Good'nuff for this year...

[Big Sky]

It has been quite a while since I posted anything on this site, I guess it's time. Anyone that has been out and about anywhere from Central Montana to the Eastern border knows the deer numbers are down. They were especially hard hit in the North Central to Northeastern region. Naturally this is the area I know the best and pretty much where I do all my hunting. Pickings have been slim. With that knowledge I had already made up my mind before season of what I would take if given a chance. For me to shoot a mule deer he would have to be 170 or bigger. I really don't care much for eating them and I have a pile of 130 to upper 160's mule deer. In short he'd have to be my best or I wouldn't shoot. I did pass up a couple that I would guess were in the mid 150's to low 160's. However I had also decided that if a whitetail of 125" or bigger stepped out, I'd dump him and call it good. I'd much rather have an average to a little above average whitetail than a mule deer of the same age. My family and I like to eat whitetail deer. With that said, when this buck crossed my path over the weekend, I decided he was good'nuff for this year. He's not as big as last year's whitetail, but he will do, and I'm happy to have him. Now I can concentrate on helping my 14 year old daughter get her buck and then get back to calling coyotes which I'd rather do than deer hunt anydangway.

One more in the back of the truck.

 

[noharleyyet]

Like the mass and color. Burly sucker for sure...good job.

 

[JohnCushman]

Congrats!! Nice buck!

 

[mtlion]

Solid buck. Congrats and good luck getting the youngster a buck.

 

[tarheel]

Nothing wrong with that one!

 

[Brentster7189]

Great looking buck! CONGRATS!

 

[fishing4sanity]

Beautiful buck, love the mass, congrats & good luck helping your daughter.

 

[Horn Seeker]

Good Lookin buck Troy!

 

[Mikeflies]

Thats a nice Whitetail, congrats.

 

[T Bone]

Welcome back Troy.

That's a stout buck!

 

[Goldtip]

Nice buck, congrats. Good luck finding one for your daughter.

 

[Big Sky]

Thanks guys. Interesting little side note. When I skinned the head out there were absolutely no front teeth on his jaw and the molars are worn way down. I believe he might be the oldest buck I've ever killed. I will get the jaw cleaned up and age it in the near future. I'm betting he's over 7 years old.

 

[highmountian]

I would of dumped him too! Congrats.

 

[Randy11]

Thanks guys. Interesting little side note. When I skinned the head out there were absolutely no front teeth on his jaw and the molars are worn way down. I believe he might be the oldest buck I've ever killed. I will get the jaw cleaned up and age it in the near future. I'm betting he's over 7 years old.

I was going to ask after looking at the pictures how old he was. Really cool to be able to take an old timer like that, congrats.

 

[Deleted member 16864]

Sweet buck, Congrats!

 

[Big luke1981]

Great Buck, Congrats!!!

 

[JCS]

Good job. Glad you found one in this part of the state.

 

[pointingdogsrule]

Very nice deer!!!

good luck to all
the dog

 

[elk_hunter]

Wow! Very nice! Awesome and congrats!

 

[Big Sky]

Thanks guys. This hunt was fun. However it's one of those hunts that the more I think about it, the more I enjoy it. It really was a great time with friends and it an awesome location. We were able to rent a cabin and it made for a real nice central place to base our hunt from. I'm not used to this kind of luxury but I sure could get used to it without much trouble.