I would say a trophy deer in Tn is 150 or better.When you say the word trophy you think of a deer you don't get very often.100-125 class deer are good deer but not a trophy in my book.

But like I've said before its more about the hunt than how much the antlers score.I've shot some small deer that mean more to me than some of the bigger deer.

EVERY deer is a trophy to me.

I consider any deer I choose to kill a "trophy".
Some are better trophies than others.

Regarding "trophy" bucks, I'm looking first for age.
In most circumstances, I've been able to determine "mature" (or not) quicker than I could guess antler score. This is done quickly usually just by seeing a buck's neck. I love large antlers as much as anyone. That's part of why I focus on age first, as I want to particularly protect most those large-antlered young bucks so they can grow into larger-antlered older bucks.

Just for me personally,
"any" buck 3 1/2 or older is an acceptable trophy, anywhere in TN.
I specifically hunt for 4 1/2 or older bucks, partly so if I make a mistake, hopefully that mistake will still be at least a 3 1/2.

By focusing more on age, there's little chance I'll take out one of those top-end 2 1/2's, as for me personally, a large-antlered 2 1/2 is just the opposite of a "trophy" buck. And for you hunters who are really wanting larger antlers, those "nice" 2 1/2's are the best bucks NOT to kill.

But I'll tell you something many of you will not understand, and some will not believe.

I've come to consider a fully mature doe a better "trophy" than most bucks. Keep in mind that in the places I'm hunting, female deer are targeted as much or more as bucks, and the female deer are typically more hunter wary. This doesn't mean I'm not hunting for mature bucks, just that I'm finding more satisfaction in taking a mature doe over a younger buck, and more challenge in hunting a mature doe over a buck of any age.

Where do you hunt in Knoxville Tom?