Field judging Mule deer

[ardrhi]

I'm not seeing how you could say that buck will even approach 180". I'm thinking that by late in June a 180" buck would have a lot more bone than that one is showning with only ear tip inside width also added in there. I hope some of the others that are more into the expert judging give a few comments to help both of us on that one!

You are correct. I was trying to use him for a reference about the importance of deep forks as it translates to long tines. I wasn't trying to give a complete score analysis, but maybe I should have.
I was actually thinking that Tbokich's buck will probably score pretty close to the one that I posted, but for completely different reasons. He has good brow tines. The mass looks pretty good. Not a lot of width, but there isn't as much room for variation in that part of the score.

On the buck that I posted:
The left profile view does show forks that are deep enough for a buck approaching 180". The rest of his rack leaves a lot to be desired. His mass is more in line with a younger buck. He won't have much for brow tines, so there's another 10" or so. As I mentioned before, it looks like his left G2 is going to be weak and his right G2 might not even grow.

 

[belly-deep]

A big buck is just that BIG. You don't have to pick apart a big buck, you will know him when you see him.

Well said. Don't make any snap decisions, but don't sit there trying to add up inches on a buck that looks like a monster unless score is all you are going for. There are some pretty impressive bucks out there that don't score as well as bucks that look smaller.

 

[schmalts]

Crazy how a 5 year old post comes back to life again....

 

[Hooligan]

Crazy how a 5 year old post comes back to life again....

Never underestimate the power of the interweb..or cheese.

 

[hornart]

Wifes, New Mexico mulie

This is a great buck but doesnt score well at all,,still a shooter in many peoples book,,28 inch inside spread,

 

[Duck-Slayer]

This is a great buck but doesnt score well at all,,still a shooter in many peoples book,,28 inch inside spread,

I would have shot that buck just cuz of the mass.... even if it was a spike or 2 point.....
Matt

 

[huntbux]

A-con try and get yout hands on the book "Hunting High Country Mule Deer" by Mike Eastman, it had a couple of chapters on field judging and some good pics. To call them direct for a copy the number is (307) 754-5584.

schelmster

100% agree, I just got done reading it again last night and it has tons of great info. I will be putting it to use this year helping some friends out on some mule deer hunts in Nevada.