The 30 incher TRUTH!?

soupcreek

Active Member
Messages
259
I've been browsing around on this sight for quite a while and I need to hear the truth. There are a lot of people here with big opinions and even bigger egos. I want to know who is not just talking the talk, but who is actually walking the walk.
Please respond to this thread by starting with a simple YES or NO. The question is:
"Have you ever legally harvested a 30 inch buck?"
AFTER answering yes or no, please tell your stories, make your excuses, post your pictures, or whatever. We hear a lot of people on the forum talk like they know what they are doing, but who has the buck on the wall to prove it? Feel free to call on your favorite MM screen name for their answer too.

MY humble answer is NO.
My biggest is a small 4 pt. about 110-120 gross.
I have a lot of friends who hunt, but only three have broken the 30 inch mark. I was only on the mountain for one of those.
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-09-04 AT 03:59PM (MST)[p]I killed a buck that was at least 30" high at the shoulder ;-).
Just kidding. 155 4x4 is the best I've done. I think a 180 B&C score is a better mark of a big mulie as opposed to how much air is between the antlers.
10418.jpg
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-09-04 AT 03:48PM (MST)[p]Yes. I have taken 1 buck that goes over 30 inches. Shot him back in 1994 in Idaho. I scouted hard for 2 months and found a bachelor herd of 13 bucks. There were other bucks in the group that made this big guy look small, but he was the only one I ever had a clear shot at come hunting season.

shelbdeer94small.jpg



My brother has killed 2 bucks that go over 30 inches and I have a friend who has also killed 2 30+ inch bucks. That is over a combined 17 seasons for the 3 of us.

I agree with nmtaxi that width isn't the only measurment on a big ol buck that makes him a trophy. I've shot a few 24 inch bucks that score better than my 30 incher. Although, it is fun to say I have taken an elusive 30 incher...not everbody can say that.
 
NO,
I wish, my best buck to date is a 4X4 that is 22 inches wide and scores 155. I'm still after a big one for the wall. I have always bowhunted and never even fired a gun at a deer. Hopefully this year I can better myself.
>>>------>Sixgunn<------<<<
 
Nope.

Seen a few of them on the hoof but never fired a shot at one.

Biggest to date is a 4X4 that scored 149 and change P&Y.Not as big as many have taken on this websight but I'm still darn proud.
 
YES:

Got this guy with a muzzleloader on public land in N.M. about 3 years ago. Knowing the area well and being patient enough to pass up smaller bucks pays off!

037565.jpg

037566.jpg
 
Nice Pictures and bucks.

I agree with NMTaxi, spread isn't everything. I have shot 3 great bucks and a few "nice" in 14 years. None are 30 inches, but all 3 are heavy old bucks with nice forks: 28 1/2", 26", 24". I passed on a young 30-32 inch 4 point last year that had midget forks, ended up shooting an old 180 inch 24" buck, which by far was the better "trophy" in my eyes. My friend shot a 22" wide 210 buck last year. I don't think spread makes the buck. I have been watching a huge old 29-31" three point so maybe I'll have a 30 inch buck by years end (probably not though).

I like the old saying of the 50" buck. Width plus Hieght (straight up from skull). 50" measured that way is usually quite impressive.
 
