MONSTER BLACKTAIL

[boneaddict]

I haven't seen one negative comment about this buck, just a discussion. So quit trying to start something by talking about a pissing match.   No one is raining on this hutners parade.  Its a great trophy.     Its fun to discuss as we obviously don't know the answer and that has th epossibilty of being world class.  Thanks for sharing the photo.  What a deer!

[bobcat]

Great buck.  Correct me if I'm wrong but you won't see that in the record book because blacktail east of I-5 aren't eligible. Isn't that the rule?

Great buck but unfortunately it will not be scored as a blackie. Luv the color!

I-5 is not the border. I posted the border on page 1 although I don't know where it is.

The border basically runs down the crest of the Cascades. Much of the border is the Pacific Crest trail.
 
 
 

[bullcanyon]

That is a great buck no matter where it was killed. It does seem a little weird that he is holding the ears back. Almost like he knows.......

[jackelope]

My conclusions are as follows.
1-It's an awesome buck regardless of where it was killed. I'd give my left ___ for one like it.
2-Geographically it's a blacktail.
3-Biologically and/or genetically it's not a blacktail(I'm definitely no expert here).

Thank you Boneaddict. I was not trying to stir the pot although I should know by now that this thread was bound to turn into not the type of discussion I was getting at.

[Skyvalhunter]

Was that your left leg, nut, or shoe?

[boneaddict]

I think you pretty much have it nailed, even number 3.  It will probably be debunked if entered into the books as they probably will DNA test the critter.   I think I've read that they are doing that now, ESPECIALLY if they are world class..... eventhough they have geographical boundaries, some folks have thrown it in back and have taken a drive so to speak. 
I have no idea where Index is.  I thought it said Stevens.   

[DeKuma]

No doubt it is an awesome buck and I would have dropped the hammer on it in a second.  Looks more like the buck in my avatar to me, and that is a muley.

Would I shoot it and call it a Blacktail?  No,  but that is just me.  I would say it was a west side muley.  Just my opinion from hunting them both for a lot of years.

Great Buck and I congratulate the hunter.  Index is a thick, nasty area to hunt and the buck is a true trophy and hard earned in that area.

[Skyvalhunter]

The town of Index is about 20 miles West of Stevens Pass where the Crest Trail crosses.

[Goomsba]

Lets hear from the guy who shot it as Index is a long way from Stevens Pass

This buck ended up in my email box from that guys father last week.  I've sent the guy who shot a link to this tread, Well see if he chimes in or not!!

[jackelope]

Was that your left leg, nut, or shoe?

Shoe.
I'll be in your neighborhood this weekend.

[singleshot12]

Would I shoot it and call it a Blacktail?  No,  but that is just me.  I would say it was a west side muley.  Just my opinion from hunting them both for a lot of years.

   I agree with most said and with one glance that buck is definitely worlds apart from being a true blacktail...Now time to change the subject heading to (MONSTER MULE DEER)

[DuckDr.Duke]

Muley, the face is a dead give away. Especially the horns and why are the ears pinned back?

[Mike450r]

I just have to say nice 4 point with eyegaurds    

[bucklucky]

The issue I always have with these high country bucks is the loosely used term "Blacktail" . From my years of experiance a bench will have a blacktail like tail or a muley tail with a brown stripe. If that buck had a white rump and black tipped tail the hunter is lying to himself and us. Just because a buck gets popped west of the crest trail does not make it a "Bench"   I have had plenty of west side muleys come into my shop and the hunters will call them that . Regardless of that, that is a beautiful buck and I would be 100% pround.  If its a bench , call it that or a "Cascade Blacktail". 

[Hornseeker]

I would be "Pround" too Charlie... whatever that means..I'd be something, that is for sure. Big smiles!!      

Like a lot of you, I spent a lot of time on the crest, 20-30 miles west to 20-30 miles east of it. I've seen "true" blacktails 30 miles east, I've seen true mulies..oh..maybe 10-15 miles west. Sure, there are mulies further west. Geesh, just because a buck wanders a few miles over the line either way, doesn't change WHAT HE IS. That buck is not a "Blacktail"...not genetically. Nope. But, like said many times over, it dont make a CHIT of difference...I'd kill him anywhere, unless I was in the Henry Mountains in Utah or somesuch...

Nice BUCK! Congrats to the hunter!