The 8 Year Wait...

[Jwill]

I know. I may regret it and if I see him again I’m going to shoot him. I’ve been looking forward to this hunt since I drew the tag. Wasn’t ready to be done.

Been trying to beat my dad’s buck from the mid 80’s. It hangs in my entry way as a coat rack. Chasing the man he was and the animals he shot.

How about a side by side pic of the two?

 

[rmyoung1]

Awesome deer. Congratulations

 

[Drake4]

Awesome buck...well done!

 

[Drake4]

T'ain't no dink forky... And here HT keeps saying there aren't any good mule deer bucks anymore.

Assuming this is the tag I think it is....I think it just goes to further show the huge decline in MT mule deer quality. This is a great buck no doubt, but to only see one of this caliber on a LE tag that for most folks is less than 5% draw odds, is really eye opening.

 

[FREAK]

Assuming this is the tag I think it is....I think it just goes to further show the huge decline in MT mule deer quality. This is a great buck no doubt, but to only see one of this caliber on a LE tag that for most folks is less than 5% draw odds, is really eye opening.

You’re spot on and I’ll have more on that as well when I get some time.

I saw 5 bucks killed by tagholders sat-mon. Many of them were 3-4 days into their hunt. After looking over a lot of bucks they were happy with these caliber bucks. Not crapping on their deer by any means, it just kind of shocked me.



Beauty is in the eye of the tagholder. I had a lot higher hopes going into the hunt. Big ones get shot but a lot of them are coming of one area of private or by folks that higher the local guides that are out all day spread out across the unit.

I ran into one of the guides that also had a tag the morning I shot the buck buck. He had a tip on him and was going to try and find him that evening. He tried killing him in archery but skimmed his back. That was miles away up in the top of the area. He asked me if he had a wound on his back and there was.



No complaining here. Thankful for the opportunity but I agree. When people told me it’s not what it used to be I should have taken them a bit more serious.

 

[elkrchr]

You did that tag proud! Congrats on a great buck!

 

[perma]

First one I ever had was this afternoon. It really wasn't bad. mtmuley

It ain’t for everyone…….

 

[cgasner1]

I drew 652 once before they added all the tags by the end of it I would have killed to have traded that tag for a general. Congratulations on the buck glad you found him before the guide turned him back up

 

[MTTW]

They used to pull a tooth at the check station, did they pull one? If not, will you send one in? Curious on his age.

 

[mtmuley]

The popularity of that unit is a big reason for the decline in quality. I'm glad Taylor killed that buck instead of an outfitter or guide. Well deserved. mtmuley

 

[Sask hunter]

Congrats!

 

[duckhunt]

Great buck

 

[FREAK]

They used to pull a tooth at the check station, did they pull one? If not, will you send one in? Curious on his age.

Yeah, the check station was closed when I drove through this morning but I have an envelope with instructions. I’ll pull it and send it in soon.

 

[mtmuley]

Yeah, the check station was closed when I drove through this morning but I have an envelope with instructions. I’ll pull it and send it in soon.

That check station is gathering valuable data. Insert sarcasm. mtmuley

 

[Addicting]

What a great buck, it would be the buck of my dreams if I had gotten it. Congratulations

 

[FREAK]

They used to pull a tooth at the check station, did they pull one? If not, will you send one in? Curious on his age.

Decent ware on the lower jay when compared with some of the bucks I’ve shot.

 

[Carnage2011]

Well done @FREAK. My wife had the tag last year and we hunted a ton. We got into a bunch of "decent" bucks but on a couple big ones. You did the tag justice for what it is right now for sure. Congrats!

 

[FREAK]

How about a side by side pic of the two?

Got the skull plate back today. Bio has the lower front teeth. She thought he was 7.5+ based on the lower jaw wear but we’ll see what the lab results are. His bases that meet the antler are thick and short so I can see it.

That’s a 185” 3 point. Just under a 31” inside spread and 26-27” main beams for perspective. Going to take a lot of luck and some more good tags to top it.

 

[Nick87]

View attachment 352938
Got the skull plate back today. Bio has the lower front teeth. She thought he was 7.5+ based on the lower jaw wear but we’ll see what the lab results are. His bases that meet the antler are thick and short so I can see it.

That’s a 185” 3 point. Just under a 31” inside spread and 26-27” main beams for perspective. Going to take a lot of luck and some more good tags to top it.

Man that buck of yours would be a buck of a lifetime for most including myself. That 3 point though....wow.

 

[Rie Bread]

What state you take the mega 3 point? General tag?