"The first two lists contain the records for typical and non-typical antlers that were documented during the spring 2006 scoring session only. Although most of these records represent deer harvested during the fall 2005 hunting season, there are some records that were taken in previous years and were not officially scored until 2006. Separate rankings are presented for the score year (2006) and for all time."

Another list provides information related to the all-time production of antler records by county. The list is broken down by typical and non-typical and provides the rank for each county based on total number of historic entries, as well as the county's rank based on the number of entries in relationship to the size for the county in square miles.

We'll take a look at the top county rankings and also where the largest individual deer were harvested in 2005. We'll add to that the all-time historical data and you'll be able to draw some straightforward conclusion as to where big bucks are being taken in your sector of the state. They may even be in your own back yard . . . in a manner of speaking.

Another point of good news is that big deer come from a number of different areas around the state. Ruth noted that while the traditional top areas are still basically producing big bucks, nowadays there are big bucks being taken throughout the state.

"Looking at the data from a historical perspective is certainly one good way to forecast the best odds of finding big bucks. By looking at the information for recent years as well as the long-term perspective, hunters can see which areas are producing best for the long haul," Ruth said.

Ruth's data goes back to 1974 and good records have been kept since that time. However, it is the more recent trends that we will also be examining to see where big bucks were taken in 2005.

Ruth also discussed some of the top deer racks scored during the 2006 scoring session.

"The top typical buck scored in 2006 was a 162 3/8-point buck found dead (road kill) on the Savannah River Site last October in Aiken County," Ruth said. "This deer is a new Aiken County typical record and it will qualify for the Boone and Crockett Club's Three-Year Awards period list. The second-highest scoring typical was a 153 5/8-inch Chesterfield County buck taken by James Barefoot last December. Manning Lusk's 187 4/8-point McCormick County buck, taken in December of 2004, was tops among non-typical deer. Lusk's buck is the new non-typical record for McCormick County, the new No. 4 all-time non-typical in South Carolina and it will also qualify for the Boone and Crockett Clubs Three-Year Awards period list. At 152 1/8 points, the No. 2 non-typical among this year's entries was taken by David Wannamaker in Calhoun County on Jan. 1, 2006."

We'll continue the study by seeing where the remainder of the top 10 bucks was harvested during the 2006-scoring year. Ruth has discussed the top two typical bucks already (SRS and the Barefoot bucks). The third-largest typical was a 151 2/8 Calhoun County buck taken by Marty Smoak in November 2005. In fourth was Austin Wall with a 150 6/8-point buck taken from Kershaw County in December 2005. Then we're back to Aiken County for a 150 5/8 buck taken by Troy Fox. This buck was taken in October of 2003.