The deer hunter almost every deer hunter has heard of has left the woods. Milo Hanson, the hunter who shot the world record whitetail on his own land, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2026. Deer & Deer Hunting magazine, together with his family and countless friends, mourn his loss.
Milo Hanson — the man who never saw celebrity coming — became an icon in the deer hunting world without even trying. On Nov. 23, 1993, fame was thrust upon him, and he accepted it without allowing it to change the man he was — a humble, hard-working farmer. We overuse the phrase “salt-of-the-earth,” but Hanson was all that, and more.
Today’s deer hunters can generate their own star status using digital media. Some even aspire to world record fame using every possible advantage. They plant plots with crops that provide maximum nutrition for deer. They shoot cull bucks on the theory that they’re genetically inferior. They create habitat that produces everything a deer needs every month of the year. That’s not criticism of those practices, but an observation that Milo Hanson’s record has stood for 33 years and counting, despite significant advantages today’s hunters have.
Speaking of criticism, no one is above it, but Hanson has had his share of unfair criticism. His good fortune came during a traditional deer drive, which a few hunters consider unethical. Never mind the fact that when Europeans arrived in North America, indigenous tribes were using deer drives. They even used fire to push deer to shooters. The lesson is that hunting is hunting and should be respected wherever and however it’s done, so long as the methods and practices honor the game and are legal and consistent with prevailing laws.
Hanson capitalized financially on his world record buck. Virtually anyone with the same opportunity would have done likewise, but few would have stayed so humble. His 213-5/8″ buck taken in 1993 has never been beaten, but for him it wasn’t a one-off. The very next year he shot a second Boone & Crockett buck, again on his own land — a two-fer unlikely to be topped.
Hanson put his little town of Biggar, Saskatchewan on the map. With just over 2,000 people living in fewer than 1,000 private homes, the town slogan, “New York Is Big But This Is Biggar,” certainly would not ring so true without Milo Hanson.
The announcement of Milo Hanson’s passing has brought renewed focus not only to his stature as a hunter, but also to the kind of man he was. Social media took the news with surprise and reverence, and many gave tribute.
A few comments from Hanson’s Facebook friends:
Mike Charowhas — Milo will never be forgotten, not only for his incredible whitetail that set the bar so high, but for the good man he was, the kindness he carried, and the respect he showed to the hunting tradition and to others.
Gordon Whittington — In many ways, the perfect kind of person to do what he did in the deer woods. Not only was he a quiet, unassuming farmer, he remained one after fame found him. RIP, old friend.
John Hopkins — I was able to meet Milo and his wife at their home in 2009. I just flat out asked if there was any chance of seeing the deer. He was more than happy to give me directions to his house. I got to see all of his trophies, got a few pictures, and had a great visit for about an hour. His wife gave me some fresh cookies and off I went. He was a kind and humble man.
Shaun Bitner — Well deserved true trophy, no game cameras, no camo, no scents, no tree stand, just a hunter loving the sport.
Countless comments echoed these sentiments from virtually every social media deer hunting group and discussion forum. In a day when the deer hunting world has become consumed with record books and antler talk infinitum, the man who stood at the center of it since 1993 always remained the same — a farmer, family man, and friend to thousands.
The entire deer hunting world extends sympathy to Olive Hanson, Milo’s devoted wife and deer hunting partner. And to their son Brad, whom Milo was intensely proud of. Thanks to those two for their willingness to share husband and father with the deer hunting world.
Rest in Peace, Milo. As you sit around a heavenly campfire with other deer hunting legends, you have our thanks not only for showing us all what a white-tailed deer can become, but especially for being the man you were. The rest of us will leave the woods soon.
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Steve Sorensen, aka “The Everyday Hunter,” is a long-time contributor to Deer & Deer Hunting and speaks frequently at sportsman’s dinners.
Also read Dan Schmidt’s latest blog on the deer drive that ended in tagging the world’s biggest typical whitetail:
