On a seemingly unlucky Friday the 13th, retired surgeon Joe R. Bumgardner, M.D., of Starkville, Mississippi, made the hunt of a lifetime, taking down a massive 175 3/8-inch whitetail buck with partially shed velvet antlers in Adams County, MS. The story of the buck, known as “Houdini,” had been years in the making and culminated in one unforgettable hunt. Bumgardner was using his Ravin R500 Crossbow.
Location of Hunt: Adams County, MS
Hunter Name: Joe Bumgardner
Taken With: Ravin R500 Crossbow (click Here to Buy Newest Models)
The Legend of Houdini
The landowner had been tracking Houdini, a 7 ½-year-old typical 10-point buck, for over two years. The deer earned his nickname by disappearing every year after shedding his velvet, becoming entirely nocturnal. After this transformation, Houdini would only appear on trail cameras at night, eluding hunters during daylight hours.
Despite the odds and a notorious pattern that made Houdini almost impossible to hunt, Bumgardner was invited to bowhunt during the early velvet buck season. Though trail cameras hadn’t captured any daylight sightings of the buck in over a week, Bumgardner decided to try his luck.
The Hunt
On the afternoon of opening day, Bumgardner took his spot in a blind that overlooked a field planted with Deer Vetch. Despite low expectations, the veteran bowhunter settled in, ready for a long wait. By 4 p.m., deer began trickling into the field. Over the course of the afternoon, 28 deer came and went, including several does and their fawns.
At 7 p.m., Bumgardner caught sight of a mature buck moving across the narrow field about 110 yards away. Though the distance was too far for a shot, Bumgardner recognized the buck’s size. Just 15 minutes later, the same deer—or so it seemed—returned and started feeding only 50 yards from Bumgardner’s blind.
At this distance, Bumgardner confirmed it was Houdini, the buck he’d been after. With his recently upgraded Ravin R500 crossbow in hand, he felt confident in the shot. The buck stood broadside, and Bumgardner flipped the safety off. However, as he squeezed the trigger, nothing happened. He squeezed harder, and finally, the trigger gave way, launching the arrow.
Tracking the Giant
Bumgardner messaged the landowner that he’d shot the buck but initially found no blood or arrow. After some searching, he discovered the back half of his arrow and a blood trail leading into the woods. Though the trail started to taper off, Bumgardner, the landowner, and another bowhunter decided to call in a tracking dog and wait until morning to be certain the buck had expired.
At daybreak, the tracking dog quickly picked up the trail, and within 40 yards, they found Houdini. The giant buck lay still, his antlers partially draped in strands of velvet that hadn’t yet been shed—a rare and unique sight for a mount.
The Trophy Buck
Houdini’s antlers were just as impressive up close. The buck had a 19-inch inside spread, 24-inch main beams, G2s measuring over 9 and 11 inches, G3s at 10 6/8 and 11 3/8 inches, and 6-inch bases. The total gross green score was 175 3/8 inches.
For Bumgardner, who has been hunting with archery equipment since the 1980s, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. He marveled at the size of the buck and the rare velvet hanging from its rack, an image that would stay with him forever.
“I can’t believe this son of a gun,” Bumgardner said as he drove the buck to the taxidermist, glancing over at the antlers every few minutes in disbelief. “It happened to me.”
A Hunter’s Dream Realized
The combination of a massive rack, partially shed velvet, and the history behind Houdini made this deer the most impressive trophy Bumgardner had ever taken. With a narrow window to capture the buck before it fully shed its velvet, this hunt was not only about skill but a bit of luck. Bumgardner’s success on a day some would deem unlucky made for a hunting story he’ll never forget.