Guys, I agree that width is not the only thing that makes a great buck. In my first post I spoke about being on the mountain for one of the 30 inchers my friend (cousin) took. Here is the story. I was 14. He was 17. Every year my father and brothers and Uncles and cousins used to always take the first week of the MT rifle season and go to our favorite elk hunting spot. My grandpa took 333 2/8 net bull out of there two weeks after I was born. My dad is a die-hard elk hunter. I always liked muleys, and there were lots of them there, so I told my dad and uncles I wanted to shoot one. I was told that there are plenty of deer near the roads, and that we were elk hunting. All of us kids were then informed that if we shot a deer way back there, we would have to eat the liver raw. Our camp took a couple elk early in the week, and had packed them out. On Wednesday night, we hiked out and went into town (Lincoln) and got some feed for the horses. While walking up the trail to camp in the dark that night, I (being a very dumb 14 year old) left my gun somewhere on the trail. Since I couldn't remember where exactly I left it, I decided it would be better to walk back down in the morning and find it in the light. I did so. When my dad and I went to get my gun, my 12 year old brother and my 17 year old cousin went into the basin to look for animals. Just after getting my gun and making it back to camp, we heard a shot from the basin. My heart sank, thinking that someone had shot something and stupid me had left my gun on the trail. About twenty minutes later, my bro and cousin came walking back into camp. My little bro was bawling his guts out screaming that Wade had shot a doe, and that he didn't want to have to eat the liver raw. My cousin had his arms spread wide showing everybody how big the buck was he shot. After sorting it out(and going to get the deer), this is what had happened. They saw a group of deer. My uncle had taught wade that the biggest deer was the one with the widest horns. Wade told me that in the group of deer, there were two big bucks. The widest was the one he shot (30 1/2 inches). He said that the other deer was not quite as wide, but had very tall horns with 7-8 points on each side. That was the buck my little brother was staring at when the other deer went spinning down the hill. My brother was so focused on the other big buck, he thought Wade had missed it and hit a doe. After cleaning up the tears and packing out the buck, everyone was happy but me. I still lose some sleep over that. I have never left my gun anywhere since. My point finally being, that I would much rather have shot the tall 28 inch 7 X 8 than the very old 30 inch 4 X 4 (grossed about 160). I don't know whether this is a good memory or a bad one.
 
No, My best is 291\2 6x7 Nice buck. I agree width is not everything. I have shot over 85 bucks, Blacktails and muleys. I am still hunting a 30inch muley and a 24inch blacky. I have never measured a buck so scores don't mean much either. My guess is I have a lot of 160-170 bucks and a lot more that aren't. I just keep on them till I do it. Great post! and congrats to all the guys that have a 30incher. Someday!
 
Awesome Pics and Stories! That is what this site is all about.:)

To answer the question, YES.
My best buck to date is a 30 inch outside 11x9 Nontypical.
I wasn't a trophy hunter when I shot him. I was more of a meat hunter in those days. He is the buck that ignited the burning flame for Monster Muleys within me.
I was hunting a big birch/aspen stand when I saw this buck moving though the trees. It was 4 point or better season and I couldn't tell how big he was. He disappeared behind some trees and when he reappeared I dropped to one knee and counted 4 points and pulled the trigger. He dropped like a ton of bricks not more than 50 yards from me. Then suddenly, I saw another HUGE buck. I thought to myself, "I betcha I just shot the smaller of the two." The big buck looked at me and then looked at my buck on the ground. He then walked up to my buck and started pounding on him, raking him over with his antlers. I stood up and yelled at the buck. He stopped and stared at me and then started moving my way as if to say, "You wanna fight too?" I thought to myself, "Just give me an excuse buddy." I continued to yell at him and he finally bounded another 50 yards away. I walked up to my buck laying on the ground and I couldn't believe it. I looked at the buck on the ground and then the other buck staring at me. I had shot the bigger of the two, just barely. The other buck stood there the whole time that I gutted, skinned and quarted my buck.
The next day, my future father-in-law and I packed the buck out on our backs. It took us 7 hours. I will always remember that day. He had never done anything like that before. I really got to know him that day. He was diagnosed with Cancer shortly after and passed away a year and a half later after a courageous battle.
215_Monster.jpg

069729.gif
 
No,
Biggest is a 22" 2x4 that I shot in 2000. I havent shot a buck since....looking for that monster buck that might be over the next hill or in the next draw.
I shot at a nice 4x4 last year and missed high with my bow. He was only about 24" wide but had good mass and nice forks...nothing huge but would have been a nice first archery buck....Maybe this year
YB
 
I have shot 3 that are 30+

1 @ 36"
1 @ 49"
1 @ 55"

I guess I was just lucky LOL

Later Frozen
 
YES, 30.5 IN. 185.5 BC TYPICAL 1999 TOTALLY HIGH, WIDE , AND SYMMETRICAL. MADE A GREAT MOUNT, HARVESTED IN COLORADO. YD.
 
