What makes a big buck

[vandeman17]

My assumption with your starting out scores is that you are talking mule deer. In my opinion, a big buck in Washington is something that carries mass throughout its frame regardless of score. It could be a 2x2 with no eye guards but if he is tall, wide and heavy he is "big" in my book though he wouldn't score for squat.

[zwickeyman]

For me
150-170 nice
170-185 big
185-195 toad
195 + giant

But like alot if folks say. Score is only 1 factor

[time2hunt]

I guess my question more or less is when you sit down and start picking a buck apart do you know what it take to make 160,170,180 class ? Huntnphool and couple other I agree with a 100%. I start with mass then main frame beam length. From there I usually jump back to the rear G3/G4. The majority of Washington bucks are crabby or short in the G2-G4s and takes a lot to make 160. I’ve shoot a lot a deer over the years and each one is a trophy weather is a little basket buck with Family and friends or a 190 buck in the backcountry.


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[buckfvr]

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 

Day one shooter.

[kodiak06]

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.

That deer's young, his body tells that, looks 2.5

[buckfvr]

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.

That deer's young, his body tells that, looks 2.5

MIGHT be 2, or younger with decent genetics, but also NOT a shooter, not even close.

[boneaddict]

score wise.....I just know there are alot of 200 inch bucks in Washington (roll eyes)   where really most wouldnt know a 200 inch buck if it smacked em in the head. Sorta like 400 inch bulls or 400 pound black bears.   

I'll go out on a limb and say most respectable 170 bucks get called 200 inchers by the average bloke. 

It doesnt matter how you hold the cellphone to make that buck bigger.  It still isnt 200 

[Karl Blanchard]

score wise.....I just know there are alot of 200 inch bucks in Washington (roll eyes)   where really most wouldnt know a 200 inch buck if it smacked em in the head. Sorta like 400 inch bulls or 400 pound black bears.   

I'll go out on a limb and say most respectable 170 bucks get called 200 inchers by the average bloke. 

It doesnt matter how you hold the cellphone to make that buck bigger.  It still isnt 200

truer words have never been spoken 

[muleyslayer#1]

score wise.....I just know there are alot of 200 inch bucks in Washington (roll eyes)   where really most wouldnt know a 200 inch buck if it smacked em in the head. Sorta like 400 inch bulls or 400 pound black bears.   

I'll go out on a limb and say most respectable 170 bucks get called 200 inchers by the average bloke. 

It doesnt matter how you hold the cellphone to make that buck bigger.  It still isnt 200

Every 4x4 frame mule deer is a 200” in Washington. We all know that.

[fishngamereaper]

Through the spotter from a mile away I've seen tons of 200" deer in WA..

Big for me...mass. Regardless of score mass just makes them look bigger..

And if where talking expectations in WA. 160 is a good deer for any of the quality mule deer hunts. A 120 blacktail and a 140 whitetail respectively...

[time2hunt]

Thanks bone that is what I was getting at with this topic. Yes we have a few big bucks left in this state. But very far and few between. Field judging deer is a hard thing to due.


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[phildobaggins]

I picked up a pair of sheds this year and when I was holding both sides I was thinking, man this is pushing 180.

Scored it to the best of my ability at 163" haha

[vandeman17]

also, never judge a deer walking away from you. I have seen so many 180" bucks walking/bounding away from me it makes my head spin...

[kentrek]

Field judging deer is a hard thing to due.

When you've sized up bucks on the hoof and then later was able to put your hands on them what has been your most misjudged feature?

@boneaddict
@Karl Blanchard
@time2hunt

[hunter399]

 
Can't eat the antlers,young ones eat good.
Shoot em all big or small.