Connor Merritt

The pursuit of a dream buck ended in triumph for Ohio hunter Brandon Sheets on November 9, when he arrowed a heavy-horned, 20-point buck that had eluded him for three years. Sheets, who hunts private property in Pickaway County, described the encounter as the culmination of years of patience, scouting, and dedication. 

2022: The 20-Point Buck Saga Begins 

The saga began in 2022 when Sheets first spotted the deer. “I was sitting in a blind toward the end of bow season watching a couple of bucks spar when he came out of some tall grass and scared them away,” Sheets told Field & Stream. Back then, the buck was already impressive, scoring an estimated 150 inches. 

Photo courtesy of Brandon Sweets.

Sheets’ dedication paid off in October 2024, when the buck, nicknamed “Big John” by his two daughters, began showing up on his trail cameras again. “I’ve never seen a buck with so much mass in my life,” Sheets said. 

The Fateful Encounter 

The fateful encounter occurred on November 9. Sheets set up near the deer’s core bedding area, where he first saw a smaller buck chasing does. Suddenly, the massive buck emerged, trailing a doe. “When he stopped and quartered away, about 25 yards from my tree, I stood up and took the shot,” Sheets said. 

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The buck bolted into a thicket but didn’t make it far. Through binoculars, Sheets spotted the giant rack lying motionless. “When I got over to him, I just started pacing back and forth. I couldn’t believe it was finally over,” he said. 

The 20-Point Buck: A Family Effort 

The massive rack is expected to score over 200 inches, and Sheets plans to have it officially measured by Ohio Buckmasters. 

For Sheets, this hunt was more than a solo achievement — it was a family effort. He credited his brother Ryan for helping scout the deer and said his daughters’ nickname for the buck added to the magic of the moment. 

Read the full story on Field & Stream.

Also, learn how to score a buck on iSportsmanUSA. 

Photos courtesy of Brandon Sweets.