5 of the Biggest Nontypical Buck Records

Connor Merritt

Every hunter dreams of encountering a trophy buck in the wild, but a select few have achieved the near-mythical feat of harvesting some of the largest nontypical bucks ever recorded. A nontypical buck is distinguished by their massive antlers with abnormal points, making them true marvels of nature. Here, we recount the stories behind five of the biggest nontypical bucks ever recorded, whose antlers pushed the boundaries of what hunters thought possible.

The Biggest Nontypical Buck Records

Photo courtesy of Luke Brewster.

The Luke Brewster Buck

In 2018, Luke Brewster of Virginia harvested a buck in Edgar County, Illinois, that shattered records. Scored at an astonishing 327 & 7/8 inches, this buck now holds the title as the largest nontypical whitetail ever taken by a hunter. Brewster’s incredible harvest occurred during the peak of the rut when the massive buck wandered into range. After a precise shot, the hunt ended in a moment that made hunting history.

Photo courtesy of Brian Butcher.

The Brian Butcher Buck

Kansas is renowned for producing large bucks, and Brian Butcher’s 2019 trophy is proof of that. Scored at 321 ⅜ inches, the Butcher Buck ranks among the biggest nontypical deer ever recorded. What makes this story remarkable is the irregular, webbed structure of the antlers, which seemed to grow in every direction. It took a long time scoring to confirm this buck’s placement among the greatest of all time.

Photo courtesy of Stephen Tucker.

The Stephen Tucker Buck

In November 2016, Stephen Tucker of Sumner County, Tennessee, etched his name into the record books with a nontypical buck scoring 315 & 1/8 inches. Tucker harvested this giant during Tennessee’s muzzleloader season after a nerve-wracking encounter that saw the buck briefly escape before coming back into range. The symmetrical yet sprawling antlers made this a once-in-a-lifetime hunt.

Photo courtesy of Tony W. Lovstuen.

The Tony W. Lovstuen Buck

At just 15 years old, Tony Lovstuen harvested a buck in Iowa in 2003 that scored 307 ⅝ inches. Hunting from a ground blind during the youth season, Lovstuen displayed poise beyond his years when he spotted the enormous buck. The antlers of this deer had been known to locals for years, with sightings fueling tales of a phantom buck. When Lovstuen finally claimed the prize, it was a moment that solidified his place in hunting annals.

Photo courtesy of Jerry D. Bryant.

The Jerry D. Bryant Buck

Hailing from Fulton County, Illinois, Jerry Bryant harvested a nontypical buck in 2001 that scored 304 ⅜ inches. Taken during archery season, the Bryant Buck featured a dense network of antler points that defied expectations. The symmetry and intricacy of this deer’s rack continue to captivate hunters to this day. 

Read more about nontypical bucks on iSportsmanUSA.