Mule Deer Scoring/Pictures

I always believed if you score one, the gross is the number to go with. Unless you're going for a book placement, I would rather see an animal get credit for all he's got.
Great deer guys.
 
Nets are for fish for real. Horn is horn. Although it is extremely impressive and extremely rare when you see a buck that legitimately nets 180+
 
I measured this buck a few years ago, I think it landed at 154. His frame is maybe 140-142, for reference. But he had 10-12” of extras to get him to the mid 150’s.

99CD4486-669A-4D85-AFAD-C8358AB7E419.jpg
BFB2E1B4-C7C4-4449-BD67-BCE7DBCA0625.jpg
 
Here's my 2017 buck, it grossed 180" but it got a 13" deduction so it came to 167". I find the scoring system good if you stop at gross score, deductions don't make the animal justice. I attended an official scoring night with my buck and much smaller deer scored better and most people were surprised their much smaller buck scored better than my "wide/high buck". But it is what it is, it's my biggest mule deer to date and I couldn't be any happier with him!

fd8CPFx.jpg

ApFPZt6.jpg
 
My opinion is that pictures can be deceiving. The best thing that you can do, in my opinion, is grab whatever deer you can an try measuring them up. By putting the tape to bone for your self you will start to recognize which characteristics make a deer measure up to certain sizes.
 
It is not a winning game to try to learn to visually measure live deer from looking at dead deer, though it is better than nothing. The way to learn is to estimate on the hoof and verify with a tape. Most good guys who do it for a living would sooner give their wife's cup size than an on the hoof score that can come home to haunt them after the shot echoes are receding, heaven forbid that g-2 is 15 instead of 18".

pencil head- 182"
DSC04236 by squirrel2012, on Flickr

194 front back 224"

K1900C2619_1000976 by squirrel2012, on Flickr

trojan 184"

K7A3BF4D44BDC5_1000243 by squirrel2012, on Flickr


Harley 203-227 (but I didn't verify the 227 and aint buying it until I do)

K7A3BD4D45DB5C_1000245 by squirrel2012, on Flickr

IMG_0344 by squirrel2012, on Flickr

upper right 182" other not verified.

IMG_0007 by squirrel2012, on Flickr
 
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Love seeing those big colorado deer and on the hoof. So fun to see mature older mule deer. Great pictures.
 
This buck was a bit over 180 gross. Side to side differences would kill the net.
 

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Beautiful buck Gomer,


On every forum that’s a 200”

Thanks Tony.
I thought it would go a little higher but it is a pretty deer. my measurements were probably not the most accurate so, I’d guess it could be +/- 4inches or so from what I said it is.
Just needed a little more width to push 205” ;)
 

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