Game Time

[boomer]

Here is the scenario. You have a Wyoming high country mule deer tag. You have hunted the area before, but did not have a chance to scout much and you don't have "the one" picked out. It is the second week of the season and you are out wondering and begin to run in to the following bucks in this order. They all present a perfect 250 yard shot. (40 yard archery). Realistically, which is the first buck big enough to take a ride home with you?
Bonus question: Any 200 inchers in the group?

1. I just want to let my creedmoor eat, so I slide my flatty out of the way and "smoke him."

2.Got to get me a 4 point.

3. If I hold him out far enough I can make him look 180. Okay, maybe not.

4.Check out that split main beam. He niceeeee.

5. He's wide, and he has extras.

6.Sweet main beams and inline.

7. Hello big guy.

8. Holy crap.

9. Buck of my dreams?

10. I didn't realize they got that big.

 

[legacy]

More than likely I'll will be hunting WY high country this fall...
#4 is getting there... #5 definitely. Anything beyond those I'd probably miss.

 

[muleybeast]

I like 5. He’s badass.

 

[elkhunterUT]

I couldn't pass up #5, but when I see #10 I would be crying

 

[yoteduster]

Any one of them from #5 on up would suit me fine

 

[sb2017]

Great photos! My hunt would be lucky to last past #5. Are any two photos of 5-9 the same buck? Kind of hard to tell with some of the angles.

I'd pass #10. It wouldn't be worth the internal battle between keeping him secret but telling everyone online that I had shot the new world record and decided not to measure him, or to have shirts of him made and let everyone speculate on how much I paid for him and what laws I broke to shoot him

 

[boomer]

Great photos! My hunt would be lucky to last past #5. Are any two photos of 5-9 the same buck? Kind of hard to tell with some of the angles.

I'd pass #10. It wouldn't be worth the internal battle between keeping him secret but telling everyone online that I had shot the new world record and decided not to measure him, or to have shirts of him made and let everyone speculate on how much I paid for him and what laws I broke to shoot him

That's pretty funny right there. All of these deer are different deer and are alive and well. I believe 6 and 7 to be related as they live in the same general area of the winter range. There is actually a third deer with the same genetic dropping main beam hanging with them. Could possible be three generations.

 

[littlebighorn]

If you are a resident, you can always come back next year. If you are a NR, opportunities are scarce. I suspect most of us will take 5 on up and be happy.

 

[goforbroke]

I would have shot #4 and been super happy!!

 

[yoteduster]

By the way boomer those are some great photos.. Thanks for posting them

 

[DaveD]

#4

For some areas 1-3 would look pretty good by the second week but it would really depend on how the hunt was going.

Bonus - yep

 

[boomer]

By the way boomer those are some great photos.. Thanks for posting them

Thanks yoteduster.

 

[fullthrottle]

I like it. #5 on would get me thinking real hard. nice pics.

 

[Hawkeye]

I have never been very good at exercising restraint. I would be tempted at #4 and would definitely be shooting at #5. And then I would be crying with "buyer's regret" if I later came across #6-10.

Hawkeye

 

[Founder]

Awesome thread @boomer!
5 and all thereafter for me as well.
Yes on the 200"

 

[tkjwonta]

For me the answer depends critically on whether it is a 250 yard rifle shot or 40 yard archery. If I've made a good stalk to get to 40 yards of #2 with an archery tag, I'm letting one fly.

If I am rifle hunting, #5

 

[Bookhead]

If every buck I ran into kept getting bigger I could hold out lol gotta stagger the order and have repeat opportunities at the middle of the line ones ?. On that note no way I'm letting 6 go without at least scaring the chit out of em

 

[fullthrottle]

This picture just looks like a big ole' muley hitting his prime.

 

[jhibbs]

#5 is the point where I wouldn’t be able to pass, I’d take him. That’s probably why I’ve had tag soup for the last few years.

 

[nontypical]

I certainly am not passing anything from #5 on up. And I may be slingin' lead at #4 depending on where I'm hunting. He also has a sticker point off his right G3 which you can't see in Boomer's pic.

