The Rompola Buck - New Interviews, New Details | Series: Controversies & Solutions; Various Guests.

This episode bridges two of our series - controversies & solutions, and what it takes to be a great hunter. It does this because this episode includes both someone that many feel is one of the best whitetail hunters ever, with probably the biggest controversy ever - Mitch Rompola and his infamous 1998 buck. We cover what 3 people that knew him first hand say about that infamous deer, and also some strange hunting techniques he used. And yes, I (Adam) knocked on Mitch’s door in an attempt to get an interview, and will reveal what happened, and will finally answer one big question that’s been floating around for years.
And, to be clear, I have utmost respect for all the guests on this episode and their takes on this topic. My "solutions" at the end are for people like me - the masses that never saw the buck, or knew Mitch. A special thanks to those guests and Dan Schmidt for letting me use the video clips.
Here's what to look for:
Guest 1 - John Ohmer (We are at a show for some of these, so excuse the background noise.)
• What is the exact nature of John’s relationship to Mitch, and I think it’s important to understand relationships as we analyze some of our interviews and keep these in mind.
• Why John says Mitch told him and some other people to stand down.
• What does John say about seeing an infamous shed (which another guest comments on later)
Guest 2: Richard P. Smith
• What does Richard say about the missing 30 minute video of the recovery?
• I will also include a clip of this which has circulated around a lot, and pay attention to Mitch’s reaction, and other various details of the video - like how the antlers and skull actually look, which is where a lot of controversy stems.
Guest 3: John Eberhart (Courtesy of Deer and Deer Hunting Editor Dan Schmidt & including him in the video - see that full video here: • #43: ROMPOLA BUCK WAS ... )
• What is John Eberhart’s interpretation to the SAME shed John Ohmer saw at the same show?
• What is his take on the idea that Mitch didn't want recognition?
Adam Lewis:
• what myth is busted when I knocked on Mitch's door?
Year Theme: To Be a Greater Hunter
Series: Hunting Controversies & Solutions
Episode # 56
Guest: Host Adam Lewis, Various Guests
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[@20byrd]

if you guys could get an interview from Mitch, it would break the internet! I'm rooting for you

[@BobbyMason-oh7lq]

I wish it was real but I don't believe it was real

[@20byrd]

@@BobbyMason-oh7lq I don't either, but I'm fascinating by whole saga

[@zzz7zzz9]

@@20byrd most the internet doesn't follow hunting. And most hunters have no idea who mitch is.

[@KyleC0430]

@@20byrd right there with you !! 2 decades of believing in Mitch just to be let down ! He took some good book bucks in his era but he did take them two wides and that’s just facts ! I guess I will clarify in this comment when I say something real or not I mean it’s just not real being a buck and it’s those antlers on his head that grew them and was taken by Mitch ! Joker was way ahead of his time on replicas that we often use today and we will just say that !! Anymous!!

[@bankerlies6121]

A interview with rompola,would definitely break many hearts.

[@mcgovernoutdoors33]

The one thing that stands out to me is that this man was genuinely known and respected as one of the best hunters around and had already killed many very big deer! The world will never know cuz Mitch said F it I don’t need your record lol! And if that company really put pressure on him then that’s kinda messed up! They didn’t want to lose the #1 spot!! But that’s what some big companies/rich ppl will do to the lil guy!

[@20byrd]

@@mcgovernoutdoors33 He entered all those bucks prior. I'm guessing those ones were legit.

[@MrProfchaos71]

@@20byrdyou must work for those companies. You are on every comment

[@mikespencer9185]

Great video, I do strongly believe Mitch is telling the truth about the buck. He unjustly got the shaft from the hunting community back in the day. I hope to see it eventually one day

[@muskiefishing9219]

@@mikespencer9185 Personally I would like to see the Mich Rompola buck as the world record. Rather than the Hanson buck. The Hanson Buck, even though it has a high score, its antlers are kind of spindly. The Hanson buck needed another year to mature.

[@tomlightfield3154]

After listening to the older guy in this video, with him having many years of experience measuring bucks and knowing many people in the deer hunting industry, there can be no doubt that Mitch's deer was authentic!! I followed this story intently back in 1998 when it first came out and I totally believed it then, even more so now!!!

[@JerseyMiller]

When he is examining the rack in the video, the carcass is still limp. No rigamortis. A small observation, but one that adds authenticity to Mitch.

[@Icemanlb]

After 36 hours rigor mortis goes away.

