Mule Deer Buck of a Lifetime

[mtmuley]

The place I liked to hunt went all LQ a long time ago and I can't draw the tag to save my hide. So, I pretty well gave up on hunting mule deer, just didn't want to relearn another area and also because the numbers were/are tanking.

I'm about to dump 22 Montana mule deer points somewhere. Done with the area I want fir the reasons you stated and and I ain't getting any younger. mtmuley

 

[sneakypete]

Here’s mine

 

[Oak]

What percentage of peoples OIL are under 180" when this poll is done?

Gonna say at least 50%.

180” is a big mule deer. I’d probably call BS if 50% are over. Have to think about that.

 

[Dave N]

I don't remember the exact score anymore, but this is my best mule deer. I know it was in the mid-180's. Wanting to say 184 and change.

This is second best, mid-170's.

The place I liked to hunt went all LQ a long time ago and I can't draw the tag to save my hide. So, I pretty well gave up on hunting mule deer, just didn't want to relearn another area and also because the numbers were/are tanking.

My wife and I found this buck and couldn't get him killed the first couple days of the season. Went back with a friend and we ended up finding him and my friend killed it, was lower 190's.

Wish things were different for mule deer, but I just don't see it getting better anytime soon.

Been a couple years, huh?

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

View attachment 381998
Here’s mine

Well, what's the score?

 

[cgasner1]

The year I killed my best buck I punched my bull tag in the second day of archery season. Later I told my dad I have all season to hunt I’m not gonna shoot one unless it’s over 30”

Antelope rifle opens and I figure what a perfect time to go deer hunting all the other pressure will be out running around with rifles I may as well go look for a buck. At day light I spot what looks like a good buck breaking over a ridge. So I decide to go investigate and this what I find.


When I saw the rack in the sun I honestly thought it was a little rag horn bull. He laid there and moved his bed 3 times.

The third bed he made a mistake. Walking over to put my stalk on him I realized I also had made one. Lost my release it took me about 90 min to get to camp and get my spare. When I came back I went back and checked and he hadn’t moved was still in that bed. I hauled ass around kicked my boots I walked up to the ridge line crouched down till I could start to see his horns. I drew my bow and stood up. He saw me and jumped out of his bed. Standing there looking at me from 15 yards away. The split second delay was just enough to send the arrow in for a frontal. I watched him tip over at about 200 yards out

He ended up being 32 1/2” mid 187” hands down best stalk I’ve ever put on 7 hours of baking in the sun paid off.

 

[cgasner1]

So ya if I ever break 220” and it’s anything like that I’ll probably come out in just kennetreks and a pack frame

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

The year I killed my best buck I punched my bull tag in the second day of archery season. Later I told my dad I have all season to hunt I’m not gonna shoot one unless it’s over 30”

Antelope rifle opens and I figure what a perfect time to go deer hunting all the other pressure will be out running around with rifles I may as well go look for a buck. At day light I spot what looks like a good buck breaking over a ridge. So I decide to go investigate and this what I find.
View attachment 382001

When I saw the rack in the sun I honestly thought it was a little rag horn bull. He laid there and moved his bed 3 times.View attachment 382002

The third bed he made a mistake. Walking over to put my stalk on him I realized I also had made one. Lost my release it took me about 90 min to get to camp and get my spare. When I came back I went back and checked and he hadn’t moved was still in that bed. I hauled ass around kicked my boots I walked up to the ridge line crouched down till I could start to see his horns. I drew my bow and stood up. He saw me and jumped out of his bed. Standing there looking at me from 15 yards away. The split second delay was just enough to send the arrow in for a frontal. I watched him tip over at about 200 yards out View attachment 382003

He ended up being 32 1/2” mid 187” hands down best stalk I’ve ever put on 7 hours of baking in the sun paid off.

Awesome buck. I love the before and after pictures.

 

[DFS]

My two best, 1st one was from Colorado 2nd was from Montana in better days. I scored them myself but I’m confident they are over 180.

 

[BAKPAKR]

View attachment 382004View attachment 382005View attachment 382006
My two best, 1st one was from Colorado 2nd was from Montana in better days. I scored them myself but I’m confident they are over 180.

That ram is pretty darn nice, too! Congrats on some great animals.

 

[TOGIE]

180” is a big mule deer. I’d probably call BS if 50% are over. Have to think about that.

Yeah, even assuming HTers are above average hunters no way 50% have a B&C award.

180 is freakin huge

 

[sneakypete]

Well, what's the score?

, not into that. 33 1/8” wide.

 

[Nick87]

even assuming HTers are above average

Dude we're talking about a public land forum exclusively made up of multi-millionaires here.

 

[BuzzH]

Yeah, even assuming HTers are above average hunters no way 50% have a B&C award.

180 is freakin huge

Big difference between a net 180 and a gross 180 buck, just sayin'.

 

[TOGIE]

What is OPs assumption when they ask? Gross or net?

 

[cgasner1]

Big difference between a net 180 and a gross 180 buck, just sayin'.

The dream for me is 28-30” wide over 190” within 2” from gross to net and dark horns. I may be better off hunting Sasquatch

 

[npaden]

What is OPs assumption when they ask? Gross or net?

Poll clearly says gross score.

 

[TOGIE]

Poll clearly says gross score.

Clearly you think I even went back to look

Good. Nets are for fishing.

 

[BAKPAKR]

180” is a big mule deer. I’d probably call BS if 50% are over. Have to think about that.

My category still has a 3.6% advantage over the next closest!

 

[MTLabrador]

This thread feels like a personal attack for someone who grew up in Montana when we were already on a downhill slide. This is my best buck. Yep, he’s not big, but I was happy with him. Never scored him, and I don’t really care what he scores. I like looking at, hunting, and eating mule deer, and I’m happy to shoot one on occasion.