Post by: REHJWA on December 08, 2017, 01:16:32 PM
2016 Idaho buck.
Post by: Special T on December 08, 2017, 01:17:57 PM
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
Post by: cbond3318 on December 08, 2017, 01:19:47 PM
Post by: tonymiller7 on December 08, 2017, 01:21:01 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on December 08, 2017, 01:29:49 PM
Post by: CaNINE on December 08, 2017, 02:18:06 PM
Post by: jjhunter on December 08, 2017, 02:21:17 PM
It's always interesting for me to look back and compare time vs. success. Pretty telling over time.
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on December 08, 2017, 02:23:10 PM
Post by: jackelope on December 08, 2017, 02:29:42 PM
If you ever need any advice on killing big bucks, feel free to ask. You know how to get hold of me.
:tup:
Post by: jjhunter on December 08, 2017, 03:14:33 PM
JJ-
If you ever need any advice on killing big bucks, feel free to ask. You know how to get hold of me.
:tup:
Haha. If you figure it out, let me know. I spend way too much time agonizing over where to spend my limited time/resources every year!
Post by: huntnphool on December 08, 2017, 03:19:06 PM
Post by: X-Force on December 08, 2017, 03:21:47 PM
I've tagged 180"+ bucks in all three, each has its positives and negatives.
I want to hunt with you... But I really just want the positives. :tup:
Post by: huntnphool on December 08, 2017, 03:39:14 PM
I've tagged 180"+ bucks in all three, each has its positives and negatives.
I want to hunt with you... But I really just want the positives. :tup:
Positives.......Montana has more deer! If you are looking for a high scoring buck, and understand that to find a "true" 180" buck, on average you will need to look over more than 500, then it makes sense to go where you actually can look over that many. Of course there are exceptions to every rule, and you can't account for luck, but that's a good rule of thumb. Some would say it's closer to 1000.....ymmv. :twocents:
Idaho is remote enough that you won't run into the pumpkin patches you see here, and has a good population. But the beauty of Idaho for me is they have units that are draw only. For those of us looking for mature bucks, are not concerned with filling the freezer and just enjoy being out there with the real possibility of connecting with a masher, Idaho has options Washington doesn't. Montana has a couple of these units as well, they regularly produce trophy quality bucks.
The reason I like Washington is "mass". Compared to Washington, Montana bucks are spindly for the most part. Again there are exceptions to the rule, but on average the bucks I'm targeting have quite a bit more mass.
The obvious positive to Washington is resident fees and close proximity to home. Where I hunt in Montana is 16 hours away, and requires two of your hunting days just to get there and back. :twocents:
Maybe we can get JJ to chime in on a few of the other states he's hunted recently, Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada...etc.
Post by: time2hunt on December 08, 2017, 04:12:25 PM
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Post by: Miles on December 08, 2017, 04:14:45 PM
Not sure I’ll ever make the trip back to hunt Washington again. Maybe if I have an odd year and fail to draw a tag elsewhere.
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on December 08, 2017, 04:18:01 PM
Post by: C-Money on December 08, 2017, 04:23:47 PM
Post by: Bluemoon on December 08, 2017, 04:39:16 PM
Post by: boneaddict on December 08, 2017, 04:41:28 PM
Post by: elkrack on December 08, 2017, 05:03:02 PM
Post by: bigmacc on December 08, 2017, 09:50:39 PM
Post by: M_ray on December 08, 2017, 10:03:15 PM
I chose other cause I have shot my largest scoring buck in Montana and some great bucks in WA and love hunting Idaho for the lack of orange dots but have settled for mostly tag soup in doing so.
Post by: jjhunter on December 09, 2017, 07:58:56 AM
I will only hunt Idaho on a limited entry permit from now on. I have purchased a tag in Idaho every year since 1999 (senior in High School), many years, I purchased two in order to hunt different areas/times. I have also drawn 5 LE deer tags. The odds of finding a buck that I want to shoot on a general tag are too slim to waste a week of vacation.
