Georgia is known for its abundant wildlife and the thrill of the hunt. For many hunters, there’s no greater prize than a trophy whitetail deer. Georgia is home to some of the biggest bucks in the country, with numerous state record holders. One such record holder is Billy Joe Padgett, whose massive buck still holds the state record nearly 25 years after it was taken.

In 1998, Billy Joe Padgett was hunting in Telfair County, Georgia, when he spotted the deer of a lifetime. The massive whitetail buck was just 50 yards away, and Padgett knew he had to take the shot. With nerves of steel, he aimed carefully and fired his rifle. The shot was true, and the buck went down immediately.

What Padgett found when he approached the downed deer was nothing short of astonishing. The buck had an incredible 36 scorable points and the total score for the buck was an incredible 248 and 4/8, making it the largest non-typical whitetail deer ever recorded in Georgia.

The story of Padgett’s record-breaking buck has become the stuff of legend among hunters in Georgia and beyond. In the years since he took the deer, countless hunters have sought to replicate his success, but few have come close. The fact that his record still stands more than two decades later is a testament to the incredible size and rarity of the buck he took.

Padgett’s deer was officially recognized as the Georgia state record by the Boone and Crockett Club, one of the most respected organizations in the hunting world. The Club maintains records of the largest big game animals taken in North America, and Padgett’s buck ranks among the all-time greats.

For hunters in Georgia and beyond, the story of Billy Joe Padgett and his incredible buck serves as a reminder of the incredible possibilities that exist in the wild. It’s a testament to the power of determination, skill, and a bit of luck, and a shining example of what’s possible when a hunter sets their sights on greatness.