An Indiana Mass Monster
By Mark Melotik
Dedicated Indiana deer hunters Robbie Roland and his wife Casie know that certain mature bucks have a knack of eluding hunters. But there is a definite, two-pronged benefit to that elusiveness. With age comes increased antler mass and plenty of inches. And sometimes, a whole lot more than you’d think.
Back in 2021, Robbie noticed a younger buck with a lot of trash points and loads of potential. It was running with an old 8-pointer, which was Robbie’s target buck that season. Once the pre-rut arrived, the older deer pushed the younger buck out of the area.
Both bucks returned the next summer. The younger deer had grown a bunch of extra points, but the old 8-pointer soon pushed its rival out of the area yet again. So the Rolands focused on hunting the estimated 9 1/2-year-old 8-pointer, but never closed the deal.
In 2023, both deer again returned, but now the herd’s power dynamics had shifted. Now past mature, the old 8-pointer was no match for its younger rival, which had now ballooned into a jaw-dropping monster.
On opening day of Indiana’s gun season, Casie shot a great buck behind their home. Robbie left the property where The Big One lived and went to help her, but several days later — Thanksgiving Day — Robbie was back in his target buck’s preferred haunt. That morning, he glimpsed the huge deer deep in a thicket; it offered no shot but his confidence was renewed.
Rather than leave for Thanksgiving meals, he decided to stay and hunt the afternoon, too. It was a good call. As daylight waned, The Big One reappeared, but Robbie’s first two shots with his single-shot .350 Legend missed clean. After a feverish second reload, and with the buck now trotting into a nearby field, Robbie’s third shot struck just behind the big deer’s shoulder. It took off running but crashed in sight just before reaching a property line.
The Indiana giant was certainly worth the wait. At an estimated 6 1/2 years, the almost-scary-massive buck was officially scored at 233 6/8 in BTR’s Irregular category.
For the complete story of the hunt for this Hancock County monster — including details of its run-ins with several other local hunters — be sure to check out the feature-packed Fall issue of Rack magazine.
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