Do you think your odds are better to kill a B&C mulie on public or private land? I contend that a buck has a better chance of reaching the ripe old age age of 5-8 years on public land for a couple of reasons. One, is that some areas contain exceptionally heaver cover and remoteness aiding a highly furtive buck in surviving many seasons. Two, most(I said MOST for those of you who dropped out of highschool early to become governor's tag deer guides) private land is managed and hunted to produce 170-180 class bucks and the odds of a buck escaping the hunting pressure in more controlled conditions in less likely.
Easiest B&C Non-typical
- Thread starter BUCKSPY
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Hornseeker
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I agree fully. I think that when a buck hits that 180ish mark on a private ranch they are ALL over him! Sure, some will make it, but most will be on public land. I think thats been proven too, hasn't it?!
I would agree with your reasoning. I believe a NonTyp B&C buck is the hardest deer to come by. $12,000-$20,000 can't buy you one on the best ranches. The best ranches in I know of in Utah can sell you a slight chance to shoot a Typ 190, but I doubt you could have the chance in 5 years to find a NonTyp 230 on any of the best ranches which are managed for "Trophy" deer. I passed a 180 typ on our ranch last year, but you put some extras on him and he would have been dead (or really scared), 180 or 230 wouldn't matter.
If those WY guys would pass those dinky 220 class bucks, then their public lands would be even better. (Sarcasm for those who take every word they read on the net literally.)
If those WY guys would pass those dinky 220 class bucks, then their public lands would be even better. (Sarcasm for those who take every word they read on the net literally.)
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DeerKing
Guest
"MY" odds for killing a B&C nontypical on private land are non existent as they are for most of us here so by default you gotta think public land. But if I had all the money in the world I like my chances on private land, be it a big underhunted ranch (is there such a thing?) or on a reservation. 10-15 years ago I would have said public land hands down but now I'm not so sure.
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OSOK
Guest
Either way, the odds are so small, I don't even know if it's really an answerable question! Seems from past observation, that public land might have the slight edge, due to shear numbers of hunters and the overall amount of real estate hunted. I do know one thing though, private land can and will produce! 
ICMDEER
Very Active Member
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I'd say public lands for the same reasons already stated. And as an outfitter, I can say that I'd be embarassed if a buck ever made it to 230+ on any of our private ranches. He'd have to be real lucky to not get whacked by that time.
The other thing is that I think the genetics are better on most of the public places. I'd say it takes tough country to hunt, limited quota licenses and the right weather for a few critical years to get a B&C nonytpical.
Good question, Buckspy.
The other thing is that I think the genetics are better on most of the public places. I'd say it takes tough country to hunt, limited quota licenses and the right weather for a few critical years to get a B&C nonytpical.
Good question, Buckspy.
eelgrass
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I'm kind of in a unique position in that my good friend is an official B&C measurer here in Northern CA. Almost every time he gets a good buck to score he invites me over to take a look and watch him score it. As you might guess the vast majority of bucks brought in are blacktails.
Even though we have an abundance of private property, much of it prime blacktail habitat, the overwhelming majority of bucks that make the book are taken on public land. And for the reasons that BUCKSPY mentions. Every year there are many big heavy antlered bucks that for one reason or another don't make the book, that are taken on public land. The kind of bucks that would never live that long on private property.
It has to be encouraging news to those of us who can't take advantage of hunting on private ranches. So hunt hard and take that little extra effort, it might just pay off with that once in a lifetime buck!
Steve
Even though we have an abundance of private property, much of it prime blacktail habitat, the overwhelming majority of bucks that make the book are taken on public land. And for the reasons that BUCKSPY mentions. Every year there are many big heavy antlered bucks that for one reason or another don't make the book, that are taken on public land. The kind of bucks that would never live that long on private property.
It has to be encouraging news to those of us who can't take advantage of hunting on private ranches. So hunt hard and take that little extra effort, it might just pay off with that once in a lifetime buck!
Steve
I can hear it now, "Oh no, here goes that Flag Wavin' Canuck again!" LOL!
The answer is pretty simple up here. Over 95% of the land in BC is public, so I would say public would be you best chances to kill a Booner NT. Especially given that there are only 93,000 resident hunters hunting an area covering 900,000 sq km's.
The answer is pretty simple up here. Over 95% of the land in BC is public, so I would say public would be you best chances to kill a Booner NT. Especially given that there are only 93,000 resident hunters hunting an area covering 900,000 sq km's.
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dakotakid
Guest
900,000 sq km's, thats like 4 miles isnt it?
Mike
Mike
fatrooster
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BCBOY, you really make me jealous with your hunting oppurtunities and beautiful country. You are truley blessed. But I don't agree with the gun laws. Sad to say, the USA may be headed in that same direction. Hope not. Can't wait to see more of your pictures. fatrooster.
antlerradar
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Here in SE MT the chances of a buck of that caliber are slim to none. I think this is a great question. I think Buckspy is right on target with his thinking. I could only wish that private ranches had 170+ bucks on them. On most outfitted property 25 inch four points are hitting the ground and alot of the bucks are a lot smaller. The one exception is private land that is all but unhunted.
It is hard to find good bucks on public and in SE Mt but The three best bucks I have ever seen have all been on land that any one can get too. They were all better Than 190 gross. My best three bucks were all from public land.
I have found only 6 ( All from unoutfitted ranches)large hardwhite or fresher shed antlers from private land since 1990 and have found 33 from public land.
Antlerradar
It is hard to find good bucks on public and in SE Mt but The three best bucks I have ever seen have all been on land that any one can get too. They were all better Than 190 gross. My best three bucks were all from public land.
I have found only 6 ( All from unoutfitted ranches)large hardwhite or fresher shed antlers from private land since 1990 and have found 33 from public land.
Antlerradar
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Hornseeker
Guest
I think like Jeff said, maybe a res would be an exception, like the Jic or some other I dont know about?
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huntsonora
Guest
I'll say public due to the reasons already mentioned and due to the fact that there is much more public ground vs private ground in a lot of the areas that have the genetics to produce deer like this.
Drum
Drum
B&C Non-typical I personally think public land but there are so many variables.
Most private land is scouted hard so the guides know about most of the bucks, but later in winter some public land bucks may move onto private land and hole up somewhere and give a client a chance of a lifetime with a lot of luck.
In Colorado I would say the mountain areas you have a better chance on public land but eastern Colorado is a different story.
Best,
Jerry
Most private land is scouted hard so the guides know about most of the bucks, but later in winter some public land bucks may move onto private land and hole up somewhere and give a client a chance of a lifetime with a lot of luck.
In Colorado I would say the mountain areas you have a better chance on public land but eastern Colorado is a different story.
Best,
Jerry
OK we all agree there is more of a chance on public land. Something to take into consideration, private land is limited(fenced in) you only have so much private land. It would be interesting to know how much public land is hunted compared to private land and by how many hunters. Also not very many of us can or want to afford the big bucks to hunt a private land hunt (Buck in a Box). Although there are some good trophy ranches out there, very few guys that pay for a private ranch hunt will pass on a 170 class buck. I would have to say there are more folks hunting more public land than private by a long shot.
Private land is usually an easy bag on a descent buck (occasional well feed giant), but the big boys live where most folks won't go.
Bowguy
Private land is usually an easy bag on a descent buck (occasional well feed giant), but the big boys live where most folks won't go.
Bowguy
