Field Judge Practice

Ken Swenson

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 11, 2023
Messages
168
Just for fun. Was out glassing over the weekend while on a camping trip and saw this buck.

Being relatively new to field judging, it could be helpful to hear what your guesses would be.

My guess is 178 gross. Adding the two “trash points” I’d guess 184”

What do you think?
 

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Joined
Dec 4, 2018
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2,522
Hard to tell for sure..the ear width can be really deceptive. Assuming he’s not a giant bodied sucker I’d put him at 160ish gross.

But if he had a giant mule of a head, could be bigger. Typically are hard to judge for me.
 

Aerosith

FNG
Joined
Jul 19, 2023
Messages
35
Location
Orem, Utah
Yep, looks like a 3 yr old. He's going to explode at 5 years of age and top out at 7 years of age, if he lives that long.
Yeah, one thing I've noticed is that young deer with big potential usually look bigger than reality at the younger age. That deer will be a monster if he lives another 2-4 years... 190"+.
 
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Ken Swenson

Ken Swenson

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 11, 2023
Messages
168
Here’s a look at him standing. I agree with the 3-4 year old range, that sounds about right
 

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Maverick1

WKR
Joined
Jun 1, 2013
Messages
1,869
I'd put that buck in the 160-163" range, he looks like younger deer with potential.
163? What? No way. Probably should revise your post to say the 160-162" range. LOL. Down to 3". Why don't we just call it 160-162 and 13/16"? 🤣
 

PNWGATOR

WKR
Shoot2HuntU
Joined
Oct 14, 2014
Messages
2,748
Location
USA
I’ve always thought this was a good resource for identifying mature animals. Pretty simplistic, but establishes some basic characteristics to look for.
 

fishslap

WKR
Joined
Jan 8, 2017
Messages
1,005
Location
Longmont, CO
Low 150 maybe. He’s not very wide and his forks are not real deep all the way around. Good deer to me but not a high score.
 
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Ken Swenson

Ken Swenson

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 11, 2023
Messages
168
I’ve always thought this was a good resource for identifying mature animals. Pretty simplistic, but establishes some basic characteristics to look for.
Thanks for the share. This is a great read
 

Rich M

WKR
Joined
Jun 14, 2017
Messages
5,598
Location
Orlando
I've only shot a decent buck 4 seasons ago and it was 160, all I ever wanted for a muley.

If he makes you happy, have at him. You could do lots worse.
 
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