200" realistically??

Deone

Member
Messages
37
Just a quick question....

And I know all the possibilities like state, tag availability, method, public lands, genetics etc...

But, how realistic is it to think that one could kill a 200"+ deer once or multiple times in a lifetime?

Getting the fever already!

Deone
 
Jason carter killed 3 over 210 in 2016 and may have 15 or 20 up till now ,and if he keeps hunting that will probably double. Probably 90% public land. Now if your question was haw many 200s saw you it might be more than that.
 
Realistically on public ground unless you draw like a Henry's tag, the odds are less than 10% I would guess.

A 200 inch buck is rare. If you hunt for a living, have lots of time and money, your odds go up.
 
That is a great question and I am looking forward to some of the answers to this!

My short answer is not very realistic at all!

There are many people I am sure that have, but way more that "think" they have.

First off lets say you draw one of the very top tags in all the land. Well you will only get the chance to hunt it once. Now say you have a beautiful 4x4 that you can take that goes 195"! Now anyone that would pass that kind of a deer up would have to be I would guess in a group of hunters that would consist of less then 2% of all of us. Now you have a deer that is so impressive it would make anyone's head turn, but he is not 200". Also to have this kind of a goal, you have to know what a 200" deer is and IMHO most people do not. What about a 34" wide monster that has 4" g3's? Well he is a trophy for sure but most likely not going to break that 200" mark without some crazy mass or a good bit of trash.

I am lucky enough to be able to hunt what I would consider top 5 if not 10 areas every year, and have hunted it pretty hard for lets say about 20 years. I have one that goes over that magic mark. If it were my goal to only kill deer over 200" I would think I probably would have a few more, but that is a very tough goal to stick to I would think.

For a quick example I will share last years hunt. We found a deer on the second scouting trip of the year that was going to be the target buck for my son. He was still growing then, but even at that I couldn't see him breaking 190". When he did finish out I really didn't think he would go much at all over 180", but those 2 drop tines on his left side one about 6" the other about 8" were just to cool not to go after him and only him for my son. Well another hunter was able to kill him on Sept. 2 with his bow and now not much more time to scout for the next big boy!

Just a few quick examples of why I think it would pretty tough to put 2 or more on the wall.

HAHA now that being said, I personally know one person that has 2 over 220" and I don't even consider him a very good hunter. :)

My personal goal is 180" every year or one that will taste yummy!
 
I've only ever seen one 200"+ deer in my life , he was feeding on a planter box in town in Colorado.

For me , it'll take a great tag and a pile of luck to take one , the OTC areas I hunt are more known for their 200cm bucks .
 
Are You Talkin an MM 200"ER?








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90087hankjr.jpg
 
The odds, if you compare how many people hunt mule deer directly to how many people have harvested a 200 inch deer, would be extremely small.

There are people, however, that have flipped the odds in their favor. Like was stated above, if you have enough money, you could probably kill 5+ 200 inch deer every year in various states/countries.

There are some guys that have some general season areas in Utah figured out to the point where they have a decent chance at a 200 inch buck every year. They may not get one that breaks the magic mark every year, but they know where to find them most of the time and have a chance.

But for most of us, that chance is extremely small.
 
I guess I'm referring to the average guy that doesn't do guided hunts and either hunts mostly general seasons on normal public or private grounds.

I understand anything can be purchased, even antlers, but I'm referring to the most common kind of hunters from my perspective.

Seems like 160" is an absolute trophy for some, 180" is the holy grail and 200" may be something most only dream about.

Thanks for the responses so far!
 
Assuming your not going the high dollar route, I would say it's very possible if you have the time and ABILITY TO PASS VERY GOOD DEER. Concentrate on areas that have the genetics; it will probably take you 200+ days of hunting and scouting on average. Could happen on da 5 or day 395... You'll probably see 100 160", 30 170", 15 180", and 5 190" bucks before seeing a 200" buck. I've taken a 211", but set my standards more realistically at 180".
 
200" deer are not an easy thing to do anymore. I've taken 2 nontypicals over 200 but neither made the book so big deal.

A 200" typical would be another matter.















Stay Thirsty My Friends
 
A true 200" typical buck is a huge deer. Two years ago, I had an AZ strip tag and 45 minutes into the season, I had a buck we thought would score 190-195" in my scope and all I had to do was squeeze the trigger. I passed that buck up, as I knew I'd likely get to hunt The Strip only once and was determined to hunt for a true 200" or bigger buck. My guide was more than a little surprised that I passed that buck up but by hunting hard, we found a buck we thought would gross 200-205". We spent a week trying to kill that buck, unsuccessfully. In the end, I shot an old cull buck after hunting 9 days.