[@HuckFTW]

@@Icemanlbfor real? Have you experienced that yourself? I’ve never recovered an animal after 36 hours

[@Icemanlb]

@HuckFTW I have never waited myself but yes that is the science.

[@JerseyMiller]

@@Icemanlb wouldn't the eyes be white and cloudy at that point?

[@Icemanlb]

@@JerseyMiller are taxidermy eyes white and cloudy?

[@brianperiso674]

Leave the man alone. No one seems to realize the impact this attention has on a person and or family. Open your mind for just a moment and try to digest that thought for just a minute. A true hunter doesn't need our records or praise for their accomplishments. The pleasure is all his. Human nature should be to help and nurture and not to bully. This is an extreme case of bullying someone that obviously wants to be left alone.

[@adamlewis_outdoor]

I did not bully him but was respectful and merely knocked on the man’s door seeking an honest interview

[@monsterhog1118]

So everyone that saw the deer and basically everyone involved said the deer was real. A few jealous A-holes who never saw the deer say it's fake because of sheds?

[@20byrd]

@@monsterhog1118 they're "a-holes" because they don't believe something outrageous without proof? You sound soft

[@monsterhog1118]

@@20byrd I think you're confused buddy. Lots of proof the deer is real and zero proof its not

[@20byrd]

@monsterhog1118 a couple boomers claiming it's real because their buddy, Mitch was an honest fella is not proof.

[@stevefulscher8531]

why aren't these A-holes you talk about jealous of Hansen, Huff, Brewster, Johnson etc.

[@monsterhog1118]

@@20byrd what is the proof its fake?

[@gsnicholas8522]

I don’t know if Mitch’s deer is real or not. What I do know is that anyone who actually saw the deer or antlers said it was definitely real. Everyone who says it’s fake never saw it and have zero evidence to back up their claim. They have lots of speculation, but nothing more. This is just some food for thought. Hopefully some day someone comes forward with some irrefutable evidence one way or the other and puts this saga to bed once and for all.

[@brettu45]

brilliant stuff. This is the best and most in-depth talk on the whole subject.

[@kccuffsman]

Honestly the recovery video looks genuine.

[@upnorthoutdoors989]

Rompola and his buck are legit.

[@zzz7zzz9]

@@upnorthoutdoors989 legit NOT in the books.

[@Icemanlb]

I am not trying to say the deer is fake, but a video of him walking up on it doesn't prove that he just shot it and it wasn't tampered with. "It still had the arrow in it" You couldn't put an arrow in a deer walk back get your camera and start filiming?

[@gordonneverdies]

Especially in 1998. Recording was a pain back then with those giant video cameras. I think he did it just for "evidence" to further his story. He doesn't even sound excited on the video.

[@philipmedlin8902]

Thanks for doing this follow up on Mitches deer. I belive he actually did kill this deer. I admire Mitches love for white tail deer. He's an awesome deer hunter. I hope some day the truth will surface.

[@geraldgerow3689]

The antlers were very clean no pine pitch or bark of any kind from rubbing ...I don't know but something definitely stinks about this whole story

[@ricomidence2063]

I have talked with that ig page and I truly believe it’s him he said it wasn’t but I think so , his brother has one also and that’s newer , he stated the taught Mitch everything

[@Don-outdoors-cg2eb]

I for one do believe the buck is real I have been a taxidermist for 45 years and I have altered lots of deer for a various number of clients and I have seen other altered deer antlers and for me it is easy to identify a altered set of antlers some can’t tell and the story about the Michigan CO that claims what he observed while with Mitch goes a long way and as far as the Hanson buck, that tells me a lot about there character. Anyway thanks for sharing and take care.

[@oklahomaokie]

Can someone ask Eberhardt how many of his 2.5 - 3.5 year old bucks have been x-rayed? Nice video, I'm glad you got Richard & John for some facts for the video.

[@JimBowSlice]

You know john held the michigan state record. Ironically enough mitch bumped him to #2 with 181" buck that was the state record for 30 years. Think John might of been salty

[@zzz7zzz9]

Ask him if he's willing to have them x-rayed. I bet he would be. Then offer him $10,000 for having them x-rayed. Bet you'd be out $10,000.

[@muskiefishing9219]

. Sounds like Eberhardt is probably just a little jealous. So he's got to discredit him. But that explains the argument why Mich didn't have the antlers X rayed. The only issue that may come up with Mich Rompola. Is, he basically worshipped deer and deer hunting. Like a lot of people. We are not to have other Gods.

