State Record Non-Typical Mule Deer

[Stone_Ice_1]

Headline got your attention didn't it?

Seriously though the Montana state record is many years old, shot in 1962 by Peter Zemljak Sr and scoring 275 1/8. I have seen pictures of the deer but have always wondered about any story behind it. What really makes me curious is the fact the 2nd largest deer was shot only 2 years earlier by his son Peter Zemljak in a different area of the state and scoring only 6/8" smaller at 275 1/8". I have also seen pictures of this buck, however don't know any of the story. It just seems to me, that of all the hunters to shoot a mule deer in Montana history, what are the chances a father/son combo shoot the two largest ever, two years apart?

Does anybody know anything about these two deer that they can share. Feel free to PM me if you like.

 

[antlerradar]

The lottery would have been a better bet

 

[fargoflyfish]

http://fwp.mt.gov/mtoutdoors/HTML/articles/2012/MontanaRecords.htm#.VMb0V_7F9yU

 

[gwhunter]

From the above link about the state record typical elk:

One morning at first light he took his .270- caliber rifle and headed out solo

It always interests me thinking about what people used to harvest game 60 years ago compared to what we consider "enough gun" today.

 

[Stone_Ice_1]

Thanks for the link fargo. I do enjoy reading some of these old stories. Would still like to find out more if anybody knows anything more.

gwhunter I've killed many elk with a 270, although I think with today's bullets its a much better rifle than it would have been back then. I do shoot a bigger caliber for elk now though, no harm in the extra insurance.

 

[noharleyyet]

..even more amazing.

MULE DEER NONTYPICAL
Score: 275-7/8
Location: Highland Mountains
Date killed: 1962
Hunter: Peter Zemljak Sr.
Boone & Crockett world rank: 73

 

[Bambistew]

I know a few Butte Rats who knew/know the Zemljaks (everyone in Butte knows everyone else). As I recall, one of the bucks was supposedly killed in the Ruby rather than the Highlands, I think thats what is says in the record book as well. I also think the one that was killed in the Ruby was taken fairly close to where the Mercer bull MT (former) state record elk.

My grampa killed quite a few hog bulls in that same country years and years ago. I still have the biggest one he killed, score just under 380.

 

[----]

That one always did have me wondering on the story. Such a crazy coincidence.

Another one that's always blew me away-

In 1971 Granite county kicked out the two biggest bulls ever killed in the state (429" & 423"), a 407 inch non-typical, and a 381 inch typical.

 

[.280 Remington]

IIRC, Jack Atcheson Sr. wrote the stories out in his book "Hunting Adventures Worldwide." I read it several years ago. I can't remember the details, other than Jack though he missed one of the bucks earlier.

 

[.280 Remington]

From the above link about the state record typical elk:


It always interests me thinking about what people used to harvest game 60 years ago compared to what we consider "enough gun" today.

Back in the day, if you had a .250 Savage/.250-3000 or a .30-30, you had a good elk gun.

 

[.280 Remington]

That one always did have me wondering on the story. Such a crazy coincidence.

Another one that's always blew me away-

In 1971 Granite county kicked out the two biggest bulls every killed in the state (429" & 423"), a 407 inch non-typical, and a 381 inch typical.

Must have been a heck of a year for horn growth!