Trophy?

[WRJ]

I have hunted mule deer since the year I turned 14 and my definition of a trophy mule deer has changed over the years. The last four or five years it is more about the journey of the hunt than actually killing a buck. A successful hunt doesn't have to be a hunt that includes a harvest but instead it is more important for me to challenge and test my preparation and skills. I love the actual hunt and I don't want it to be easy. Ten years ago I considered a trophy anything bigger than a two point. Now I am always looking for the old mature bucks. I still get excited when I read stories about some one shooting their first buck and its a spike or a two point because I remember how proud I was when I arrowed a two point at age sixteen. In my mind at that time I knew there were bigger bucks out there but that two point was mine and I had worked hard for it. I am just wondering what a trophy mule deer is to all of you here at MM?

To me a trophy is any animal I harvest that has a great story to go along with it. As for mule deer I am some what picky anything 170 and lower is typically safe when I am hunting. ( I am not saying I have shot a lot of deer over 170 I am only saying that is what I am willing to shoot now.)

So what is a trophy mule deer to you?

 

[RidgeRebel]

For me I guess it depends. I've hunted places that a 2 point might be a trophy because that might be the only deer you see. But if if had to set a standard for myself I would say that a trophy would be an animal from an area that I have scouted and know the quality of game it can produce. In other words I know the potential of the area that I'm hunting, I've set a goal before the season and I've stuck to it. In my mind any animal you are willing to pull the trigger or release an arrow on better be trophy in your mind. Nothing is worse than a hunter that kills an animal and then complains that they should have waited or that it's not big enough. That is not a sportsman.

 

[bucktaxi]

My first thought would be a trophy to me would be a buck bigger than anything else I've ever shot.

 

[Founder]

For me, trophies come in different sizes. If I shoot a buck, it will be a trophy, simply because that is all that I hunt for. I love deer jerky, but I'll admit, that bone on their head and the challenge is what drives me.

Like I said, trophies come in different sizes, depending on where I'm hunting, what I'm hunting with, what experience and scouting tells me an area is capable of producing and how much time I have to invest. (And there might also be other factors I'm missing)

Generally though, a 27-inch mid 180's type buck would make me happy in most areas I hunt. I like width, so lesser bone and more width is quite enticing also.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

 

[apollosmith]

I'm much like you. I haven't shot a deer in 6 or 7 years, but I've hunted very hard and passed up a lot of them. But I don't really consider myself a "trophy hunter" either. My freezer is full of beef and elk, so I don't have a big need for meat - if I did, then I certainly shoot the first big-bodied buck I see.

I love the challenge of getting to places I've never been, seeing deer in places I've never seen them before, getting away from 95% of the other hunters, sitting on a peak wondering both how I got up there and how in the world I'm going to get down, and the prospect that some monster buck might just wander across my path somewhere along the way. To me, the trophy is in the hunt, not in the size of the animal.

 

[Saskman]

For me a trophy would likely fall in the 180's gross score or higher. I like character though and I would shoot a buck with junk and mass over a straight typical any day even if the typical scored higher. Extra's on the deer are what make him special to me, it sets them apart from all the other look alike typicals.

 

[sageadvice]

If he could be described as; A booner, super high, knarley, way outside his ears, really old, nice long forks, freaky daddy non-typical, or huge mass, if he has any two of these, prolly should/could be considered a redneck, i mean a trophy buck.

Joey

 

[Stubaby]

2007 was my first deer...a 20" 4 point. That was a trohy and still is. 2008 was my second buck....a 24.5" 4 point and that was a trophy last year. This year will be that 170+ mark. As time goes by it will change, too......but like most of you I like the experience more and more too.......

 

[mdfanatic]

to me trophy definately depends on where i am hunting and with what weapon. im not real big on score i would like the big heavy 30"+ buck ya know!! but it could be a 20" + buck with my bow or muzzy ya know? ive been watching some bucks along with a couple others so we will have to see and maybe i can post my trophy.

 

[trevriv]

I've shot some bigger deer that I had mounted... a 28" 4 point and a 23" 3 point, and they are definatley what I consider trophies. But some of my smallest deer have the best memories attached to them. I would say they are all trophies to me, the memories and friendships I have formed from hunting are far more rewarding to me than the size of the deer. This is my first year bowhunting... All year I kept telling myself to only shoot a big buck, after hunting them a few days with a bow... anything is a trophy at this point! My son has yet to harvest his first deer too, I will be so friggin excited when he shoots his... I'll probably get it mounted even if its a doe!