small 4x's

[Brad1974]

I am barely more than a week from my first mule deer hunt in Wyoming. It's a general unit that was hit pretty hard with winter kill a few years back, but the population is starting to bounce back & there will likely be alot of does, fawns, and young bucks. I have spoken to the area biologist and to a guy who has hunted the same area I will be hunting for many years. Both have implied that it will be very hard to find mature bucks. I have been to CO twice, and my brother had a mule deer tag both times. I know in the unit I will be hunting this year, I can't have the same expectation as the expectations we had in CO. There is a 4 antler point restriction this season, which I was thinking would help force me to avoid going after small bucks than I should be, but I don't really know. If I find a legal buck (one with 4 points), what is the chance that it will be a small immature buck? Is a 2 yr old 4x pretty common, or is that the exception? What would most smaller 4x's score? Do any of you have pics of what smaller 4x's look like? I haven't had eyes on enough mule deer to know what to expect.

 

[huntnful]

You’ll absolutely see small 120” 2-3 year old 4X’s. Shoot whatever makes you happy man. If you aren’t going to scout it, you have absolutely no idea of populations or trophy potential in the area. You’ll just have to find what makes you happy and kill it and accept it.

But holding out could absolutely result in killing a much bigger buck. They are not only just around, but prevalent with some hard hunting.

 

[Brad1974]

You’ll absolutely see small 120” 2-3 year old 4X’s. Shoot whatever makes you happy man. If you aren’t going to scout it, you have absolutely no idea of populations or trophy potential in the area. You’ll just have to find what makes you happy and kill it and accept it.

But holding out could absolutely result in killing a much bigger buck. They are not only just around, but prevalent with some hard hunting.

Yea, that's my plan. I would absolutely hold out for a 150" if I knew that was a very reasonable goal... but I don't know that & reports that I've gotten make me believe that could be quite a lofty goal. I have a couple mid 140's whitetail on my wall, & I was really hoping to exceed that, but I'd much rather tag a 3 yr old 130" muley buck than go home empty handed. Truth is I haven't done anything to merit being that picky yet. After I finally get one under my belt, I expect I will raise the bar a little higher.

 

[huntnful]

I’d just use the first couple days as scouting days. Big vantages over looking a lot of country. Get a feel for the populations and size available. Then start hunting

 

[Brad1974]

I’d just use the first couple days as scouting days. Big vantages over looking a lot of country. Get a feel for the populations and size available. Then start hunting

That's exactly what I'll be doing. We should get to the general are I plan to hunt by evening of Aug 29th, so I'll have 1 evening & 2 full days before the season begins. Then I will be there for 8 full days of hunting before I have to head back home. It could be a little difficult for me to field judge the smaller 4x's, but the truth is, if it's legal and it gets me excited I'm likely going after it.

 

[willfrye027]

I’d say archery hunting stalk whatever gets you excited and is legal. Have fun and sharpen your hunting skills. Too much emphasis these days on monster bucks can ruin the spirit of the adventure and the hunt

 

[huntnful]

That's exactly what I'll be doing. We should get to the general are I plan to hunt by evening of Aug 29th, so I'll have 1 evening & 2 full days before the season begins. Then I will be there for 8 full days of hunting before I have to head back home. It could be a little difficult for me to field judge the smaller 4x's, but the truth is, if it's legal and it gets me excited I'm likely going after it.

I’d say archery hunting stalk whatever gets you excited and is legal. Have fun and sharpen your hunting skills. Too much emphasis these days on monster bucks can ruin the spirit of the adventure and the hunt

I didn't realize you were hunting archery honestly. I would just stalk every 4 point you find lol. Will is right about that! Especially a new hunter going with archery equipment. A big buck will mean nothing more to you than a smaller buck at this point in your endeavors.