The Jason Thomas Buck: 208-5/8 Typical! Or Is It?

This amazing story combines the three tenets of producing a mega whitetail buck, expert hunting skills and perseverance to put it all together. Age, genetics and optimal nutrition were key in growing such a majestic buck, but an aggressive, yet tactically sound move sealed the deal for this seasoned central Ohio deer hunter.

Jason Thomas is very familiar with large, Ohio trophy bucks, as his living room is consumed with deer from the 140- to the 170-inch range, but when he laid eyes on the central Ohio giant he soon would encounter, he knew he had something very special.

After hunting a dozen plus hunts from an evening perch, Jason elected to try the morning of Oct. 28, 2023, which would elevate his hunting success to a whole new level. As he climbed into his morning set, he did not expect to see zero deer and around 9 a.m., his level of frustration was rising. Contemplating how long to sit quickly dissipated as he saw his giant prey, exit the woods, and slowly make his way into a standing corn field, via an internal grass waterway. Jason knew he bedded down, and for about 45 minutes, deliberated on his next move. Around 10 a.m., he carefully climbed down and quickly retrieved a small folding stool from his home and quickly returned to pursue the buck of a lifetime. The choice of stalking the deer and attempting a shot, or positioning himself inside the corn field edge, in hopes to wait out the corn-fed brute was discussed among a couple of Jason’s hunting buddies. The response was a resounding, course of action number two, get close without bumping him and wait him out.

Now the hard work … Jason’s physicality and determination were required that day as he low and high crawled over 200 yards with his bow, hunting pack, and small folding seat. The stalk landed Jason 50 yards downwind from the location he suspected the buck bedded three hours ago. Jason was positioned and ready around 12:30 pm. Roughly 6’2” tall, he enveloped his tiny fold out stool, and patiently waited for this monster to emerge.

Two hours passed and his hunch paid off, as the buck was slowly sauntering down the edge of the corn and waterway, closing fast. At 30 yards, Jason was on the buck and ready to launch his two-bladed Rage broadhead, until the deer quickly turned directly toward Jason on a slow walk. Jason, watching the buck’s head through his bow site, allowed the deer unknowingly of his presence, walk to 15 yards from his position. The buck stopped and glanced away, giving Jason a chance to stand to a half crouch and prepare for the shot. Observing the buck’s behavior, both were intently staring each other down. At this point, Jason was prepared to shoot into the buck’s chest cavity, but before he could touch off the trigger, he noticed the buck’s tail and back legs twitch and slightly shift, giving him pause and waiting for the turn until he fired. The buck wheeled right as Jason pulled the trigger, resulting in a loud thud common to the sound of steel and carbon smacking a deer’s rib cage.

The sound of a solid hit followed by crashing corn ensued and then all fell silent. Jason’s buck of a lifetime vanished, and a level of uncertainty and anxiety fell over the hunter. After a brief session of texting friends and family. Jason quietly examined the point of impact, only to find nothing of a hit. No blood, hair, or the arrow were readily visible. Jason backed out stealthily and returned to home base to plan his recovery.

With the help of friends and family, the buck was recovered 120 yards from where Jason pulled the trigger. The shot placement entered perfectly behind the shoulder as the deer wheeled away to elude Jason’s set up.

With a 22 ½-inch inside spread, 26- and 29-inch main beams, and tines pushing 13 and 14 inches, his buck had the frame and tines to surpass the Jerman (2004) and Kontras (1986) records of 201 ⅛ inches. The buck had an estimated green score of 211 inches. Buckmasters Whitetail Trophy Records scored the deer at 208 ⅝ inches, making it a new state record and the No. 2 buck in the world for the “perfect” category. However, a five-person panel on Ohio’s Buckeye Big Buck Club found a broken tine at the end of one beam was long enough to be counted and would need to be matched against an 8-inch tine on the opposite beam, dropping the net score to 184 ⅛ inches. These scores and photos were submitted to the Boone & Crockett Club, where a judge came back with a score of 138 inches after ruling that the right G3 was considered abnormal (this sounds like the King Buck story) thereby losing out on a spot in the Ohio and world record books. 

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