Photo by Billkenney.com

New England's deer hunters took new state-record archery and muzzleloader bucks during the 2004 hunting season, plus a whopping 235 bucks that scored 150 inches or better during the last three hunting seasons.

New England's trophy deer hunters have traditionally relied on shotgun and rifle seasons for their best opportunities, but interest in archery and blackpowder hunting has increased.

These extended seasons allow the region's hunters to fill the freezer and not feel obligated to shoot the first buck they see, as was often the case in the past.

According to the Northeast Big Buck Club -- the region's whitetail scoring and record-keeping organization -- great bucks may be found in every part of New England. Archery and muzzleloader hunters have harvested many of the biggest bucks.

Here's the outlook for all six states in New England and the areas and methods in each state that are most likely to produce your buck of a lifetime.

MASSACHUSETTS
The Bay State has gained a reputation as one of the region's top whitetail trophy-producing states. Over the last three seasons, the Bay State has produced more NBBC record-book bucks than any other New England state, with nearly 400 new entries, including more than 100 bucks that score over 150. In fact, this state has produced three bucks that gross over 200 during that time.

Massachusetts continues to crank out a host of 150- to 190-class bucks in the archery, shotgun and muzzleloader categories. According to the NBBC, 35 bucks were harvested that scored between 150 and 193, including a new state-record archery typical buck that scored 176 0/8.

There has been a noticeable shift in hunting pressure (and deer kills) from west to east as more hunters who used to travel west to hunt big bucks are finding better luck in their back yards. However, big bucks are where you find them. For example, Norfolk County (in the east) produced the biggest archery buck (that new state record), while Worcester County (central) produced the biggest non-typical buck of 2004 (a 192 5/8-inch shotgun buck), and Hampden County (west) produced the best typical gun buck (176 5/8).

Worcester County (deer management zones 8, 9 and 10) perennially produces more trophy bucks each year than any other county in southern New England. Zones 8 and 9 are always hotspots, and hunters who gain access in northern Zone 10 (Essex County) may also expect a shot at a trophy.

Meanwhile, in southeastern Zone 11 (Plymouth and Bristol counties), bowhunters may have better luck seeking access to private land. Norfolk County (near Boston) produced a 210-inch road-killed buck in October 2004!

RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island hunters still take more bucks than does (59 percent of the 2004 harvest), and they are certainly doing a good job of finding the big ones!

Last year, the NBBC recorded 25 new record-book entries from this state in 2004. There were many deer harvested that weighed in excess of 200 pounds field dressed, and eight deer scored higher than 150 gross B&C points.

In 2004, Washington County was responsible for six of the top eight bucks, including a 167 5/8-inch non-typical bow buck and a 163-inch typical muzzleloader buck. Washington County produced three of the top four bucks of 2003, including a 164 3/8-inch 10-point that is a new state record for gun typicals. Historically, the NBBC records show that these two counties finish at the top in terms of trophy buck potential, with Kent County a distant third. The largest buck (dressed weight) came from the town of Exeter and weighed in at 243 pounds.