You'll never kill a 200" buck if you shoot smaller bucks first. Of course, most hunters will never have an opportunity to see a true 200" giant in a lifetime of hunting, simply because they hunt where bucks don't get this large.
 
I have a friend who hunts a 200 inch deer every year on a general season archery tag, public land. He won't settle. If he doesn't kill his target buck, he eats the tag, and hunts him the next year. In the last 8 years, he's killed a 211, 230, and 223 inch bucks. Some off these, he hunted 2 or 3 years.

Its doable, but you have to have the drive, and not settle.

Yelum

YBU

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"I guess I'm referring to the average guy that doesn't do guided hunts and either hunts mostly general seasons on normal public or private grounds."

Without trying to sound condescending....... average guys, who do average hunting, on average seasons, on normal (average) public grounds, are not going to average very large mule deer and will not see, let alone shoot the very best of the species. Average guys hunting private grounds have only the slightest increase in odds of killing a 200" buck. An average guy doesn't have very many private properties to hunt.

Why won't the average see or kill 200" mule deer?

It's not that 200" bucks are so smart or cunning and so good at escaping average hunters. 200" bucks don't exist. It would be interesting to know the ratio of 200" bucks per thousand bucks, bearing in mind that most Western States general hunting units are designed for hunters to kill bucks when they are 16 months old. On general units, mule deer rarely get beyond two or three years old, even if they have the genes and the environment to produce the inches. Not saying that is a good or a bad thing, just saying 200" bucks don't often exist in the places your limiting your criteria to.

DC
 
If you have money, you simply buy an auction tag in Utah for the Henry's, Paunsy, Alton CWMU, etc. Then hire a guide who will spend 90/90 days on the mountain watching your buck... Then you take their team in with you (minimum 8 members) You can kill one every single year... No sweat. Literally.

"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24
 
If you are serious about it, and really focus on trophy mule deer it is possible to kill multiple bucks over 200".. Case in point - check out Robby Denning from Idaho Falls. His passion is BIG mule deer above all else. I think he has 4 or 5 over 200", and dozens over 180".
 
There are a lot of good thoughts on this, some I agree with some i don't...just like everyone else.

I know 200" deer a few and far between compared to 160" deer. I know that time must be put in also or it's a shot in the dark!

I was just curious as to what expectations were for killing one during a lifetime.

I think is a fun topic. Thanks for the responses
 
If you hunt hard every year and are a good hunter and you hunt where the genetics are there to produce a 200 incher, I think you will find one in your lifetime that grosses over 200, make that shot count!

If you want to shoot a typical over 200", then you have your work cut out for you, that is totally different than one that has some extras that grosses over 200.

From my experience, hunting one week per year for 17 years, I wouldn't be surprised if I get one over 200, but also wouldn't be surprised if I don't. I doubt I would pass a 180, so that changes the odds big time of getting one over 200. I have a 197 gross and a 181 over that 17 year period and on the 181, I saw a 200 incher after I shot him!
 
In 2016 I hunted 13 B in Arizona strip and did not find a buck wanted to kill. And that was with a guide service. I had a chance at several 200 inch plus but wanted something closer to 230. In 2015 I killed a buck in Nevada that scored 218 so I wanted to beat that But didn't get it done so I came home with tags soup. Took 18 points to draw that but oh well that's how it goes go big or go home.
 
Depends.... on how much time you can devote.
A couple weekends and a week long season.... Prob never.
Taking 30 days scouting and 30 days hunting. Prob 1 every few years.
 
>Depends.... on how much time you
>can devote.
>A couple weekends and a week
>long season.... Prob never.
>Taking 30 days scouting and 30
>days hunting. Prob 1 every
>few years.


+1

I spend close to 100 days a year in the field. I can without a doubt say I see probably 1 200(+) gross deer a year. That being said.... killing them is a different story all together. But with enough time and enough effort they are there and locatable.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-09-17 AT 06:09PM (MST)[p]Three ways to kill a 200 inch buck. Get really lucky, spend a lot of money, or put in the time.There is a handful of hunters killing 200 inch deer on a consistent basis on public land on easy to draw tags, but they put in the time scouting, running cameras, and learning a big bucks behavior and patterns.You got to learn where a big buck eats, beds, drinks, and escapes when they are buggered. Learn his behavior, and put in the time both scouting and hunting and your odds increase substantially.