[@zzz7zzz9]

@@muskiefishing9219 jealous of what? A buck mount that nobody has seen, and likely never will? A buck that is not in any record books. I don't get it, what's he supposedly jealous of?

[@craigwagner327]

Get it x rayed. Screw weather milo hanson tries to sue you. If you really have the record how could he sue you?

[@jimowens381]

There's one thing that will keep me from believing the deer is real or taken legally. He, at that time was trying to break into the celebrity hunting circle. And what i mean by that is he wanted to be able to make a living from the hunting industry. This buck would've been his ticket to that end, if it were real. If he wanted to be in that industry all he had to do was allow it to be examined, yet he refused. All the Hanson stuff came later so i dont buy that argument. If it were me, i would've let them xray it just to clear my name. It seems so simple, yet he still refuses.

[@oklahomaokie]

Hanson settlement was nearly exactly a year to date from the date of Harvest. No x-ray was ever ask to be done by any scoring system. If it was mine I would gave turned the paperwork into B&C. Mitch didn't turn the paperwork in so therefore it was never pushed any further. The only pushing was from Hanson & Arkansas Seed Company who didn't want the buck to be seen or viewed by the world.

[@cjr4497]

how do you know this?

[@oklahomaokie]

@cjr4497 I've got a copy of the settlement between Hanson & Rompola plus I've done years of research.

[@jimmaupin6721]

So, he shoots the state record in MO at some point when he was very young. How do we know it was a state record?? He had it scored….And now after shooting a “potential world record” you expect anyone to believe he never intended on having it scored??? No way! Not to mention several CBM members stated that Mitch was consumed with being recognized as a “big buck killer”. Maybe he is?

[@marcanderson1396]

He wasn’t trying to break into celebrity. That is not Mitch. He wanted the biggest deer ever and wanted money to hunt. Not celebrity. Notoriety and celebrity are very different things my man.

[@SuggieBear]

This is the dark side of the hunting community. People get jealous and envious over a great buck, especially if its from an area they hunt.

[@samtodd6301]

Well if Eberhardt thinks Mitch is a phony and a liar then I'm in Mitch Rompola's corner. Eberhardt is a good hunter but an incorrigible narcissist.

[@bobo44donemilking51]

Eberhard has a poaching past and still does shady stuff to this day ,he hunts my friends farm in six lakes Michigan and told him that he was quite the outlaw in his day

[@brokenarrow6491]

It's amazing how many people say its fake. None of us really knows for sure but there is a lot of evidence that it is real. He's got video of it live, he's got video of it in the woods just after he killed it. A farmer down the street said he had seen this deer live. A game warden saw it in the back of his truck, the people that measured the deer said it was real. If all this is true it is likely real. Just because he didnt do what some people thought he should do doesn't mean its fake. I would love to hear him personally explain why he handled it the way he did.

[@KyleC0430]

If you guys listen through this video you will hear eberhart tell you everything you need to know about Mitch and that’s the truth ! He would not have them x rayed and also anyone can tell you they didn’t wanna something like putting in the book and signed his buck away basically and told folks well I wasn’t gonna put it in the book no ways !! Good gracious that old man is paid off or is secretly in love with Mitch !! Something is not right with that old man every video he ever does sounds the same or in person he always preaches on these top 3 things Mitch done that just proves it’s real ! Lord help him

[@scootter37]

Spot on. Some people like to spew info that is not fact or yet disproven either. It's a grey area and done to be in the lime light. Kinda like how people push a "bigfoot" story. Any attention to sell a few more books is my guess.

[@KyleC0430]

@@scootter37 facts man!!! He has this cult following still and guys he fooled all them years ago they just still believe this nonsense and some are just so naive to the facts

[@chrisreetz4117]

If it was legit there would be no controversy. Mitch loved the record books loved to hold records

[@charlie21gunner87]

I think his buck was legit and wish he would have had it scored. The Hanson buck should have been disqualified because of the lack of sportsmanship alone.

[@richardbritt3611]

B/C doesn't care if the new world record buck was hit by a car or killed by accident, they just score legally obtained antlers!

[@JimBowSlice]

​@@richardbritt3611 you obviously don't know the dirty things B&C has done to other potential records. The king buck is a perfect example. Despite everything, they exiled the man that measured the king buck just for measuring it. His names gary boucher and he also measured the Hanson buck

[@zzz7zzz9]

​​​@@JimBowSliceand yet, here's a buddy of mitch's, in this video, and he says straight-up that mitch never, ever intended to have the buck scored and entered. So if mitch never had any inclinations for this buck to be #1, hell, not even to have it in the top 10 even, then why are some people so adamant that it be the #1??? Such a weird mindset some people have.

