Jean Marquis first saw Elvis on June 24, 2013. The king (of deer) was still in velvet, its giant and still-growing rack easy to decipher against the lush soybeans.
"After that first sighting, I looked for Elvis on a regular basis," the Kentuckian told Dale Weddle, who penned his story for Rack magazine. "I even began filming him with a telephoto lens."
The deer abandoned its routine by the time bow season arrived, however. Jean saw it only once during the first six weeks, and again during the early muzzleloading weekend. The third time they crossed paths was in November, during the rifle season.
On Nov. 10, Jean was hunting out of a double ladder stand overlooking a field next to some thick cover. He didn't see anything while sitting in it the previous day.
"As the sun started to set, deer began to move out into the field," he said. "About 45 minutes before dark, there were maybe 15 deer - does and small bucks - out in front of me.
"Two big does came to within 10 yards, looked at me, and then stomped their feet," he continued. "I didn't move a muscle, and they finally moved off and calmed back down."
After that close call, Jean heard two bucks fighting in the thicket behind him. Five or 10 minutes later, he happened to glance right and saw Elvis a mere 30 yards from the stand.
While the buck was busy watching does in the field, Jean managed to raise his rifle and seal its fate.
The deer's BTR composite score is 190 inches.
Braggin’ Board
Send your 2014 big buck photos to mhandley@buckmasters.com. Please include hunter’s name, where the animal was hunted, and its score (if known). Remember: The BTR has no drying period.