One thing you have to consider is how realistic is it for you, or most guys for that matter, to scout 30 days and hunt another 30 days. Personally, I am a very busy guy with business, family, church and civic responsibilities to attend to that have a higher priority over hunting.Guys who spend 100+ days in the field generally have a life style that allows for it, which obviously allows for them to take the caliber of bucks were talking about. Don't compare yourself to them. Hit it as hard as you can, and hopefully the odds will someday be in your favor. Most importantly hunt where 200 inch deer live. This might be the best advice I can give.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-09-17 AT 06:25PM (MST)[p]Id call you an average hunter. And.......that was the criteria

Could be completely wrong but i live in the heart of some pretty avid deer hunting country. The aversge hunter on these mountIans sers uo camp the night before the hunt opens. Hunts for two days and heads home. A few come back and hunt another day or two but by enlarge they don't. By day three 95% of the deer hunters hsve left the mountain. Its slwags been that way, where ever I 've hunted.

DC
 
This was not intended to be a personal question directed at me, nor at tactics.

I get the idea that there are a lot more people that think it is possible to kill one more than I think thought there would be.

All the factors must align, i understand that completely!
 
I've arrowed one over 200" (NT).....arrowed another (typical) that grossed 198 and netted 191. Both on public land with the NT being an OTC tag. However, I KNOW I'm just one lucky SOB.

Do I think it's possible.....yup. More probable for hard-core mule deer hunters that hunt multiple states, IMO.

BOHNTR )))---------->
 
This is a great topic. Some hard-core hunters are rising to the top on this one. A few of you have hit the nail on the head with number one you have to hunt where they are and number two that usually takes a lot of time invested. My best Bucks have come from Idaho and Nevada. Both states offer long hunting seasons and I usually use all the time up to get it done. Big mule deer buck hunting is my passion and obsession and I live it 24/7/365. I believe the casual Hunter has a better chance of getting struck by lightning than killing a 200 inch buck. I was talking to Ryan Hatch about this subject and he figured that of all the hunters on the Arizona strip only 7% take a 200 inch buck.
 
Very interesting topic, and some great thoughts.
I have 52 mule deer hunting seasons under my belt and during 20 or so of those I hunted multiple states, besides my home state of Utah. Back in the day, counting inches didn't matter much to any of us, so we didn't know a 200" buck from a 180"er yet we still had a passion for big bucks. I'd consider myself a serious Mule Deer hunter but I'd stop short of calling me a "real" trophy hunter, like have been described above. And over 70 or so seasons of hunting, I'm guessing I have only seen a hand full of honest 200" deer.
That being said, I lucked on to the "holy grail" with an honest Book scored 200" typical from a long awaited very good unit in Colorado. It was the highlight deer hunt for me for sure, but I'm pretty confident it won't happen again in my lifetime.
So, as stated above, if 200" means that much then more than one is possible.
If not, then you need to live long and get lucky!
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-09-17 AT 11:18PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jun-09-17 AT 10:40?PM (MST)

possible?..yes realistic?...no
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This is a 2016 CO buck 205" gross 199 net
 
I think the nail has been hit on the head. Hunt where they are and have the time to find them.

I live in the middle of a good area, but don't scout, for lack of time, and if I get 5 or 6 days to hunt deer a year... Stacks the odds against.

Those guys that can hunt for three or four weeks in a good area will have better odds, but even they may have to change things up during the hunt, as weather, pressure, etc. play into it.
 
We should also be more specific - 200" gross? Non-typical or typical?

I have a 208 2/8" non typical. Not close to a 200" typical.
 
I made the magical mark in 2015. Buck has a 201" typ mainframe and enough trash to hit 230" gross. I've been hunting muleys for 30 yrs and I think I've seen 2 other 200"+ nontypicals in that time and messed up lol. But seen plenty other big bucks I'd be happy with that we're not even close to 200" or at least I don't think they were and will never know cause they won!!
 
Count the people that you know personally (not online friends) that have a true 200" buck (typical or non-typical) on their wall and you'll see how hard they are to get. Certainly most hunters will never tag one.

Even a 190" typical is extremely rare.

PS. I missed a buck that would've gone 210" typical in Colorado once... couldn't control my buck fever and messed up the BDC reticle. A few years ago I filmed a typical buck that would've gone 200-205" but lost him before the season and never saw him again. I feel lucky to have even seen bucks like those.