[@kaosactual1]

​@@JimBowSliceyou're exactly right. I think the Johnny King Buck is the actual world record. I think it's just the one guy at B&C that is the main problem. Can't remember his name. Damn French last name. Asshole. I have heard they do some shady shit.

[@gordonneverdies]

​@@JimBowSlice The problem with the King Buck is the common base. It's an incredible deer but it's tough to dethrone the champ on controversial scoring.

[@marcanderson1396]

As I commented on the teaser- click bait. Mitch does not do interviews. Just one more video that reinforces the fact the deer is real. Not what so many say (fake antlers). But he’ll never say where the deer was from or where it was shot. The one plot of land Mitch hunted it is illegal to hunt (if you know you know) and the deer can grow big but can’t be hunted. Mitch was way ahead of the curve on scent control and patterning 1 big buck. Can’t be denied. But desperation can make a man do what he shouldn’t.

[@gordonneverdies]

So you think it's real but poached? That's an interesting angle I haven't heard yet. I don't think it's a fake deer either but I also don't believe it's legit. Some foul play was definitely involved. The story just sounds so absurd.

[@bankerlies6121]

The lies of a jealous craig calderone created this mess

[@Raised-Right]

Ive talked to several Michigan guys through the years bow hunting. They have some interesting things to say about John Eberhart up there. Just saying.

[@gavinthomas4482]

John is always staring up something with people. Didnt he say Dan Infalt was a poacher or something? No doubt john is a good hunter but he toots his own horn too much and I don't believe he's killed many of his deer on public land.

[@user-qo9px9wy1h]

I liked the podcast until you had that little weasel John Eberhart on.. Do some research on him.. There are guys that know him that say. His favorite bow is his 243, he shoots deer out of his “poaching van” and he gets dropped off at private property at night by his wife.. I did not say these things but there are so many people that have said he’s a violator. Just listen to him, his voice, his attitude. Narcissism at its best.. You screwed yourself to get any chance of Mitch doing an interview after inviting that moron JE to participate. And I’m pretty sure D&DH mag is trying to flush Mitch out with his deer because they know it’s real and are doing everything they can to get him to break his silence.. That deer is real.

[@gordonneverdies]

​@@gavinthomas4482 When did he say that about Dan? I've never heard that one.

[@gavinthomas4482]

@gordonneverdies I'm not sure when but i remember Dan mentioned it on a podcast once.

[@banjohappy]

I find it odd that in the video where he is first approaching the deer, the arrow does not show much penetration and there is no blood at the point of entry. I have shot deer with a bow and there was always visible blood and penetration was always complete pass through or at least 2/3 -3/4 of the arrow into the deer. There was no blood anywhere on this deer. Even if a shallow lung hit, there would be blood around the nose and mouth. Nothing. It was as if the deer were killed some other way and the arrow manually stuck into the deer after the fact. A short time later in the vid, there is no arrow and no sign of the wound. Target arrow? A broadhead wound would definitely be visible. I do not believe this was a bow killed deer. An arrow with so much of it protruding from the deer would have been removed by vegetation as the deer ran off, or at least damaged/bent. Deer don't just fall over dead when hit with an arrow. They run like hell bleeding in and out until they lose consciousness and they crash through all kinds of vegetation in a panic in the process. That arrow is too pristine to have killed that deer. I also think there may have been some conspiracy with the scorers and whoever else because he knew all those guys. It should have been investigated by independent authorities, by warrant on suspicion of unlawful activity.

[@20byrd]

Also, he mentions the coloration of the rack and wonders "what he's been rubbing". At 19:46 you can see a close up of the bases and they're absolutely clean of and bark or rubbing. I've shot a lot of bucks and don't think I've ever seen one completely clean of bark from rubbing. Also, agree with what you said about the entry wound. The whole bottom side of that wound should be covered in blood unless it was shot post mortem.

[@banjohappy]

@@20byrd It appeared as though there was blood on the antlers later in the vid, but that was most likely from field dressing and rolling the deer over. I gotta say though, it didn't look as though the antlers were faked, although the rack looked too big for the deer. But I have seen a lot of Texas farmed bucks whose racks were disproportionate to the size of the deer. Could this deer also have been "farmed"? In the interview with his friend, his friend says the emotion could not have been faked as he walked up to the deer. I think it definitely could have been. Faking emotion is not that hard. If Mitch can't be trusted, I don't think his friends can either.

