Hunting East MT, how big should I hold out for?

[cascademountainhunter]

i just got back from there with a 22" 4x4. i prolly woulnt shoot any smaller than that. saw a nice prolly 25-26" but i was tagless and it was to far to count points.

[Pathfinder101]

Got ay pics?

[WAcoueshunter]

Don't pass up in the first 30 minutes what you'd shoot in the last 30 minutes.

I think most hunters subscribe to that, but I have a different philosophy.  I'd happily pass on mediocre bucks early and shoot a small one late if it means I get to keep hunting for a few more days.  Days in the field are precious.  If it's not big or interesting for some other reason, it doesn't make a difference to me if it's average or below average.  My three priorities are (1) big bucks, (2) meat in the freezer, and (3) days in the field.  If you can't satisfy priority 1, average or small still satisfies number 2, so might as well max number 3, since it's more fun and increases your odds of meeting priority 1.  Of course, this all assumes I have the time and there are plenty of bucks around.  Otherwise, I'm not messing around.

[cascademountainhunter]

heres a pic of mine hopefully the pic works

[Pathfinder101]

heres a pic of mine hopefully the pic works

THat's a beautiful buck.  Looks bigger than 22".  If I shot that deer I would consider my hunt successful.  Bigest muley I have shot here in WA was 18" wide but tall.  I have shot 3 bucks like that here, tall but no width.  Hoping for a older age-class deer too.  All my bucks have been young.  I hope I have the self-control to hold back the itchy trigger finger...

[Kent Hunter]

The "Trash" buck and the heavy three would have the Lazzeroni spittin pills at em.

[huntnphool]

Don't pass up in the first 30 minutes what you'd shoot in the last 30 minutes.

 If you really want a trophy mule deer you need to pass the average last day shooter. Last year for instance, M-Ray passed on several bucks early that ended up being larger than the one he brought home. A few days into the hunt he had an opportunity at a 190" class buck but it just didn't work out. Had he shot one of the early deer he would have come home with a larger buck but would not have had the shot at the trophy.

 I guess each of us have to ask ourselves where we draw the line, I hold out to the last day unless its a no brainer.

[M_ray]

Don't pass up in the first 30 minutes what you'd shoot in the last 30 minutes.

 If you really want a trophy mule deer you need to pass the average last day shooter. Last year for instance, M-Ray passed on several bucks early that ended up being larger than the one he brought home. A few days into the hunt he had an opportunity at a 190" class buck but it just didn't work out. Had he shot one of the early deer he would have come home with a larger buck but would not have had the shot at the trophy.

 I guess each of us have to ask ourselves where we draw the line, I hold out to the last day unless its a no brainer.

I'll be doin gthe same thing as we leave tomorrow, I'll be holding out for that 190 again and if it gets late in the week without that oportunity I'll be llooking for the best thing I can find! It's the only way you are going to put a 180+ buck on the wall ... Now earlier hunting days I would shoot the first buck I saw but I have killed enough of them now to try and upgrade on every trip if possiable. I know many have see it before but here is last years settle for buck, I shot him the last afternoon before leavign with about 2 hours of light left!

[Pathfinder101]

Thanks for all the advice guys.  I'll post a pic of the deer we wound up with so everyone that chimed in can see the results.  I wound up tagging out earlier than I had planned because I misjudged the deer and thought he was bigger than he actually was (a common mistake, I know..).  Combination of the angle when we first spotted him, the distance, and the fact that he was running with 2 other 4 points that were much smaller made him look (to both of us) like he was a lot bigger than he actually was.  Tom did a better job of holding out till the last day, but harvested a buck about the same size.
We only saw one big deer the whole week.  We guessed him at about 27" wide and very, very tall.  Spotted him 30 minutes before dark and ran out of light stalking him.  Never got closer than 700 yds.  Went back and hunted the area several more times and never saw him again.