The zone produced 27 total entries for the year compared with 29 in 2005. Terry Gibbs killed the No. 2 firearms buck for the year with a muzzleloader. This Posey County B&C monster scored 179 7/8.

Kurt Coleman was next in line at No. 3 with another giant typical muzzleloader buck as well. His buck scored 179 0/8 and was killed in Pike County. Glenn Clinkenbeard killed his 168 3/8 typical in Vigo County with a muzzleloader. Archer Jack Fields II took another great typical. His 162 5/8 buck was taken in Vigo County as well and ranks No. 5 in its category for the year.

The top non-typical from the zone was taken by shotgun hunter Michael Van Horn. His buck measured 187 7/8 and was harvested in Clay County. A 181 1/8 scoring buck was taken by muzzleloader hunter Adam Osborne in Posey County.

Pike County led the way in the zone, and tied with Parke County for top honors with eight entries in 2006. Vermillion County tallied four entries, while Daviess, Vigo and Clay counties all registered three apiece. Posey County produced two entries, and Clay, Knox, Spencer and Warrick counties all kicked in one each.

More hunters are warming up to the idea of harvesting surplus does in their hunting areas, in conjunction with passing on young, immature bucks. The benefits of these modern management practices are manifesting themselves in more big-racked bucks roaming the woodlands of Indiana. Here is hoping that you have a great deer season in 2007, and possibly will harvest that buck of a lifetime as well.

Find more about Indiana fishing and hunting at: IndianaGameandFish.com