[@20byrd]

@@banjohappy It's also weird to me when you google search him and look at harvest pics, all his bucks have antlers growing nearly straight sideways out of their heads. A couple on deer with with necks so thin they almost look like doe.

[@banjohappy]

@@20byrd That could partly be to the camera angle. With the deer's nose pulled up and pointed directly at the camera, it could have that effect. I noticed it on the standard photo of the controversial buck as well. A 2D photo of deer antlers is very difficult to show all the curves effectively. For a big buck, if shot during the autumn, you would expect the neck to have bulging muscles. A skinny necked buck with big antlers would certainly be suspect. Little bucks maybe, but not mature, dominant bucks. A doe, also does not have such a prominent throat patch or eye rings as does a buck.

[@bobo44donemilking51]

I like your show i just subscribed,please ask Eberhard how many of his bucks that are in the books where killed illegally by one way or another spotlight or with his 243 during muzzleloader and during bow season or especially trespassing,thats why he started hunting with a sling ,harder to detect

[@Creedbunman65]

"He shot a small one it was only 21 inches on the inside"

[@adamlewis_outdoor]

Ha yeah

[@gordonneverdies]

I almost choked on my coffee when he said that. These guys are nuts😂

[@killintime8431]

Yup

[@georges.6150]

Fake in my eyes until it’s officially entered into the record books

[@miltonreeths522]

Biggest joke of all deer hunting is that Mitch didn't want to enter that buck in the books. LOL A man would have to be a damm fool to believe he didn't want to enter that deer considering he already had a deer entered in CBM that was number one.

[@bankerlies6121]

Why would he be a fool because he did not participate in the fools game of boone & crockett?

[@miltonreeths522]

@@bankerlies6121 There is a right and a wrong and Mitch wasn't man enough to prove which it was. Mitch opened a can of worms that he didn't have enough character to close.

[@bankerlies6121]

@@miltonreeths522 Prove what to who?Who are you to say what that man does?

[@miltonreeths522]

@@bankerlies6121 REALLY LOL

[@user-pd7qe8he5g]

@@miltonreeths522really, you must’ve been there. Great to hear FIRST hand accounts. People with with small hands, egos needing stroked. Whatever

[@it_is_finished]

IMO Milo or those cooperations invested in the Hanson buck, paid Mitch to not enter his deer until it was beaten by someone else. Everyone that had their hands on the actual deer or antlers, says it’s real. These were men that handled deer antlers all the time. I’d think at least one of those would question the validity of it. Not sure what John Eberhart’s deal with Mitch is. But it’s pretty obvious that there’s something there.

[@dimensionsofearth]

If I had a record breaking buck I sure as heck would want it to be official!. A lot of great things can happen for a person who gets a monster record buck. Something doesn't ring right about his story

[@buckwildinc]

So I don't believe the fire story either, but you do know fire damage can be repaired right?

[@lynnenelson2353]

Looks like seem on the top of the deers head

[@T-Mak-s7x]

My word. Talk about things that make you go huuuuumh. It looks so real in his videos but then you toss in what Eberhart says and not allowing X-ray. Huuuuuumh?

[@gregb.6682]

This whirlpool of possibilities will most likely be left dripping with haters and hopefuls for as long as someone is willing to listen. Distancing himself from the tidal wave of BS is his choice regardless of how the story gets tangled or retold.

[@sidogg4113]

Why would you enter all your other record bucks but the biggest potential WORLD record….. you don’t? I don’t care threatens to sue me or whatever. If it’s legit I would enter it. You can’t sue for that! He faked it and got spooked. Period

[@zzz7zzz9]

This. 100%. Why others can't see this is baffling, but people are so butthurt that the #1 is not american, that they blindly support mitch.

[@johngarnergarner6724]

That's exactly what happened

[@paradisevalleyoutdoors7328]

@@sidogg4113 yep

[@bobo44donemilking51]

He has never entered any of bucks into Boone and Crockett

[@zzz7zzz9]

@@bobo44donemilking51 he didn't say B&C. But mitch was all about having trophy bucks and had state record deer. But then he gets the world record and he chooses not to?? BS.

