First Muley – Go Big or Play It Smart?

[Macegl]

Where you can’t scout before hand, I would go with what I had personally seen.

 

[Pafarm]

Where you can’t scout before hand, I would go with what I had personally seen.

I’ve chased way too many ghost deer that someone uncles cousin saw. Not saying they’re not there but chance of turning them up in a week or two isn’t great. I’m from the east coast so summer scouting ain’t an option really. I go with what I know and have seen.

 

[ElDiablito]

I’d hunt the county you know and have seen good bucks in. No way I’d be wasting time during the season on year old ghost deer rumors. Now if I had plenty of time to scout, you bet I’d be looking. You don’t have a lot of time and don’t forget, the archers will be in there before you.

 

[sndmn11]

I can't think of any good reason to move 40+ miles to pursue a rumor, and drive by countless animals, while leaving animals that are exponentially "bigger" than anything I have shot at before.

Especially with zero scouting, low fitness, and a virigin walk in hunt.

Go bang a 170 and see if it really is a 170.

 

[UKwildcatfan]

Oh for sure! They always look bigger from behind, remember that. That said for “score” big main beams matter most, I’m not necessarily a score hunter but I go for bigger frame older looking bucks, the last buck I killed had great eye guards and a good frame and a giant body, but only went 146, super short forks

Buck on the left is about 150, Buck on the right is 146

Forks. Deep forks. Neither one of those deer have decent forks, that's why they don't score well. Crab claws and weak forks kill a score, regardless how long the beams are.
If a person is not chasing a particular number, shoot what makes you happy.

 

[DKSOutdoorsman]

Im of the mindset that if you wouldn't pass it up on the last day, don't pass it up when you see it. Also, I know it's a year later, but don't leave deer to find deer. If you're familiar with the area and you were happy with what you saw then I would stick to what you know. Would you rather have a respectable buck on the wall and meat in the freezer OR chase a deer that MAYBE exists. Also, I guarantee you're not the only one who knows about him and he might be gone opening day of Archery season. Just my two cents. I wish you luck on your hunt!

 

[2ski]

I mean you do you but people that scout, are acclimatized to altitude, have years of experience hunting mule deer and are successful at it haven't harvested this buck. But again you do you.

I know a guy that has never had a girlfriend but won't settle for any girl less than a 10/10. I dont expect him to ever have a girlfriend.

 

[CMF]

Spend a few days looking for the biggun, then fall back and get whatever you can.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Last year while archery hunting, which dates did you hunt? Was it before or after muzzleloader season?

I'd go chase the buck in the picture as he should be bigger this year. Drive in the 13th, setup camp, sleep, wake up 14th early and be where you snapped that picture at least 30 minutes before sunrise. Find him, kill him

 

[baz77]

zero chance I’m chasing a rumor from Go hunt of all places 50 miles from where I saw nice bucks. Especially when extremely limited for time like your situation. Go shoot one of those solid bucks

 

[guitarpreston]

Last year while archery hunting, which dates did you hunt? Was it before or after muzzleloader season?

I'd go chase the buck in the picture as he should be bigger this year. Drive in the 13th, setup camp, sleep, wake up 14th early and be where you snapped that picture at least 30 minutes before sunrise. Find him, kill him

I snapped that pic on 9/23/24 at 4:06. They were all hard horned I was just shaky. I

It’s a 17 hour drive, I did it in one slug going home but going I spent the night in the truck and could have gotten to that place around 10:30 (went somewhere else first). I would rather burn a single morning than drive through the night. Not hardcore enough

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Go hunt where you know there are bucks. Chasing an old rumor of a buck from an online hunting site given to you by what I assume is a stranger is wild. Especially without scouting and a limited time frame. Even if it is real, you need to assume he’s told everyone else who has asked and some who haven’t as well.

Sounds like you’d be happy with the bucks you had been seeing. You see a real 170” buck you’ll be real happy! Good luck.

 

[dirtytough]

For bucks to get big they need age. Which usually means people aren’t able to kill them because of private, vegetation, etc. So I doubt if there is a big buck it’s the only decent buck in the area.

I would hunt the big buck and there is a solid chance you find other bucks you would be happy with in the same area.

 

[ndsportsman]

Go hunt where you know there are bucks. Chasing an old rumor of a buck from an online hunting site given to you by what I assume is a stranger is wild. Especially without scouting and a limited time frame. Even if it is real, you need to assume he’s told everyone else who has asked and some who haven’t as well.

Sounds like you’d be happy with the bucks you had been seeing. You see a real 170” buck you’ll be real happy! Good luck.

Sound advice right here!

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Are you more interested in hunting or killing?

Are you going to be happy going home with an unfilled tag, but the knowledge that you hunted the big one?

By way of a random digression, I once really liked a girl who was a bonafide 10. I thought she was out of my league. My dad saw her and said, “a girl like that is hard to get and guaranteed to break your heart… but it sure would be worth it.” So, I went for her. He was right on all counts. Best nine month relationship I ever had. Worst breakup I ever had too.

Me personally: I hunt and I take what comes to me (any mature buck). I would rather eat venison than chicken. And I’m happy with an 8…

You know yourself better than anyone else.


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“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[butcherboy]

I would hunt the area you already know has good bucks. If it has good bucks then I guarantee you there are a few really good bucks in there and possibly a giant. I’m not a horn hunter guy though. I would shoot the first decent buck that gives me the opportunity. I’m even happy shooting a small buck after hunting a few days.

 

[2ski]

I would go hunt the big buck. Spend all your time there looking for him. And additionally I would DM me the coordinates of the bucks you saw last year. I'll go verify their size for you........

 

[WCB]

Hunt the area you know with that short of a season/timeframe. Who knows if the guy that saw the "big buck" even knows what the hell he is looking at. And if it was a giant why the hell would he spout off on a forum or the randoms and not go kill it himself or tell only one of his buddies so they could go kill it?

Also, you probably didn't see the biggest deer in the area you were in anyways.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

If I wanted to keep hunters away from a chosen public land spot, I would be mightily tempted to post pictures of huge bucks I saw 10 miles away from it.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[Bubblehide]

If I wanted to keep hunters away from a chosen public land spot, I would be mightily tempted to post pictures of huge bucks I saw 10 miles away from it.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

10 miles is way to close!