The "King"

[boneaddict]

First of all, I didn't name him.

He is probably the most photographed buck this fall.  Especially with the death of "slingshot" at the Arsenal.   If you are on social media at all, you surely have seen images or video clips of him. 

I saw a couple early images of him and was enthralled.   My wife and I literally decided to take a jaunt down south to try to find him.  We had a day and a half.   I recognized approximately where he was.   We spent the entire first day looking for him or any other buck.  THe action was very slow. Team mossback was there, and several other rigs also intent on finding him I am sure.   As evening rolled around we headed out for one more look.  There were several rigs gathering at a spot.  My wife and I chalked it up to the sunset which was gorgeous.  I spotted one photographer I knew and I said sunsets dont really interest him much, but we went on anyway.   We were glassing and I saw one of the two tag holders hunting.  He had several guys watching him in scopes.   I assume looking for this buck.  Anyways, we gave up as light disappeared, as we were exiting the area, the group was still there and several more rigs. I decided to stop and check it out.  Sure enough, here was the "King", the buck we were looking for, right next to civilization and in the area closed to hunting.   I took a few snaps, but there was no light, and do you think I could get him to look at me.    The next morning we returned to the same spot to see if he was still there.  We were not the only ones with that idea.  Soon he was spotted and the paparrazi grew.  The Paparazi drew even more people.  Several other photographers I know showed up, some old acquittances and friends.  THe buck really did not want to be there, but his doe was hot.   I knew deer behavior so anticipated his route and was rewarded with some good images alog with another infamous photographer.  It was kind of cool having the same thoughts as him.  I've enjoyed his images for years.     I actually felt sorry for the deer a bit.  He really wanted to be gone.   Not my scene.  I was happy to see him, but hate that kind of situation.   You couldnt imagine the hype, the tripods, the video gear.   THe next week, the buck must have hung out in the safe zone, as they didnt tag him, but he was also photo'd non stop.  Still.... a cool buck and I was happy to have found him.   I mean I detoured my hunt a long way to try to see him. 

[full choke]

Awesome!

[bigdub257]

Stunning!  Gorgeous buck!

[Pathfinder101]

Wow Doug.  I've always wondered at the kind of circus that develops out there in Nov.  Now I guess I have some idea...  Fantastic Pic 

[bearhunter99]

Wow Doug.  I've always wondered at the kind of circus that develops out there in Nov.  Now I guess I have some idea...  Fantastic Pic 

 

Outstanding picture Bone!

[teanawayslayer]

The Wyoming king buck? All I can say is wow! What an impressive animal! Thanks for sharing Doug!

[boneaddict]

The Wyoming king buck? All I can say is wow! What an impressive animal! Thanks for sharing Doug!

They’ve been calling this guy the king this year. The Wyoming king buck died in the winter I understand. That was a buck I’d have loved to have seen. I bet he died from human pressure.

[boneaddict]

Wow Doug.  I've always wondered at the kind of circus that develops out there in Nov.  Now I guess I have some idea...  Fantastic Pic 

Some of the parks it’s crazy, why I have never gone to Arsenal.   That’s just not my thing typically. I’ve had some intimate photography on Antelope island, but have certainly seen the *censored* show.

[teanawayslayer]

The Wyoming king buck? All I can say is wow! What an impressive animal! Thanks for sharing Doug!

They’ve been calling this guy the king this year. The Wyoming king buck died in the winter I understand. That was a buck I’d have loved to have seen. I bet he died from human pressure.

gotchya. It didn’t look like the Wyoming king buck. That’s why I asked.

[Kingofthemountain83]

Very cool! Read about how Slingshot died... In his prime too... Wonder if it was a sucker punch or a literal fight to the death...

Does anyone remember Popeye? Made popular by Eastman's long ago... Another legendary buck gone too soon...

[boneaddict]

Popeye, Morty, amazing animals

[Kingofthemountain83]

Forgot about Morty! He was a great one too...

[2MANY]

Just 2many damn people these days.
I feel sorry for the deer.

[andrew_in_idaho]

That’s a real nice buck but it’s kinda sad that this is now the “king”


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[boneaddict]

Unfortunately I heard he was found dead today.  No idea of the circumstances.

[High Climber]

Bummer. How old do you that buck was?

[teanawayslayer]

Unfortunately I heard he was found dead today.  No idea of the circumstances.

bummer!

[Kingofthemountain83]

Unfortunately I heard he was found dead today.  No idea of the circumstances.

The great ones seem to go in their prime...

[bearhunter99]

The Wyoming king buck? All I can say is wow! What an impressive animal! Thanks for sharing Doug!

They’ve been calling this guy the king this year. The Wyoming king buck died in the winter I understand. That was a buck I’d have loved to have seen. I bet he died from human pressure.

Human pressure is hard on these deer.   People just can’t leave them alone, especially this time of year.  I still see people trying to startle them to drop their antlers.   


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[boneaddict]

My guess is that this played a big role in it

[Kingofthemountain83]

I read on another photographers post on FB about King that he was injured during the rut and the yotes were able to get him because of it... 

[bigmacc]

My guess is that this played a big role in it

A real shame. Beautiful buck, glad you got some pics of him bone.👍😢

[greenhead_killer]

Someone found him and had posted score

[boneaddict]

Pretty good for a "three point"   Not sure about the g3 to g4 score on mass but....

[pianoman9701]

I would crap my pants. 

[Kingofthemountain83]

Pretty good for a "three point"   Not sure about the g3 to g4 score on mass but....

Agree... I've only seen pics though... So my bias may not count...

[riverrun]

Beautiful old buck and thanks for the nice pics!

[RB]

WOW very cool! 

[brocka]

Bummer. How old do you that buck was?

Sounds like he wasn’t that old




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[Kingofthemountain83]

Very impressive... I'd like someone to triple check some of those mass measurements...

[link]

Very impressive... I'd like someone to triple check some of those mass measurements...

I thought that too at first, but that last pic of it made me think they're probably right. The 7"+ measurement seemed off, but on the three point side, it appears to be really webbed between the 2 and 3.

[Kingofthemountain83]

Very impressive... I'd like someone to triple check some of those mass measurements...

I thought that too at first, but that last pic of it made me think they're probably right. The 7"+ measurement seemed off, but on the three point side, it appears to be really webbed between the 2 and 3.

I agree... I was hoping for less deductions on the other side...