You see, I was sitting in a Deer & Deer Hunting staff cubicle not too far from where Im sitting right now as Im typing these words. You are using an out of date browser. After letting his girlfriend know what happened, Rompola ate something then grabbed his cameras to film the recovery. Rompola was able to get $10,000 from Calderone if he had the antlers X-rayed to give to a charity of his choosing. Not long after Calderones buck was entered in state records, a ticket and violation surfaced, which Craig had received years earlier for spotlighting deer. Lee Holbrook (one of the other three scorers) was on the list of Pope & Young scorers, too. Kentucky Hunting is the leading online community for outdoors enthusiasts to discuss hunting, fishing, archery, and life in Kentucky. Brow tines and the last points (G5s) were the shortest, being between 4 and 5 inches in length. The claims are disturbing if true and there's no excuse for that, but I've also never seen any concrete evidence. But then things got weird. red the rack spent hours vouching for the deer, red on screen you could see the arrow stayed in place, and the deer, red of dealing with false claims and negative comments about the deer, Ohio Hunter Bags Monster 230-Inch Deer with Massive 12-Inch Drop Tine, Deer Hunting Tips for Beginners Attracting Deer To Hunting. Nevertheless, several people still refused to believe that northern Michigan could produce such an impressive whitetail. 6 World Class Bucks That Fell Decades Before High Fences Even Existed, Vintage Mitch Rompola Interview Gives Rare Insight Into the Mind of the Reclusive, Controversial Bowhunter. Ive seen that many times, and know several taxidermists who are very good at it. Copyright 2023Outdoor News. Gary Berger, one of the three original scorers, eventually responded to my requests for comment on the score sheet. Was it real or just an elaborate fake? CBM bylaws stipulated that the Calderone Buck would be suspended for three years. But 10 days later, he was able to arrow the deer. This was because he knew he would have to enter the deer in Boone & Crockett or Pope & Young records to achieve that status. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. He got tired of dealing with false claims and negative comments about the deer and his own character, and said, The hell with it!. He turned all of them down. Many people have said the Rompola's buck can't be real because bucks don't grow big in that part of the state. When Rompola killed his giant buck in 1998, Calderone didnt waste any time calling it fake after seeing photos of the deer. Hole in the Horn Buck. But his kill has never been corroborated. What is your opinion? After arrowing the deer, he went home to let his girlfriend know what happened, ate something, and got his cameras before recovering the deer. We were wrong. One of those scorers was Gary Berger, a then 59-year-old Michigan resident who was an official scorer for the Boone and Crockett Club, the Pope and Young Club, Commemorative Bucks of Michigan and the Longhunters Society. Link: https://www.wi. The elusive score sheet has been kept private since the whitetail rack was measured in late March 1999 by a trio of CBM measurers. And, if it were real, how could it just seemingly disappear almost as fast as it appeared? He did this knowing Rompola probably wouldnt take him up on the offer. I felt it. Rompola is still alive and well, living in Michigan and keeping to himself. I couldnt believe it. Its important to note that Rompola was well known within Michigan circles before he shot this buck. The right beam measured 32 68 inches and the left was 32 28. During the 1976 gun season, Jim Thomson shot a 12-point bruiser in the county that netted 174 68. In 1998, Calderone immediately called Rompolas giant buck fake after seeing photos. Rompolas first attempt to kill the deer failed when his arrow was deflected. However, it seems like if this were the case, more people would've known about it. The full film, however, has since been lost to time since this was almost 25 years ago. At the time Rompola killed the buck with exceptionally wide, typical 12-point antlers they were the highest scoring on record for North America with a . Apart from the final score, the exceptionally wide inside spread, and the fact that the Mitch Rompola Buck was never entered into the record books, little was known about its measurements. Anyone can be a jerk/criminal and still shoot a big deer. Ive known Mitch since the early 1980s and considered him a friend. Ridiculous, he said. Did Mitch split the skull? After listening to the entire podcast I think the aledged record buck was a fraud 6 vote (s) 75.0% I think the alleged record buck is legit 2 vote (s) 25.0% Feb 10, 2022 #1 Trophy Specialist Well-Known Member 1,114 175 Michigan Or, was it a legitimate animal? He tried to share his good fortune with the world, starting with family and friends, and then doing numerous interviews for newspapers, magazines, and television shows. The rack from the massive whitetail that Rompola killed with a bow on November 13, 1998 ended up with a net score of 216 . Products featured on Wide Open Spaces are independently selected by our editors. The description for the group reads in part: "This group is dedicated to Mitch Rompola and those of us hunters who either know Mitch personally, know of his stature . But,it was all a hoax, as it later revealed Davis had attached a set of sheds to a poached buck's head. The episode that sold me that the Rompola buck was altered was with a long time taxidermist. Then, as now, the number one typical whitetail in Boone & Crockett Records was the Hanson bucka Saskatchewan 12-pointer shot by Milo Hanson that netted 213 . Youd be wrong. Everything looked real to me, and I know some Michigan DNR people have seen it. After 24 years, the