The journal for serious hunters.

Big BuckJournal

The Buck, The Why, and The Gear.

Every week: one giant whitetail, one lesson most hunters never learn, and the gear behind it.

What you get every week

The Buck

One giant whitetail and the full story of how he lived, how he was patterned, and how he finally hit the ground.

The Why

One lesson most hunters never learn — the wind, pressure, or timing detail that actually made the difference.

The Gear

The exact setup behind the hunt — what Dale would buy again at full price, what he wouldn't, and why.

Latest issues

He Borrowed A Bow. Ten Minutes Before Dark, A 197-Class Buck Stepped Out

He Borrowed A Bow. Ten Minutes Before Dark, A 197-Class Buck Stepped Out

Colby Claussen borrowed a bow, changed his setup, and waited until a 197-class South Dakota buck finally gave him a clean

Dale Richey  •  Nov 10, 2026
Does your harness still fit over your November layers?

Does your harness still fit over your November layers?

Most treestand falls don’t happen while you’re sitting.   The buck, the why, and the gear The Setup   How to Stay

Dale Richey  •  Nov 6, 2026
He Found Two Mature Bucks Locked Together. His First Move Wasn't A Shot

He Found Two Mature Bucks Locked Together. His First Move Wasn't A Shot

Robert Denninger paddled into remote Oklahoma public land and found two mature bucks locked together. Before doing anything, he called a game

Dale Richey  •  Nov 4, 2026
How to Decoy a Buck During the Rut

How to Decoy a Buck During the Rut

Bucks are looking for a fight. Give them one in bow range.   The buck, the why, and the gear The Setup   How

Dale Richey  •  Oct 29, 2026
A Tractor Cut Hay In Front Of Him. He Stayed. Then A 214-Inch Buck Stepped Out

A Tractor Cut Hay In Front Of Him. He Stayed. Then A 214-Inch Buck Stepped Out

The mower ran until 5:30. Thirty minutes later, Ervin Yoder's 214 7/8-inch Ohio buck stepped out.   The

Dale Richey  •  Oct 27, 2026
The rangefinder mode every bowhunter should use

The rangefinder mode every bowhunter should use

The hunter who sees him first usually gets the chance.   The buck, the why, and the gear The Setup   Glass More, Walk

Dale Richey  •  Oct 22, 2026
The Wind Flipped. He Moved His Stand And Tagged A 180-Inch Buck

The Wind Flipped. He Moved His Stand And Tagged A 180-Inch Buck

Daniel Schwartz had 30 days to hunt an Ohio farm. A wind change forced a new stand, and opening day ended with

Dale Richey  •  Oct 20, 2026
Your pre-rut calling plan

Your pre-rut calling plan

Bucks are cruising. Here’s when to grunt, when to rattle, and when to get aggressive.   The buck, the why, and the

Dale Richey  •  Oct 15, 2026
Oklahoma Bowhunter Waits For Broadside On A 202-Inch Buck

Oklahoma Bowhunter Waits For Broadside On A 202-Inch Buck

KW Adair waited out a face-on 5-year-old Oklahoma giant until the 202-inch buck finally turned broadside.   The buck,

Dale Richey  •  Oct 13, 2026
The Early-Season Calling Setup

The Early-Season Calling Setup

Early-season deer will come to a call. The trick is keeping it quiet.   The buck, the why, and the gear Thursday

Dale Richey  •  Oct 8, 2026

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One giant whitetail, one hard-won lesson, and the gear behind it — in your inbox every week.