[@johngarnergarner6724]

There are all kinds of red flags regarding Mitch's buck. There's just a lot of sign indicating that Mitch faked the rack. First of all, let's look at his background and behavior. Seems to me that the entire focus of this man's life is hunting and killing trophy bucks. He was a scorer and incredibly involved with Commemorative Bucks of Michigan. He has many deer entered in the record books in Michigan, yet he kills a world record buck and doesn't enter it or want the record. Also, take into account that in eighty years in the Travers City area, no one ever killed a buck any where close to that size. Furthermore, he could have put the matter to rest easily by having the rack x rayed, yet he refuses to do so. He goes into hiding after Milo Hanson threatens to sue him. If his buck was bigger, Hanson wouldn't have had a leg to stand on. And finally, at the end of the day, somehow the rack is burned up in a fire. That's awfully convenient, isn't it? If Mitch had killed the world record buck, it would have meant hundreds of thousands of dollars in his pocket. I think that when Mitch decided to fake his deer he had no idea of the firestorm he was creating. I think he believed that he was going to be able to get away with his lies. At the end of the day, every move that Mitch made showed evidence of deceit.

[@KyleC0430]

Oh my !!! This guy is so naive ! Anyone can go place to mounted deer out in forest and go home grab a camera then head in with camera to film the recovery ! Also that’s what most people would do that don’t ever film for a YT video or tv which he was not that to make it look more legit !! When it actually made him look more unrealistic because he never did that !!

[@adamlewis_outdoor]

The video was definitely not a mount.

[@KyleC0430]

@@adamlewis_outdoor I know I’m just saying in reality I was honestly just saying I could throw anything in the woods and go home and grab a video camera to record walking up and if anything that just tells me on a guy who had nothing to do with filming that there was a reason he was covering his tracks ! Man I use to be a rompola fan !! I always believed he was screwed over and misunderstood and just knew he had the bucks and was the man but the it all changed after two decades of believing in him ! No one would take the be quiet or sit down stuff if they knew everything was in order and they held the buck that was potentially the not only book buck but possibly world record buck ! He would have followed through with it all but set down when he was told to by Milo buck because he did not want no further digging in on that buck knowing this was not gonna be easy and they wanted so many things to prove it was legit and why would anyone sit down ?? The guy you interviewed I have seen several times and he is just that naive guy that I once was and while I want it to be real it’s not ! The buck was never real and also one other of his bucks is not real ! Now he took some dang good bucks in his time but never harvested those two wide ones ! Now how he acquired them we will never know ! But great interview either way and enjoyed it ! Hope your channel keeps blowing my guy !!

[@gordonneverdies]

​@@KyleC0430 You get it man. It's just such a ridiculous story.

[@KyleC0430]

@@gordonneverdies yea it is man!!

[@lynnenelson2353]

This whole thing smells FISHY!

[@gordonneverdies]

The legal situation makes no sense. If he had it scored officially by BnC as the record it would be clean cut proof against someone suing him. Plus he could get upwards of a million dollars from Bass Pro or some rich collectors for the authentic mount. It would be safer that way too instead of having it in his house. Klaus would make him the greatest replica of all time and everything would be right in the situation. Unfortunately the truth is usually disappointing.

[@karmas.busdriver]

WOW, look at that Beautiful Buck!!🤯

[@scootter37]

I wonder what kind of buck he would have shot if AI and photoshop were accessible back then.

[@Zachrys]

I believe it’s real

[@lucaswade576]

I'll go to my grave believing this buck is, in fact, real.

[@banjohappy]

And another thing, nobody I know ever comes toward a deer from the front on the first approach. First, you're blood trailing, so naturally you're coming from behind. Second, when you spot the deer down, you don't just walk up to it. You stop and study it from a distance. Head up or down? Ears erect or drooping, eyes open or closed? Any movement at all, twitching, breathing, etc.? Legs under the body or outstretched to the side? Any hunter worth his salt checks all these things before slowly approaching from behind, with weapon at the ready (not a camera) and touches the deer's open eye before relaxing, satisfied that the deer is dead. Then the camera comes out. This footage was staged, IMHO.

[@meatwagonjourneys5081]

I’m kinda curious of the @thehuntingbeast thoughts.

[@michael7046]

If buck is not real then why the contract with milo hanson.

[@GreggMinick]

He brought the controversy to himself at first by suggesting he had the world record. If legit that deer would bring in millions of dollars in revenue. All he had to do was have it scored and exrayed, that simple. He is not being bullied, he brought it on himself. He is hiding himself and the deer because he knows it is not legit. Put up or shut up, that easy.

