The Mitch Rompola Buck - Untold Stories & Evidence Unveiled… | Hunters Advantage Podcast

In today's video, we talk with Richard P. Smith to discuss the potential world record Mitch Rompola buck. Richard has covered the story of the Mitch Rompola buck from the beginning of the controversy in the 1990s. We discuss the story of the buck, Mitch's past hunting experience, and why he ultimately went into isolation after the buck.
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[@RJ-wr8db]

Mitch mapped out 6 square miles - that is 3,840 acres. People seem to think he hunted a small area and how could so many big bucks live there. I don't know many hunters that map and hunt 3,840 acres. The guy killed a ton of bucks because he spent 300 days a year either hunting or scouting. He is the GOAT

[@Wtz-jx3wh]

He is a p€do…take his d!ck out your mouth and get on with your own life bro

[@thedeercamp]

Mitch has the world record for the most suspicious looking bucks the world has ever seen. Honestly, go look at the rest of them. I’ve never seen any other buck picture from any other hunter that I’ve thought looked suspicious, yet Mitch has multiple that do. If it was just one buck, one picture, I wouldn’t have my doubts. It’s when you look at his “collection” of bucks where things get weird. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

[@galinswigart]

100%. So many suspicious bucks, many of them world class and all of them looking just a little (or a LOT) off .... there is simply no way.

[@mattc3152]

I was 12 years old when the news of the Rompola Buck broke, coincidently the first year I could legally bow hunt in Michigan. I had heard of Mitch previously, mostly from Mike Avery. I've always been fascinated by this story.

[@muleskinner485]

Great podcast, this one does Mitch a lot of justice i enjoyed listening to all aspects of this controversy. The man involved in starting the rumors from the very start should be scrutinized, society has been robbed of something very special, the curse needs to be erased , crazy how much power the human tongue has. I believe Mitch Rompola to be one of the best hunters of all time.............

[@cryptidoutlaw8707]

Can not imagine judging another man for his accomplishments just because he did not do things the way everyone else does them. I would bet most people saying this buck is fake do not have half the skill or bucks on the wall that this guy does. I am from a state that doesn’t get looked at as a big buck state but myself and many other people in my area have very big deer mounted on there walls that very few people ever get to see. None are entered into any record books and many of them could be. What a shame to live in a time where men that are great at what they do as hunters are judged and criticized by others that think that if you do not do it a certain way then you are doing something wrong. Mitch was just ahead of his time and an outstanding woodsman. If the deer was fake why did Hansen need Mitch to sign a contract not to ever enter the deer unless someone else broke the record?

[@upnorthoutdoors989]

Good show. Rompola and his buck are legit.

[@Dream-season]

I have an investment opportunity for you … hear me out… you seem really smart

[@duggiestone]

As a steward of the deer I would think to honor the deer he would endure the scrutiny and set the record straight by bringing it forward.

[@andrewarbour5733]

I bought Richard’s books just to read stories about Mitch lol love this stuff!

[@Justin-pq3rq]

I know the story front to back and side to side. A little tid bit. Mitch was able to track that giant buck because it had a deformed hoof so he was able to pretty much know where it was. Also, he missed the buck. And he would have shot the buck a year before but it got bullied away by a big 9 point. Mitch ended up shooting the big 9 because he was worried about that big 9wounding it or breaking its rack. Also. Mitch said that giant buck was pretty much a loner and not a bully buck at all. Just kinda did his own thing and stayed to himself. Almost like the buck knew there was a target on his back. Heavy is the head that wears the crown.

[@robaer9677]

Milo Hansen's camp started all the rumors about Mitch's buck. The seed company that owns the rights has a vested interest in it staying at #1. Same could be said with the Alexander buck, if it breaks it then mitch is in. So who has everything to lose?

[@briargoatkilla]

exactly

[@owenkrieger2185]

the alexander buck is A potentially illegal(i think it is legal and other hunters are mad that they didn’t get him) and B green scored below the WR

[@gordonneverdies]

Just to clarify Mitch supposedly harvested a lot of those similar wide looking bucks in different counties. I saw a video recently showing pictures of the deer with some notes Mitch wrote under the picture.

