Big Boy – Warden's Watch

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.

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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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From a cozy front porch in Utah, Wayne talks with Ohio Wildlife Officer and K9 handler Chris Gilkey. Born, raised – and now based – in the Ohio foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Officer Gilkey shares the remarkable story of Big Boy, the largest typical white-tailed buck taken in North America in 2009 – and for one poacher, more ‘bucks’ than he counted on.