Badlands mule deer

[Wags2.0]

Guy, I meant helmet special.

I have seen several snapchats that could be used to argue the fact that you’re fit for a helmet

 

[Lungdeflator]

Not to derail the thread, but I am a terrible judge on mulies, what do you guys think this one scores?

 

[guywhofishes]

that candelabra is absolutely amazing - love the licking flames look

 

[espringers]

with hunting in the equation, i can see how smaller populations may lead to bigger animals only because it means less tags issued and therefore, less pressure which allows deer to grow older and bigger. i can't say whether or not it has anything to do with genetic improvement. just a higher % of older deer on the landscape. this is only anecdotal.. but, tag numbers have fallen to historic lows in 2E the last 5 years. less tags means we have folks hunting by themselves or in way smaller parties. they get up and kill way less deer. especially, large deer in that scenario. result: deer get a chance to grow older and biggererer.

 

[Zogman]

The Hatfield and Mccoys were a feud this is just friendly banter amongst internet friends

​That a lot of non hunters read.

 

[Kurtr]

Not to derail the thread, but I am a terrible judge on mulies, what do you guys think this one scores?

hard to tell with not seeing how deep the forks are but i will tell you this i shoot that every time

 

[Zogman]

Ahab, thanks for the link at post 136. All should read.

 

[DustyG33]

I think that’s the point that gets me too. A 170” deer is truly a trophy buck.

If if you have a whitetail rifle tag do you expect to see or shoot a 150” plus buck every year?

I expect to see more than 1 150” whitey every year. I expect to see 1-2 160”+ whiteys every year. Depending what makes it through the seasons and winter next year could be boner. Is it September yet?

 

[SDMF]

Not to derail the thread, but I am a terrible judge on mulies, what do you guys think this one scores?

He scores “enough”. Cypher a POI that exits the off-side shoulder and stuff that thing in a pack.

 

[Enslow]

I have a masters degree in wildlife biology and have worked in the field for more than 15 years. I think I have a grasp of the general concept. Genetic diversity will not directly correlate to bigger deer. A healthier population yes. Disease outbreak is prevalent among high density populations of animals.

Base of my argument is if you want big deer you have to manage for that by culling and not shooting younger deer. This thread frustrates me because it seems as if people who draw a tag expect to shoot a booner every time. Sometimes you hunt your butt off and dont see crap. Thats why its called hunting and not killing. I have seen several good animals that were taken out in the badlands this year. There isnt nor should there be a booner in every draw.

The problem with spouting out your degree is someone will surely have a more advanced degree.... but I do agree with your post.

 

[NDSportsman]

Not to derail the thread, but I am a terrible judge on mulies, what do you guys think this one scores?

Enough.

I hunted mule deer for the first time last season in 4B. Didn't see the quality I was hoping for but there was no shortage of deer seen. Even though I didn't get a monster it was still a great time.

Hunted 4A this year for a whitetail. I didn't venture much into more mule deer habitat but the numbers didn't seem to be as high in that unit. Didn't see any monsters either.

 

[Enslow]

But I do agree with your post

 

[guywhofishes]

I expect to see more than 1 150” whitey every year. I expect to see 1-2 160”+ whiteys every year. Depending what makes it through the seasons and winter next year could be boner. Is it September yet?

boner - ha ha ha

 

[Enslow]

Dusty doesn’t that big Muley in wags pic look like that one at the twatford contest?

 

[Flatrock]

I had the 4C tag this year and did not fill it. Hunted 100% public land. For a few reasons, I've hardly hunted the badlands before but was able to do a little bit of scouting prior to the season. Had some help from a friend on where to go and altogether, hunted 8 full days. Most days I saw the truck very little in the daylight and hunted hard. Was very surprised how many forkhorns are out there. I figured I saw around 75-80 bucks and I bet 50-60 of them were forkhorns. Saw maybe half a dozen bucks that were 140-160 but never anything bigger than that. I wasn't going to shoot anything unless it was at least respectable and don't regret it. Next year, somebody can shoot one of the ones I passed when it is 160+. Saw 3 or 4 in the 140-160 range on the last 2 days of season so those should be very nice bucks next year.

One thing that blows my mind are the guys that wait 4-8 years for a 4C tag and then just cruise Magpie, Blacktail and Frank's Creek roads. I mean really? You just expect to see a 170" standing by the road when there is a hunter going by every 5 minutes? I couldn't believe how few people I saw out walking. I never saw 1 bootprint more than a mile from a road. Hell I never saw a hunter in the field more than a quarter mile from a road. I don't understand people.

 

[DustyG33]

Enslow which deer?

 

[Obi-Wan]

This was a typical day in the field hunting mule deer this year

 

[Enslow]

Enslow which deer?

It’s the pic wags posted on this thread. That one buck with the move brows on the left. It’s a huge pig

- - - Updated - - -

That’s a lot of hiking obiwan wow!

 

[5575]

A person can dream I guess right!
Gotta love massive buggers.



Ab. 2018

 

[SDMF]

Looks like the neck is trying to swallow the head and the only thing stopping the process is the ears.