Paunsagunt Archery

elkhunterUT · 2024-08-28T14:17:44-0600

Zim said:
Not sure how to estimate mule deer rack width. If a buck has two full ear lengths on each side when alert & facing me, 7” + head 6” + 7” + 7” + 7” = 34” ? Does that sound right?

Not sure, but did you shoot him?

elkassassin · 2024-08-28T14:21:47-0600

So Is He Dead Zim?

A Pic?

Zim said:
Not sure how to estimate mule deer rack width. If a buck has two full ear lengths on each side when alert & facing me, 7” + head 6” + 7” + 7” + 7” = 34” ? Does that sound right?

utcubby · 2024-08-28T14:22:12-0600

Tip to tip of the ears should be 24-26”

Vanilla · 2024-08-28T14:22:13-0600

You have to be careful estimating those Pauns bucks by "general" estimates on ear width.

Those bucks have some of the largest heads mule deer have ever possessed, and can make you under-estimate the width if you use the "ears are 20-24 inches wide" general guidelines.

I know from experience!

Zim · 2024-08-28T14:23:06-0600

elkhunterUT said:
Not sure, but did you shoot him?

I passed on him three times, but the first two he did not face me. The third time he did so I could finally see the full width. I still passed at 45 yards. Not sure. But I been practicing broadheads at 50 yards with new bow 5 for 5 this afternoon.

Zim · 2024-08-28T14:24:32-0600

utcubby said:
Tip to tip of the ears should be 24-26”

So if he has two ear widths on both sides, what would that be?

Vanilla · 2024-08-28T14:25:54-0600

I know bessy only goes for 40 inchers, but c'mon man! Kill that sucker!!!

If he's truly 2 ear widths on each side, that buck is over 30 inches no matter how you slice it. If it's a giant head deer, he could be significantly over 30 inches.

mevertsen · 2024-08-28T14:33:08-0600

Zim said:
So if he has two ear widths on both sides, what would that be?

Kill him and measure it.

Only way to know for sure.

Tikka · 2024-08-28T14:42:05-0600

utcubby said:
Tip to tip of the ears should be 24-26”

Not always, I try stick with 20-22" range...

Tikka · 2024-08-28T14:44:26-0600

My buddy killed a buck off the bookcliffs years ago that had 18" ears, that was some ground shrinkage for sure...

elkhunterUT · 2024-08-28T14:50:58-0600

Zim said:
I passed on him three times, but the first two he did not face me. The third time he did so I could finally see the full width. I still passed at 45 yards. Not sure. But I been practicing broadheads at 50 yards with new bow 5 for 5 this afternoon.

To each his own, but you may want to check your head for passing a buck if he was truly that wide. What was the rest of his antler config like (straight 4 point, trashy buck, etc.)?

Totally your hunt and you get to choose the experience you have, but as the days pass those big bucks will not stick around in the open as much. If you are intent on killing a good buck, I would get to stick flippin on a good buck like that!

goforbroke · 2024-08-28T15:02:09-0600

If I had that tag (won't happen, but I can dream) a buck over 30" or scores over 180 I would be shooting. bigger ones are there, tough to make it happen with a bow. Good luck and excited to see more pics.

Zim · 2024-08-28T15:10:30-0600

elkhunterUT said:
To each his own, but you may want to check your head for passing a buck if he was truly that wide. What was the rest of his antler config like (straight 4 point, trashy buck, etc.)?

Totally your hunt and you get to choose the experience you have, but as the days pass those big bucks will not stick around in the open as much. If you are intent on killing a good buck, I would get to stick flippin on a good buck like that!

He has only 3 points on the drivers side, and 4 on right but the rear is a crab claw, so more like a 3x3.

TKMulePacker · 2024-08-28T15:11:26-0600

SO HE IS ONE FULL EAR LENGTH WIDER THAN HIS EARS??

Zim said:
Not sure how to estimate mule deer rack width. If a buck has two full ear lengths on each side when alert & facing me, 7” + head 6” + 7” + 7” + 7” = 34” ? Does that sound right?

Zim · 2024-08-28T15:13:51-0600

TKMulePacker said:
SO HE IS ONE FULL EAR LENGTH WIDER THAN HIS EARS??

Yes

Betterluckythangood · 2024-08-28T15:14:00-0600

If that buck is six inches outside its ears on both sides, it’s probably 32” or better. HUGE mistake to pass up, unless you are seeing bigger ones.

legacy · 2024-08-28T15:18:53-0600

If that buck truly is 34"+/- wide, he must die!

TKMulePacker · 2024-08-28T15:19:43-0600

Zim said:
Yes

Why are you sitting here conversing with us then!?!?

just kidding (not really).. Thats at least 32" wide I would think. sooo... a 32" 3x3 with crabby backs? You have the self restraint of an 80 year old nun.