 

[Gator]

90% would be pulling the trigger at #1 85% at #2 By #5 only 2%
would still any shells left. That doesn't includes Me.

 

[bighamr]

6 would “Get Rolled”. And yes to 200”!

 

[liecabucks]

Multiple 200+ plus bucks here. I’ll be honest, 4 gets my mind wandering but any buck 5-10 gets up to 3 hand loaded Berger’s sent his direction. Although all might be currently alive, not all are well unfortunately. That last buck has been agitated from the day he showed on the winter range til Jan 1st.

I took this video from the highway that day. This is the #10 buck. I was blown away at the hazing activity. One guy proceeded to cut him off in his pickup every time the buck would move! Pretty tasteless I think.

 

[kickerbuck]

Multiple 200+ plus bucks here. I’ll be honest, 4 gets my mind wandering but any buck 5-10 gets up to 3 hand loaded Berger’s sent his direction. Although all might be currently alive, not all are well unfortunately. That last buck has been agitated from the day he showed on the winter range til Jan 1st.

I took this video from the highway that day. This is the #10 buck. I was blown away at the hazing activity. One guy proceeded to cut him off in his pickup every time the buck would move! Pretty tasteless I think.

View attachment 100954

People are seriously ridiculous and don't know when to say when! I always feel bad for the deer, as it's constant pressure year round from one thing or another! To bad the guy in the truck cutting him off or the people walking around him didn't get arrested for Wildlife Harassment! I'm surprised he hasn't been poached to be honest!

 

[kickerbuck]

Maybe 4? 5 for sure!

 

[wweaver79]

That buck has to be stressed pretty bad from all that attention. Having paparazzi follow him everywhere like that.

 

[easyelk13]

I would not have seen #5 to 10 unless it was when I was packing out # 4.

 

[Chesterwyo]

Every one of those bucks would be a YouTube star. Complete with lightweight backpacking equipment, a fifteen pound rifle with the fuggin’ Hubble Space Telescope on top, and no blaze orange clothing of any sort.

 

[Longun]

I would drop #5 with no hesitation...I like mass...

 

[DaveD]

Anyone else think 8 and 9 should be flip flopped? Hard to say from the angle on 9 but I sure love the look of #8.

 

[nontypical]

Multiple 200+ plus bucks here. I’ll be honest, 4 gets my mind wandering but any buck 5-10 gets up to 3 hand loaded Berger’s sent his direction. Although all might be currently alive, not all are well unfortunately. That last buck has been agitated from the day he showed on the winter range til Jan 1st.

I took this video from the highway that day. This is the #10 buck. I was blown away at the hazing activity. One guy proceeded to cut him off in his pickup every time the buck would move! Pretty tasteless I think.

View attachment 100954

Freakin' 3-ring circus over there. It's ridiculous the number of trucks chasing him around. I went one time and couldn't believe the crap going on. Now LE is out there watching everything as well. Wildlife harassment big time.

 

[nontypical]

People are seriously ridiculous and don't know when to say when! I always feel bad for the deer, as it's constant pressure year round from one thing or another! To bad the guy in the truck cutting him off or the people walking around him didn't get arrested for Wildlife Harassment! I'm surprised he hasn't been poached to be honest!

Too many people watching him.

 

[nontypical]

Anyone else think 8 and 9 should be flip flopped? Hard to say from the angle on 9 but I sure love the look of #8.

#9 is bigger score-wise. Boomer's pic of him doesn't show him that well but he probably scores better than #8

 

[nontypical]

It's really not that hard to stay a good distance away from these bucks. Don't get out of the truck, and if you do, don't move away from it. Stay right next to it. If the deer start running away...you're too close. Especially in a winter like the one we're having so far. There will definitely be mortality; most likely above average unless it stops snowing the rest of the winter. Not likely. Those guys tromping around out there should be given a ticket for wildlife harassment. G&F says it's hard to make a case for that, but it's blatantly obvious what's going on there. Leica-your video could be used as evidence!

 

[Jgill19]

I really like to think I'd make it to #5, not sure I could get by 4 though. I like dark horns and character and he's checking those boxes. 7-10 are wet yer pants territory for me.