No, My biggest is a 26 1/2 inch wide buck with 9 points on one side and 5 on the other and is very heavy massed. He scores 186 1/8 B&C points gross and and 174 and change net. It took me 5 hours to drag him out and I got rained and snowed and hailed on through most of it. Thought I would freeze to death before I got to the truck, but there was 4 guys on 4 wheelers that watched me shoot him and then they stayed about 400 yards from me for most of the drag so I figured I would never see him again if I left to get my horses. That is one day I will never forget. I would post a photo but don't know how.
IDhunter
 
jshmdeer.jpg


Yes

The center buck is 33" and the upper left buck is 30". All bucks were shot in Northern Utah with a general tag except the upper right buck.

John
 
I've seen one buck ever that was probably close, he was between 28 and 30 for sure. I missed him at about 400 yards, a miss that still haunts me. He probably would have scored about 180 or so. After the season I ended up getting within 100 yards of him probably 10 times, it was neat getting to see him so much, just wish I could look at him daily on my wall.
 
Well, not a 30"er yet. This is my best mulie to date. He was 24 1/2 inside and scored 150 even net. He wasn't huge by any standards but he was a good deer for the region and considering the horrible drought in West TX, I'd say he would have been maybe 10 to 15 inches better had the conditions been up to par. And, I had a biologist age him at 8 1/2 plus. He barely had a useable tooth left in his head. They were worn flat to the gum line.

Scottyboy

wtxmulie.jpg
 
NOPE.

JshUtah, u must have a pretty good honey hole huh?

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.
 
I have a few of them, though I think most of my luck has come from being up there every morning and evening of the hunt.

John
 
Biggest one I ever took was my first buck, 15 yrs old 27" 3x3.
With a rifle. Ever since then I haven't rifle hunted.


-Cass
 
jshutah, that buck on the upper right is awesome (they're all nice). Love the mass on that buck. Score please.... :)
 
I got one back in 2000. 30 inch outside. He was an old buck with a roman nose. Was only a 3X3 the back tines are 18 inches long. Score is net 176.

At the time I was a meat hunter but since that buck I have been seeking the larger deer.

That buck was mostly pure luck. He almost watched me walk past him I had walked by him at about 50 yards. After I past him he stood up to watch me walk on by. I happened to look back and there he stood at less than 100 yards.

I did not even notice that he was that big. Just seen that he was a buck and pulled the trigger. When I got to him thats when I realized how big he was.

Even though I was lucky that year I still had bragging rights in camp.

By the way it was in unit 2B NM. Sims Mesa.

My next goal is a good Elk to go with my deer mount and my Oryx mount. Want a 350+ bull. Had opportunities last year just never could but it all together. First year to chase them with a bow. Hope this year is as good.
 
my only 30" (to date) it was a few years ago, but he's on the wall...i think the color of my hair has changed since then, too...

gentrybuck.jpg
 
No

Biggest deer is a 26" 4X4 (no eyeguards) that grosses around 183". Really even horns with 21" G-2's. Widest deer I have killed is 27" and in the 150's (muzzleloader).

While I have seen (pictures) of some really good 30" deer, I think that width alone is over-rated. I really like tall, heavy bucks. Width is just a bonus.

I have only seen a handful of deer alive that I think would break the 30" mark. The biggest buck that I have seen alive was app. 28" wide with 8 or 9 points on each side. Would have easily broke the 200" mark.
 
NO

My widest to date is 27" wideoutside, but the best scoring buck that I have shot is just over 22"wide outside, he grossed 171 B&C.
 
I've got one that is 28 and 27 but no 30's I havent seen a 30 inch buck in about 3 years and I feel I spend a lot of time in the field. Russ
 
Gee, I guess I don't know what I'm doing out there....cause I've never killed a 30" buck. I guess I can't talk about big mulies anymore, only ones under 30. Matter of fact I don't even know anyone personally who has, I guess my huntin' partners don't know what their doing out there either. Soup, go ahead and put me in the Nope side.
 
