Michigan man takes record buck

A Michigan record, nontypical 20-point buck was certified last weekend by the Commemorative Bucks of Michigan, the state's official record keeper.

The trophy, which will stand as No. 1 among state bow-and-arrow kills, was taken Nov. 14, the day before opening of the firearms-deer season, by Aaron Davis, 28, of Holland, Mich. He was hunting on the Hillsdale County farm of a buddy, dairy farmer Steve Vanderhoff.

Davis, a construction worker, said he was thrilled by the confirmation of the record by a panel of three CBM scorers. The final scoring was done Saturday in front of the outdoors world, at the 16th annual Gander Mountain Huntin' Time Expo in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The bowhunter has been pursuing deer with a bow since he was 15. "Our whole [construction] company takes off for a couple of days. It's almost mandatory," he said.

It was a good thing that a three-judge panel examined Davis' buck, given its asymmetrical or nontypical configuration, which makes scoring decisions more difficult. The scorers had to huddle over the antlers.

The immediate prior record was 219-6/8, from Cass County in 2000. An initial dry-score of the Davis buck put it at 222-4/8. But after some discussion virtually of fine points, Saturday's panel gross-scored it at 232-7/8. But panelists deducted 7 points for lack of symmetry, giving the Davis rack a final official score of 225-7/8 and a solid record.

Aaron Davis, a 28-year-old Holland, Mich., bowhunter, shows the 20-point rack of the record buck he took in Hillsdale County.

Davis said he had seen the huge buck the prior two weekends, but it never offered a shot. On its fateful day, the buck was focused on a doe in heat and Davis' arrow was right on the mark when the buck passed near his stand.

The buck proved to be a virtual traffic-stopper as he towed it home in an open trailer borrowed from his farming buddy.

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An American white pelican, an uncommon visitor to this region, was seen and photographed Sunday on the Maumee River below the Toledo Zoo.

Sherry Leatherman, who watched the huge white bird with Mark Plessner, said it was swimming among some gulls midstream. Leatherman is a naturalist volunteer and Plessner is a Toledo Metroparks naturalist and historical interpreter.

Their photos can be seen at the following Web site, www.rarebird.org. Click on "Toledo area rare bird alert."

White pelicans, which have a wingspan of nine feet, usually trade among the country's central and western flyways.

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Sid Lark, who is a familiar figure in Toledo area Ducks Unlimited circles, has been elected to the post of state chairman of Ohio DU. He succeeds Steve Dey of Waterville, and will assume the post at the end of June.

Lark, retired Northwood police chief, has served Ohio DU as a district and zone chairman, state shooting chairman, and area chairman for the Toledo chapter. He also is a volunteer hunter safety instructor for the Ohio Division of Wildlife and president of Adams Conservation Club.

The annual Ohio DU meeting is tomorrow and Saturday at the Roberts Center in Wilmington, Ohio.

DATEBOOK

Tomorrow-Public trapshoot and fish fry, 6 p.m., Wolf Creek Sportsmen's Association, 349 Teachout Rd., north of State Rt. 2, Curtice; call Rick Ferguson, 419-836-5264.

Tomorrow and Saturday-Safe boating course, 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. Saturday, Woodville Mall, Northwood, by Flotilla 10-06 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary; for fees and details call Henry Wasilausky, 419-698-4122.

Saturday-Volunteer work day, Black Swamp Bird Observatory, noon to 4 p.m., readying new headquarters, meet at former Crane Creek State Park office building, front of Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area, 13229 West State Rt. 2, Oak Harbor; call Julie Shieldcastle, 419-898-4070.

Saturday and Sunday-Gun and knife show, Paulding Fish and Game Club, U.S. 127 a mile south of Paulding, Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; call Theresa Caryer 419-399-4420.

Contact Steve Pollick at:

spollick@theblade.com

or 419-724-6068.