I would say he is 31.5" wide, gross scores 169" and came from Mendocino National Forest in California. Great trophy Blacktail!
I hope I don't offend anyone.
Mike
Hey, I think I just figured out why the guy is holding it's ears back like that. I'm pretty sure it's because the buck is still alive! He's just holding him down while GrayBeard puts a tape on him...
So what did he end up going and where did you catch him?
California without a doubt. Those pine trees in the back ground appear to be growing in the distinct branched trunk of a foothill pine (Pinus sabiniana). Also appears to be some chamise (chaparral species) behind the buck's rack. I'd have to say central to northern California, but within a ring around the central valley of CA. Not too high in elevation and not along the north central coast.
The veg gives it away that it is California, but it also helps that he is wearing a California Deer Association hat. I would guess he is pushing 28 inches and was killed somewhere east of Red Bluff.
The more I look at the buck the more I am second guessing myself. I'm going to change my score and say he's 195" gross and if that buck isn't at least 33" wide I'll kiss Moosie's butt! x(
Comon Graybeard! Give it to us before I start second guessing myself again.
Oh, and if the buck is not at least 33 wide don't worry about telling us that part...
Here is a couple more hints. Yes, the buck was killed in Kalifornicated. It is 100% blacktail! He was taken 25 to 30 miles west of Interstate 5. Not East of Red Bluff. Truly a buck of a lifetime for a blacktail. Now that we know it is not a mule deer, any more guesses? Some of you are pretty close. Hint. He is not 40 inches and he has 27 inch mainbeams with over 14 inch G4's. I will lament the statistics tomorrow. Keep guessing. Thanks Steve for posting. Rick
sounds like some of the ranch country west of corning up to red bluff ,,, we hunt above paskenta quite a bit ,,, good amounts of deer and just loaded with valley and mountain quail ,,,, and no i've never shot , seen, or seen shot anything that big there ,,, seen some nice deer over the other side by covelo but never anything that big ,,, thanks for the post ,,,
Most likely an auction tag . The hunts run after the regular sesaon and into the rut . There used to be someone who posted here who guided alot of hunters to monster bucks in the B zones , I bet he was involved in the hunt . Nice to know bucks of this caliber roam the hills I hunt . Congrats to the guide and hunter .
Got to be in the Yollo Bolly's as I have seen this picture somewhere else this year but can't remember where or what publication.
It might have been either in the CDA Mag or on Western Hunter's website news letter, just don't remember.
OK, if it has 14" G-4s that puts it in about 181". I will still stand behind all of my original data, 31.5 wide and Mendocino National Forest as the location. I still say he looks like 169"
Mike
I will be going out to the taxidermist to get the final green score. Some of you are very close. As soon as I get the final score I will post the results. The winner will receive some compensation. Thanks. Keep the guesses coming. Where is BUCKSPY's guess?
Looks like Big Moosie is the lucky contestant. The buck is 29 7/8 wide and gross scores 172 3/8. For a genuine blacktail he is a buck of a liftime. The fact that the buck has no eyeguards makes it look like he is at least 32 inches wide. Big Moosie PM me your mailing address and I will send you something interesting. Thanks, Rick
Mike, did you see this buck when it wasn't dirt temperature. The reason I ask is that this guy told me about a dude that knew where this buck was hiding out.He mentioned that his name was Mike. Any connection? If so, I need to talk to you about another buck. Thanks, Rick
Oh, the buck was taken with a 300 Jarrett rifle on national forest land in Northern CA.
Theridge, I wish I could say it was me, if so that buck would be at my taxidermist. I heard of a buck similar buck(couldn't have been as big as this one)in the Hull Mt. area. While bear hunting in that area I have seen some very wide genes and figured it might be worth a guess. Thanks for sharing the picture.
Mike