Another outstanding buck taken in '08 archery season

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Just one day before the hard-hunted “Ace of Spades” buck was harvested from the grounds of the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant Oct. 17, another hunter — this one in Pawnee Co. — arrowed a 175-lb. buck with a high-scoring set of antlers.

Archery hunter David Nance, Owasso, had seen his giant buck Oct. 13 and was presented with the right shot just a few days later when he harvested the buck from 20 yards with his bow. The buck had impressive antlers, but the body of the animal also caught his attention.

“I was just really shocked over his size,” Nance said.

Although unofficial until scored by a certified Boone and Crockett Club (B&C) big game measurer after a mandatory 60-day drying period, Nance’s buck has been “green scored” at a gross measurement of 207 6/8, with a net score of 200 6/8 after deductions. The deer will likely meet the Boone and Crockett  Awards minimum of 185 points and may meet B&C’s minimum of 195 points for inclusion into the all-time records for non-typical whitetail deer. It will certainly meet the minimum for recognition in both the Wildlife Department’s Cy Curtis Awards Program (minimum for non-typical whitetails – 150 points) and the minimum for the Pope and Young Awards Program (minimum for non-typical whitetails taken with bow and arrow-155 points.).

Nance’s buck and Ronny Lambeth’s “Ace of Spades” buck — one of the Ammunition Plants “10 Most Wanted” bucks — are proof that deer hunting is in full swing and providing sportsmen with some outstanding hunting this season. But Nance says hunters who come into JP Archery, the Sapulpa-based archery pro shop he co-owns with Jimmy Parker, also are having great success harvesting does so far this season.

Archery season remains open through Jan. 15. Muzzleloader season also is currently open and runs through Nov. 2, followed by the 16-day deer gun season Nov. 22-Dec. 7.

Nance is a hunter and archery shop owner, but he also plays an important role in passing his heritage on to youth. Both Nance and his wife are instructors for the Department’s Archery in the Schools program, which introduces youth to shooting sports and conservation by offering archery programs in over 100 schools across the state.

For more information about deer hunting in Oklahoma, or for season dates, limits and other requirement’s consult the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide” or log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

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