What makes a big buck

[time2hunt]

Just curious what qualifies as a big buck in this state ? What does a buck need to score 150 , 160 , 170 or the magical 180 plus ? 


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[Wingin it]

I would call a buck in the 170’s a big buck. 180 up is getting into trophy class territory. 190 and up are flat out STUD bucks!

[huntnphool]

 A big buck in this state is mature with 37”+ of mass, regardless the total score…IMO!

 It’s all about the mass!

[hunter399]

150 or bigger ,is a decent buck for Washington.
My opinion,I don't hunt other states.
Problem is our herds are managed for dink spike bucks,meat buck,doe harvest.
Washington sometimes you gotta take what is available/legal/ .

[kentrek]

6-8 years old

[Ridgerunner]

MASS for sure. 

My rule of thumb is whatever is a good buck in other states take 20" off for here.  So if you think a good buck is 175 in Wyoming, here it'd be about 155. 

[muleyslayer#1]

I usually pay attention to mass and the back forks on a mule deer. I always say mass trumps width. But that’s just my opinion.

[Rainier10]

Where I hunt 140-160 is good anything above that is great. 160 and above are very bee and far between, you may see one every five to seven years.

[boneaddict]

Usually age class. Sometimes has nothing to do with antler score

[boneaddict]

For instance, this Twisp buck

[buckfvr]

Just curious what qualifies as a big buck in this state ? What does a buck need to score 150 , 160 , 170 or the magical 180 plus ? 


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Focusing on score will lead mostly to disappointment.  Learn to identify "mature" deer. Body, mass, and behavior are keys.  Mules, deep forks, whites, long mains and brows, both specie, along with mass, lots of mass.

Not all bucks have the genetics to go high and wide.  Being familiar with the bucks in your hunting areas is how you focus on hunting specific bucks that youve had an opportunity to judge realistically.  If you are not hunting specific bucks then most likely you shoot what ever legal animal presents itself. 

As far as whitetail go, across their range, 130 - 135 is the upper end of average and is actually bigger than the vast majority of the harvest.  I have looked at many bucks friends have killed over the years and the ones they call 145 - 150, their big bucks, generally tape out at mid 130s.  2 of my biggest body wt bucks were huge bodied fat, tall and mature.  One was 8.5 and the other 6.5 years old and both were low 130s.  One had mass and caricature, the other had long mains and width to get there. 

There are still some stud bucks out there, just fewer of them, harder to find and hunt.   

[C-Money]

I've killed some mule deer that really made me happy, that I thought were pretty big, may have been a hard pass for others. Spending my early childhood in Pennsylvania, seeing a 4.5 yo 140" Washington mule deer will blow a guys socks off. Body size, antlers, its a lot to take in. My first buck was a PA whitetail, 130lb, un even racked 3x4 with a 12" spread. That first buck gave me tears. So, coming from that to now hunting mule deer in WA, 140" looks pretty big to me. I think most WA hunters would be ecstatic with a 140" mule deer. Age, seeing a truly old warrior no matter whats left of his antlers. The old buck, that walks with a limp, tree trunk for a neck, scars on his face and neck, and a sharp brain between his ears...Thats special for sure. This one is pretty big...

[hunter399]

How big is this WT.
I guess how big will he be.
It harder to judge than you may think.
Now keep in mind ,bigger buck this time of year will be branching.
Eye guards will be bigger,on a big buck for this time of year.
This guy is kinda small,but still decent.
Probably 3 year old ,maybe.

[hunter399]

I have pics of alot BIGGER.
Those are my dirty little secret.
Where I'm going is ........
In Washington if you want a big one ,big big one.
You better be running 10-20 trail cam in a huge circle of your hunting spot.
You gotta hunt where the big ones live.
Tracks,sightings,trail cams,anything to put a big one in that hoove print.

[Mtnwalker]

Usually age class. Sometimes has nothing to do with antler score

  Here's a buck my wife killed a while back, I consider this a big buck. I see plenty of bucks that would score higher on out of state hunts that don't do nearly as much for me as this buck does. He was ancient old and just an absolute horse, I love looking at him on the wall even though he's only a 160's type buck. And yes, I realize the weapon safety is lacking in this photo