Jeff's Three-Beamed Oklahoma Buck

by
posted on August 23, 2010
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
2010823135815-jeff-herrmann-ok-f.jpg

New Jersey hunter Jeff Herrmann had shot a lot of deer in his day, but he’d never killed a trophy-class buck. Last year he decided: I’m going wherever it takes to finally get a big one.

Jeff wasn’t looking for a full-service outfitter with a fancy lodge. He just wanted to hunt good ground in a state with big-buck potential. Chats on one of his favorite hunting forums led him to an Oklahoma landowner who was looking to book just a few hunters on his working cattle ranch. Jeff did some research. He mapped out the ranch and studied the November hunt dates. He called the rancher back and set up the hunt.

Jeff hopped a plane to Oklahoma City, drove three hours and arrived at the ranch. Paradise! He’d be staying in a cool guesthouse in the middle of 6,000 acres. Best of all, the only other hunter would be hunting the ranch later during the rifle season.

Jeff scouted and hiked and saw a ton of deer. On the second morning he spotted a buck he knew to be a very nice 10-point. The shot was 197 yards with his .280 Ack. Imp. Piece of cake for Jeff, who shoots his guns a lot throughout the year. The buck buckled and ran 50 yards.

“I was absolutely amazed when I walked up to him,” said Jeff. “I knew he was a nice one, but he had three beams.” The mainframe 10-point’s bonus beam was 12 inches long. The rack, scored as a 16-point non-typical, went 171 5/8 net.

Lessons Learned
-Visit websites and forums and network with other serious deer hunters across the country. It is buyer beware, but if you do your homework and follow up with solid research you can find a dream hunt online. At least it can be a good place to start.

-A private ranch hunt like Jeff found—semi-guided with a place to stay and access to prime land with little pressure—offers some of the best deer hunting in the country, and at an affordable price. Be on the lookout for such an opportunity.

-Jeff shoots and tests guns and loads throughout the year, so when that Okie buck stepped out at 200 yards it was lights out. If you’re headed to open country, shoot steadily before your trip so you’ll have that kind of skill and confidence.

Latest

44 Mag HST LEDE
44 Mag HST LEDE

New for 2025: Federal’s Personal Defense HST .44 Rem. Mag.

Federal Ammunition has recently added a new HST .44 Remington Magnum “Light Magnum” load featuring a specially designed hollow-point bullet, ideal for those seeking HST performance for self-defense with magnum revolvers.

Utah Wildlife Board Updates

The Utah Wildlife Board approved a few new and updated rules, some of which are necessary after recent legislative changes—including the wildlife management area license requirement for certain counties and the new process for regulating hunting guides and outfitters—along with a few other proposals during a public meeting Thursday.

Member's Hunt: A Tale of Two Moose

This month's Member's Hunt comes from John R. Bean of Tucson, Ariz.

Breeding Duck Numbers Decline Again in ND

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 78th-annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of about 2.66-million birds, down from 2.9 million in 2024 and 3.4 million in 2023.

2025-26 Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 migratory game bird seasons have been set. There are two significant changes to waterfowl seasons. The regular season daily bag limit for Canada geese in the Atlantic Population Zone has decreased from three to one, and for northern pintail, there will be a flat daily bag limit of three.

New for 2025: Christensen Arms Evoke in 450 Bushmaster

Christensen Arms has announced the release of the Evoke rifle chambered in powerful 450 Bushmaster.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.