 

[kickerbuck]

It's really not that hard to stay a good distance away from these bucks. Don't get out of the truck, and if you do, don't move away from it. Stay right next to it. If the deer start running away...you're too close. Especially in a winter like the one we're having so far. There will definitely be mortality; most likely above average unless it stops snowing the rest of the winter. Not likely. Those guys tromping around out there should be given a ticket for wildlife harassment. G&F says it's hard to make a case for that, but it's blatantly obvious what's going on there. Leica-your video could be used as evidence!

They need more than a ticket! Actually arresting people for Wildlife Harassment and taking them to jail would send the message. Even if they just got booked and released it would be worth it to try and get that buck and the rest of the deer some relief from "IDIOTS."

A Game Warden/Trooper could totally articulate in their report the need for citations or arrests considering the size of that buck and the Circus surrounding him. Not to mention the struggle during a hard winter for all the deer. States had to set laws for shed hunting just for this reason. I assume the buck is in Wyo, I hope the GW's there can get people to back off! And the DA is supportive of any citations or arrests made if any?

 

[DaveD]

Multiple 200+ plus bucks here. I’ll be honest, 4 gets my mind wandering but any buck 5-10 gets up to 3 hand loaded Berger’s sent his direction. Although all might be currently alive, not all are well unfortunately. That last buck has been agitated from the day he showed on the winter range til Jan 1st.

I took this video from the highway that day. This is the #10 buck. I was blown away at the hazing activity. One guy proceeded to cut him off in his pickup every time the buck would move! Pretty tasteless I think.

View attachment 100954

Honestly surprising he is tolerating them being that close to him. Guessing he has gotten a little used to the attention.

 

[mntnguide]

Im just glad to see the biggest buck score wise of the winter range didn't make your photo lineup and avoided the public eye as well..to bad for the big dropper, last photos i saw of him from the Utard hoardes who cant leave him alone, he looked horrible with hips sticking out and ribs fully visible. The biggest problem is the absolute blow up of people coming from numerous states just to chase these big bucks for social media and photos each winter, and it's getting worse and worse.... as for the OP question, the only 2nd week shooters for me would be 7-10. unless i was down to limited hunting days left, id consider 6. I passed on bigger this year on the final days of season, but I also knew of a much bigger buck i was hoping to see, and didnt mind eating my tag hoping for a chance.

 

[Sparks Shooter]

#4 and up for me.——-SS

 

[4Weight]

Number 4 for me. Just majestic looking.

 

[Zeke]

I have never been very good at exercising restraint. I would be tempted at #4 and would definitely be shooting at #5. And then I would be crying with "buyer's regret" if I later came across #6-10.

Hawkeye

This sums up my sentiments too!

Zeke

 

[Shiras]

How long did I wait for the tag? How long is the wait until the next tag?

I’m shooting somewhere between 4 & 5

 

[heywouldya]

Great pictures! Thanks for posting. I really like 5, but I wouldn't pass up #4-#10

 

[Jordan]

I like to think I would hold off past 5 but I'm kidding myself. Unless there's a pile of 160-170" bucks just taking up space in the garage, that one is getting it. A good reminder to always put your binos in your backpack on the way out...

 

[andrew12gauge]

1 gets a pass, I like the look of number 2 and I would probably shoot, 3 is smaller than 2 and anything 4 and on I’m shooting again.

 

[ICMDEER]

I'd start at 5, like others.

Sad but true about the big buck. The BLM biologist was out there by him one day when I was there and I told him how much I appreciated his presence. I told him the BLM should close the roads earlier and he agreed, but said it won't likely happen.

And some of the other big bucks are getting too much attention for a tougher winter.

Too bad Bess isn't there offering free tune-ups to those ding-dongs pestering the bucks!

 

[huntin50]

I must be getting old. Most LE units number 7 and higher for me, unless the end of the season and grandson was with me.

 

[BrowningRage]

#2 should be #4... and passing a.tall framed buck like that would be hard. #8 is a gorgeous buck, cape and all... that cape is the real trophy, hunting WY...