Zim · 2024-08-28T15:26:39-0600

BTW - I failed to update last few days because I went down in a deep canyon and up the other side and really pissed off my left Achilles. It was barkin something awful and I needed to recover. It’s much better today, all stretched out too. So I had two close encounters yesterday but blew stalking attempts to where I totally gave up that option. Now it’s either vehicle drive by solo jump out style, or my Ghost Blind in a saddle. Also wanted to mention, I had a young Mossback guide flag me down to talk. He drove me to some nearby bucks he glassed and explained their travel pattern. Showed me their saddle route. I don’t think he ever met a regular state lottery permit hunter before? Guy was super helpful. I emailed their office to compliment him, and leave my cell number in case he wanted to take a client there.

Zim · 2024-08-28T15:27:41-0600

TKMulePacker said:
Why are you sitting here conversing with us then!?!? just kidding (not really).. Thats at least 32" wide I would think. sooo... a 32" 3x3 with crabby backs? You have the self restraint of an 80 year old nun.

I don’t trust my judgement on the ear width, that’s why.

legacy · 2024-08-28T15:32:08-0600

Zim said:
BTW - I failed to update last few days because I went down in a deep canyon and up the other side and really pissed off my left Achilles. It was barkin something awful and I needed to recover. It’s much better today, all stretched out too. So I had two close encounters yesterday but blew stalking attempts to where I totally gave up that option. Now it’s either vehicle drive by solo jump out style, or my Ghost Blind in a saddle. Also wanted to mention, I had a young Mossback guide flag me down to talk. He drove me to some nearby bucks he glassed and explained their travel pattern. Showed me their saddle route. I don’t think he ever met a regular state lottery permit hunter before? Guy was super helpful. I emailed their office to compliment him, and leave my cell number in case he wanted to take a client there.

The couple of times I've crossed paths with Mossback guides, they've been as cool and as helpful as can be.

TKMulePacker · 2024-08-28T15:40:42-0600

Zim said:
I don’t trust my judgement on the ear width, that’s why.

Even if he is only 5" past his ears on each side thats 32" wide. A full ear width and now were up the mid to upper 30s. Deer on my wall have 8" ears.

elkassassin · 2024-08-28T15:43:53-0600

Tikka Is Perty Close On Northern/NorthEastern Type PISSCUTTERS!

But There Are Still Some BIG BODIED BASTARDS On The Pauns!

If He's Got 2 Ear Widths On Each Side Past His Ears I Think I Woulda Been Releasing!

Tikka said:
Not always, I try stick with 20-22" range...

JakeH · 2024-08-28T16:10:40-0600

elkassassin said:
Tikka Is Perty Close On Northern/NorthEastern Type PISSCUTTERS!

But There Are Still Some BIG BODIED BASTARDS On The Pauns!

If He's Got 2 Ear Widths On Each Side Past His Ears I Think I Woulda Been Releasing!

But he's just a dinky 3x4 bess, he obviously still needs some years under his belt.

elkassassin · 2024-08-28T16:21:55-0600

Yes JakeH!

But The Way Zim Is Talking 2 Ear Widths On Each Side Past His Real Ears Might Make Me Not Care How Many Points A 60" Wide Buck Has!

JakeH said:
But he's just a dinky 3x4 bess, he obviously still needs some years under his belt.

JakeH · 2024-08-28T16:23:56-0600

elkassassin said:
Yes JakeH!

But The Way Zim Is Talking 2 Ear Widths On Each Side Past His Real Ears Might Make Me Not Care How Many Points A 60" Wide Buck Has!"D

He said 2 ear widths past his ears, so one ear width on each side past his ears. Still probably easily over 30" wide and probably closer to 35+

elkassassin · 2024-08-28T16:33:45-0600

DAMN!

Only A 35"ER!

JakeH said:
He said 2 ear widths past his ears, so one ear width on each side past his ears. Still probably easily over 30" wide and probably closer to 35+

Tikka · 2024-08-28T16:51:32-0600

elkassassin said:
Tikka Is Perty Close On Northern/NorthEastern Type PISSCUTTERS!

But There Are Still Some BIG BODIED BASTARDS On The Pauns!

If He's Got 2 Ear Widths On Each Side Past His Ears I Think I Woulda Been Releasing!

This buck had 21” ears at 9 years of age…

This one had 23” ears at 7 years old…

rmanwill · 2024-08-28T17:22:26-0600

Zim, I would say your looking at a 32 inch wide buck or better as you described it. I go with and average of 20-22 inches on most bucks for ear to ear (I'm with Tikka here). If he is another ear length past each ear he is at that 32 mark conservatively.

utcubby · 2024-08-28T17:48:55-0600

Zim said:
Yes

I thought you had a 3 eared freak

elkassassin · 2024-08-28T18:01:36-0600

Hey Tikka!

