Top States for Mature Buck Harvests

[Brian662]

And another thing, while I have seen a substantial increase in mature bucks, as have other friends in my circle - that still does not mean 150” deer are becoming common. They are still a very, very rare animal in these parts.

The deer on the right is a mature deer. So is the one in the background
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From the side. What do you think he scores - 100?

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Our average 5.5 yr old deer scores somewhere around 118 or 120. While more mature bucks is a great thing - by far the majority of hunters I know have never killed a 150” deer - or even a 140” deer. Killing five yr old 120” bucks is not going to bring a flood of non resident hunters into the state

I would shoot that deer in MN or WI easily. Love the tall frame and upward sweeping beams.

 

[Brian662]

I love score, but maturity is the thing that matters in my book. You very rarely can have score without age. High grading is having a massive effect on what animals make it though. Often times it’s the “wrong” ones making it to maturity.
Like this guy. I’ve had him for a couple years, he’s at least 7-8. But no one has wanted to put their tag on him in that time
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I have one in WI that has been a 100-110" 10 pointer for the time I've owned the property (4th year) and he's back again this year. Feel the same way, would love to harvest him but not when there are legitimate targets around with age and size.

 

[SwampCat]

I would shoot that deer in MN or WI easily. Love the tall frame and upward sweeping beams.

And we will also shoot him. There are not enough 145” deer to go around, and I have five grand daughters. I dont feel like he is going to make a big jump antler wise. Our deer usually start losing inches past five years old. Chances are very good - we wont see him.

 

[SwampCat]

I love score, but maturity is the thing that matters in my book. You very rarely can have score without age. High grading is having a massive effect on what animals make it though. Often times it’s the “wrong” ones making it to maturity.
Like this guy. I’ve had him for a couple years, he’s at least 7-8. But no one has wanted to put their tag on him in that time
View attachment 82715

We dont have that problem so much here - we are a two buck state

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I have one in WI that has been a 100-110" 10 pointer for the time I've owned the property (4th year) and he's back again this year. Feel the same way, would love to harvest him but not when there are legitimate targets around with age and size.

I dont even see those types of deer to the best of my knowledge.. Would have shot them if I did.