Yes, 34 inch typical with my bow in September. The story was actually in trophy hunter a few years back.
MVC-003S.jpg
 
I killed my first 30 inch buck on Wednesday November 3rd 2004.... Oh wait. That date hasn't even arrived yet has it! :)

OH YEAH BABY! THIS IS THE YEAR!

NvrEnuf
 
MulySlyr, I don't think this post was intended to put people down who haven't killed a 30" buck yet. Has you can tell, only a handfull of people here have killed a 30" buck. Don't take it so negative.

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.
 
>LAST EDITED ON Aug-09-04
>AT 03:48?PM (MST)

>
>Yes I shot a deer on 11-4-1988 on Fish Creek summitt outside Lava Hot Springs ID, he was 34 inches wide with a gross score of 207.
 
Nope had the opportunity but couldnt make it count , I had a mouth call and sqeeked he stopped broadside 30 yards uphill almost a perfect shot , I learned a valuable lesson NEVER release with a reed call in your mouth , I think my lips and call went further than my arrow .
He was 34"wide very heavy but not tall . I know that he was 34" becouse 30 minutes later someone else nailed him apperently my arrow passed through his back leg , and I thought the blood was from me, lol I knew I hit him but not very good I pressured him right into someone else . Dont think I would have been able to get on him again though .
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-10-04 AT 05:47PM (MST)[p]no never had a chance at a 30" but i have taken a 174 6/8 net p&y and a 157 6/8 net p&y
taken several 150" bucks with a rifle
the 174 nt was 27 something outside. he grossed 178 6/8 and the 157 grossed 165 5/8
 
If you are going by spread mine is 29 inches. If someone would tell me how to post I could post it for you.


NBJB
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-10-04 AT 07:42PM (MST)[p]1978 32" Wyoming, Deadman Creek
1983 30" Wyoming, Box Canyon
1984 33 3/4" Wyoming, Horse Creek
1989 37 7/8" Utard, Lost Creek
1992 36" Wyoming, Muddy Creek
1995 31" Idaho, Hells canyon
1998 30 1/2" Wyoming, Muddy Creek
2001 34" Wyoming, Secret
2003 20" my mistake Wyoming, Aspen Tunnels
2004 who knows!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
>LAST EDITED ON Aug-10-04
>AT 07:42?PM (MST)

>
>1978 32" Wyoming, Deadman Creek
>1983 30" Wyoming, Box Canyon
>1984 33 3/4" Wyoming, Horse Creek
>
>1989 37 7/8" Utard, Lost Creek
>
>1992 36" Wyoming, Muddy Creek
>1995 31" Idaho, Hells canyon
>1998 30 1/2" Wyoming, Muddy Creek
>
>2001 34" Wyoming, Secret
>2003 20" my mistake Wyoming, Aspen
>Tunnels
>2004 who knows!!!!!!!!!!!!


ANY PICS OF THESE FINE ANIMALS? SEND THEM MY WAY. THAT IS INCREDIBLE SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NBJB
 
MULEYSTALKER

WILL YOU PLEASE SEND ME EXACT GPS COORDINATES???

IF YOU WON'T,THEN I'M ASKING SKUNKTERD FOR COORDINATES,AND I'M NOT BUYING THAT 'SECRET' STUFF!!!

MY NEW GPS FOR THE CHUTE PLANE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE SECRET CANYON IS!!!

THE ONLY bobcat LOOKING FOR A 30"ER OR SHOULD I SAY A CHUTE-ER???
 
You can make it to powder through the LaPlatta ranch on this old man road.


NBJB
 
THAT WILL HELP

SO WILL MY CHUTE PLANE!!!

I HAD TO ENHANCE MY ODDS TO THE MAX,YOU KNOW THINGS ARE GETTING WORSE,IF I DON'T FIND THAT 30"ER,AT LEAST I TRIED,I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW MANY YEARS I'LL BE ABLE TO FLY BEFORE THE DWR STEPS IN AND SAYS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH???