[@curtissheffield4485]

Bring it out. Put the stories to rest if there is nothing to hide

[@dustinwaldron2010]

I live and hunt near that swamp, I can see why most people don’t believe him. 99.9% of all bucks shot in that county are 1 & 2 year old 80” deer. It’s not even known for good bucks then or now really. Only now after antler restrictions for 6 years or so has it got a tiny bit better. Southern Michigan farm country is where they’re grown. If it’s legit, I wish they’re were more like it passing on genes.

[@FreightMasterResources]

To my understanding there have been other deer taken in the general area of Mitch's buck with VERY similar looking antlers taken by other hunters

[@boondocksadventures2328]

Interesting view on this Buck. Smith did add some good info and an insiders view of what happened!

[@sakoA7270win]

IMO it’s fake, you can’t say he didn’t care about attention and didn’t want it, if that was the case he would never enter a buck for state record, from what I read this would have been his 4th buck for state record and it just happens to be a world record, only reason he didn’t go through with it is because he didn’t want to be caught cheating to get the world record, he definitely cares about attention don’t say he doesn’t. I also never im my life seen a buck with droopy ears like that after being shot, something isn’t right with it.

[@brokenarrow6491]

There's tons of evidence showing it's real. There's no evidence showing that it's fake. Think about that. There's video of it in the woods after it was shot. A game warden saw it right after it was shot and said it was real. Scorer's handled it and said it was real. Lots of people saw it right after it was shot and they all say it was real. It's easy to be suspicious but suspicion doesn't make it fake.

[@sakoA7270win]

@@brokenarrow6491I’d have to see it to believe it, and I don’t believe it. Just because someone said they handled it and it’s real, doesn’t make it real. How many deer have you seen with ears like that after being shot? It doesn’t happen. If it was real he would have it x-rayed or whatever they want to do to check it because he obviously cares about being in the record books or he would never enter a deer into them. The video and hearsay are not enough evidence for me to believe it.

[@sakoA7270win]

@@brokenarrow6491hearsay is not evidence, just because someone said they handled it and it’s real doesn’t make it real, and that video doesn’t prove anything, how many deer have you seen with ears like that after being shot?

[@DavidBowCrazyBabyak86]

What's up fellas, I'm excited to hear this, glad to catch it on the way to take my son to school

[@HUNTERSADVANTAGE]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@stephencanter8947]

Its interesting that so many people are starting to bring up this buck again and seems like Rompola has a small cult like following now, which I don't understand. I have researched this story myself for years and then thing I struggled to wrap my head around is if this buck is real and was killed legally then wouldn't Mitch (who seems like a very proud hunter) want to clear his name in this? He had more to lose by not entering this buck. People would stop questioning him and the buck if he just had the buck entered in the record book and if it was verified as legitimate. No one questions the Milo Hanson buck because its been verified and we really don't hear much from Milo Hanson these days, so Mitch could have gone into hiding after everything was verified if he wanted to. But the fact he decided not to enter the buck into the record books, of course that's going to send up red flag for suspicion. That's like a suspect in a murder case refusing to submit his DNA and then just going on the run and hiding. This man was literally traveling around the country showing this deer off and was advertised as the "worlds largest buck" but when it came down to lets make this thing officially official, he then changes his tune and suddenly doesn't want the attention anymore? I have hard time believing and understanding that. He later then creates his own website showing off other bucks that look oddly similar to his giant. But again, if he doesn't care about the attention then why create a website for the public? Yes there isn't any more evidence or proof that has came to light after all these years to show that the buck was fake or killed illegally but there also hasnt been any evidence or proof that it was real and that it was killed legally. At this point its just like bigfoot sightings where folks have claimed to see the deer after it was harvested and claimed to have felt the antlers and claim it was real. I just dont understand why he wouldnt want to clear his own name, without our pride, what do we have?

