The buck was one for the record books. The eight-point mule deer taken in the Steens Mountain Unit in 2015 measured first that year for Non-Typical Archery Mule Deer and eighth all-time in the state of Oregon at the Northwest Sportsman Show.
But when Oregon State Police investigated the hunter in May 2018 in connection with other crimes, they learned the record-setting deer had actually been shot with a rifle, not a bow and arrow.
The hunter had claimed to have taken the deer during archery season, with a valid archery tag.
And that is against the law in Oregon.
Troopers launched an investigation that led to the seizure of the trophy buck – and the arrest of Kevin Howard Noel for unlawful possession of mule deer buck parts.
A jury found Noel guilty in November.
On Dec. 5, a judge sentenced Noel to three years probation, 15 days jail, a three-year suspension of his hunting privileges in Oregon, forfeiture of the trophy mount to the Oregon State Police, a $6,250.00 fine, and a condition that he not participate in any hunting excursions for the next three years.