Grizzly
 
I can only speak from my experiences but I have killed two that go north of the 200 gross inch number. All have come off of general units in Wyoming and Utah public ground. I would say I do quite a bit of hunting and usually hunt 2-3 states a year consistently. I'm 32 and figure if I continue to hunt hard and smart I can within reason kill a 200 inch buck every 5 years on the units I hunt given I continue on the same frequency of days in the field. I think there is a lot to be said about hunting units you have become familiar with. Hunt for the reasons YOU want....that's happiness.





Sit tall in the saddle, hold your head up high, keep your eyes fixed to where the trail meets the sky...
 
I've only ever hunted general units in Utah, and personally I've only seen 2, maybe 3 bucks in my entire life that would crack the 200" mark. I was able to put my tag on one of them in 2011, but it was mostly luck.
 
I think we should use gross score as the standard. Net score is based on symmetry and really doesn't credit a buck for the amount of antler he really has.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-12-17 AT 11:13AM (MST)[p]Chance is less than 1% on a 200" gross typical. A 180's main frame with a bunch of extras is much more likely, say 2-3%. That's on public ground. Private is a whole other deal. Pay to play, and your odds increase depending on ground. Still no slam dunk!

And Homer, you better post a field photo, because those pics are not helping the argument. Looks mid/high 180's....
 
> I think we should use
>gross score as the standard.
>Net score is based on
>symmetry and really doesn't credit
>a buck for the amount
>of antler he
>really has.


I agree. And with the old saying, "NETs are for fish anyways".
 
Never asked him to rescore it. I said the pics are not doing that buck justice, and would like to see a field photo with some perspective! I don't remember him posting one.
 
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I'd say it can happen. If you hunt hard, and have luck on your side! 1st buck is a Wyoming buck from 2004. 2nd buck from Nv in 2016. Public land, DIY, draw tags.
Probably will never get a crack at a 3rd, but I'm gonna keep trying.

Don P.
 
After thinking about it a little more, I have another thought. Getting a tag consistently, where big bucks live, would be priority number one. So move to Western Wyoming, and spend a lot of time on the mountain. Hunt G and H every year. That would increase your odds more than anything that I can think of.
The biggest problem is drawing tags often enough to learn a good area. So I'll have to keep relying on my good luck!

Don P.
 
I've killed one right at 226" and a 198 7/8" in my lifetime. I've only seen one other buck that I think would've gone around 205" typical and my brother missed him. The bottom right one went 193". These are my best 3 bucks.

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That trophy wall is one of the best I've ever seen. Everything is well placed and displayed perfectly. Great room, Marley.

Yelum

YBU

7019yelumlogosig2.jpg
 
Beautiful bucks. Not many guys have 3 deer that have over 600" between them. Truly impressive.

Grizzly
 
Most all the big names who are consistently killing 200" deer are flying or buying.

Buying vouchers or guides or private access.

Flying chute planes, helicopters, or fixed wings.

The hardest hunt for a 200" buck is usually the tag.

Some of the names thrown out on here are doing some or all of the above. No jealousy, just being real.
 
How realistic is it to kill three muley bucks, 204", 215, & 225 gross in eight years, in a general area, with an eight day season in central Wyoming? No flying, no posse, no long range gun...

If you ask me, not very...
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-16-17 AT 03:49PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jun-16-17 AT 03:46?PM (MST)

Just based off of Boone and Crockett numbers (obviously not everyone enters their animals) but of all the typical mule deer entered 180+ only about 11% of them are 200+. That's 11% of all the trophy class bucks. Now count in the fact that a bunch of those come from Mexico, the strip, kaibab, paunsagant, and other super popular counties in Colorado, Wyoming etc. Tags that are extremely hard to come by. Usually 1 or 2 in your lifetime. Then count in the fact a lot of them are killed by guys with money with an army of guides and helpers helping out and id bet about 1-2% of those bucks are killed by average every day guys that just put in a lot of time. Haven't looked at the non typical numbers but I'd bet the numbers are similar with non typicals over 220-225". Bottom line I would bet 95% of hunters throughout the u.s won't ever see a buck 200+ and less than 1% will kill a buck 200+. I'm the first to admit the 200" buck with my bow I killed this year was about 95% luck and 5% skill. I'll take it but I realize how lucky I am and never expect to see a buck of that caliber again. But just gotta keep hunting because you never know what you might run into!
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I have pictures of a couple in my area I have seen that would probably go 200 but I haven't been able to figure how to post the pictures. Not the swiftest on reading directions.
 
