Deciding factors on a Mule Deer

Retterath · Jul 24, 2014

All those deer you mentioned are awesome bucks i would take any of them if i saw them but have never taken much for big mule deer yet. i would stick to what your goal is since your unit will have some great trophy potential. It would be tough for me not to shoot a 30" wide mule deer if it gave me the shot opportunity. What do you have on your wall now?? Maybe you don't have a 30" wide one and that would be an awesome deer. I wish i had that problem deciding on what what deer to go after. Good luck and post pics when u get the big one.

bigmoose · Jul 24, 2014

It would have to be a special 3X3, I think...long, heavy points, with good mass would do it for me!

Moose

ando_31 · Jul 24, 2014

Bigger is better than wider

BKC · Jul 24, 2014

IKIC, I have to think that the gene pool must produce those kind of bucks but I would think there ought to be at least one 30" 4 x 4. I would keep looking, it sounds like you have a lot of time.

Topgun 30-06 · Jul 24, 2014

Width is nice, but I prefer a tall 4x4 even if he's only 24" wide as long as he has some mass!

tttoadman · Jul 24, 2014

I'm with you. As long as I am bettering my previous bucks, why not. I have quite a few years to hunt, so I can take little steps and be pretty happy. I don't put in for long shot draws, but that could sure make a difference.

velvetfvr · Jul 24, 2014

IKIC, you guys hear me in the texts and when we talk and BS. And on here how I talk about score. I usually talk about that before hunting. But the truth boils down to, when I am out there. If I find a buck and I think he looks cool, or I would be happy with him he may be a small 4 point.

To me when I see a buck I know I want him. Score doesn't come into the picture until later. The buck I shot last year looked huge to me. He looked 170" and was only a 150 class buck. But guess what, that 170 figure never reached my mind until he had an arrow in him. I knew he was what I wanted and score didn't determine that I wanted to take him

Alabama · Jul 24, 2014

velvetfvr said:
IKIC, you guys hear me in the texts and when we talk and BS. And on here how I talk about score. I usually talk about that before hunting. But the truth boils down to, when I am out there. If I find a buck and I think he looks cool, or I would be happy with him he may be a small 4 point.

To me when I see a buck I know I want him. Score doesn't come into the picture until later. The buck I shot last year looked huge to me. He looked 170" and was only a 150 class buck. But guess what, that 170 figure never reached my mind until he had an arrow in him. I knew he was what I wanted and score didn't determine that I wanted to take him

I agree with this. When I see a deer within range I almost always just know I want him or I don't. If you're looking at him and trying to convince yourself that he is bigger than he really is, then don't shoot. If your blood starts pumping and your hands start to shake: Shoot now! That is your buck. I think the size deer that does that to you is definitely different for everyone. For me it's an old mature buck. Width is good, big body and massive antlers are better. Good luck either way.

Huntinguy0120 · Jul 25, 2014

I was lucky to grow up in a family full of mule deer hunters. They shot some really nice bucks.. 4x4's, 5x6's, the tall and heavy as well as the ideal non-typicals.

All of these, but nothing larger than 29-1/2 inches wide. If you see anything over 30 inches, I would say BUST HIM!!!

mt-mike · Jul 25, 2014

Ikeepitcold said:
Don't have the 30" buck yet. That's why I think I should really consider it.

I'm in the same boat! I can tell you that the 30"+ three point mule deer buck I had a chance to shoot here in Montana when I was hot after a small bull elk has eaten at me for many, many years! I got the elk and ate him. In my haste after the elk, I surprised the buck. Had him broadside at 150-yards with a fully developed frame, long tall tines and mass. Would of been a beautiful, very impressive mount for me, my family and friends to enjoy all these years.

I know now (way too late) that I should have taken him.

Timberstalker · Jul 25, 2014

You will hunt mule deer again so don't stress too much about it, you will know when it's time to squeeze the trigger. Looking forward to seeing what you gun down!

BOHNTR · Jul 25, 2014

Deciding factors??? Shoot the one you want........who cares what others have to say.

libidilatimmy · Jul 25, 2014

That sounds like a good problem to have!

You still have a lot of time to scout, just keep poking around. That being said, I'd shoot a big 3x in a heartbeat, but it's all up to the individual. Like others have said, you'll know when it's time. Big is big no matter how many points it has.

Hilltop · Jul 25, 2014

I am in the same boat- all of my mule deer are in that 25" class. I don't believe a hunter gets too many opportunities at 30" bucks anymore so it would be an easy decision for me. Old 30" buck = shooter. Would that extra few inches of tine on his frame really change him that much? My best archery mule deer is a 3x3 that is beautiful... I would shoot him again today. That said, I would follow the others advice of taking the one that makes you get excited.

HiMtnHnter · Jul 25, 2014

Ikeepitcold said:
I've been out scouting and have found some nice bucks. The area I drew will have some great trophy potential. I have two bucks on my list for this area to take if they show up during my season. While I've been scouting I've come acrossed 4 3x3 bucks that are pushing 30" wide.

My thoughts are this. I had a 180" buck or better in my mind as a bench mark, but with the chance at a 30" wide buck now I'm reconsidering things.

I have till Oct5 for opening day and a month to hunt so I've got a ton of time to find what I want to take. But with seeing so many 30" bucks I have to think I would be foolish to pass up one of them even tho they are only 3x3's.

What's your thoughts on this?

Thanks

Every hunter decides for himself what makes him happy. For me the deciding factors are the area I'm hunting and age of the buck. I would not hesitate to take a mature 3x3. Just keep in mind they look ALOT bigger in velvet. If you aren't going to be happy then pass.

Sawfish · Jul 25, 2014

I venture to say that you will come across a lot more 3 x 3 Mule Deer than you will thirty inchers. That seems to be a marque that is becoming more difficult to find as the years roll along. If it is a 30 inch deer, that is a shooter in my book.

Big Sky · Jul 25, 2014

BKC said:
IKIC, I have to think that the gene pool must produce those kind of bucks but I would think there ought to be at least one 30" 4 x 4. I would keep looking, it sounds like you have a lot of time.

This. With all the time that you have it should be doable.

ColoradoV · Jul 25, 2014

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.

Deciding factors on a Mule Deer

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