[@josephtreadlightly5686]

I worked in a bow shop during the time of Mitch's big buck hunts in Michigan. Just b4 Mitch shot that buck I bought the 1st bow that Mathews made called the Ultralight. It was 80% standard letoff like the bows that followed it. It wasn't even that big of a deal since most people wanted the deer & didn't care about a freak accident of shooting something that huge & it was known but not that big of a thing. I've spent year round scouting for many years now. I can tell u that even where I can't hunt due to all land being divided that u can still scout & learn alot. An example is that I now have 3 bucks that r true albino 🦌 within 5 miles of my 🏡. There's only one albino doe. I know that the youngest buck is 4 yrs old & he's probably the most recognized. That buck had a twin brother & a mother that r both brown. But the albino doe lives in a home range within a mile of that youngest buck.

[@colbykinney5633]

Cant believe ya'll are still beating that dead horse. Mitch was parading that buck around the country calling it the new world record. Milo gave him a cease and desist letter saying either put up or shut up... Mitch shut up end of discussion.

[@jaredschaefer-gx7hz]

If the stats about the width at the 38:04 mark are true, then I don’t think this deer is real. There is no way a guy can shoot that many deer with that wide of racks.

[@pastp3805]

Now put John Eberhart on and let him give you some information.

[@bankerlies6121]

Johnny weasel

[@Caincando1]

Innocent people don’t hide from the truth…guilty people do. Even if the buck is real, he’s hiding from something and it’s not the scrutiny over the buck. That is incredibly simple for him to prove. The fact that he won’t prove it’s real reeks of wrong doing. This interview just proves that more. Richard says that Mitch was upset that people thought it was fake… yet it would be so so so so easy for Mitch to prove that it was real. So, something doesn’t add up there. The same goes for Richard’s comment about Mitch raising two sons and wanting to keep them out of it. Again, a very simple solution to this would be to just prove that it’s real. Hiding made the scrutiny and focus on him and his family considerably more, not less. So again, that doesn’t add up. Whether the buck is real or fake, there is no doubt there is some wrong doing somewhere that he is hiding from.

[@hdelano11]

Have you ever thought maybe he doesn't want to prove jack crap? Maybe he doesn't want the friggin attention? Might be hard to believe but it's many people that don't want spotlight

[@Caincando1]

@@hdelano11 Yes of course I've thought of that. I'm an introverted anti-social person so I get not wanting attention. But that just doesn't feel like what went on here. It just seems like he's hiding something.

[@Fullforceoutdoors]

​@@hdelano11 hahahahahha.. dude, why would someone enter every other deer, but not this one... He doesn't want notoriety? Then why have your own website showcasing your bucks? Lol. It's fake!

[@Guidelife777]

@@hdelano11simple. He begged for it to be considered the new world record, but refused to have it properly scored 😂 those are facts. Not rumors.

[@Leary14]

Checking in from central northern Michigan. If we’re taking votes im voting it’s real!

[@terrymccleery3497]

I heard they offered Mitch huge money to get the bucks antlers X-Ray’d. That’s what bothers me, why wouldn’t Mitch just say here X-Ray this set of antlers.

[@levimartinez9076]

He was offered money to go to charity of his choice

[@jdub12-8]

To all the people that say it’s real, why do you believe so? Mitch has a questionable reputation because of how he handled it and I say that because he could end the conversation and controversy today if he wanted but he won’t. He will never because it’s fake. That’s the only conclusion I can come to. If you just look at the facts that we 100% know he’s either the greatest hunter of all time who hunts in an area that does not produce large scoring deer but somehow is the only person in this heavily hunted area that kills these deer, or he’s a liar. We know via his website that he has faked other deer so how do you know THIS deer is real? I’m not trying to be a dick I’m generally asking because there may be something I’m not aware of.

[@robaer9677]

Did you see the recovery video? Did you see the pictures in velvet? Did you hear the testimony of the guy from the butcher shop he went to looking for a scale? What about Mitch's son's affirmation?