HOPEFULLY AS LONG AS THEY HAVE LET ATV'ERS TEAR THE HELL OUT OF EVERYTHING,FOREVER AND ETERNITY!!!

I SHOULD GET MORE GROUND COVERED THIS YEAR,THE BOUNDARIES WILL BE A LITTLE HARDER TO DECIPHER!!!(HE,HE!!!)

PLEASE SEND ALL COORDINATES OF 30"+ BUCKS AND 360"+ BULLS!!!

THE ONLY bobcat FLYING HIGH LOOKING FOR A CHUTE-ER!!!
 
No. I've never had a chance at a 30 inch buck. I've guided hunters to a few, but not seen one as a hunter. My best is a 28.5" 8X7 and I've never scored him.

But this is my year - and my day is September 12.
 
Horn,
I was really asking Skunkterd (what a name eh?) to show to pics of all his 30 inchers but I'll settle for that pic of your buck. Sweet Buck!!! Congrats and thanks for sharing the pic. :)
069729.gif
 
30 inchers!!! That's what I like!!!

Yes, I've taken a few over 30.
They're very few and far between---no doubt.
Hoping I can find another this year!

Great width is rare and that's what makes it special.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
 
No, but not giving up as of yet. Have spotted a good sized buck this year scouting twice now, but you know darn well come season start he will be long gone.
 
Is it just me, or does every post turn to this? Come on guys lighten up! If this crap doesn't stop, Brian will have to form a "pissin' match forum"
>>>------>Sixgunn<------<<<
 
Couldn't have a thread without a pissingmatch. And to think I have been labeled as the great honky-white devil around here is a little unfair.
 
Come on guys, don't turn a good thread into that crap. If you want to do that, go somewhere else or email each other privately.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
 
WoW, people need to lighten up. And BTW, I know someone was pissed, but I saw no need to go and post a guys honey hole (if that's truly where it was).

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.
 
HEY I LOVE THIS SITE AND I VISIT IT DAILY BUT ITS CRAP LIKE THAT THAT MAKES ME MAD AND NOT WANT TO SHARE ANY PICS OR INFO WITH ANYONE. I HAVE LEARNED ALOT FROM THIS SITE AND ENJOY SORRY GUYS IF I GOT A LITTLE MAD.


MULEYSTALKER
 
MuleyStalker, at least you have the humility to come back and apologize. That right there means a whole lot more to me than how many 30" deer you've taken.

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.
 
RE: Aloha

Apparently missed out on some excitement, just returned from the islands, saw some serious wahine, wicky :9 wicky :9

as for the 30 inch club, have two entry's, speaking of clubs WTF happened to the good old boys club thread ?? take a vacation & every thing is gone.
 
RE: Aloha

No, Never! URRRGGGHH! Still lookin' to connect.
I did take a 28" 5x5 in Utah, north of Panguitch Lake.

Longrifle 1, out!
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-18-04 AT 00:13AM (MST)[p]Ihave been fortunate to have taken 17 bucks that are 30 inches or better. A couple that go in the book. I have 4 or 5 that are actually bigger bucks but don't score that well. If somebody would explain to me how to put my pictures in I would gladly do it.
<-<-<-<-<- some are in here!
--------------------------------------------------------------
IF YOUR GOING TO BE A BEAR BE A GRIZZLY BEAR!
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-18-04 AT 10:39AM (MST)[p]When you are talking 30" bucks are you talking beam to beam spread or kicker to kicker or what ? In my opinion a true 30"er is a deer with a beam to beam spread(outside) of 30", or tine to tine but not kicker to kicker. I have seen some deer that are 24" (beam to beam) with 3 " kickers on each side that people kill and call them 30"ers.
T264
 
Kilowatt,yea I am the same Larry. I sold my Outfitting bus in southern Idaho and moved north. Been try to get a hold of Chris
but lost contact. Larry


T264--11 of them are beam the others have good mass and cheaters.
 
sck30inmuleyrack.jpg


good width, color, and mass on my only 30"er...but look at those crab claws!

i poked this buck back in 1994. i went back to the same area two seasons ago and only saw a couple big forkys because the hunting pressure has increased exponentially over time...tho i plan to try it again this season and hope for the best.
 
