Larry Zach Wildlife Art - Paintings, Prints, Gallery

Big Country Buck

Big Country Buck

The first print in Larry’s Big Bucks Series, Big City Bucks, featured two huge bucks living in Des Moines, Iowa. Both bucks were captured on video just a few blocks from Terrace Hill, the Iowa Governor’s mansion. Unfortunately they were also found dead in the same area a few months later.

The second print, Big Timber Bucks, featured three bucks, which spent much of their lives in heavy timber. Larry and his two childrenwere lucky enough to harvest all three bucks within a couple miles of each other during the hunting seasons of 1999 and 2000. (The featured buck in both of the above paintings can be seen on video else where on this website.)

The third and final print features bucks living in southern Iowa farm country, thus the title, Big Country Bucks. In contrast with the bucks featured in the first two prints this buck may still be alive! (The featured buck in all three of the above paintings can be seen on video else where on this website.)

This story started when a southern Iowa turkey hunter discovered a matching set of whitetail sheds in the spring of 2001. A picture of the sheds later showed up on the website for Soap Creek Outfitters (www.soapcreekoutfitters.com). Larry was very impressed with the antlers in the photo so arrangements were made to see the actual sheds.

Zach with 2000-2001 Shed Antlers
© Larry Zach

Though the sheds look huge in the photo they are even more impressive in person. The moment Larry saw them it was obvious they are in a class of their own with character that goes way beyond their B & C score. First they have incredible mass and carry it throughout the rack. Even the individual tines are heavier that the bases on most antlers. The mass is so great that it makes it difficult to appreciate the length of the main beams and points. The sheds also have great character with lots of ridges, hooks and non-typical points. With the exception of a 9 1/2” drop point on the left beam the antlers also have exceptional symmetry and overall ‘eye appeal’. Larry calls them ‘grinners’ meaning every time he holds them he can’t help but grin.

Summer 2001 in Velvet
© Ron Willmore

Both antlers had been chewed slightly by a rodents, most likely squirrel. At the 2002 Iowa Deer Classic the sheds were scored as a basic 8 point grossing over 163” and netting over 158”, without spread which was probably well over 20”! The antlers have tremendous mass with five of the eight measurements 6” or greater. They also have 21 scorable, non-typical points totaling 86 2/8” which bring the final net score, without spread, to 245 7/8”.

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Giclée Canvas 20” x 30”
100 SN $425

Limited Edition 21.5" x 16.25"
2395 SN $145

Copyright © 2007 by Larry Zach. All rights reserved.
Revised: 04/09/08 22:26:43 -0500
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A life time of hunting, fishing, conservation work and nature study has provided me with a wealth of outdoor experiences and images.
My intent as an artist is to share these with others. Larry Zach Wildlife Art - Paintings, Prints, Gallery