How to Pass.

[NWBREW]

These are the kind of replies that I was hoping to get because it starts to narrow down what to think about if I am ever going to really take it more seriously. It brings up questions to people that may have another opinion then what I may have.......and would appreciate it.

OK ironbuck (AKA PECK), you have been up there many times, know the area, have seen the bucks up there....dead or alive  . Do you think there ARE 160" bucks around that general area? Serious question.  Oh.....and you have sat in my stands. That big whitetail you killed a few years back is the ugliest thing I have ever seen. (not out of my stand) 

Whacker1,   I am not sure if I could the inches very well between a 142 and a 147 in the field. I would have to believe he is bigger then previously taken deer......I think I can do that. What is a good way to take a quick look in the field and judge a 150 or 160?  I have a shed that scores 71+" so I think that will get it close.....4pts. (big) with eyeguards (big).  Advise?

huntnnw,  I believe they are in the areas....have seen a couple of BIG deer that I know were over 160 after last light. You bring up a good point that I did not give a whole lot of thought to. Age class vs antler size. I know there are bucks up there that never get shot and I think I may have put the two togehter when I should not. Those two bucks I posted are  what I believe to be a 5 1/2 year old for the top and 3 1/2 year old on the bottom. Body size was no compairison, the 5 1/2 yr old was huge compared to the other but the antlers not so far apart for 2 years. Can age make up for whats on top or do you need that special 160 gene?

[huntnnw]

I beleive it takes both age and genes,but u can get the truly giant bucks at 3 1/2 that have 150 or more inches..these are the bucks that have the potential to be hawgs at 5 1/2.  The european buck pic u have is an example of a buck that will never become a giant..he will most likely die a 4x4 or maybe pick up a cheater with age. Like the mule deer 2x2 whiteys have the 4x4 gene..they never get any more points.. a 2 1/2 yr old buck should be showing signs of atleast 5 on one side or some unique points at 3 1/2 and its a clean 4x4..he will most likely be that way forever.

I know the area u hunt very well..I have spent thousands of hours hunting that country since I was 10..bears and elk.

[WAcoyotehunter]

Letting a nice immature buck walk is a pleasure for me.  I would rather shoot a smart old buck with less antler than a 3.5 yr old with huge headgear.  That said- my biggest buck is a 3.5 yr old that scores 188+!  (iowa)

[ironbuck]

  yea brew we have seen some nice bucks maybe 160 class. There are two things that hurt us the most,we are wetsiders don't get enough time in country, and locale off season pressure this one kills me but i think its true. This weekend place your cams in some new areas. Brew enjoy what ya got up there the 160 is just an evening sit away and you know what my oldman would say.

[whacker1]

Whacker1,   I am not sure if I could the inches very well between a 142 and a 147 in the field. I would have to believe he is bigger then previously taken deer......I think I can do that. What is a good way to take a quick look in the field and judge a 150 or 160?  I have a shed that scores 71+" so I think that will get it close.....4pts. (big) with eyeguards (big).   Advise?

several people have told me what to look for, and the common answer for those that shoot 150+ whitetails are the following:
the simplist methods to hit 150+ is to look for 10 - 12 inch G2's, & 10-12 inch g3's, and 8+ inch G1's. 
Main beams should be in the 22+ range. 
and you should be looking for 5 & 6 points and trying to pass on the 4 points.  It takes a lot more for a big 4 to get to 150+.  It is amazing what an extra 4 inches for the 5th point and 3 inches on each side does for the 6th point.  It's just math, but your big 4point at 142 becomes 156 as a 6 point.  That is merely for illustration purposes.

G1 7 & 7
G2 11 & 11
G3 9 & 9
G4 6 & 6
G5 4 & 4
G6 3 & 3

subtotal 72
spread 15
main beams 21 & 21

h1  5 & 5
h2  5 & 5
h3  4.5 & 4.5
h4  3.5 & 3.5

Total 165

Summary look for a 5 or 6 to get the next benchmark.

