Ralph "Bucky" Phillips escapes from jail and sets off the most expensive manhunt in New York State history. Bucky leads hundreds of state troopers on a chase through the backwoods of western New York for the better part of five months. An amazing series of lucky and reckless maneuvers allows Bucky to avoid capture. But the case turns uglier when Bucky shoots three state troopers. Captain Steve Nigrelli spearheads the hunt and is determined to nab Philips before more blood is spilled.