[@jdub12-8]

@@robaer9677 the video doesn’t prove the Buck is real or that it wasn’t tampered with. It shows him walking to a deer on the ground. Also I’ve heard people say “I’ve seen the whole video and if you’d seen the whole video it’d prove it was real” but again he didn’t release the whole video. The only velvet picture I have seen is obviously not a real photo but that was just a google search so there could be some I haven’t seen but again why not show them. A “guy from the butchers shop” could be real or lying there’s no way to prove or verify that. And again Mitch’s son could be telling the truth, the truth he was told, or lying. We have no way to prove that. The only person who 100% knows it’s real or fact is Mitch and him being unwilling to prove it is real is a huge clue to its authenticity. He can end all this conversation right now but he won’t. Why won’t he? He obviously has put fake deer on his website so why is THIS deer real? It just doesn’t make sense to me, especially when he could easily end all of this in an afternoon.

[@robaer9677]

@@jdub12-8 your assumptions are incorrect. You have circumstantial evidence you cling to. Its not accurate.

[@robaer9677]

@@jdub12-8 he literally showed it to hundreds of people after he shot it, that can verify it and have on the FB page. Theres so much that confirms the reality but all you have is what he didnt do and thats what clouds any rational judgement. I dont blame him for what he did bc he was doing it in the best interest of his family and not to the deer community that turned their back on him once the rumors flew. Its all been verified by dozens of people but lets believe all the slander that comes with the fame. Theres no way you can listen to this whole podcast, seeing all thats available, the previous deer he has killed and still doubt the validity of this animal. Its insulting and mitch thought so too. Thats why he refused to play their games and jump through hoops to satisfy the doubters.

[@jdub12-8]

@@robaer9677 hundreds of people? He showed hundreds of people? I’m not clinging to any evidence or assumptions because there isn’t any. If you look at the absolute facts it is highly suspect. His own website had fake deer on it. That alone should discredit anything or at least call into question anything he has ever done. I get people that certain people want to believe him but people believe a lot of things that are not true. I’m looking for evidence that it is real. So far I’ve heard well this guy who was his friend said it was true. There’s different reports from the scorers. There’s just so much controversy about this particular deer that isn’t around any other deer. I get that Mitch got his feelings hurt but if that is true why did he stay in the community? If he loved hunting so much and spent so much time doing it why didn’t he leave the organization that was so mean to him? I’m just looking at what I’ve been show and things I KNOW to be true. 1. When the validity of the deer was questioned he took it and went home. That’s very suspicious. If he was so upset by them questioning him why not prove them wrong? 2. No other deer in that area is anywhere close to that deer. It is not a big deer area. 3. The antler placement of the deer has been looked at by taxidermy professionals that say it doesn’t look real. Again I’m not trying to be a dick I’m looking at this like a crime or something. If someone says this guy hit me and I can prove it and then when you ask for the proof he gets mad and goes home that’s suspicious.

[@outdoorfamilytraditions9352]

We have all the potential to grow big bucks here in MI.. it’s our DnR and the typical Michigan attitude if it’s brown it’s down. We have great habitat

[@galinswigart]

39:12 made me belly laugh... "world class width must be in the genetics in this one random swamp in michigan where mitch hunts" 😂😂😂 Come on, man. 49:07 - this is true, but misleading. He signed this agreement ONLY after Milo and his team threatened legal action against Mitch for claiming it was the world record. Mitch did not sign this up front because he didn't care about records, he signed it because he was going to get sued if he didn't cease and desist. Milos team went through the process to do this because they were calling Mitch's bluff, and Mitch backed down and disappeared because the alternative was to prove it was real. With that said I believed Mitch for a long time, but the more that comes out, the more the evidence seems to suggest he was a legitimately talented hunter who had success early and fell in love with the spotlight. This led him to go to extreme lengths to fake some bucks. Even if his alleged world record was real (highly, highly, highly unlikely), there were several deer he posted photos of on his now defunct website that I would literally bet my life are altered in some way. Several of them are very obviously does with antlers mounted to their heads and any professional taxidermist would see it in one second. I don't know that I've ever seen a hunter harvested deer photo that looked fishy, but with Mitch there are 5-10 that raise the alarm in a major way. Where there's smoke, there is almost always fire. Quite the coincidence that a guy who was working with multiple companies to promote products at the time and building a name for himself publicly suddenly became a total recluse who wanted nothing to do with the hunting industry or the spotlight only after the public called his bluff. He was not a recluse until this happened, and the narrative that he wanted nothing to do with the industry is simply not true. He could've made this all go away and made a fool out of a lot of critics many years ago and did not, there is only one reason I can come up with for why this would be the case.

