While Combs had certainly been aware of the buck's size, seeing its velvet rack up close for the first time was an entirely different experience.

"Words really can't describe my feelings at that time," Combs said.

"I just sat there holding the rack, trying to believe what I had done. I was very thankful to a great many people who had allowed me to experience that moment."

Eventually, after getting the buck loaded in his truck, Combs took time to call his hunting companion Hagan, tell him the news and briefly recount the hunt story. Minutes later, Combs' wife and his two sons arrived to get a firsthand look at the buck. Needless to say, it was an exciting evening the family will always remember.

Because the buck's rack was still in full velvet, it was necessary to put the antlers through a "freeze-drying" process to make sure the velvet would be permanently preserved.

This procedure actually exceeded the normal 60-day drying period that's required to have a rack scored, so Combs then made arrangements to have the antlers officially measured.

The following impressive statistics are derived from that antler-taping session. The rack has 18 scorable points, 11 of which comprise the 6x5 typical frame. The long main beams tape 26 7/8 and 26 5/8 inches. The antler spread is 20 4/8 inches outside, and 18 1/8 inches inside.

The rack also exhibits great tine length, with brows (G-1s) of 8 1/8 and 6 5/8 inches and paired G-2s and G-3s that measure between 12 6/8 and 9 2/8 inches.

Antler mass is also exceptional, with basal circumferences that exceed 5 inches, plus measurements of 6 1/8 and 5 0/8 inches midway along the main beam. In regard to scoring, the 11-point typical frame grosses 187 0/8 and nets 175 5/8.

The rack also includes 7 abnormal points totaling 30 1/8 inches. When added to the net figure, that brings the final non-typical Pope and Young (P&Y) score to 205 6/8.

Combs' great buck ranks as the state's top all-time velvet non-typical bow kill, and places fourth on the all- time list that includes all non-typical bow kills. The deer also stands as the biggest non-typical ever recorded for Casey County.

The buck's final non-typical score also exceeds the minimum entry level for the Boone and Crockett (B&C) Club's All-Time record book.

Unfortunately, however, B&C differs from P&Y in that they do not accept velvet trophies.

Combs' giant non-typical buck was not the only big velvet bow kill from last season. Be sure to see the August 2008 issue of Kentucky Game & Fish for photos and stories of other velvet trophies.