Alright so I've been thinking about some of the comments and people chiming in with some ideas, some I think are wild. The biggest 4 dear I've killed in my life were in general units from Wyoming, Idaho and Utah. I have killed two bucks north of 200 gross and 2 Between 185 and 190. I am 32 years old and yes I've bought land owner vouchers in Colorado (3 to be exact), however I've yet to kill a respectable animal in those 6-20 point draw areas. I've never used a trail cam, never scouted from a plane and never paid for scouting information. I own multiple long range weapons, however have yet to kill a buck past 484 yards. I do own quality equipment and I'm usually in exceptional shape and I love solidarity and hunting hard MY WAY.
202 5/8
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201 7/8
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188 7/8
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185 5/8
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Sit tall in the saddle, hold your head up high, keep your eyes fixed to where the trail meets the sky...
 
Very nice liecabucks and bonecollector!!! My 2 biggest bucks are 185" typ and 230" non typ. I should have other big boys but always seemed to find a way to mess it up, all my fault but live and learn and of course good ol buck fever!!! But wouldn't have it any other way that excitement I feel towards muleys is what I hunt for!!
 
Not sure which posts you're not agreeing with but I think what you posted simply shows exactly what were talking about and how difficult it is to kill a 200 inch buck. Nothing against your last two bucks because they are awesome but their typical frames without the extras aren't the caliber of buck were talking about in this thread. You hunt hard have had the ability to buy a few tags and even on those 6-20 point draws you haven't killed a monster. Consider yourself lucky to have killed two bucks pushing or meeting 200 on their typical frame. Now take what you've done and compare it to 99% of other mule deer hunters and the other 99% haven't even killed one buck pushing 200 inches.
 
Uh just what I said....it doesn't take buying 5,000-10,000 dollar tags to find and kill big bucks. What part of that didn't you get? I have nothing that could compare to a 230er so I'll just see my way out of this elite convo.


Sit tall in the saddle, hold your head up high, keep your eyes fixed to where the trail meets the sky...
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-16-17 AT 10:08PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jun-16-17 AT 10:07?PM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Jun-16-17 AT 10:06?PM (MST)

Touchy touchy. Nothing I said was negative about what you have done. What I was saying was what you have done is very impressive and puts you in the top 1% of people to have killed 2 200 inch bucks. And more impressive that you have done them DIY. What part about that did you not get? And if you're gonna act like the majority of 200 inch bucks aren't killed with guides and guys with money you're mistaken.
 
He did say 200 inch buck but most people can agree that a 200 inch buck is much more impressive than a 200 inch non typical. That's why the Boone and Crockett minimums are 215 for non typical and 180 for typical. You're odds aren't super good to kill a 200 inch non typical but they are significantly higher than killing a 200 inch typical. So if we're gonna talk 200 inch bucks I think it's fair to say 200 inch typical and 225-230 inch non typical to be equal.
 
In my opinion 200 inches is 200 inches and the matter what kind of frame it's on. I do agree that a 200 inch true typical is harder to come by than typical with trash or just a nontypical. I think it is hard to come by with a typical without any deductions from extras and apparently that's the only way some people think you can have a 200 inch typical. It is amazing to see thoughts and comments the farther this gets
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-17-17 AT 09:26AM (MST)[p]You'd be surprised how many get killed that nobody knows about because they don't post them here or in magazines
 
I think it's doable only in areas that have the genetics to grow 200"+ bucks. Many areas simply don't have those genetics.

Get ready for change because it's going to happen!
 
Leicabucks I can tell ya I would shoot any one of those bucks you posted, and 200" is a lot of bone typ or nontyp. Like I said my biggest typ is 185 gross and I'm proud as hell of him. My 230 buck has a 201+ with 28+" of extras proud of that one also took me lot of years to get a 200" buck and you've got 2. That's awesome to me!! Good luck this year and your deer hunts and if ya see a buck with extras that would push him over 200 don't pass cause I wouldn't and if I see a buck that needs extra to push him over the 180" mark not passing him either!!
 
This thread got me thinking back on how lucky I've been in my long hunting career. I thought I'd chime in. I'm sure it will look like I'm bragging. I guess I'll admit right from the start that is true.

I started deer hunting in the 1970's but for me the good old days didn't start back then. They are a more recent phenomenon.

Here's my list. I don't know how to post pics but maybe I'll figure that out and get some up.

