World Record Mule Deer Buck

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The world of big game hunting has long been captivated by extraordinary trophies, but few can compare to the legendary World Record Mule Deer Buck that has stood the test of time. This remarkable specimen, taken by Ed Broder in 1926 near Chip Lake, Alberta, represents the pinnacle of mule deer antler development, with a staggering Boone and Crockett score of 355 ²⁄₈ points.

The Legendary Hunt

On a crisp November day in 1926, Ed Broder embarked on a hunting expedition that would etch his name into hunting history. Traveling with two companions in a 1914 Model T Ford, Broder navigated through the challenging terrain of Alberta’s wilderness. The conditions were harsh—temperatures hovering around 20 degrees Fahrenheit with a foot of soft snow blanketing the ground.

A Hunt Like No Other

Broder’s hunt was far from ordinary. After hiring a team of horses and a sleigh to transport their gear, he set out tracking a massive buck through heavy timber and a dense jackpine swamp. Despite crossing moose tracks that might have diverted a less focused hunter, Broder remained committed to his original quarry.

The Moment of Triumph

Around 1 p.m., Broder spotted the buck in a clearing approximately 200 yards away. With calculated precision, he used his .32 Winchester Special to deliver a high spine shot that dropped the massive deer instantly. His first thought upon seeing the rack? “What a rack that one’s got!”

Record-Breaking Antlers

The buck’s antlers were nothing short of extraordinary. Measuring an incredible 355 ²⁄₈ points, the rack demolished the previous world record by more than half. What makes this trophy even more impressive is that it might have scored even higher if measured during the initial 60-day drying period.

Interesting Trophy Details

Some fascinating facts about this world record buck include:

• The rack was so impressive that a drawing of it appeared in the 1939 edition of North American Big Game
• The buck was not officially scored until 1960, decades after its harvest
• Broder was 72 years old when he reminisced about the hunt, stating he had never missed a hunting season since 1909

The Buck’s Controversial Legacy

The story of this world record buck took an unexpected turn after Broder’s death. When Ed passed away, he left no will, which led to a family dispute over the antlers. The rack changed hands multiple times, eventually being sold to an antler collector for a six-figure sum.

🦌 Note: The Broder Buck remains the top non-typical mule deer in the Boone and Crockett record books, a testament to its exceptional genetic potential and the unique hunting conditions of 1926.