WYOMING COUNTY, W.Va. — When Hayden Blankenship climbed into his hunting blind on the opening day of the 2025 archery season he knew very well there could be a Pope and Young buck nearby.

“Last year I had probably five or six run-in’s with him and multiple trail cam pics. He came through trailing a doe last year and I couldn’t get a shot. There were probably four or five times he came in right at daylight when I was getting into my blind and I couldn’t get him,” said Blankenship in an interview for West Virginia Outdoors.

As disappointing as it was to see the big buck elude him last year, Hayden remarked he’s glad it did because this year’s version of the buck’s antlers were something to behold.

“He absolutely blew up and probably put on another 15 to 20 inches of horn,” he explained.

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