2001 218 Gross

2003 240 Gross

2004 201 Gross

2008 207 Gross

2015 213 Gross

No flying, no buying, no radios or cell phones, no trail cameras and no long range shooting.

Longest shot was 75 yards (rifle). Next longest shot was 40 yards.

Three were taken with otc or leftover tags. Two were taken with draw tags.

I have a far different style of hunting than most these days. I do very little long distance glassing. I believe if you can glass an area effectively then you aren't likely to see a big buck. Big deer don't like to be seen. The way to see them is in or near thick unglassable cover usually very late in the evening or very early in the morning. Evenings have been much better than mornings for me. Darn few guys are still busting it way back in thick cover after the sun goes behind the horizon. I feel like the last 15 minutes of legal shooting is worth more than the entire day up to that point.

Of course under the right conditions tracking is deadly. Three of the five were taken by tracking. Two of the bucks were tracked in snow and one in mud after heavy rains.

I've also got quite a few in the 180's and 190's (and plenty of smaller bucks).

The comment that you have to hunt where big deer exist is of course absolutely true. In much of the west a 200" buck is so rare that finding one is almost impossible. I've hunted some of these areas too and was happy to shoot bucks in the 160's and 170's.

Even in areas where there are some 200 inchers around it's very tough to get one. I'm the first to admit that I have been really, really lucky. I am actually very surprised that it's gone that well for me. I have no illusions about ever taking another. It could happen but I wouldn't bet on it. As far as doing it consistently. I believe it is possible if someone spends enough time and effort (total obsession required). I am sometimes obsessed during the season when I have a tag but my scouting is very limited. If somebody scouts hard enough they can create a fighting chance for a monster buck anytime they have a tag in a good area.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-17-17 AT 11:20PM (MST)[p]2003 Gross 240, Net 228 Nontypical, Typical frame over 200 net, way over 200 gross. Around 31" outside spread.


61490coloradobuck2003.jpg
 
Those are some awesome bucks!!!! No questioning you on what it takes to kill true monsters on a regular basis and also I would have to say looks like you measured them with a metal tape not a rubber one!!!! :)

Again congrats on all your hard work that has paid off big time!
 
Cowkiller,
If I killed two bucks like the first two you posted I would never take that yellow hat off. Why did you retire it?
 
Awesome bucks, Cowkiller! You truly have been blessed.

Kinda funny to see you turn gray over that 15 year period lol.
 
>LAST EDITED ON Jun-17-17
>AT 09:26?AM (MST)

>
>You'd be surprised how many get
>killed that nobody knows about
>because they don't post them
>here or in magazines


This is so true. For every deer entered i would venture to say theres 2 or 3 that didnt get entered. I have a 200 inch official net archery buck , and a (221 gross)195 net typical rifle buck that will never get entered. I know a lot of people that have some huge bucks that score high that will never get entered. Nothing wrong with entering a buck but there's a ton of giants out there that dont get entered. More dont get entered than get entered.
 
After reading all the comments; and in my opinion, I think the chance of getting a 200" buck is very slim for the AVERAGE hunter. I'm fortunate enough to live and hunt in an area with OTC tags and get a buck every year. But a monster in my area of eastern MT would be 180-185". And I have 14,000 acres of private family cattle ranch to hunt, and only 11-12 bucks a year allowed to be harvested. Granted, I don't even put a tape to my deer, (usually only a scale under the packages of meat,) but im pretty certain ill never see a 200" buck in my lifetime. This is my biggest buck to date, but only guessing it at 180. http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2017/90473received10211082731256148.jpeg
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-21-17 AT 07:22AM (MST)[p]MTclown is right about Montana. A 180 inch buck is a monster today in eastern Montana.. I have seen a handful of 200 inch bucks but all of them were in the 80's and 90's. A 200 inch buck is not happening today unless you are lottery type lucky. Today I can scout all summer and not find a 180 deer and I have been doing it since the early 80's.
 
Wow Homer great buck

Joe

"Sometimes you do things wrong for so long you think their right" - 2001
"I can't argue with honesty" - 2005
-Joe E Sikora
 
I have hunted all over Utah , Colorado and Wyoming , my biggest buck to date is a 193", with 4 others in the 180's. Last Season I had a 200" buck scouted and patterned, probably spent 20 days keeping track of this particular buck, halfway through archery season some kid that had no idea the deer was even there lucks into him and kills him. So yes you have to put in the time every year but you also have to be lucky! I will keep hunting multiple states and putting in the time to hope I get lucky enough one of these years to see and kill a 200"er.
 

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