[@rogerhook8002]

Of the things that matter in life, a big deer, even a world record, really isn't that important. I get it, such a deer is worth a lot of money. My question is integrity. Sponsors cozy up to someone who kills a big buck and gets them to promote a product when that product wasn't used advantageously to take the buck. Where is the integrity in that? I really enjoy deer hunting and would love to take something special, however, I deplore the envy, jealousy and sickness that surrounds the taking of a giant. I don't have a clue about the Rompola buck, but I can understand the disgust someone might have about the furor. I understand how Mitch might just want to be left alone. It's a deer. Those who take big deer aren't special. Those who give themselves to good, well, they are special.

[@philipmedlin8902]

John Eberhart is very jealous of Mitch. He's never come close to Mitches hunting skills.

[@jfreak7589]

I bet you guys believe in the tooth fairy too.......😂

[@20byrd]

@jfreak7589 The tooth fairy's boomer buddies told me she's real tho!

[@user-us4dm6qp2i]

eberheart has no info other than his opinion. to say there is no way its legit is rather arrogant. which john is.

[@20byrd]

@user-us4dm6qp2i If Mitch faked a shed from this buck, it's reasonable to believe the whole story is fake.

[@20byrd]

@@user-us4dm6qp2i it's reasonable to believe that if Mitch faked the sheds, his whole story is fake

[@BattleBendOutdoors]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@jimpowers2047]

it was a real deer.....,.look at the genetics of his other kills.....talk to the HAWGS guys

[@bloodlines9610]

Where do you think he got the molds from? His previous deer have looked almost identical in genetics.

[@paradisevalleyoutdoors7328]

I followed this story way back when it all happened and at the time my general belief was some was fishy?? Now after watching this I'm gonna tell you my conclusion 26 yrs later and now as a grown up 50 year old man! First let's state the facts.. 1- Mitch was obviously a good hunter, obsessed about big bucks, I know the feeling😂 2-Mitch had killed several big bucks putting himself on a high tier of hunters locally, we all know one of these guys, or a few 3-it's human nature to continue to want to add to "your legacy" if you've already been successful at something 4-why? I'm not sure but if this buck was truly a world record and he had obviously until this buck scored several for other hunters and himself would he decide to not do this buck even with some negativity???? 5-if I truly shot a world record, just from the financial sense of it I'd be all in about getting that thing in the books!!!! Nobody would have ever turned down that kind of income in my opinion, I don't care what kind of guy he was! My conclusion- Mitch was a heck of a hunter and he wanted to put a stamp on his life's passion by proving to the world he was the best and came up with this way to do it, not necessarily the right way and got caught on it? Maybe the previous bucks were manipulated and he thought he had it figured out until you present the public with a world record and the questions started.... he got caught and crawled in a hole....if it was legit and he earned it, he'd have did whatever folks wanted to prove himself right because it sounds like that was his personality!!!!

[@20byrd]

@paradisevalleyoutdoors7328 Agreed. He only became a recluse after he was doubted. Before that, he was quite the attention junkie with endorsements, sponsorships, magazine articles, even had his own rompolawhitetails website.

[@gordonneverdies]

This is exactly what happened. He would have zero legal problems if the buck were officially #1 in BnC. Also he'd likely get up to a million dollars from Bass Pro for the authentic mount and be heralded a hero and expert in the hunting community. If he doesn't care about money fine but think of the possibilities that would open up for his family and legacy. It's gotta be BS.

[@perrydaniels3358]

Take a look at the cbm records for grand traverse and surrounding counties. That quality of buck just don't exist in northern lower Michigan. The fact that supposedly this guy harvested a pile of deer between 160 and 214 inches in grand traverse County is laughable.

[@kodyhodshire1640]

To get the bucks other hunters don't get, you must go to places other hunters aren't willing to go. He used tactics no one else did to get in their bedrooms undetected.

[@charlie21gunner87]

@@kodyhodshire1640 for sure, Traverse City area isn't known for it's hunters, it's know for it's high rollers...

[@charlie21gunner87]

I have pics. of deer from the northern lower of that caliber that were never scored. Pics. that were taken by friends and family.

[@PBAdventures146]

Not to mention, you have guys like thr Drurys and others managing the best land in the country and they can't get a deer to even sniff that size for typical. Way to many holes IMO. Not to mention the guy said that the clothing company was going to sue him so he told them to stand down. Have the deer officially scrutinized and measured like every other deer and then they will have nothing to sue you for if it's legit. I'm through 2 of 3 interviews and have yet to be convinced. Richard P. Smith said that Rompala was familiar with how you measure. The guy before him said he was an instructor for a bunch of years. Seems a little strange Mr Smith wouldn't throw that little bit of information out there when giving his perspective.