 

[Rimrock]

Best post in awhile, Boomer. Good work.
#5 would not get a pass from me.
Some great bucks…

 

[DBLung]

You hunt as hard as Randy Newberg and end up taking a small 2x3 then see all of those while cleaning and packing it out. The last few episodes he doesn't seem to care and won't leave his truck. Can't complain much, I'm gettin old too.

 

[Joe2Kool]

I'm going with 3 and above with no questions asked. He's, bigger than any muley I've killed, so getting late in the season, he gets a free ride to TN in my truck!

 

[wstrntines]

Great photos. Holy crap those people need to leave that buck alone. But if you didn’t get that pic or video on the gram it didn’t happen. Those Wyoming deer go through some tough conditions.

 

[270Whatelse]

2 would probably be in trouble with me

 

[Butts]

Multiple 200+ plus bucks here. I’ll be honest, 4 gets my mind wandering but any buck 5-10 gets up to 3 hand loaded Berger’s sent his direction. Although all might be currently alive, not all are well unfortunately. That last buck has been agitated from the day he showed on the winter range til Jan 1st.

I took this video from the highway that day. This is the #10 buck. I was blown away at the hazing activity. One guy proceeded to cut him off in his pickup every time the buck would move! Pretty tasteless I think.

View attachment 100954

I wish the internet would die… same thing when we put eyes on him. A fellow from WY and myself were videoing this buck from 450-500 yds.
A dou*** from guess where…
The puke took his 2 kids and 3ft telephoto lens and walked right at the buck. Hope he got the photo of a lifetime before he pushed him over the ridge. Nothing surprises me anymore.. great parenting. Geezus..

 

[Butts]

@boomer thanks for the post. Breathe of something different.Question to all though.. if you have seen 9 or 10 do you send an arrow/bullet on 5 opening day?

Ya I know it would be a great problem to have, what’s everyone’s consensus on that scenario?

 

[DoubleDropMuley]

Multiple 200+ plus bucks here. I’ll be honest, 4 gets my mind wandering but any buck 5-10 gets up to 3 hand loaded Berger’s sent his direction. Although all might be currently alive, not all are well unfortunately. That last buck has been agitated from the day he showed on the winter range til Jan 1st.

I took this video from the highway that day. This is the #10 buck. I was blown away at the hazing activity. One guy proceeded to cut him off in his pickup every time the buck would move! Pretty tasteless I think.

View attachment 100954

Think I would send 4 Berger’s , one in each tire if he Kept cutting him off , douche bags, not that it matters but with today’s technology no one should have to get anywhere near these deer, even if we didn’t have the advanced technology still wrong,

 

[sneakem]

Honestly, I'd be on the fence with 6&7. I'd keep looking and come back. If my freezer was empty it'd likely drop to 4/5 though...

 

[Frostrw]

shooting at #4-#10. 200 inch numbers 8,9 and 10

 

[joesikora]

90% would be pulling the trigger at #1 85% at #2 By #5 only 2%
would still any shells left. That doesn't includes Me.

How’s my Gator doing?

 

[Gator]

Doing well. Brought a travel trailer the other day.
This year Pheasant get together will be NOV 29th to Dec 3rd or 4th
for me being in South Dakota.
Hope to see ya.

 

[joesikora]

Doing well. Brought a travel trailer the other day.
This year Pheasant get together will be NOV 29th to Dec 3rd or 4th
for me being in South Dakota.
Hope to see ya.

I’m going to try and get the right hip done May 5th so maybe I can finally hunt this season and get the other done after the first of the year instead of 4 months after the first hip job! Gator no one ever wants to sleep in the same room area etc.with me. I’m still up right now after being up for 36-38 hrs so I’m on my IPad, TV etc! I make way too much noise and I don’t want to be buried in the back 400! LOL! Gator read my Outfitter question it’s about you and Mrs Gator Bad news she put a No Go on your Hunt of a Lifetime! LOL!

 

[Gator]

She still has time to change her mind if you mess up. LOL

 

[joesikora]

Lol