New York's muzzleloader deer season is one of the most popular hunts in the state, accounting for some of the biggest bucks taken by hunters each year. Photo by Ron Sinfelt Sr.

Some giant whitetail bucks were taken in New York in 2006, and last year saw an overall increase in the buck harvest of about 8 percent.

According to the Northeast Big Buck Club -- the regional whitetail scoring and record-keeping organization -- New York's trophy deer hunters had a banner year, with monster bucks taken during the archery, muzzleloader and firearms seasons.

Muzzleloader hunters have fared very well in recent years, accounting for some of the state's biggest bucks. Last season, one buck in particular garnered special recognition -- the dark-racked Livingston County 10-point typical taken by Frank Waltman last November could be New York's biggest racked muzzleloader buck of 2006! We'll follow that story with a brief roundup of several other great bucks taken during the 2006 season.

THE WALTMAN BUCK
Frank Waltman learned to hunt over 20 years ago, around the age of 12, by accompanying his dad into the woods of Pennsylvania and New York in search of deer. Filling the freezer was always the goal, but in those days, bucks were plentiful and tags were generally available.

Over the years, Waltman has taken upwards of 40 deer, including many nice bucks. Typical of many hunters today, he takes advantage of the many deer-hunting opportunities in his home state. He hunts with his bow, shotgun and muzzleloader in the woods at every opportunity.

Waltman most often hunts with his dad, and they have been fortunate enough to gain access to some outstanding properties in Livingston County, well known for producing big bucks. In fact, Waltman took a fantastic buck there with his shotgun in 1997 -- a non-typical 12-pointer with a gross score of 163 1/8, and a net Boone and Crockett score of 158 5/8. And during the 2005 archery season, he arrowed a very nice 10-pointer that gross-scored 120 6/8.

Waltman was well aware of the potential of Livingston County to produce big bucks. And in 2006, that realization bore fruit.

During the 2005 season, when Waltman arrowed the big 10-pointer, his dad spotted a big buck one morning while traveling past one of their hunting properties. They nicknamed the buck "Brown Horns" because of his very big -- and very dark -- rack. The buck was unmistakable, and both hunters hoped to get a crack at him.

Sure enough, while hunting with his bow, Waltman saw Brown Horns and coaxed him close enough to his stand with a snort-wheeze call.

Unfortunately, Waltman's arrow sailed harmlessly past the big buck. The pair spent the rest of the season hoping to see the buck again, but they didn't. They spent their time during the winter and throughout the next year looking for some evidence that the buck had survived, but Brown Horns was not seen again.

That is, not until the morning of Nov. 18, opening day of the 2006 shotgun season!

Waltman and his dad chose one of their favorite pieces of hunting land for opening day, not far from where Waltman had killed his big 160-class buck back in 1997. Waltman decided to hunt a tree stand in the middle of a field of goldenrod, surrounded by woods on two sides.

He hadn't hunted from that stand for two years. But the day before, his dad had seen two nice bucks in the field and suggested that Waltman hunt it. That turned out to be a great move!

The morning unfolded quietly, with very little action. Then at 8:30 a.m. to his right, Waltman spotted a doe with a buck on her tail, dogging her every step. Old Brown Horns was obviously alive and well!

The hunter grabbed his .50-caliber Encore muzzleloader (which is legal to use during New York's shotgun season) and cocked the hammer. He had to turn to the right to get a bead on the buck, but as he did so, his gun muzzle bumped the tree.

The sound of the ramrod hitting the barrel spooked the doe, which took off across the field.

The buck stood still and watched for a moment, giving Waltman a chance to get a bead on him. When the buck jogged after the doe, Waltman took the shot at a quartering-away angle as the buck was running, about 80 yards away.