Would you shoot opening day?

[Chesapeake]

Thats a darn good buck for muzzy anywhere. The biggest problem with muzzy is that just because you decide to take the animal, doesnt mean you'll get to. Alot depends on if they are in a position you can move on and get in range ect...... Its not like a high power rifle where you can shoot 500 yards.

You may very well have blown stalks, maybe several, and moving deer you cant get in on before they wander off.
Plus there is 15 other tag holders that may take that deer if you pass making it one less good one for later in the hunt.
For me, thats for sure a deer I'd try a stalk on opening morning. If I got in range and set up for the shot, I'd make the call then.
Alot will be decided based on what you see with your scouting the days before the opener. After that you'll know what you've got a chance at, and may have your mind set on a target.

That boy would be a wall hanger in my house. I could always shoot a bigger one next year.

[WonkyWapiti]

I agree with Chesapeke.  I switched to muzzy four seasons ago for deer and there is definitely alot that can go wrong trying to shoot a deer.  If I was in your shoes and I was presented with that shot my thinking would be something like this.  Is this animal bigger than anything I've taken before?  Have I regularly seen larger animals during my scouting?  How many days do I have left to hunt?  How many other hunters are working this area?  I would probably be hard pressed to pass that up unless I knew there was a monster that I was trying to target.  Even then, I love venison too much that I would probably shoot.   

[Jonathan_S]

I would shoot that buck. I think if you're confident about a 160 buck you should put him down. I'd rather put down a 160 than chase a possible 175 and have to eat the tag for the 5-10 years

[dvolmer]

This buck is a little bit bigger than you think.  He has good mass all the way through.  He is somewhere around 24 to 26 inches wide.  It is hard to judge a buck with just one picture.  The weak part is the back forks if the picture is correct.  They might be deeper than what they appear.  If you had a couple of pictures and at different angles it would be easier to judge.  He is a good 155 to 170 depending on his fork depth that is hard to tell on a straight on picture.  The two things you can tell (mass and width) are what you are looking for.  I have a 168, 183, and a 186 gross all shot in Washington State in the mancave in the basement and if I had a muzzleloader tag with a shot opportunity in the State of Washington I would definitely take it.  With a rifle tag and a lot of good scouting with a knowledge of a few bigger bucks in the area I might pass but I have muzzloaded for over 10 years now and shot opportunity and selection is a lot different than a rifle.  I passed on two nice bucks in the muzzleloader season this year and on three others during rifle season (multi-season permit) and the ranch that I hunt on that has produced some big boys.  I wouldn't pass on this buck.  Especially with a muzzle tag.

good luck on your hunt! and remember that a trophy is in the eye of the beholder.  Well I better get back to cutting and wrapping the two cow elk my daughters shot yesterday. Cant leave meat hanging in 60 degree weather.

[autodink13]

I would suggest stalking that guy. There's a good chance you might find bigger but it's hard to go from seeing a big buck to big buck down(muzzy). 

[Hi-Liter]

Boom!

[boneaddict]

and the smoke clears and there he lies.  Next step, NOTCHING THE TAG.....

[wsucowboy]

I'd have no problem shooting that buck!