[@scottminter4735]

He never entered the buck in the record books. So it's not a record no mater what he said.

[@camogang]

Rompola buck should be in the books before CJ Alexander. Fact of the matter is.... Mitch took some hush money. 250k idk!? In 98'

[@thedirtygot9570]

I believe it’s real! Always have!

[@andrewarbour5733]

The string I hold on too is that not a single person who saw/handled the rack in person disputes the authenticity. Every person who has handled the deer believes it’s legit to this day. Game wardens, official scorers, Friends, family, and local fans. They all say what they saw is legit. Not one whistle blower saying I was in on it, it’s fake. Only people who saw pictures online or in magazines claim it’s fake. The famous picture in the woods looks terrible the way the rack is tilted back. Any video I’ve seen looks legit. One of my favorite hunting legends lol

[@roberttaylor8261]

It’s real just wasn’t free range! Came out of his Parent deer farm or his sisters pen!

[@inthewoods3237]

Totally different area though, unpopulated swamp land?

[@MegaPlott]

It’s a damn shame they took the glory from Mitch. I’ve followed the stories since 1995 and it’s no doubt that the buck is real and Mitch killed it!! Also for anyone that wants to comment negative about this, I live in Va and I’ve never met this man!!

[@samcannon9492]

Bunch Nancy's

[@jaredzeno]

Hes a hell of an artist. maybe?

[@hunterfriesen7911]

"He didn't hunt for the money". Yeah...neither do 99% of hunters, but when you win the deer lottery you cash out lol. A shame either way. A shame if it's a fabrication job and a shame he didn't x-ray it to give the deer it's justice if it was real. Lose lose for the hunting world not knowing.

[@the_unknown990]

And the guy that has five bucks over 25 inch inside spread when the whole state the upper U.P. and the lower has only eight throughout 60 years of history. Why do you think the guy moved? It’s obvious.

[@Justin-pq3rq]

I’ve talked with people who saw the deer. It’s 100 percent real.

[@donnabonning5587]

I have heard all the bs why he didnt enter the buck. THE bottom line was he was offered money to have it xrayed and didnt that would have cleared all rumors one way or another period! ps then supposevly it burned up in a fire. SURE

[@levimartinez9076]

He was offered money to go to a charity of his choice, not his pocket. Still that being said, I understand what your saying.

[@robaer9677]

I think pride kept him from doing it. He dedicated his life to hunting and sharing his knowledge with people. Then all of a sudden the rumors fly and everyone starts questioning him. I would have done the same. A big F U to the haters. He never wanted to be involved with the hooplah so he disappeared.

[@donnagood5739]

I’ve read and listened to all or most of the stories and podcasts of this buck, I’m on the fence with this buck The arguments of the buck being fake are interesting, and all over the board, such as fake antlers being placed on a real deer or real deer from his sisters game farm, but what I find most interesting is that most people leading the charge for fake are hunters in the business that don’t want to be out done! (John Eberhart) which comes of self centred. No proof of deer being fake just speculation because he wouldn’t get it xrayed, which is not proof! But the argument of the spread and how unlikely it would be for one person to shoot a handful of deer with that spread is hard to swallow, but not impossible! I give Mitch credit unless someone can prove otherwise

[@kylemartinson722]

No new information.... clickbait just like all the other channels. Waste of time bullshit.

[@davidpoole5595]

Mitch was a taxidermist He mounted his own deer The deer was mounted before it was scored or touched by anyone Its fake

[@danjanes8689]

You have no proof of that.

[@danjanes8689]

One of the 3 official measurers that measured the rack in March of 99, AL Brown, is shown in a photo next to the the deer the day after it was shot. The deer had not yet been processed. When they measured the deer in March, the hide on the top of the head was left unsewn so the measurers could inspect it. They have reported that the rack is legitimate.