[Pathfinder101]

I think it comes down to one question:  Are you willing to eat Tag Soup?

I'll be honest, I am not.  I strive for the biggest buck I can find, but I am not willing to pass up a decent buck and go with an empty freezer.  I like venison, and that's what my family eats, so I do count on killing a deer every year (at least one between PathfinderJR and myself). 

So, if you are willing to eat tag soup, and you are hunting someplace where you can get out in the summer and hang some trail cams, see what shows up on them, set a goal, and stick with it.  It is my belief that to consistantly harvest 160 class whitetails, you have to be willing to eat the tag.

[Machias]

One thing that can help is to hunt another state.  That way you can put meat in the freezer and then you have much less personal pressure and can hold out for the big boys.  You won't mind eating tag soup near as much if you have meat in the freezer.   

[NWBREW]

One thing that can help is to hunt another state.  That way you can put meat in the freezer and then you have much less personal pressure and can hold out for the big boys.  You won't mind eating tag soup near as much if you have meat in the freezer.   

That is a valid point. I have to shoot another elk this year.  It may be easier to let them walk.

[boneaddict]

Its as simple as don't shoot.   There are more 140s out there than 160s.  Wait  until you find the 160. 

[Alchase]

Physically impossible!!!
I would have to take my boots off to count that high 

[millertime89]

haha well first of all i'm surprised you put me in that list of names  I have yet to shoot a 160 buck, although I've been a few locations where I knew they were around and/or one of my buddies shot a 160+ deer out of that same location within days of me being there. Being able to hunt either private or previously scouted out land quite a bit is definitely a good motivator to pass on some younger bucks. When you have the trail cam pics to prove there are some whoppers, its easier to let the smaller ones walk since you know the potential for a really big one is there. Although thats left me shooting a mature doe, or eating tag soup once or twice 
But what I considered a "shooter" has a lot to do with where I happen to be hunting and the circumstances as well. Beginning of the trip or end? Great video footage leading up to a shot opportunity? Private or Public land? etc.....

[mazama]

Its easy,after having shot a small buck and then seeing a big one jump up i said never again,also i hunt areas i dont want to shoot one in so it has to be a trophy before i will drag it out,in bad terrain i am happy to get out with no broken bones.

[sakoshooter]

Deer hunting is my big game passion. Specically mule deer. Even more specifically, spot and stalk.
After killing my share over the years in my home state and in other states, I'd venture to say it's a hunting maturatiy thing. I've got a lot of respect for all the animals out there but when it comes to actually pulling the trigger, it has to meet my mental standards - that is; It has to get me real excited looking at it threw the scope. If this excitement quickly passes while I'm looking at a buck, it's not the one.
A little hunting game I play w/myself is to make the stalk, remove the shell from the chamber and make the shot - with an empty chamber of course. I've punched my imaginary tag many times in this fashon. After a good spot/stalk on an average 3 or 4 pt, i quitely remove the shell,making darn sure the bolt doesn't pick up another from the magazine, get a solid rest and "click"! I do take some satisfaction in this fake kill but also in the fact that I allowed another buck to mature even more. My partner of many years also passes up many semi mature bucks each year. When you're looking for a good buck, stick to your game plan even if it means not tagging out. I take serious satisfaction in the hunt. The kill is simply the culmination to the hunt. Enjoy your self in the woods. That's the main thing.

[alwinearcher]

I didn't read everyone elses posts yet, but I will get around to it..

For me, I need to know what deer are in the area before I even think of passing on a 140 type buck.
If I have pictures of a 160-170" buck then passing up on a 140" is easy.
If a 140" is the biggest Im getting on camera and it comes in im gonna shoot him.
That being said I shot a 146" buck last season even though I had multiple 160+ type bucks on camera.
Season was winding down, I hadn't seen a good buck in 7 days and the buck was to good for me to pass up.

I will say this though, if I only had a week to hunt and didnt have pictures of a 160+ type buck on camera, I dont think I could pass on a 140"...
I havent come that far yet!