Shooter ?????

[JJL]

Been chasing this guy for about three weeks now. I had a good shot 28 yards when he was in 1/2 velvet, and another 30 yard shot about three days ago and I passed. I think he needs another year and I can catch him in full velvet next Sept 1. I'd like to see the tip of his right main beam split like the left and he'd be a 5x5. Still not too shabby.

What do you think???

I've got some pretty good video of this guy almost running over me. I'll try and get it posted later.

[texastrophies]

That's a nice buck. I guess the biggest question would be do you think he will survive this year's gun season? If you do, then I would continue to let him walk. He could use some more mass and hopefully add that 4th point to his weak side.

I have no clue as to judging age on mulies, but looking at his face, he looks young to me.

[JJL]

He lives on our golf course so there's no doubt he'll never even hear a gunshot. He'll probably die of old age unless I run an arrow through him. I've got time. He runs around with a smaller buck who looks just like him (son) so I expect him to be 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 years old.

[JJL]

Here's a link to the video.

The buck starts out at 30 yards and moves into 2 yards. I didn't realize untill it was too late that my camera was on 1/2 zoom so it gets a little shakey at the end.

http://s417.photobucket.com/albums/pp259/jjl1029/?action=view&current=bigmuley022.flv

[ruttinbuc]

Nice buck...neat video!

[toddyboman]

cool video....I would shoot him....but since you say he lives on the golf course and should live another year I think you are wise to pass him.

Good luck

[stevebeilgard]

let him walk, jim. the old man you posted earlier is much better. this buck will disappoint you, imho. when i was guiding, i wouldn't want you to shoot it. his ears are 18" wide tip to tip. so, this buck is 20-21 inches wide at best. he's not symmetrical, pretty thin overall, and needs another 2 years of eating your greens. you can do better.

[texastrophies]

Good video, Jim. There at the end I was yelling zoom out, zoom out at the computer, but it didn't work.:D:D

[JJL]

Believe me Jeff , I was trying. My camera won't zoom in or out when in the movie mode. It might, but it sure wouldn't do it yesterday.

This is a 'local' buck that will be here forever. When does start coming into heat, the big-boys will show up. They'll come in from miles around t

[JJL]

Believe me Jeff , I was trying. My camera won't zoom in or out when in the movie mode. It might, but it sure wouldn't do it yesterday.

This is a 'local' buck that will be here forever. When does start coming into heat, the big-boys will show up. They'll come in from miles around to visit the ladies here on the course.

[wtnhunt]

Don't know much about judging mulies yet Jim, I got a lot to learn. But he is a pretty nice looking buck to me.

[ousoonerfan22]

Do you ever see 28"-30" bucks or are those very rare now?

Are the aspens turning yellow?

[davetucker]

Wow I never have hunted or even seen mulies in real life!!I'm glad i'm not hunting them either then cuz he'd be a trophy in my eyes!!But thats what i know and evidently it isn't much!!

[stevebeilgard]

Do you ever see 28"-30" bucks or are those very rare now?

Are the aspens turning yellow?

over 30" is pretty much the holy grail of deer anymore. each year while i was outfitting we'd get at least one over 28", yet we never ever got one over 30". we did have some misses at some over 30, but not many.... one was over 38". david blanton and i ate lunch while antelope hunting, within 100 yards of the "magnificent 5". the "baby" was 30", and the big boy was 42. all on film.

[aujack]

never muley hunted but that looks like a nice one.

[JJL]

He's a good one Jack. Couple of years...he'll be a GREAT one.

[Leo]

The chances of him adding another typical point at his age are pretty slim. He will get wider and heavier and chances some non-typical points or character bumps show up will be greater. If you know chances of him making it to 6 1/2 are good. I think you did right.

[elnor]

Agree with others, let him walk. Hopefully he'll grow some nice fronts to go with his backs, given a year or two.

[sureshot]

I have watched a lot of mules grow up and usually if they grow a frame like that they will not grow the 4rht on the weak side, I have sheds from quite a few with weak sides and they grow or shrink according to there age and the growing season but seem to have the same type of frame, in my opinion he is a 140 class buck now[about 21 inche beams, 2 inch g2, 14 g3, 8inch g 4, ] and his forks might get a bit longer and get thicker but you will never get a 160 plus out of him, just my opinion!!good luck with your hunt!!

[stevebeilgard]

o.k, jim. the posts are in. he's worth an arrow now. he may grow bigger, but not better. you have better available, so it's your choice. get him out of the gene pool? or wait for the rut?? i'm a rut guy.

[fly]

I advise you not listen to me because I know nothing of hunting mulies.

If I saw that guy, I'd shoot without hesitation. (and then I'd yell FOUR!!)

[Dakota]

If he was in SD, I'd take him in a heart beat! But you're likely to find bigger bucks where you're at imho... Neat pics!

Dakota

[MichiganHunter]

Lol..............i Think I would be eating mule deer steaks right now....hahaha

[BowtechTurkeyHunter]

Good call letting him pass I would say Im no expert but I had second thoughts and if I learned anything from the Wyoming trip Second guessing doesnt get you a trophy.

Steve