[@wadetaylor1299]

Been nice to of heard his opinion on the other bucks he shot that looked the same after and posted pictures of to defend the buck . U guys failed to know that or ask about them bucks

[@user-qo9px9wy1h]

Mitch’s deer is the real deal. I’m admin on the fan page and Ive believed since day one.

[@Dream-season]

Damn… you seem smart

[@allenchason2473]

It's real, Mitch is the GOAT!!! All the negative comments are from jealous ppl.

[@muleskinner485]

Amen

[@kenn1320]

I heard rumor Mitch's family had/has an enclosure in Missouri. Seems people question if his record bucks were killed in Mi, or his family enclosure.

[@jaseast]

Rumor, probably started by a jealous person. No proof....why repeat it?

[@kenn1320]

@@jaseast Because someone else reading this may have info about it that assumes others know. Id like it confirmed or squashed, but Im not driving to Missouri to investigate it.

[@bobo44donemilking51]

That rumor has been going around for ever and nobody as ever proved it to be true lol

[@muleskinner485]

then you should not be writing about it@@kenn1320

[@bobo44donemilking51]

A neighbor farmer also seen the buck

[@toddweston2840]

He doesn’t have to prove anything!

[@jnorth5689]

Other people seen the deer alive. The saddest part of the whole thing is the non believers havent even looked into the whole stoy that much. They just say false things

[@bobo44donemilking51]

Its real

[@michaeltepe3573]

Loved this episode. Every year guys kill big bucks and the jealousy is disgusting

[@kylemartinson722]

Oh 25+ years later people are willing to come forward.... bullshit

[@kokadjooutdoors620]

Pretty sad buck was scoured by three panel judges and still went thru all the bs. Would think could tell if was faked all about Hanson buck and $. Don’t blame Mitch wouldn’t bring buck out either

[@164inusa7]

It's a stain on hunting it's horrible makes me so angry bullcrap politics it hurts as a hunter

[@theoldgobbler2461]

Ther should not be any controversy. Mitch & the deer are legit. Some people can’t wrap their heads around the deer & Mitch. He was at such a level as a hunter. The percentage of people even in 2024 who will never shoot a dream buck like Mitch did consistently let alone the world record are so far behind in the ability and total dedication. They should should be thought a fool rather than run their mouths and remove all doubts. With the no it all atatude. Are a joke. It can be done 40 or less acers. With out letting in or an escaped pen raised deer. Most people don’t know jac. Nobody could have walked a mile in his shoes. Yeah people have feelings and can cop a attitude and maybe that’s why most people never will come close

[@americanagothic7851]

Mitch sat still in thick bushes for hours on end, for days on end, for months on end just scouting. No one I ever heard of has that kind of dedication in hunting white tails.

[@Fullforceoutdoors]

Still no real evidence! All talk.

[@gordonneverdies]

I can't stand this victim mindset like Mitch was just some sweet innocent guy and everybody was so mean to him and hurt his feelings. The world is filled with dishonest and disappointing people. You should always question anything that you see that is suspicious to you in any way. Whether it's the government or your relationships or a world record deer people have the right to be suspicious. If there is nothing suspicious about the deer all the guy has to do is present it to the public. It's so simple man. We're not talking about Bigfoot here.

[@bobmullner5337]

I love hater! Usually its people that have dishonesty in their own background

[@sammylacks4937]

I agree and am not labeling this man or the buck real or fake just saying it really looks strange. If no one questions dishonesty will prevail. Sad, but true.

[@jackjohnson7236]

He did all he needed to do to prove it. He doesn't need to bring it to the county fair just to prove it to you. You're an idiot

[@gordonneverdies]

@@bobmullner5337 Are you saying I'm a hater? Sorry if I misinterpreted but I don't think it has anything to do with jealousy or being a hater. If I took a deer like that and people were suspicious I'd totally understand and do everything in my power to prove it were legit. There are a lot of poachers and cheaters in the world sadly. I think it's okay for people to be skeptical.

[@Wtz-jx3wh]

@@gordonneverdiesyou’re not a hater just a realist who doesn’t want cheaters and liars being in control for their ego trip…it’s a natural human response and it’s been happening for thousands of years.

[@nealjohnson1308]

Nobody cares about your politics. Keep to the facts and issues.