notice it is not in there. The author contacted my grandfathers brother, but he said he didnt want anything to do with the book becasue the nonresidents would get ideas! go figure. Anyway hope you enjoy. Lets see if we can get some measurement references based on the rifle from all of you score experts.

Dan

257Tony · Jan 9, 2006

From that photo it looks really close to the one I have on my wall thats 204, here is his measurements.

_________Right side__________________left side
Main-----27 6/8----------------------26 6/8
g1-------3---------------------------3
g2-------16 6/8----------------------18 1/8
g3-------12 1/8----------------------11 1/8
g4-------14 5/8----------------------15 7/8
h1-------4 5/8-----------------------4 5/8
h2-------4 2/8-----------------------4 2/8
h3-------4---------------------------3 3/8
h4-------4 4/8-----------------------4 5/8
outside spread--32 7/8
inside spread---28

211 1/8 gross
204 4/8 net

His side view looks almost identical..
here is a pic.

Yeah, I am a pic whore, so sue me, they really do look a lot alike!!!

Tuffbucker · Jan 9, 2006

What a great picture. Its too bad your great uncle is hiding that buck from the world.

Thanks for sharing...hopefully youll get your hands on those horns again one day.

SCOTT

tufferthandug · Jan 10, 2006

That buck does look exactly like Tony's comparison.

idahonative · Jan 10, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Jan-10-06 AT 08:50AM (MST)[p]Dan, thank you for sharing. I am the author you contacted. It's a truly great buck, and too bad that your great-uncle has to have such a strange view. If he really knew the status of hunting in Idaho right now, he would know that no one really wants to hunt here anyway!
When I called him and found out that his dad had taken the buck and was now deceased, I thought it would be a great chance to pay tribute to him and his trophy. I was actually kind of shocked at his "angle". I told him the focus of the book was to preserve all the history of that generation of hunters. He said it would bring more hunters into Idaho. I said, "You realize that isn't possible because Idaho caps its non-resident tags?" He hung up on me! Too funny. He was one of three people out of nearly 500 who said no.
Anyway, if you would like to share that photo for the 2nd Edition, email me at [email protected]
Would love to be able to preserve your relative's story.

By the way, great photo! Pretty rare to see the actual animal from that long ago. On scene photos are priceless. Too bad he couldn't have been in the photo too!

lv4huntn · Jan 10, 2006

idahonative,
I was actually hoping you would respond. I just got ahold of that photo. It took my grandfather a while to find it. I am still working on trying to get ahold of the actual rack, but who knows. He does have some outrageous views. I think it is just lack of education on his part. He is an old timer that isnt happy with all the changing ways. There is alot he doesnt understand, and doesnt want to. How is the second edition coming along? I know I am looking forward to it!
Dan

quickdrawkinker · Jan 10, 2006

Just one thing Tony, subtract 6" off the gross because he said it doesn't have eyegaurds

lv4huntn · Jan 10, 2006

257Tony,
Your buck does look alot like this one. Your measurements are probably really close. I appreciate your post. I am still trying to get a shot of the buck now. It has not been mounted or anything so it is still on the skull plate. Its neat to look at these big typicals. Where did you take yours? when?

idahonative · Jan 10, 2006

Dan, 2nd Ed. is coming along good. Lots of incredible stuff still in peoples' photo albums and garages. I still shake my head at the stuff people have never seen. Doesn't seem possible how many big bucks there used to be in Idaho. Anyway, get in touch with me if you like. You can call my cell at 208-741-0556 or keep it handy. Thanks.

257Tony · Jan 10, 2006

>257Tony,
>Your buck does look alot like
>this one. Your measurements
>are probably really close.
>I appreciate your post.
>I am still trying to
>get a shot of the
>buck now. It has
>not been mounted or anything
>so it is still on
>the skull plate. Its neat
>to look at these big
>typicals. Where did you
>take yours? when?

In the NE region, public ground, from my ATV, last year! Im just kidding! Killed by my Great-Uncle in 1933, Carbon county, Utah.

eelgrass · Jan 10, 2006

Very nice picture and interesting story. Hopefully some day that trophy will get the recognition it deserves.

Thanks 257Tony for your efforts! An excellent comparison.

Steve