2018 - Vernon and Dean Claim Big Buck Contest Titles
Paul Vernon and Drew Dean came away with top honors in two local big buck contests this season, with Vernon winning the Bann’s Bar & Restaurant contest and Dean claiming the Willey’s Sport Shop & Spirits title
November 20, 2018 • Voyageur Press
Vernon took first place at Bann’s with a 186.6-pound, 10-point buck, narrowly edging Dean, whose 180-pound, eight-point buck earned him the top spot at Willey’s.
For Vernon, the victory added another memorable chapter to a hunting tradition shared with his brothers, John and Mark. The three began hunting together in 1991 and have continued the tradition over the years.
Although Vernon has harvested larger bucks in the past, this year's deer came close to being his biggest.
Vernon shot the buck on opening day at approximately 3:30 p.m. The hunt began with an unexpected phone call from Gail, who was concerned about a couple of fawns in their front yard.
“I got a call from Gail who was worried about a couple fawns in our front yard,” Vernon said. “I told her to leave me alone, ‘Go shake the apple tree. I’m hunting!’”
After hanging up, Vernon looked up and spotted the buck.
The shot presented an unusual challenge because of his position in the stand.
“I had to shoot him left-handed,” Vernon explained, noting that he couldn't get the right angle out the window while holding the rifle right-handed.
“I couldn’t see him through the scope at first because I had the wrong eye closed,” he added with a laugh. “It was a nice broad shot.”
The Vernon family enjoyed an especially successful season, harvesting five bucks and a couple of does. Vernon's 10-year-old nephew, Evan, contributed to the family's success by taking two bucks — a spike and a six-pointer.
Dean Scores Eight-Pointer After School
Sixteen-year-old Drew Dean also enjoyed a memorable hunt, harvesting a 180-pound, eight-point buck on family and friends' hunting land affectionately known as “the Ranch.”
Dean headed out after school on Thursday during the first week of deer season. His patience and decision-making paid off when he passed on a smaller seven-pointer and later watched a spike move through the area.
“I watched the spike look up and bolt,” Dean said. “And that’s when I saw the eight-pointer.”
The buck became Dean's second deer. He previously harvested a spike when he was 14.
Young hunters had an especially successful season at the Ranch. Jordan Haussner also harvested a spike, adding to the group's overall success.
For Vernon, Dean and the other hunters, the season provided another opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, continue family traditions and celebrate some impressive whitetails.