Freak buck earns Buck of the Week

Val Messier earned BOTW with a freak. | Provided

This is the oddest buck to ever earn Buck of the Week.

Val Messier shot this buck with an antler coming out near the eye during firearm season in Kankakee County. It was nominated by Michael Malmquist.

BOTW, the celebration of hunting bucks and their stories (the stories matter) around Chicago outdoors, runs Wednesdays in the Sun-Times, as warranted. Submit nominations by message on Facebook (Dale Bowman), on Twitter (@BowmanOutside) and Instagram (@BowmanOutside) or email (BowmanOutside@gmail.com).

Close-up of the freak antler in the buck shot by Val Messier.