I have drawn Nevada in back to back years. Two of the best tags in the state. 16 days hunting, one dead buck. Low densities, good quality. You need a lot of days to kill a really big deer (190” plus). I wasn’t able to get that done...
I’ve hunted western Wyoming twice, both times Region H. Beautiful country and lots of bucks. I have 7 deer points and am kinda waiting to see what happens with deer tag quotas in G and H. If they continue to limit tags, could make for a very enjoyable hunt in the near future.
Colorado can be an ass kicker on the 3rd season hunts. They can also be amazing with weather. I got tired of rolling the dice and will hunt early from now on. Lots of effort, but the potential for a giant is much more probable.
Of all the states listed, if I wanted to be 100% positive that I would kill a 160” plus 4 point mule deer, MT would be my state every time. Plus, you always have the small chance of seeing something exceptional.
Post by: pianoman9701 on December 09, 2017, 08:41:19 AM
Post by: cem3434 on December 09, 2017, 08:43:53 AM
Post by: hunter399 on December 09, 2017, 08:50:15 AM
NOT WASHINGTON
when wdfw manages for wildlife and not for hunters in mind washington has great potential for some great trophys.
There is that saying the grass is greener on the other side , But it really is not ,so I'm not sure. :dunno:
Post by: boneaddict on December 09, 2017, 08:59:14 AM
Post by: zwickeyman on December 09, 2017, 09:18:04 AM
WA Whitetail
WA Blacktail
Only hunted Muledeer in Idaho when I was a kid
Post by: Kazekurt on December 09, 2017, 09:32:02 AM
Post by: REHJWA on December 09, 2017, 10:28:54 AM
I've only hunted WA and Montana for deer. I've shot some nice bucks in both states, but like MT better. As far as what state has produced my best deer, I'll let you guys decide as I like them both. WA buck is 33 wide and carries the mass throughout, but MT buck has better symmetry, deep back forks, and color. If we're factoring in the hunt, I'd choose the WA buck because I got him in late archery and had a ton of time invested in him.I like them both too :tup: :tup:
Post by: CAMPMEAT on December 09, 2017, 12:11:19 PM
Post by: huntnphool on December 09, 2017, 12:46:28 PM
What's a bench leg ? Never, ever heard of this term used out of 45 years of hunting.
:chuckle:
Post by: Timberstalker on December 09, 2017, 01:29:16 PM
Post by: huntnphool on December 09, 2017, 02:24:55 PM
@ Jim Burnsworth.
Lmao :chuckle:
Post by: Russ McDonald on December 09, 2017, 03:00:10 PM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on December 09, 2017, 03:21:59 PM
What's a bench leg ? Never, ever heard of this term used out of 45 years of hunting.
:chuckle:
C'mon, give it up phool....
Post by: haugenna on December 09, 2017, 04:57:51 PM
@ Jim Burnsworth.
Lmao :chuckle:
:peep:
Post by: WAcoueshunter on December 09, 2017, 06:22:30 PM
I've only hunted WA and Montana for deer. I've shot some nice bucks in both states, but like MT better. As far as what state has produced my best deer, I'll let you guys decide as I like them both. WA buck is 33 wide and carries the mass throughout, but MT buck has better symmetry, deep back forks, and color. If we're factoring in the hunt, I'd choose the WA buck because I got him in late archery and had a ton of time invested in him.I like them both too :tup: :tup:
Both great, but I love the WA buck. You just don't see many bucks that look like that. The archery part is a whole lot of icing on the cake. :tup:
Post by: robescc on December 09, 2017, 07:15:59 PM
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on December 09, 2017, 09:32:34 PM
I've tagged 180"+ bucks in all three, each has its positives and negatives.
