What makes a big buck

[M_ray]

That buck has a 3” and 5” point and doesn’t meet some of your “big buck” criteria because it only scores 169”!

 Only 169”, but the 40”+ of mass and frame make it a giant…even with a 3” and 5” point! Had it matched the other sides, it would have been well over the 180 mark…but according to some on here, not a “big buck”

 I have several bucks over 180 in this state, topped the 200” mark last season, and have never looked at “score” while sizing up a buck. Again for me, it’s all about mass!
 
 Find a buck with mass and you have found a “mature” buck…which is all my family looks for. 

You got a 200" buck last season?
No way!
Pics or it didn't happen!


(Disclaimer:    I've seen the rack and even took some pics.   It's a great buck.)   

Let's see it!! It's too bad a lot of guys dont put up pictures on here anymore. I wanna see all the pictures

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

He’s a true giant! Good news is that I watched him breed two different doe’s 13 times so the gene is still around. Also I thought he’d go 200 when I laid eyes on him and phool is being very modest cause he ended up closer to 210 than 200.

What makes a big buck? I don’t know I’m still looking for one!   
In all seriousness many have already made good points about what to look for but one thing I might add without repeating much of what has already been said. An official scorer told me one thing that makes a huge difference in determining deep forks is where the fork starts. Of coarse this wouldn’t matter unless your looking for a high scoring buck but in other words I now look for the fork to start closer to the main beam. You can be fooled by a large frame that appears deep and then loose 10-15 inch cause the forks are half way up from the main beam. It’s actually really quick to see once your looking for it!

[boneaddict]

IT might be a shooter if when it turns its head, the tree moves as well...in my best jeff Foxworthy voice.

I'm trying to find one of those 200 inch 4 points.   They are just safer to pack out than one of those with points going in every direction, a guy could lose an eye packing one of those beasts out, especially in two feet of snow.   

[boneaddict]

An example of what MRay is talking about…..

[M_ray]

Yes! Thanks Bone, of coarse this is if you looking for score on a typical frame. IMO a heavy buck with character can still have a big frame with inlines and extra points can make up for typical deep forks in score. My avitar buck does not have deep forks to the mains I refer to for instance but it does have a large frame and extras that make up for it and scores high. I also think sometimes a large frame can seem like there isn’t as much mass but it had 35” of mass scores.

[jjhunter]

I think when a deer gets a 180” frame is when they look/are big.

What does that buck score in your avatar.
If you don't mind me asking.
I've never had a buck scored,or scored a buck,
Just pictures and sports shows and stores where it shows the score.

I also want to say it's bigger than it looks,cause your sitting next to it.
And not two arm length behind it.

I taped him at 185/186”.   He’s a little weak in the back end, but pretty good everywhere else and 4.5” brows help for sure.  27” wide.

[hunter399]

I think when a deer gets a 180” frame is when they look/are big.

What does that buck score in your avatar.
If you don't mind me asking.
I've never had a buck scored,or scored a buck,
Just pictures and sports shows and stores where it shows the score.

I also want to say it's bigger than it looks,cause your sitting next to it.
And not two arm length behind it.

I taped him at 185/186”.   He’s a little weak in the back end, but pretty good everywhere else and 4.5” brows help for sure.  27” wide.

He is a giant.
Sweet looking deer.
Stud deer.

[huntnphool]

I think when a deer gets a 180” frame is when they look/are big.

What does that buck score in your avatar.
If you don't mind me asking.
I've never had a buck scored,or scored a buck,
Just pictures and sports shows and stores where it shows the score.

I also want to say it's bigger than it looks,cause your sitting next to it.
And not two arm length behind it.

I taped him at 185/186”.   He’s a little weak in the back end, but pretty good everywhere else and 4.5” brows help for sure.  27” wide.

 “Big Buck” and stud for sure!

[huntnphool]

That buck has a 3” and 5” point and doesn’t meet some of your “big buck” criteria because it only scores 169”!

 Only 169”, but the 40”+ of mass and frame make it a giant…even with a 3” and 5” point! Had it matched the other sides, it would have been well over the 180 mark…but according to some on here, not a “big buck”

 I have several bucks over 180 in this state, topped the 200” mark last season, and have never looked at “score” while sizing up a buck. Again for me, it’s all about mass!
 
 Find a buck with mass and you have found a “mature” buck…which is all my family looks for. 

The amount of people that say they saw a 200” buck when in reality it was probably a 170-180 always blows my mind. Biggest buck I’ve seen in WA was probably 180-190. I’ve only seen real absolute giants in either MT or ID while hunting but they were on private land we didn’t have access too.

 Agreed!

[jjhunter]

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.

Or mass on the back forks? 

[boneaddict]

That’s awesome

[kentrek]

Some tines are just built for war