Deciding factors on a Mule Deer

[HiMtnHnter]

I agree with shoot the one you want and it is hard to pass up a 30" + buck.

This happened to me a few years ago and while I knew and had seen better scoring bucks in the area when later in the season I got a opportunity at this guy who is basically only a 2x3 with no eye guards I could not pass it up. Years later it is still cool to have gotten a wide buck even if the numbers on the score sheet are not as high as you would like. I still have never put a tape on this one as the yardstick tells the only number I needed that day.

Have fun and if there are that many bucks in the area you will find a stud.

That's a stud.

 

[tdwarburton]

Two friends and I had this debate over a bottle of Pendleton's last August. They had drawn tags in my area and wanted a 180"+ buck. I told them it was a tall order but told them I had an impressive 3x3 running on the ranch. They both dismissed me immediately. Both concerned about B&C score. I finally found the field pictures I had of him from the previous fall...needless to say we then had to have a "high-stakes" game of rock scissors paper to determine who would get first crack at him.
In my opinion, scores are great but they cannot accurately represent the trophy quality of every animal. This buck hardly grossed 150" and so far everyone that has seen him has agreed that he is a trophy.
I would say don't hesitate to shoot the 3's especially if they are over 30" wide. They will look great on the wall.

 

[Hilltop]

Two friends and I had this debate over a bottle of Pendleton's last August. They had drawn tags in my area and wanted a 180"+ buck. I told them it was a tall order but told them I had an impressive 3x3 running on the ranch. They both dismissed me immediately. Both concerned about B&C score. I finally found the field pictures I had of him from the previous fall...needless to say we then had to have a "high-stakes" game of rock scissors paper to determine who would get first crack at him.
In my opinion, scores are great but they cannot accurately represent the trophy quality of every animal. This buck hardly grossed 150" and so far everyone that has seen him has agreed that he is a trophy.
I would say don't hesitate to shoot the 3's especially if they are over 30" wide. They will look great on the wall.

View attachment 10140

There isn't a hunt in the world where I would pass that buck up.... beautiful trophy.

 

[Retterath]

Two friends and I had this debate over a bottle of Pendleton's last August. They had drawn tags in my area and wanted a 180"+ buck. I told them it was a tall order but told them I had an impressive 3x3 running on the ranch. They both dismissed me immediately. Both concerned about B&C score. I finally found the field pictures I had of him from the previous fall...needless to say we then had to have a "high-stakes" game of rock scissors paper to determine who would get first crack at him.
In my opinion, scores are great but they cannot accurately represent the trophy quality of every animal. This buck hardly grossed 150" and so far everyone that has seen him has agreed that he is a trophy.
I would say don't hesitate to shoot the 3's especially if they are over 30" wide. They will look great on the wall.

View attachment 10140

Might not score the best but that is for sure a trophy in my book and i would never pass on him. great deer, congrats

 

[BossBrott]

Lots of nice bucks guys, certainly trophies in my eyes!

You've set a benchmark, and a nice 30" 4x would be perfect, BUT a nice 3x with long daggers topping 30" is one heck of a buck. Good luck in your quest.
From past experience I do know what happens when you pull the trigger,,,,,you wake MR BIG,, only to watch him walk!

Again, good luck in your quest

 

[MountainHigh]

In my opinion one should judge their trophy on the maturity of the animal and time they put into the pursuit of it. Everyone may see things differently and scores are very important to some and not so much to others, but for me that is a stud and not many people get an opportunity at a 30" buck regardless the score! Good luck!

 

[packmule]

Shoot the one that trips your trigger. My wife's first muley was 30" and she almost didn't shoot it bc I didn't look at it much after seeing its profile. Several days later, while hoping the other 2 bucks it ran off would reappear, I finally got a head-on look at it. After seeing that I told her to shoot it bc you don't come across too many of them with a tag in hand.

 

[bigmoose]

I saw a buck from your area that was killed a few years ago that had a big 3X3 frame with extras, including double droppers, that went 38 inches. The genes are there for those big 3X3's. Good luck!

Moose