[@monsterhog1118]

Record breaking Deer are always bigger than the other deer in the county 😂

[@joshpelham8745]

It is real!!❤

[@bobo44donemilking51]

Mitch has never entered any of his bucks before and after the big buck into boone and Crockett and Eberhard is a poacher big time , everyone his age up here nows about Eberhard

[@adamlewis_outdoor]

Please fill us in

[@bobo44donemilking51]

@@adamlewis_outdoor look one comment down 👇

[@kevinw5120]

Eberhardt goes deer hunting without target practicing with new broadheads. If you want to know what water bottle is best to pee in or drink out of, watch an Eberhardt video. If you want to know what food is best to bring in a treestand and count calories watch an Eberhardt video. According to Eberhardt, he himself is the best deer hunter who has ever walked this earth. Everyone else are idiots.... eberhardt videos are so terrible you can't stop watching them.

[@daveranard2697]

Using a frozen dead deer tongue to lick a licking branch!! 😂😂 Buck is fake! If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to hide!

[@gordonneverdies]

I had to pause the video and tell my girlfriend that story 😂. Does he also drink the piss of 200" bucks and pee on scrapes? Come on man😂

[@perryrusso3764]

Real hunters don’t suggest negative things about others unless they have proof…the two fellas towards the end are industry functionaries that know how to decapitate something vey special out of jealousy- grow up

[@zzz7zzz9]

Actually, everything they say is quite logical, and the same thoughts as most people. The mitch white-knights are the jealous ones, jealous that a canadian buck is #1.

[@20byrd]

@@perryrusso3764 Goes both ways. Mitch certainly went out of his way to avoid providing any.

[@perryrusso3764]

Mitch doesn’t owe anyone any explanation…really good hunters don’t need a fan club nor do they need any notoriety…you see record books don’t develop wholesome reasons why some bowhunters choose to hunt for personal reasons that matter to them.. Most of the really good buck slayers have better than average woodsman-ship and understand buck personality behavior. Every 20 yrs or so the deer hunting industry has to slander the character of very skilled deer hunters. Remember Roger Rothar’s from Ohio …ya he didn’t fit in…he alone educated deer hunters while college biologist couldn’t figure out what he was talking about. The reality here is hunters don’t need or want record books to control the authenticity of what a hunter deems as a trophy. When you begin to understand most trophy hunters share their knowledge while mentoring others to become more skilled…the others just point there finger

[@zzz7zzz9]

@@perryrusso3764 except mitch was all about the trophies and record books. What you just described, was not mitch.

[@thebowtroll]

I heard a rumor that the antlers were stored in a shed, and that shed burned down not the house.

[@killintime8431]

I god dam hope not Jesus Christ

[@Kalkaskutvmudandfun]

i hold a podcast "full force outdoors" that gives actual evidence! talking to richard p smith is a waste of time... he and others cant give evidence that it actually real!

[@adamlewis_outdoor]

I don’t listen to other hunting podcasts - too much junk and copycats out there

[@thomassykes6985]

Still fake. Time hasnt changed a thing

[@wadebartholomew7436]

Nj. Deers legit

[@buckydoedowner9040]

Come on Mitch, just come out and squash this bs already.

[@buckydoedowner9040]

And for the record, John Eberhart is a complete idiot.

[@20byrd]

@buckydoedowner9040 he won't...and there's probably a very obvious reason

[@gordonneverdies]

At this point he at least has quite a few guys believing he's some sort of reluctant hero. I doubt he wants to risk losing that.

[@buckydoedowner9040]

@@gordonneverdies Your probably the type of guy who also believes Biden has turn the economy around also.

[@DavidBowCrazyBabyak86]

I thought that the fire was at another house that his old house or something like that a trailer. Did you go to a trailer? That's what I thought I read somewhere before or heard that his trailer burnt to the ground and that's where the mount was. But I don't really know shit so

[@zzz7zzz9]

Mitch's son says the mount was never destroyed.

[@stevefulscher8531]

@@zzz7zzz9 even if it was, he could just make another

[@randythompson7497]

BC is a Bunch of BS

[@killintime8431]

Not really

[@josephf7720]

Nothing shouts I’m an idiot and sucker like a red Trump cap.

[@killintime8431]

I don’t understand my friend ha

[@brokenarrow6491]

Except for a Biden hat that shouts your even more of an idiot.