A buck called Andre the Giant twice cheated death in 2014, escaping both a bullet and a broadhead. The whitetail's luck didn't hold the next season.
Brandon Hazel of Anthony, Kansas, nicknamed the buck not because it wore a tremendous rack, but due to its body size.
"He seemed a foot taller at the back and much longer than any other deer I had ever seen," Brandon said.
By the time the 2015 bow season arrived, Brandon knew when and where the buck spent its waking hours. He also knew there was no way for him to get close enough in the morning without spooking the deer.
On opening day and for many afterward, the wind and temperature were terrible. There were 50-mph gusts, and the thermometer showed the high 90s.
A cool front arrived the following Friday, and the next evening was Brandon's first decent opportunity to go to his blind.
"I had deer everywhere, moving around and even bedding down right next to me," he said. "Right after sunset, I began scanning the area non-stop."
After a doe slipped unseen to within 10 feet of him, a rattled Brandon broke eye contact and held his breath. When he glanced out the opposite window, Andre was facing him from a mere 30 yards.
"I wasn't sure if I was busted or if he was looking at the doe behind me, but at least the wind was in my favor," he said.
The buck didn't flee, and Brandon wound up getting a 40-yard shot. He found his trophy just about the time he was ready to cease looking for the night.
"I called and texted all my friends at camp, but nobody responded. They were all cleaning someone else's deer," he said. "So I walked out to my truck and drove back to get help loading the beast.
"When I arrived, everyone asked why I hadn't called, and I advised them to look at their phones," he added.
All hands were on deck for the retrieval.
"It was a late night, but a great one because my buddies were there to help me celebrate," Brandon said.
The deer's BTR composite score is 189 3/8 inches.
— Read Recent Blog! Charmed: Tyler Fewell / BTR Composite Score: 188 3/8