Several Years Ago I Let A 28" Buck Walk A Couple Different Times Because Back Home In DRATville We Go about 20"-21" Average On The Ear Width!

I Finally Took Him & He Just Didn't Look Right!

He Had a 27" Ear Span!

Tikka · 2024-08-28T18:16:18-0600

elkassassin said:
Hey Tikka!

Several Years Ago I Let A 28" Buck Walk A Couple Different Times Because Back Home In DRATville We Go about 20"-21" Average On The Ear Width!

I Finally Took Him & He Just Didn't Look Right!

He Had a 27" Ear Span!

That’s what’s so fun about judging mule deer, you just never know…
My wife’s buck had 26” ears but he was a no brainer on judging him… He went 33” wide…

rmanwill · 2024-08-28T18:58:25-0600

Yep. Average is what I go by, but there is always that exception. I judge off my conservative way and have always been pleasantly surprised/happy with the results without the OH $hit ground shrinkage.

elkassassin · 2024-08-28T20:07:26-0600

Does Ms Tikka Still Hunt?

That's A Dang Nice Buck!

Tikka said:
That’s what’s so fun about judging mule deer, you just never know…
My wife’s buck had 26” ears but he was a no brainer on judging him… He went 33” wide…

Tikka · 2024-08-28T20:14:22-0600

elkassassin said:
Does Ms Tikka Still Hunt?

That's A Dang Nice Buck!

Well now that we’re somewhat empty nesters she’s slowly getting back into it… She drew a cow elk tag this year, she didn’t know about till it came in the mail…

She’s a stone cold killer when it comes to trigger pull though…

Vanilla · 2024-08-28T20:29:58-0600

elkassassin said:
DAMN!

Only A 35"ER!

Pisscutter!

Can’t shoot 40 inchers if you shoot em when they’re only 35 inches bessy!

elkassassin · 2024-08-28T20:30:43-0600

Ya!

Well Let Me Clue you In On Something Tikka!

That Same Kinda Stunt Got Me In Alot Of Trouble One Year!

A BC Buck Tag Showed Up In The Mail One Year!

(((No, It Wasn't Mine!

)))

We Had Fun & My Kids Had A RIOT!

But That Was The Icing On The Cake!

Tikka said:
Well now that we’re somewhat empty nesters she’s slowly getting back into it… She drew a cow elk tag this year, she didn’t know about till it came in the mail…
She’s a stone cold killer when it comes to trigger pull though…

elkassassin · 2024-08-28T20:31:50-0600

Very True Nilly!

You Might Have One Experience With That!

Vanilla said:
Pisscutter!

Can’t shoot 40 inchers if you shoot em when they’re only 35 inches bessy!

Vanilla · 2024-08-28T20:48:18-0600

Like I said, some of those Pauns bucks have GIANT heads and it would not be wise to assume 20-22 inch ears on those bad boys.

But Zim has to be happy with what he kills. For me, assuming Zim wasn’t stoned while looking at it, I’d have let arrows fly on that buck he described. No doubt!

But dang I admire him for his willingness to hunt.

Tikka · 2024-08-28T21:07:26-0600

A buck has to have WOW factor, obviously that one didn’t for Zim…

ElmerFudd · 2024-08-28T21:19:39-0600

Here is a thread that has pictures that might be worth looking at to estimate spread.

Widest Buck You've Ever Seen? And Taken? | Mule Deer

This thread is not just a Poll, but also a photo sharing thread. First of all, of all the bucks you've seen in the wild, what's the widest you think you've ever seen? Secondly, let's see photos of the widest buck(s) you've taken. Short stories behind the bucks are fun too! Or even pics of the...

www.monstermuleys.info

Zim · 2024-08-28T21:45:38-0600

Got closer. Nocked my first arrow. Four 4x4’s crossed road in front of my 4Runner. All decent and in range, but none especially wide. Will sit my Ghost Blind in a saddle tomorrow morning.

elkmo41 · 2024-08-28T21:53:59-0600

14” whiteys tip to tip
22” muleys

Right or wrong its what I’v used.

ASB · 2024-08-28T21:57:20-0600

Tikka said:
That’s what’s so fun about judging mule deer, you just never know…
My wife’s buck had 26” ears but he was a no brainer on judging him… He went 33” wide…

her 33 on da right Mr Tikka

elkantlers · 2024-08-28T22:03:27-0600

The year I had my mzl tag, there was a 3x5 that was 35" wide and about 12" tall. It was ugly and didn't have any mass to speak of.
My daughter watched a guy shoot at it 5 times one evening with a muzzleloader while glassing a big clear cut that had some other deer we had been keeping track of. I'm pretty sure he had a management tag.
As far as we know, he never hit it.