Disappointed

[TheLBLman]

And heavy mass is damn impressive as it comes through the woods towards you!

When you see a group of deer 700 yards in the distance, and with your naked eye note one of them has antlers, it will be because that one has "mass". Then you put up your binoculars and note all in the group are antlered bucks, but the only one that really stands out is the one with the "mass".
THAT is The ONE!

Never mind, other bucks in the group may considerably out-score that massive antlered one.
All it takes is the visual, to understand that mass usually trumps B&C "score".

"The One" is seldom younger than 5 1/2 or older.

To me, the better "trophy" buck is defined by a
balance of older age, mass, and uniqueness (like abnormal tines, side-kickers, etc.).
"Score" becomes last on my list of antler traits.

 

[Shed Hunter]

When you see a group of deer 700 yards in the distance, and with your naked eye note one of them has antlers, it will be because that one has "mass". Then you put up your binoculars and note all in the group are antlered bucks, but the only one that really stands out is the one with the "mass".
THAT is The ONE!

Never mind, other bucks in the group may considerably out-score that massive antlered one.
All it takes is the visual, to understand that mass usually trumps B&C "score".

"The One" is seldom younger than 5 1/2 or older.

To me, the better "trophy" buck is defined by a
balance of older age, mass, and uniqueness (like abnormal tines, side-kickers, etc.).
"Score" becomes last on my list of antler traits.

I do love high scoring deer but the more big deer antlers I hold the more I realize that some antlers may not score as high but overall there is a lot more bone on them

 

[tree_ghost]

I do love high scoring deer but the more big deer antlers I hold the more I realize that some antlers may not score as high but overall there is a lot more bone on them

I'd love to see a water displacement system or something implemented for this very reason!

 

[BSK]

I'd love to see a water displacement system or something implemented for this very reason!

If you wanted to see which deer had grown the most antler material, a water displacement system would be the best method.

But a good scoring system needs to output a number that creates a visual image. Currently, the best system for doing that is Gross B&C score.

 

[TheLBLman]

Currently, the best system for doing that is Gross B&C score.

This may be, but for me, "score" is only a single piece of the "trophy" puzzle.
I've given a pass many times to bucks that scored 20-plus B&C points higher than the buck I decided was a better trophy.

Most of the "score" is coming from the number of tines & their length.
This downplays "mass".
In fact, no score credit whatsoever is given for the circumference of the tines,
which can really be "huge" on an older buck.

Beam length & overall mass often mean more to me than the score.

To have the ultimate trophy antlers, it remains imperitive to "let walk" those highest scoring 2 1/2 & 3 1/2-yr-old bucks?

This may typically mean you never raise your weapon on a 140-plus class 3 1/2, but decide to kill a 120-class 5 1/2 or older buck. Often, that 120-class older buck's antlers will displace more water than a 140-class younger buck (lacking mass).

 

[TheLBLman]

That said, a "trophy" is in the eyes of the beholder :)

How we define our "trophies" will change based on our experiences and circumstances.

 

[DeerCamp]

Just goes to exemplify the variations of Nature. Some bucks "have it" and some don't. I've definitely seen bucks that never improve much beyond 3 1/2. Then I've seen those that explode after 3 1/2. Nature gets around to trying everything.

It's no different in people.

I was one of the tallest kids on the football team in 8th-9th grade. Guess I peaked early.

Then by high school, guys shot up around me and I went from being able to see over the OL, to hoping the coach would call rollouts.

 

[BSK]

It's no different in people.

I was one of the tallest kids on the football team in 8th-9th grade. Guess I peaked early.

Then by high school, guys shot up around me and I went from being able to see over the OL, to hoping the coach would call rollouts.

Exactly. I graduated High School at 5' 5" and 135 lbs. In my early 20s, I started to grow. Ended up 5' 11 1/2" and 165. I went from being the smallest kid in my class every year from Kindergarten through senior year of High School to the tallest person in my family.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

Exactly. I graduated High School at 5' 5" and 135 lbs. In my early 20s, I started to grow. Ended up 5' 11 1/2" and 165. I went from being the smallest kid in my class every year from Kindergarten through senior year of High School to the tallest person in my family.

Same here. I graduated high school at 5'10" and 160 lbs. It wasn't until sophomore year in college when I "filled out" to 6'0" and 190 lbs. I always wished I had that extra meat on me to excel in high school sports. I also know of a guy in middle school that was bigger than anyone and everyone was scared of him. He never grew another inch and was one of the smallest guys by high school graduation. Helps explain antlers to an extent.

 

[elboe805]

Good buck

 

[rem270]

Most impressive blow up on a deer was a 7 pt I watched for 4 seasons. Started seeing him at 2.5 and about a 15'' wide 7 point. The next year he was a bit wider but not any growth besides that. 3rd year he was about 18'' wide and this was the first year I started running cameras and got several pics of him. He had put on a little tine length but nothing impressive. I had already made my mind up to take him out the next season regardless of what his rack because I knew he was a fully mature deer at that point. The 4th year to see him and 2nd year to running cameras he completely blew up. From brow tines and other tines I know 100% it was him and couldn't believe it when I see trail cams pics. He was probably 24'' wide inside, same shorter tines and brows but added at least 7 more points I could count from pics totaling 14 points. Got pics of him all of August to never be seen again :(. Asked around as best I could to see if anyone have killed him but have yet to figure that out. That was back in 2012. Wish I could get photobucket to work to post some pics.

 

[DeerCamp]

Same here. I graduated high school at 5'10" and 160 lbs. It wasn't until sophomore year in college when I "filled out" to 6'0" and 190 lbs. I always wished I had that extra meat on me to excel in high school sports. I also know of a guy in middle school that was bigger than anyone and everyone was scared of him. He never grew another inch and was one of the smallest guys by high school graduation. Helps explain antlers to an extent.

Also, one of the biggest dudes on the football team - seriously big dude for high school (I'd guess 6'2, 245) - never did take showers in the locker room.

One morning the coaches brought us in at 5am and we did a crazy hard workout outside (bear crawls, etc) until 20 minutes before school. He had no choice but to take a shower.

After that day, the seniors christened him with the nickname "buttons" - use your imagination.

May help to explain antlers a little too.

 

[Shed Hunter]

Also, one of the biggest dudes on the football team - seriously big dude for high school (I'd guess 6'2, 245) - never did take showers in the locker room.

One morning the coaches brought us in at 5am and we did a crazy hard workout outside (bear crawls, etc) until 20 minutes before school. He had no choice but to take a shower.

After that day, the seniors christened him with the nickname "buttons" - use your imagination.

May help to explain antlers a little too.

Hey man. Things just look small on us tall guys