The Maine Sportsman’s Record-setting Biggest Bucks Issue
The February, 2026 issue of The Maine Sportsman magazine contains a long, long list of hunters who bagged a 200-lb.-plus whitetail this past season. Consisting of 614 names, it’s the longest Biggest Bucks list in anyone’s memory here – likely the most ever.
The celebration starts with the cover photo, depicting Robbie Flint of Cushing and his unbelievable 22-point, 252.2-lb. atypical-rack buck. Then, flip to this month’s “centerfold” spread – the Top 10 Biggest Bucks of 2025 pictorial, ranging from Austin Carver’s 291-pound deer, to Nicholas Quint’s 248.5-pounder.
And right after that, for the next six pages, the record-setting list of the newest patch-wearing members of the Biggest Bucks in Maine Club.
In her “Maine Sportswoman” column (p. 29), Christi Holmes goes behind the scenes to tell the tales of two of the year’s biggest deer, based on her interviews with the hunters themselves.
This issue’s focus on whitetails is further reinforced by outstanding submissions from the True North Lifestyle team – Rick Labbe’s “Quest for a Maine 200-Pound Buck” (p. 27), and Neil Pendleton’s compilation of Biggest Bucks in Maine stories, from such hunting luminaries as Lee Libby, Joe Kruse and Jeff Paradis.
Our experienced and knowledgeable writers also cover Maine’s current winter activities, including ice fishing (“Winter Fishing for Crappies,” Nate Fenderson, p. 16), and snowmobiling (“Warden Pilot on Snowmobiles,” Steve Carpenteri, p. 19).
For our readers who are thinking ahead to boating season, Bob Humphrey offers up “Single vs. Twins,” addressing the pros and cons of opting for one engine or two.
The balance of this big (76 pages!) issue of The Maine Sportsman is devoted to the type of outstanding information and entertainment to which all of you regular readers have become accustomed, including coverage of antler shed-hunting, comfortable concealed carry options, trapping, white-water canoeing, coyotes, and snowshoe hares. And the best quotes, humor and cartoons south of Slab City and west of Whitlocks Mill.
A few final notes:
1) Keep an eye on our website (MaineSportsman.com) under the trophy photo and Biggest Bucks tabs, because we are busy linking up photos to hunters’ names on the list;
2) our March issue will contain our “Readers Opinion Poll” results; and
3) circle the last weekend next month (March 27 – 29) to join us, our writers and our advertisers at the State of Maine Sportsman’s Show, at the Civic Center in Augusta, where you’ll find seminars, booths, archery, fly-tying, and activities for the kids. Hope to see you there!