MuleySlyr, Is that 30" gross, or net? lol Thanks for posting, looks cold!

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.
 
Casey,
check out post #16. I agree with ya though, I'd like to see Frozen post a pic of those swamp donkeys.
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27 1/2" @ 177 ?/8" is my best so far, probably not in the cards this year either.

fccdd276.jpg


Too bad this guys backs werent as good as his fronts.

Mike
at235.gif
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-25-04 AT 04:34PM (MST)[p]IF YOUR GOING TO BE A BEAR BE A GRIZZLY BEAR!


OK soupcreek let me know when your tired of seeing 30 inchers and I will quit. Larry
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-27-04 AT 11:03AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Aug-27-04 AT 11:02 AM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Aug-27-04 AT 10:33 AM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Aug-27-04 AT 10:30 AM (MST)

Hey Soupcreek,
Yes is my answer, although I agree that even though 30" is the bench mark for width on a muley it will rarely give you the best scoring buck. Myself I like the tall boxy antlered bucks. It is a good feeling to say you harvested a 30" buck, but if you are going for score you will most likely pass on the 30". That is if you already have one. The pic I have included was bow bagged in southeastern Oregon. The buck is 33 1/2" and only scores 161 P&Y.
Shot the big guy at approximately 12 yards. That is the challenge to get that close in the wide open high dessert terrain.
Go Archery you will see way more game. Keep up the the great postings. A trophy does not have to be measured by size. To enjoy the hunt is number one, to harvest an animal is indeed a bonus.
Bowguy

http://www.photodump.com/viewer/parrey/oregon33(2)529.html
Click veiw
 
Well i've haven't been lucky enough to take a 30" mule deer. BUT I have taken a 45" Coues Deer. he he :)

2001nmcoues.jpg
 
IF YOUR GOING TO BE A BEAR BE A GRIZZLY BEAR!
Bowguy,
That is a great buck for a bowhunter! Thats about the same as a 200 class buck with a rifle. Hardest animal to hunt with a bow on this planet.B&C least amount of entries P&Y least amount of entries. Great buck!,Larry
 
Hey Larry,
Thanks for the complement. Indeed these big mule deer are a heck of a challenge with a bow. The reason I posted this buck is he is a perfect example that 30" wide is cool, but usually does not cut the grade for score. This buck scored 161 and change. two weeks ago I was lucky enough to harvest a 26" 4 x 4 in Nevada. He also scored 160.
The trophy is the opportunity for the hunt itself any animal you can harvest is a bonus. Harvesting these big mule deer is indeed a lot of luck. The only thing we can due is increase our luck by spending more time in their house. Get out in the woods enough that you can think like the game you are after.
Good LUCK to all,
Bowguy
 
Bowguy....that is a sweet buck! I remember seeing that picture somewhere before. I never get too got up in score. I'd take that buck over a lot of other deer that would probably score higher. Then again, I've never shot anything close to book so I don't know. I do know that that buck probably looks awesome on your wall. Good job.
 
Hey Muleyslyr,

Yes, the buck looks great on my wall. Keep getting out in muley country and be patient you'll get your book buck.
Bowguy
 
I got one back in 88 that is 31 out side but that is about all I can say for him. light antlers and weak back forks. My brother got a better buck the next day. His buck is about 24 on the frame and 29 on the Cheaters and has a lot more mass. My best bucks are 26 and 27 inches wide with very good highth and gross in the mide 180s. I have also found two pickup 31 inch bucks. both of them are great bucks. I have yet to get the pic. posting down. Berto: If you still have the pic and don't mind taking the time to post them go right a head.

Antlerradar
 
Lets see some pictures...a buck that goes over 200 is a toad. Please share!

As for me I have never taken a buck over thirty inches. I have taken a couple of nice 25 inchers that over 160.
 

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