In the summer of 2009, Ian Obenshain and Brad Bailey began observing a colossal white-tailed buck feeding in an Ohio field. The friends had permission to hunt the area and immediately started documenting the huge animal’s growth, with the ultimate goal of Brad filming Ian harvesting ‘Big Boy’ during the fall archery season. Anticipation, however, soon turned to disappointment when the trophy buck suddenly disappeared – and then the story turned even stranger.
Our Sponsors:
Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH
International Wildlife Crimestoppers
Here’s what we discuss:
- Origin of the name ‘Big Boy’
- Ian first spotted the buck in a soybean field near a highway
- “Have you shown this to anybody?”
- Big Boy was a world class buck
- The pursuit and subsequent events brought the two friends closer
- Brad had guiding experience
- Placing trail cameras and trying to predict the animal’s behavior
- Many days were spent planning and scouting
- The pair planned to film the hunt
- Big Boy disappeared, but the hunters hoped to see him again
- “I think it’s in the booth behind you.”
- A plaque claimed the buck was a Kentucky state record
- There was no doubt the buck had been poached
- Hundreds of photos and videos provided evidence of the buck’s origins
- The loss was a tough pill to swallow
- Hunting a trophy animal is a huge commitment
- It was gratifying to see how seriously law enforcement approached the case
Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Art & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches
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