Killing Big Mulies

[MT Muley]

Thank you Montana! So, so true! Someone just posted a picture of a buck on another site I look at, claims it scores 203 or something like that. Truth be told, it is a 160 buck at best. I never feel the need to let someone know that their buck is not what they think... but it does get rather old. There are not a lot of 170+ bucks running around on public land in most areas.

MT Muley

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I have been fortunate enough to have killed plenty of deer. As far as score and what I consider a trophy took until this year to get a 175" buck. It seemed I couldn't get anything better then a 160". While out just looking in hard to draw areas with extremely good trophy quality the 170"-190" are always around but I can never draw those areas. I agree with Montana to be able to kill a 170"+ buck consistently each year is very doubtful without paying the big bucks. I'm sure there are guys out there that do it but not me.

 

[shanehamblin]

I too would consider a 170 inch buck a true trophy as the only one I have killed was when I was 13 on a juniors hunt in AZ, that was 14 years ago. Tho I primarally hunt coues deer we still usually draw archery muley tags in New Mexico and my brother was able to kill a 180 inch buck 2 years ago. We have hunted two buck for the past 2 years and I was able to find one of the bucks shed while scouting last year and I can tell you that in no way is this buck anywhere near 24 inches wide. We scored his shed at 96 2/8 and guessed at tops this buck only gets an 18 innch inside spread and with the other side being very close to identical he would go around 208-210. But in that unit you have to be an idiot to pass on a 150-160 inch buck. Those monsters are just so few and far between. Like said before I believe there are more monster bulls killed than muleys but that is because I live in an awesome elk unit which is terrible for deer. it just all depends on where you hunt.

 

[sethkuhl]

now I am curious what do you think this scores? 24" inside spread Extremely heavy western MT timber buck

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I can't tell with only one pic. Just like you can't judge a deer walking away from you. There has to be many angles of a deer to properly judge a deer and also pics are very deceiving. But he looks like a nice one to me.

 

[trophyhill]

now I am curious what do you think this scores? 24" inside spread Extremely heavy western MT timber buckView attachment 2134

i would kill a buck like that unequivically every time if given the chance. great job on a nice trophy!

 

[nvarcher]

Ikeepitcold is right, but based on the photo I would put him in the 175+ range. Overall great buck.

 

[Jon Boy]

Seth, that is DANDY for western montana, and any where else for that matter

 

[Doe Nob]

I'd guess based on that photo 170 ish.

What is a big mulie? What's a trophy? Depends on where you are hunting as to the potential.

 

[jjenness]

Spending time in the field, even when others won't. As the old saying goes, "You can't kill the big one sitting on the couch." Spending time in field both in, and out of, season is the most important factor.

 

[Doe Nob]

Somewhat germane to the topic, I got a copy of Wyoming Outdoors in the mail recently. This is essentially the "guides" association catalog they send out, but in it is contained the Big Game banquet and Awards entries. I think we all have hornflation from reading magazines and watching TV shows - these are the best of the best the outfitters could put on the ground in 2010 and here's the numbers:

Mule deer typical rifle: 1) 196 2) 187 6/8 3) 185 6/8
Mule deer NT rifle: 1) 207 7/8 2) 196 2/8 3) 190 4/8

Mule deer typical archery: 1) 190 2/8 2) 174 1/8 3) 164 2/8
Mule deer NT archery: 1) 180 6/8 (no other entries)

I find this very instructive from a premier state like Wyoming. I'm sure bigger deer than this are killed and not entered, but these are the best of the best from the pros who are out there every day and every season. It looks like it falls off pretty quick, I bet you'd be hard pressed to get 20 deer from around the state over 180 if you saw all the entries for every category.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I also received the same catalog. Very interesting and some good read as well

 

[buckbull]

@sethkuhl - Thats a fine looking rifle, what manufacturer and model is that?

 

[sethkuhl]

Ruger Model 77 Mark II Chambered in a 7 Mag. Leupold VX-3 4.5-10X scope. Love that gun!

 

[Drhorsepower]

I also received the same catalog. Very interesting and some good read as well

I received that also. What also is interesting if you flip through it there are bigger deer advertised killed this year that are not on that awards list. I am thinking guides have to pay to enter contest or something.

That magazine is awesome to flip through! It never gets old looking at big animals.

 

[dhershberger]

Finding the big animals is key and I've hunted many low requested units in New Mexico that have many trophy animals. Some of the units I hunt have left over tags every year. I think its definately possible to kill big animals in the same state, year after year as long as you can find where the big boys are hiding in low requested units.

 

[four point]

scouting

The key to killing big bucks consistantly is to scout. The last 2 years I have shot 3 nice bucks. Two in Montana, and one in Idaho. The buck last year gross scored 191 BC NT. Eight scoreable points on one side and six on the other.Interestingly enough, he was only 23" wide, but very heavy. The buck I shot in Idaho this year is 171 BC, again quite heavy. All 3 bucks were taken during general season, on public land. All three bucks were found during the summer, and shot opening day. The last 2 years I have spent 15 days scouting, and 3 days hunting. I hunt high, all three bucks were shot between 8500, and 9000 ft. You also have to pass up mediocre bucks. The deer I killed in Idaho this year, I passed up last year. Found him in the exact same bed this summer,as he was in last summer. Only difference is that he added 10" of horn and twice the mass. The only problem about hunting high is you can get snowed out. I had found a nice mid 170's buck two years in a row in Idaho. The snow pushed him out of the country both seasons. I had him pegged in mid Sept. both years, and never did get him.

 

[four point]

I think the key to big bucks is scouting. I hunt Montana, and Idaho every year. I have shot three nice bucks the last 2 years. One buck grossed 191 BC NT (last year) and my Idaho buck this year was 171 bc. All the deer were general season tags on public ground. I had found all three bucks prior to shooting them on opening day. I spent 15 days scouting the last 2 years, and 3 days hunting. The scouting time is essential..

 

[trophyhill]

Finding the big animals is key and I've hunted many low requested units in New Mexico that have many trophy animals. Some of the units I hunt have left over tags every year. I think its definately possible to kill big animals in the same state, year after year as long as you can find where the big boys are hiding in low requested units.

finding them hasn't been an issue for me but........killing them has been

 

[Montana]

I received that also. What also is interesting if you flip through it there are bigger deer advertised killed this year that are not on that awards list. I am thinking guides have to pay to enter contest or something.

That magazine is awesome to flip through! It never gets old looking at big animals. ��

In my opinion, this is a prime example of how pictures can be manipulated to make something look much bigger. I can almost guarantee, if someone in that advertisement killed an awards buck they would make darn sure it is noted.