Counting Points on Mule deer

[windygorge]

Single or double, 99% they're the same age though! That's really what we're describing when we give a point count.

I agree. Which is why we don't count the eyeguards. To me saying I killed a 2 point tells everyone its a raghorn. Whereas if I say I killed a 4 point some people might assume I just killed a 2 point with eyeguards but a lot would assume I killed a 4 point with double eyeguards. Either way I don't really care to each their own. I will keep not counting eyeguards but it doesn't bother me when people do.

grundy, you start counting elk that way, then you opened up a BIG can of worms with me.  you don't count them that way, it not to each his own.  the so called eye guards on an elk ARE a point and will always be a point.  get out of that freaken mentality.  its stupid.  they are there they will always have them, if they don't they have broken them off.  period.

Like I said to each their own. I know people that feel as passionate as you feel about this issue only they have exactly the opposite view. You have your OPINION and they have theirs. To be honest they could care less what size of can the worms are in... I really don't see why this is such a big deal. Every region of this country count their points different. Is one way better then another? Yes but it depends on which region your in to which method is better.

i hope you don't think i was calling you stupid.  i respect what you are saying.  yes....i am passionate about this subject.   i guess its just the way it is.  but if you come across some guy in the woods who's veins are popping out of his neck and is foaming at the mouth, because you just called his 6x6 bull a 5x5, then you will know its me.   

[gasman]

A point, is a point, is a point.........Period...........

This subject comes up every year 

[PolarBear]

Nope, ain't gonna count them!  I don't count eyeguards on whities, mulies or anything else other than elk.   I also don't count points that are under 1 1/2 inches.  I have a whitetail that has 14 scorable points, I call it a 5 point.  I hate it when people count every stinking bump over 1/4" as a point.  Talk about over compensation.  These are usually the SCI guys.  I also don't add extra points for missing or broken points like some folks on here.  It is funny how a 183" deer can all of a sudden become a 200 class buck. 

[carpsniperg2]

I love reading these threads Some crazy people that think there ideas are right over what the law states. If it is a 1" or more it is a point. End of the story! If it's a 2 point with eye guards. It is legally a 3 point buck! Not a 2 point buck, a 2 point buck is not legal here. People can have diffrent thoughts, but what it comes down to is the law. Not personal idea's

[jdb]

I love reading these threads Some crazy people that think there ideas are right over what the law states. If it is a 1" or more it is a point. End of the story! If it's a 2 point with eye guards. It is legally a 3 point buck! Not a 2 point buck, a 2 point buck is not legal here. People can have diffrent thoughts, but what it comes down to is the law. Not personal idea's

what ever helps you sleep at nite

[windygorge]

I love reading these threads Some crazy people that think there ideas are right over what the law states. If it is a 1" or more it is a point. End of the story! If it's a 2 point with eye guards. It is legally a 3 point buck! Not a 2 point buck, a 2 point buck is not legal here. People can have diffrent thoughts, but what it comes down to is the law. Not personal idea's

finally someone with knowledge and logic.  i wonder if the ones that count that way, also count their money that way.  does 5 dollars mean its only 4 dollars??

[carpsniperg2]

I love reading these threads Some crazy people that think there ideas are right over what the law states. If it is a 1" or more it is a point. End of the story! If it's a 2 point with eye guards. It is legally a 3 point buck! Not a 2 point buck, a 2 point buck is not legal here. People can have diffrent thoughts, but what it comes down to is the law. Not personal idea's

what ever helps you sleep at nite

It does help me sleep, because I know the game laws when I am hunting or guiding. And I follow all laws, not just the ones I pick and choose, like some people. Some people need to read the game laws and learn the legal definition of a point.

[jdb]

I love reading these threads Some crazy people that think there ideas are right over what the law states. If it is a 1" or more it is a point. End of the story! If it's a 2 point with eye guards. It is legally a 3 point buck! Not a 2 point buck, a 2 point buck is not legal here. People can have diffrent thoughts, but what it comes down to is the law. Not personal idea's

what ever helps you sleep at nite

It does help me sleep, because I know the game laws when I am hunting or guiding. And I follow all laws, not just the ones I pick and choose, like some people. Some people need to read the game laws and learn the legal definition of a point.

