OMG – A New Ranch Record

Written By: Nate Skinner

There are times spent afield when everything seems to just click. The stars align, different variables fall into place, and the results are nothing short of incredible.

Then, there are moments when “luck” seems to fall flat on its face. These are instances that would have most hunters thinking that if they didn’t have “bad luck,” that they’d have no luck at all.

When both of these types of scenarios occur in the same hunt, the emotional roller coaster is one that you’ll never forget. Just ask bowhunter, Kyle Schuler. His accounts of harvesting the new Trinity Ranch record, a gargantuan buck nicknamed OMG, are proof that hunters can experience a massive range of emotions all from the seat in their stand. You just can’t make this stuff up!

Schuler arrived at the Trinity Ranch on the afternoon of Thursday, November 8, 2018, along with a few other hunters. Prior to his arrival, he had been sent photos of OMG by Trinity Ranch owner, David Sunderland. When asked if he would be interested in pursuing the massive whitetail, Schuler replied with a firm, “Yes,” without hesitation.

Upon arrival, Schuler participated in some target practice sessions with his bow alongside other archers that were scheduled to hunt that weekend. A gourmet meal, along with some jovial antics, adult beverages, and captivating discussion around the campfire soon followed.

In the midst of these standard deer camp activities, Sunderland and Trinity Ranch Managing Partner, Carlos Zapatero, briefed Schuler on the buck he was after.

“They showed me several trail camera photos of OMG, along with one of his sheds from the previous season,” explained Schuler. “I was informed that the buck had the potential to be the new ranch record. They had him estimated at anywhere from 240 to 270 inches, but were unsure of exactly how much he might score.”

Sunderland and Zapatero also provided Schuler with additional background information that they had collected on OMG over the years. The buck was 100% born and raised on the Trinity Ranch, and was a native south Texas deer.

Their guess at his score from the previous season according to the shed that they had found was around 200 inches, and it was evident from trail camera photos that he had put on some tremendous growth. Exactly how much this growth would equate to in inches was yet to be determined.

Because he was basically an average buck during his first three years of life, OMG wasn’t even on Sunderland’s or Zapatero’s radar until last season.

According to Sunderland, excellent amounts of rainfall for three years in a row combined with the right genetics is what contributed to this stud’s massive gains.

OMG loved an area of the ranch called The Park, where he had developed a reputation as the head honcho. He was consistently moving through this portion of the ranch, and that’s where Schuler would be hunting him.

After taking in all of this information, many hunters might have felt intimidated. Schuler however, had harvested a 180-inch buck and a 210 inch monster at the Trinity Ranch during the previous two seasons. He was up for the task that awaited him the following morning.

The morning of Friday, November 9, 2018, met Schuler and his guide, Brian, with damp, rainy conditions. As they approached the blind amongst the predawn darkness, the pair jumped a group hogs that were nearby. Madness immediately overtook the calm serenity of the brush. To this day, neither will admit as to whether they or the hogs were more startled and frightened.

Finally, they got settled into the blind. Schuler had low expectations for success after that initial morning fiasco.

Several minutes went by and the gray light of dawn began to illuminate their set up, which had a protein feeder on the left and a corn feeder on the right. As if he were on cue, OMG began to walk out of the brush from the left towards the protein feeder. Schuler’s guide gave him a nudge and instructed him not to move a muscle.

The brute passed within 10 yards on his way to eat breakfast, sending Schuler’s heart rate through the roof.

“It took me about fifteen minutes or so gather my wits and calm down after he initially showed up,” Schuler confessed. “I finally pulled myself together and got ready for a shot opportunity.”

OMG turned nearly broadside at about 27 yards and Schuler drew his bow. He found his anchor point and let the arrow fly.

To his dismay, he pulled upon releasing the arrow and OMG ducked, resulting in a clean miss. Luckily for Schuler, the rain and breeze created enough background noise that the buck was unsure of what had just taken place. He spooked further out of range, but then began to ease back towards the protein feeder as if nothing ever happened. There was still hope.

Then, just as OMG looked to be getting comfortable again, the corn feeder went off.

“This seemed to be the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Schuler admitted. “The buck bolted into the brush and I was sure I had blown my opportunity at this trophy of a lifetime.”

Several long minutes passed, and then the unthinkable happened. OMG began walking towards the feeders for a third time.

“It was obvious he was proceeding with caution,” Schuler explained. “He kept looking around and giving off a spooky vibe. It seemed like getting a shot off now would be impossible.”

OMG finally moved into bow range while occasionally nibbling on corn. At 22 yards, he was quartering away with his head down when Schuler drew his bow on the monster buck for a second time.

This time, his arrow met hide. OMG fell immediately to the ground, and Schuler took a joyous sigh of relief.

This excitement was quickly overcome by horror when the buck picked his head up and looked as if he might get up and run.

“I really thought for a second that he might take off,” explained Schuler. “This thought was soon forgotten though. He crawled about 10 yards or so and then expired.”

Now it was time to celebrate, not to mention relieve the insane up-down cycle that Schuler’s emotions went through.

“In hindsight, it probably worked out for the best that I whiffed on my first shot at OMG,” admitted Schuler. “At the moment I was extremely disappointed, but now I couldn’t be more thrilled!”

OMG was officially scored by the folks at Mesquite Creek Taxidermy and measured out to an unbelievable 300 and 2/8 inches, blowing the former ranch record out of the water. His jawbone analysis indicates he was approximately five and a half years old, which is evidence that native, pasture born bucks can go from “Zero-to-Hero” in just a short period of time.

OMG had the jackpot of all jackpots as far as headgear is concerned, and it’s safe to say that Schuler hit the jackpot as well. Talk about a special day on Trinity Ranch soil!

For Sunderland and Zapatero, this deer is the true pinnacle of success. After years of back-breaking work and sleepless nights combined with a keen focus on exceptional genetics and habitat and pasture improvements, which were also complemented by aggressive and methodical deer management and culling practices, the results of having a pasture born deer of OMG’s caliber further validates that things at the Trinity Ranch are simply being done right.

“We have invested our blood, sweat, and tears into building a world-class deer operation,” stated Sunderland. “To have a growing inventory of native deer like OMG that is born on the Trinity Ranch makes it all worthwhile. Providing hunters with the opportunity to hunt monster deer that from birth, are raised in the wild, truly solidifies that the Trinity Ranch experience is in a league of its own. Success is inevitable when you have the right people, process, and hunters in place, and that is always our number one priority.”

At the time of writing this, OMG stands to potentially become the new record for SCI as far as the organization’s south Texas archery division is concerned. The buck will be scored again after the 60-day drying and waiting period expires.

OMG will also most likely win first place in the archery high fence division of Los Cazadores, which is the most well known and celebrated deer contest in south Texas. He is currently in first place, and will hopefully reign as champion. This won’t be finalized until hunting season comes to an end.