Would you care to share pics of said bucks? I love looking at 180” bucks. Thanks
Post by: ac_156 on December 09, 2017, 11:38:48 PM
Post by: Miles on December 10, 2017, 07:49:24 AM
The only states that I have 100% penciled in for 2018 are Colorado and Montana.
Didn’t you fill a tag in CO this year? That severely limits the mule deer hunts going in with with zero points. Are you relying on a chance at a tag from the leftover list?
Post by: White Pass Outfitters on December 10, 2017, 07:53:01 AM
Post by: jjhunter on December 10, 2017, 07:58:27 AM
The only states that I have 100% penciled in for 2018 are Colorado and Montana.
Didn’t you fill a tag in CO this year? That severely limits the mule deer hunts going in with with zero points. Are you relying on a chance at a tag from the leftover list?
Zero point hunt.
Post by: CAMPMEAT on December 10, 2017, 08:03:57 AM
Post by: meatwhack on December 10, 2017, 12:31:38 PM
The only states that I have 100% penciled in for 2018 are Colorado and Montana.
Didn’t you fill a tag in CO this year? That severely limits the mule deer hunts going in with with zero points. Are you relying on a chance at a tag from the leftover list?
Zero point hunt.
I thought you had to build up 20+ points to kill big bucks.
Post by: Buckhunter28 on December 10, 2017, 08:35:32 PM
Post by: Mr Mykiss on December 10, 2017, 09:13:01 PM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on December 10, 2017, 09:23:01 PM
What's a bench leg ? Never, ever heard of this term used out of 45 years of hunting.
:chuckle:
C'mon, give it up phool....
West of Cascades summit some of the blacktails crossbreed with the Muleys and you get Giant Blacktails. These are referred to as "Benchlegs" an old equine term loosely suggesting "long or unusual legs".
Post by: REHJWA on December 11, 2017, 08:17:37 AM
MN I got this buck when I was 12 37 years ago. A awesome story goes with it. My family has got some beasts over the years. I know there are some good deer here in WA and looking forward to putting a beast on the ground.:tup: :tup:
Post by: idahohuntr on December 11, 2017, 08:51:44 AM
Post by: Lapua07 on June 20, 2018, 08:44:42 PM
Post by: jackelope on June 20, 2018, 09:01:26 PM
Post by: Lapua07 on June 20, 2018, 09:04:37 PM
140” 2 Point? Got any pics?Don't have any on my my new phone I'll have to get some when I get home. Old buck on the decel. He was pretty busted up in the one hind leg. Teeth worn past the gum line. Figured he'd be in that 9-10+ age group.
Post by: jackelope on June 20, 2018, 09:13:32 PM
Post by: Brushbuster on June 20, 2018, 09:28:54 PM
Post by: Roperfive88 on June 20, 2018, 09:50:54 PM
Whitetail is also from Washington.
Post by: JWEBB on June 20, 2018, 10:28:43 PM
I have to vote for Idaho. Never scored but think he's good one. :chuckle: Killed in 1988 public land gen season. Elk was taken by my buddy's dad. Who is still chasing elk in his mid 80s.
Wow! Nice buck! I’d be surprised if he didn’t go over the 200 mark.
Post by: Goshawk on June 20, 2018, 10:32:13 PM
We saw more good bucks in a shorter amount of time than we could have ever dreamed of compared to Washington.
Post by: JWEBB on June 20, 2018, 10:32:51 PM
140” 2 Point? Got any pics?
:yeah: I’ve killed some huge 2 points but a 140 is a massive one. Would love to see pics. There was a 2 point at the Pacific Northwest sportsman’s show this year that netted 132. Some young kid killed it. Absolute beast
Post by: huntnphool on June 20, 2018, 11:06:07 PM
140” 2 Point? Got any pics?
:yeah: I’ve killed some huge 2 points but a 140 is a massive one. Would love to see pics. There was a 2 point at the Pacific Northwest sportsman’s show this year that netted 132. Some young kid killed it. Absolute beast
+1