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Trophy
deer for Doug Gifford
Photo courtesy George Parris
Manning News Journal Feb. 3, 2006
There has been
added excitement in the life of Doug Gifford since Nov. 7, 2005, when
the avid bow hunter shot a trophy deer. The deer is expected to finish
in the top 10 ever killed in Iowa.
“It’s a once in a lifetime thing; that’s for sure,” said Doug. “I
feel fortunate in getting it. It is a really special animal.”
Special indeed. Doug is repeatedly asked questions about the deer,
especially its ranking. He has also been contacted by North American
White Tail, a national magazine/TV program that wants to know more
about his prize.
A 12-year bow hunter, Doug was in Guthrie County hunting alone on
Nov. 7 during the rut (breeding season) when he spotted the deer.
“He was just cruisin’ through the timber when I saw him,” said Doug.
“I grunted at him and he came right toward me and then stopped behind
a tree about eight yards away.”
Doug had to wait and said he was getting real nervous. Then the deer
turned and started moving, and Doug got his shot. He called a couple
of his hunting buddies who came and helped him drag the animal out.
“I was thrilled,” Doug said. “I knew when I shot it that it was a
buck of a lifetime. It was huge, and when my buddies came to see it
they were initially thinking it was going to be a state record.”
The animal has to go through a state-required dry-out period before
it can be officially scored. Scoring the rack involves numerous measurements
with inches equating to points.
George Parris of Audubon is a representative of Pope & Young,
one of the three most well-known scoring systems. He made the initial
measurements and was scheduled to make the official measurements by
the end of January. The score will be submitted with photos. The Pope
& Young Club may accept the score or have the rack re-measured.
Doug’s deer weighed 320 pounds and was estimated to be six and a half
years old. Its unofficial or green score is 210 gross typical, and
193 net typical, after required deductions. The official score is
expected to be within three to four of the green score.
When asked for a comparison, Doug said a 150-class deer is a great
trophy; a 170-class deer is rare. The most recent trophy rack recorded
in Iowa in the bow category, according to the DNR Web site, was a
186-point deer recorded in 2003.
“Everybody keeps asking me if I am selling it; apparently, there is
a market,” Doug said. “I’ve not been offered any money and I have
no intentions of selling.”
He said, “For years and years I have deer hunted with gun and bow
and I’ve never seen a deer this big, let alone get a crack at one.
It is a very rare deal to see one like this. I feel very, very fortunate.”
He added with a chuckle, “I am also very lucky that my wife lets me
go. She is very tolerant of me in November because she knows I love
to go bow hunting.”
The deer head is being mounted and will eventually hang in the Gifford
home. Chances are, however; the trophy will be displayed at his Main
Street State Farm Insurance office for a time before it goes home.
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