DeLoera's buck could approach an Oklahoma state record

“It's real unique and it's real big,” said Mike Chain, owner of Backwoods Taxidermy in Oklahoma City.

Chain was deer hunting in Texas last week and hasn't had a chance to score the buck.

The buck's gnarly antlers resemble some of the monster bucks from commercial game farms, but Chain, who also raises deer, said he is sure DeLoera's buck is a wild deer.

DeLoera of Oklahoma City killed the buck with a rifle in Lincoln County on Nov. 20. The day before, DeLoera had grown frustrated with not being able to harvest a buck this season and planned to quit hunting the rest of the year.

“That evening, I just decided to go at the last moment with a friend,” he said.

His persistence was rewarded. DeLoera said the big buck appeared that evening from behind his hunting stand. He was able to lure the big buck in range for a 65-yard shot with a can deer call.

“I couldn't believe it when I saw it,” DeLoera said. “I never imagined the deer of my life would be this huge. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought of anything so wonderful and unique.”