Counting Points on Mule deer

[muleyslayer#1]

I agree with windygorge 100%. Im a 15 year old and if I saw a 2 point and his eye guard was an inch or longer you bet Im taking him. If it's your last day most people would take a massive 2 point with an eye gaurs inch or longer if the buck is 30' wide and he is a 2 point with an inch eyegaurd to me that is a trophy a deer is a deer I'm all about the meet I don't care if it's a young buck but if he's legal then I'll take definitely that's all I'm saying.

[Maverick]

alright you said your 15 right? There's nothing wrong with anybody killin a 2 point with a 1 inch eyeguard. I just prefer to say a 2x2 with an eyeguard. I wouldn't shoot one. But it's your tag not mine. And I would never dis on you for it. I would congradulate you. How many bucks have you killed? With horns on them not antlerless bucks that you thought were a doe. I believe that when you get older and after you get a some bucks under your belt you'll start wanting to pass bucks up and look for something bigger. How can you shoot a 30 inch buck if you shoot that small 2x2 with one eyeguard first thing opening morning? Just something to think about. Most of the guys on here that kill the monster bucks probly passed a smaller one up first.. Just my 

[400out]

I'm not going to read all the post but I will say that we count the big points (not eye guards) because were men not tornado chasing,whiskey running hilbilies! were men and thats it!  OH YEAH eye guards on elk are different Dumb A$$!

[rtspring]

yep we count every point. And eye guards are measured points right?

nuff said..

[PolarBear]

 Not really.

[JPhelps]

I am most interested in "Main Frame" and that is how we typically count.  We typically don't count eye guards as points but we may mention "4 point w/1.5" eyeguards" for example.

We also use other information so you get a good idea what the buck truly is.  For instance my partners buck from last year would be described as a 4 point with 2" eyeguards with an extra sticker on one of the bases, pretty decent back and front forks, 24" wide, decent mass, symmetrical.  I would not call this buck a 6x5 and leave it at that, it would be misleading and you don't know what the buck truly was.

[grundy53]

 

[Prime Time]

  x2

[Curly]

I'm always amazed at how long these threads can go.  This question was answered on page 1 in post #7 very well and others afterward have backed that description up and yet there are still people arguing over the way points get counted.    Happens every year around this time of year.

[sakoshooter]

No, a 3 point with eyeguards is not the same as a 4 point. The typical mule deer or blacktail deer will have 4 main points per side. So when someone says they got a 4 point, most of us assume they are talking about a true 4 points on each side, it may or may not have eyeguards. We don't know that unless they specifically say it was a 4 point with eyeguards. And again, a 4 point with eyeguards is NOT a five point. I don't care if an eyeguard counts as a point in meeting the legal definition of a 3 point in this state. It's still just a 2 point with eyeguards.

By the way, I sure wish they would change the law so that eyeguards don't count in meeting the 3 point minimum for mule deer in this state. It defeats the purpose of the restriction. They're just allowing certain 2 point bucks that have the misfortune of growing eyeguards to be taken when they shouldn't be. If they're wanting to protect that age class of buck, then the minimum should be a true 3 point.

Agreed.

[KopperBuck]

I'm always amazed at how long these threads can go.  This question was answered on page 1 in post #7 very well and others afterward have backed that description up and yet there are still people arguing over the way points get counted.    Happens every year around this time of year.

Yup, and funny stuff. Chalk it up to SDD.

[d-rock]

I'd say that because there are discrepancies in the way different people count their points you have to differentiate and be as thourough as possible.

Regardless of why or how,

That makes it pretty easy I think.

[Pathfinder101]

Okay, at this point, I accept the fact that we are just arguing for the sake of arguing (happens on this site a lot in the springtime when we aren't out hunting.. ).
But this is to illustrate my point:

This is a picture of PathfinderJR's first buck.  Here in the west, we call this a 2X3.  It is a young, immature mule deer, and the description 2X3 describes that accurately.

BUT, look closely.  It actually has TWO inch-long eyeguards on it's left antler.

My son was 9 when he shot this buck.  YES, they are legal points.  YES, if it came to a question of legality, they are "countable".  But did my 9 year old walk around telling people that he shot a "5 point mule deer"? 

No.  Because it's not.   

[Woodchuck]

 7 pointer 

[Pathfinder101]

7 pointer 

Yeah....Oh, and since his G3 on his right was actually busted off when he shot him, should we call him a 3X5?  An 8 point....?