Cody Thomas of Savannah, Ga., currently leads Florida hunters with the biggest buck of the season: a 235-pound, 13-point monster shot not far from Tallahassee.

Thomas was hunting with his girlfriend's brother, Brad Benners, on private property in Leon County. After shooting the deer on November 20, Thomas had to wait weeks for Buck Registry confirmation from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The registry, established in 1982, provides an opportunity for hunters to register antler scores and other information about white-tail deer taken in Florida. 

Thomas' deer, taken at the beginning of 2005-06 general gun season, is Florida's tenth-highest-scoring on record, based on Boone and Crockett

criteria. It was the second buck of his lifetime. Inside spread on the antlers was 19.5 inches.

Don Francis, FWC biologist at Joe Budd Wildlife Management Area, took the official measurements and gave the deer a gross Boone and Crockett score of 165 4/8 and a net score of 154 6/8. 

Florida's northern counties, such as Leon, produce the majority of the record deer in a state overshadowed by Alabama and Georgia.

Dr. Robert Vanderhoof, biologist and leader of the FWC’s Deer Management Program, said fertile clay soils produce more nutritious deer forage than the sandier soils of Central and South Florida. Also, consistent rainfall generates a better food supply than in areas where prolonged dry spells are more common. 

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