How rare is a 200 inch mule deer

[Drewdog10]

200 typical all day

 

[Moser1323]

In a general unit across the western states, how rare is it to even see a 200 inch deer on the winter range?

Probably the best place to see one but still very rare. The problem is people see a big buck and throw around numbers. I would bet 99/100 200” bucks that people claim to see fall well short.

 

[Wolowizard]

View attachment 773452
Can any give me an idea on this? Tagged him last Sunday with my bow. 28 1/2” inside spread and 31 1/8” outside frame

Finally got him scored. Came out 32” wide and he grossed 196 5/8 soooooooooooooo close. Netted 183 3/8

 

[Indian Summer]

Rarer every year I’d say.

 

[huntnful]

I finally helped on one last year, and it was definitely a different level of buck to walk up and put your hands on. I believe it was a 187” frame with 16” of extras. But just an amazing buck!

Frame was 27” wide and had 24” and 25” beams. Magnificent deer.

 

[wytx]

This buck was aged at 4.5 yrs when taken, can't help but to think what he could have been in 2 years or so.

 

[huntnful]

This buck was aged at 4.5 yrs when taken, can't help but to think what he could have been in 2 years or so.

View attachment 890928

Sweet Jesus. But no one in their right mind would wait around another year to find out haha.

 

[hoosierhunter11]

What do yall think is the whitetail equivalent of a 200 inch mule deer? 180?

 

[JackButler]

I'd compare a 200" mule deer to a 400" bull, personally. They are absolutely incredibly rare and ridiculous to see in person.

I’ve seen significantly more 400+ bulls than 200+ mule deer. Makes me sad because I’m way more of a trophy mule deer hunter.

 

[KyleR1985]

The deer in the meadow is the first big game animal I put eyes on in Colorado the first time I went elk hunting.

I found this set of sheds the next year elk hunting within a few miles of that one.

I’d love to know what either scored.

If they’re 200 or close to it, then my dumb brain says “they’re everywhere!”

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

What do yall think is the whitetail equivalent of a 200 inch mule deer? 180?

Just some "equivalents" to give an idea...

 

[West2East]

I have maybe seen 1 and I only think he was that big cause I saw the smaller one and thought it was maybe a true 180 symmetrical 4x4. Then I saw the next one in line and he had more height and width along with stickers and a drop tine.
Typical late august giant that disappears two weeks later

 

[hoosierhunter11]

Just some "equivalents" to give an idea...
View attachment 891539

I have never hunted mule deer (yet!), but I have been hunting whitetail on private and public across the state of Indiana for 20 years. I have only seen 2 180+ deer throughout that time and both have been wild scenarios during the infamous rut. When I was 14 or 15 I had a HUGE buck come in chasing a nice 8 pointer who was chasing a doe. I had a scoped muzzleloader and couldn't get my crosshairs on him.