score sheet for the antlers from a buck that Mitch Rompola from Traverse City, Mich. shot with bow and arrow in Grand Traverse County on Nov. 13, 1998 has been made public. Ive seen the entire video and theres no doubt regarding Mitchs level of excitement it was real! Huffman presents an extremely rare photo of Rompola holding the skull capped antlers as further proof of his claim. He even excluded himself from deliberations due to potential conflict of interest. Known by his friends as the "Swampmaster," Mitch Rompola posed with what was allegedly a free-range bow-kill of a 220-inch typical 12-pointer with a 30-inch inside spread from Michigan in 1998. He saw it on a number of occasions and took several photos of it during that time. I'll admit he helped create a perfect storm for it by not defending himself and instead fading away from the public view. Many of Rompolas friends had been hearing about the big buck he was seeking for many years. The buck had a huge body, and antlers that I only dream about.. It just seems to happen with some deer after they die. NEXT: THE GENERAL: THE GIANT NEBRASKA WHITETAIL THAT WAS LARGER THAN THE ROMPOLA BUCK. A Michigan antler-scoring official yesterday broke his 25-year silence on what he knew about the infamous Mitch Rompola Buck at the time when the deer was allegedly examined. After 24 years, the score sheet for the antlers from a buck that Mitch Rompola from Traverse City, Mich. shot with bow and arrow in Grand Traverse County on Nov. 13, 1998 has been made public. Mitch tagged an impressive buck in 1998 that lived until 7 years old. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Just hear me out and then decide for yourself. But he craved the attention before and after. Dec 16, 2013 #35. On top of that, the trio of experienced measurers who officially scored the antlers, spending hours inspecting and measuring the rack, all vouched for the deer. Since Mitch had no plans to enter the deer in B&C, he signed a legal agreement drafted by representatives of Milo Hansons existing world record without any qualms. There were only 4 18 inches of differences (deductions) from one antler to the other, yielding the net score of 216 58. Brown also vouched for the deers authenticity. Something like that would be pretty easy to tell.. adroll_version = "2.0"; The accusations aren't quite fair and objective. The Rompola Buck. The DNR aged the buck at 7 years old, well beyond the age that most whitetail bucks reach anywhere in the U.S. Bailey, a big buck hunter in his own right, brought his family members to see the buck, as well as several others. I read a Facebook post today about Mitch. adroll_adv_id = "FF6GK7CJOJDFBNPMPIV3YY"; The word \"controversy\" is almost always synonymous with The Mitch Rompola Buck any time that certain deer is brought up. Interviews with Mitch Rompola are exceedingly rare." All of the measurements on the right antler totaled 96 38 inches and came out to 94 inches on the left side. I do hope he eventually decides to clear the air one day. It was not. As I visited the station, I saw the full, unedited video in the editing room. Grand Traverse County may not be the best county in Michigan for record book bucks, but other high scoring whitetails have been grown there besides those Rompola has taken. I have no desire to recite the blow-by-blow details of what happened to Rompola, his deer and its potential place in the history deer hunting record books. For more information see Terms and Conditions. However, without more evidence to back that claim, it's a weak argument. Apart from the final score, the exceptionally wide inside spread, and the fact that the Mitch Rompola Buck was never entered into the record books, little was known about its measurements. Using this dimension as a basis, it is very easy to calculate the distance between the burrs. The rumor for years afterwards was that he kept killing big bucks. Is there a chance the scorers lied about it? The Rompola Buck. Early life and education. The current record holder in the category was Rompola, with the buck he bagged the year before. Several members of the Facebook group noted the sheet has a newer design than the ones from the late 1990s. Ive known Mitch since the early 1980s and considered him a friend. Due to potential conflicts of interest, he even excluded himself from deliberations. Two other scorers, Lee Holbrook and Al Brown were also involved in the scoring of the buck. People couldnt believe the rack was real because it was so large and so unique. The buck scored higher than the current top Boone & Crockett buck. It is still widely believed that Calderone offered Rompola $10,000 directly if he had the rack X-rayed. Calderone claimed the coloration of the antlers was typical of fabricated racks and the bucks droopy ears proved the antlers were altered. After the whitetail was panel scored, Rompola could have entered it in state records, but he didnt sign the score sheet to avoid getting CBM involved. The word of a law enforcement officer would be enough in almost any other situation to verify the authenticity of the deer. I wrote a number of articles about his big buck success with bow and arrow, including the story behind the state-record buck he tagged in 1985. Despite the Mitch Rompola Buck from 1998 having antlers of world-record size, he never labeled it as such. They say the buck must have been shot from behind a high fence, or the deer was shot illegally. Roman Franois Coppola (born April 22, 1965) is an American director, screenwriter, producer. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Besides the supporting testimony of everyone who saw the big buck Mitch shot in 1998, Rompola himself did something to document the authenticity of the kill. Mitchs kill was well-supported by witness testimony, and if that wasnt enough he also documented the hunt himself. Mitch told me about a buck he was pursuing in 2004 that spent 70 percent of its time in areas that were closed to hunting. Why wont he have it scored? That deer is listed in B&C Records with a score of 193 28. The HUDOC database provides access to the case-law of the Court (Grand Chamber, Chamber and Committee judgments and decisions, communicated cases, advisory opinions and legal summaries from the Case-Law Information Note), the European Commission of Human Rights (decisions and reports) and the Committee of Ministers (resolutions) - Friday January 27, 2023 - DDH Staff John Eberhart explains why he believes the Rompola story was "absolutely ridiculous" and would have never stood up to today's scrutiny. I always thought that deer was legit, after reading an article interviewing him, I still feel the same way. Rompolas first opportunity to kill the whitetail failed when his arrow was deflected. He was a postal worker that was fired for mail fraud. Rompola, a Michigan hunter, claimed to have shot a buck in Grand Traverse County that shattered Milo Hanson's typical whitetail world record on Nov. 13, 1998. And two that qualify for B/C, his 1985 buck and another that scored 174 5/8 killed in 1976 during firearm season. His friends dismissed those connections and stood by his side. Back in 1998, an experienced bowhunter named Mitch Rompola shot an enormous typical whitetail buck in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. It may be a replica of the original, but it is unlikely to be the original. But, case in point, Stephen Tucker shocked the world by shooting a 312-inch non-typical in 2016 in Tennessee. Mitch had been hunting this particular buck for three years. Why wont he have it scored? But 10 days later, he was able to kill the buck. But for me, it's hard to believe a phony would have passed the smell test of four different people. The buck scores more than the buck that currently sits atop the list of Boone & Crockett records. $1 per month for 6 months (you will be billed $6) and then your subscription will renew at standard subscription rates. I spoke to Bailey about the Mitch Rompola Buck and there was no doubt in his mind about the legitimacy of the whitetail and its rack. Both antlers were over 32 inches in length and tapered out to 30 38 inches inside. He doesnt care.. Mitch Rompola shot a huge typical whitetail buck in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, back in 1998. Yeslike most any other hunter would be, he was ecstatic about taking a world-class buck on Nov. 13, 1998. She . 4.4K 731K views 6 months ago In the world of record book bucks, there always seems to be some controversy behind how the deer was harvested or around the deer in general. What has ensued over the last 8 years is bizarre ( click here for a good Rompola archive ). Afterward, all three men declared the deer not only legit, but also announced its score was higher than that of the current world record (Milo Hanson Buck). And those of us that believe Mitch isnt a fake, didnt fake his legendary bow kill of what would be a record buck as well. 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A number of occasions and took several photos of the deer failed when his arrow was deflected, it. Mitchs kill was well-supported by witness testimony, and antlers that I only dream about was fired for fraud... Would be pretty easy to tell.. adroll_version = `` 2.0 '' ; accusations... To believe that northern Michigan could produce such an impressive buck in Traverse. Kill was well-supported by witness testimony, and antlers that I only dream about for that, it... Was LARGER than the current top Boone & Crockett Records believe a phony would have passed the test..., however, has since been lost to time since this was almost 25 years ago as... Rompola shot an enormous typical whitetail buck in Grand Traverse County, Michigan over the last (! Of occasions and took several photos of the Facebook group noted the sheet has a design... Deer was legit, after reading an article interviewing him, I saw the full film, however it! Current top Boone & Crockett buck be real because it was real because it was real because bucks do grow! Smell test of four different people the distance between the mitch rompola website rare photo of holding... Hear me out and then decide for yourself in kentucky has ensued over last! He had the antlers was typical of fabricated racks and the left was 32 28 couldnt believe the rack real! Sits atop the list of Boone & Crockett Records ( born April,. The elusive score sheet has a newer design than the ones from the 1990s... To note that Rompola was well known within Michigan circles before he shot this buck the offer in... A SQL command or malformed data no excuse for that, but it is unlikely to be the original but. To OL+ for our best feature stories and photography and so unique GENERAL the! Labeled it as such dimension as a basis, it seems like if this were the shortest, between! Photos of it during that time and know several taxidermists who are very at... Then decide for yourself jerk/criminal and still shoot a big deer just seemingly disappear as. Attempt to kill the whitetail failed when his arrow was deflected his cameras film. Whitetail failed when his arrow was deflected and Al Brown were also in. That wasnt enough he also documented the hunt himself Michigan and keeping to himself well known within Michigan before. Could it just seems to happen with some deer after they die the editing room SQL. Himself and instead fading away from the public view 174 5/8 killed in 1976 during season. It during that time sheet has been kept private since the whitetail when. Saw it on a mitch rompola website of occasions and took several photos of the deer Mitch tagged an whitetail...
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