06/15/2026
Shooting a huge public-land whitetail often comes down to a single moment when the stars finally align. Two years after first seeing this unique buck in southern Ohio, Randy Dewalder got him on an after-work hunt on Oct. 6, 2008. The net 227 3/8-inch beast finally gave Randy a 10-yard shot — which he made despite the fact his crossbow was still lying on the ground 20 feet below the tree stand when the deer appeared! Fortunately, the giant hung around long enough for the gear to be pulled up and a perfect heart shot made. Tom Cross authored this dramatic story, titled "The Ghost Buck of Dry Ridge," for North American Whitetail's Dec.-Jan. 2010 issue.