I agree people do need to read and  learn the regs. they are the letter of the law. But just because our game dept. Says its a point dosent mean I have to count it as one, I count it as what it is, an eye guard. I think we all agree that our game dept. collectivly are not the bightest crayons in the box. So why should I change the way I think because a they (whom I dont respect the intelligence of) tell me I have too? I follow they're laws as their put forth,I dont always agree but I follow. But I wont let someone I see as overall clueless(game dept.) tell me how to count.

[PolarBear]

Legal definition vs personal definition?  If you a looking at it from a legal standpoint as whether it qualifies as "legal" or not that is one thing but a "legal" buck, that has been determined to meet the legal point requirements is then up to interpretation the the harvester as whether he wants to consider it a 4 point or a 6,7,8....  Yes, the legal definition of a point is 1" or greater.  I personally have higher standards but in no way would call someone out for not believing in exactly what I feel to be right.  Go ahead and count every last "legal" point that you need to to make you feel that you have a bigger buck or bull, I don't feel the need to grow points that I don't see fit to count but that's just me.   

[carpsniperg2]

I am just talking from a legal stand point. What ever the person who shoots a "legal deer" wants to count is up to them, it's there deer. The same reason I like sci over B&C, sci gives credit to the animal for what it has grown. The point is we all have to follow the law. In my book counting a legal point does not make a deer bigger, it gives the animal credit for what it has grown. I am really one of those guys that doesn't care much about what other people think of my ideas. I have them for a reason. But in the end, I can say that the way the law reads. It will ALWAYS be on my side

[Maverick]

 :bash:I'll be honest I only read the first page. I'm in a hurry but had to get in on this discussion. I've always called buck by it's main points. And I completely agree with bobcat. It's how I was raised. It's definitely more descriptive to say that I shot a 4x4 with eyeguards then saying I shot a 5x5. It's not taking any credit away for the eyeguards to count as a point. I wouldn't ever shoot a forked horn with eyeguards. Let them grow a little. And I also believe it's a respect thing for us boys up here. We count the points on the buck that we believe matter. I count point on muleys and whiteys the same. You can do any way you like but I'll never change my methods.

[carpsniperg2]

I wouldn't ever shoot a forked horn with eyeguards. Let them grow a little.

The problems is here a lot of the 2 points are very very old bucks like 5+ years old. That haven't had much genetics. I love to have my family or friends shoot them. It takes those bad lines out of the deer herd. A lot of guys say I would not shoot a forked horn. But when a buck that is 30"x30" steps out and he has eye guards it a little diffrent story.

[grundy53]

Legal definition vs personal definition?  If you a looking at it from a legal standpoint as whether it qualifies as "legal" or not that is one thing but a "legal" buck, that has been determined to meet the legal point requirements is then up to interpretation the the harvester as whether he wants to consider it a 4 point or a 6,7,8....  Yes, the legal definition of a point is 1" or greater.  I personally have higher standards but in no way would call someone out for not believing in exactly what I feel to be right.  Go ahead and count every last "legal" point that you need to to make you feel that you have a bigger buck or bull, I don't feel the need to grow points that I don't see fit to count but that's just me.   

[PolarBear]

I won't shoot a spike or a forkie either.  I will leave them for the folks who will, I see no reason to take an animal that I don't want just because I can.  The same goes on the last day of season.  I'll eat a tag over shooting what I feel is a substandard buck or bull, to me it is a waste and I would rather let him grow.

[windygorge]

I won't shoot a spike or a forkie either.  I will leave them for the folks who will, I see no reason to take an animal that I don't want just because I can.  The same goes on the last day of season.  I'll eat a tag over shooting what I feel is a substandard buck or bull, to me it is a waste and I would rather let him grow.

sorry to hear your just a trophy hunter.  last day of the hunt and you wont take an animal.....whatever dude