Would you shoot opening day?

[RifleRidge]

Not trying to offend anyone here but this was a stupid question.

Naahh. Lots of folks would pass that buck with a late season/migration unit/deer in the rut permit. Especially those who have killed bigger, and especially on the 1st day.

Really?

[Pathfinder101]

In my book that's a dead buck, any time, any unit...

[Boss .300 winmag]

I dont know thats gonna be some tough eating, cant you find a barly leagal 3PT around there!  Boom goes the GUN!

[Kc_Kracker]

Assuming you have the late muzzy tag for the mission unit (Nov 25-30) would you shoot this buck opening day?

How wide is he?
What is an estimated score?

I know...who cares about numbers, but I don't get to hunt big bucks a lot and am just doing my homework before the hunt.  I am studying bucks and estimating width and scores. 

Thanks

Johnny

Johnny id shoot that boy any day, any hour, hell id chase him with a rock if my gun jammed 

[Elkrunner]

If they are legal, I don't hesitate.  Not in this state

[Elkpiss]

Be a tough call.  I love dark horns and mass.  Put him right near 162"  No doubt, a dandy.

    I love dark horns and mass too, and if you havent hunted alot of rut mule deer hunts have fun on trying to Pass on a buck like that unless you have someone there with you saying no No no No Dont shoot that thing would be a opening day dead buck.. that is a stud IMO... I will tell you this, it is hard so hard passing big buck after big buck on those special tags.. Unless you have killed several big muley's that is...

[jrebel]

Be a tough call.  I love dark horns and mass.  Put him right near 162"  No doubt, a dandy.

    I love dark horns and mass too, and if you havent hunted alot of rut mule deer hunts have fun on trying to Pass on a buck like that unless you have someone there with you saying no No no No Dont shoot that thing would be a opening day dead buck.. that is a stud IMO... I will tell you this, it is hard so hard passing big buck after big buck on those special tags.. Unless you have killed several big muley's that is...

I couldn't agree more.  I am going to have a hard time not shooting a lot of bucks I will see, but I am determined to give it hell and go after a big one.  I assume I will not be able to hunt the rut with a muzzy again for atleast 5-10 years in this state, so I am determined not to shoot a buck I could shoot durring the regular season.  a lot of factors play into this however....like can I get close enough, weather, scouting info, etc. 

Bullfisher

You did not offend me.  I personally have seen bigger deer in this and neighboring GMU's.  They are few and far between so it is always a gamble.  I am not the best at judging so I thought I would get fellow hunters opinions on how big this buck really is.  I have set a personal goal of 160 class deer.  Not that the number is everything but you have to have start somewhere. 

[woodywsu]

That buck should get close to meeting your personal goal jrebel. He's right at 160 and would be damn hard to pass on. Smoke em.

[pianoman9701]

No way! Is this his mother's milk dripping off those lips?

I would shoot that buck any day of the season and in my dreams, all year long!

[Seabass]

I think the decision to pull the trigger or loose an arrow is a personl one. Therefore my opinion is irrelevant. Each person has there own rationale for what they are doing and as long as they are obeying the law it should remain that way.

[Pathfinder101]

I had time to read all the way through this thread at lunch. 
I think he's 160".  The buck in my avatar came in right at 160" (green) with a 22" spread.  This buck has more mass than mine, but smaller backs.  I would think that would even out.  I know this is a great year for antler growth with the wet spring, but I don't know that I would hold out for one bigger than that on ANY year here in Washington.

It is true that there are some people on this site that would pass on that buck, but as has been mentioned earlier they already have bigger bucks on the wall and (...and this is key) they would be willing to eat the tag.  I do not, and I would not.  Dead buck if it was me...

[Kowsrule30]

I wouldn't want to eat that tag.... To me the buck looks to be in the 160 class.... If that's your goal go after him the first day... I would personally shoot that deer or anything close to it on day one.... But my biggest muley is in the 140's....

[bear hunter]

Assuming you have the late muzzy tag for the mission unit (Nov 25-30) would you shoot this buck opening day?

How wide is he?
What is an estimated score?

I know...who cares about numbers, but I don't get to hunt big bucks a lot and am just doing my homework before the hunt.  I am studying bucks and estimating width and scores. 

Thanks

Johnny

If you don't shoot I will. BOOM  You waited to long LOL

[Rainier10]

I keep coming back to this thread because I love the dark antlers on this guy.  I was having a tough time with the back left side like cmiller in his post.  The more I look at that photo the more I think it is just the angle making that back fork look small, the picture is just to grainy to tell.

No matter what that back fork is I say shoot unless you already have a couple of 150-160s on the wall, then maybe hold out but be willing to eat the tag.  I think you said you have nice buck but not over 140 so I would say shoot this one at first light opening day.  And like Seabass said it is the guy behind the trigger who has to ultimately decide so if it looks good to you shoot.

Good luck, I hope you connect on the buck of your lifetime.

[elkoholic1]

DURRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!