I think the advent of big buck contests and paid hunting took the innocence of all that away. Bring in prizes and money for large scoring racks and outfitters and the game changed. Now, everything is compared by score. I'm not advocating that I am a fan of the current lingo, but it seems to be a common language that most understand. Whether you are hunting in Pike County Illinois or in Florida, you probably understand approximately what a 100" buck is. A "nice 8-pointer" from those two locations are likely entirely different.
I will answers this with the way I view it in MI. When a MI hunter(who I don't know) tells me he shot a nice 8. 99% it's a 1.5 buck. On the flipside when I was looking at a lease in Centeral Ohio the owners son told me his Dad had shot some nice bucks. My little buck sense went off and I ask if he had mounted any. He took me to his office, my Jaw dropped to the floor. He had 9 140-180'' bucks mounted. When I describe a buck I shot, I just give the score out. Funny thing is I never had one hunter reply back "what does 120''" mean. I describe my 2008 buck as a 100'' buck, he is what he is, I have no problem putting a score on ones I shot. I think I have a sub 30'' 3 point from years past
Agreed. But there's nothing wrong with that, either. I just don't care, anymore. I understand the concept (trust me). But I won't ever score another one. Absolute personal pref. . Nothing wrong with scoring them.......at all.
The 08-09 hunting season we saw some ML guys in the parking lot, pre-dawn. We were talking and I mentioned I had arrowed a buck earlier in the season. One of the guys asked me how big he was and I replied around 130-140 lbs. He didn't really say anything after that and we all proceeded into the forest and went our separate ways. It didn't dawn on me until I was in my stand thinking about stuff that he meant rack size, not body weight LMAO. He probably thought I was a dweeb :D .
No argument here. Never said there was anything wrong with wanting to know a score or not. Always up to the individual. But most deer hunters, including yourself know what I am talking about when I mention a 120 class deer. It is simply a way to describe a deer regardless of what region of the country you are in. Doesnt mean you have to be a tape-measure monger. Doesnt even mean that the deer has actually been officially measured. Just a common ground for conversation. Never is a very long time Jeff. If you shoot a crazy, freak-daddy giant buck in Illinois this Fall, I have a sneaking suspicion that you will use some type of score to describe it. Pretty sure the masses will demand it, or at least partake in exhaustive speculation. And I wish you all the luck in making it happen.
Jeff you do realize that by not doing this again that you wont be able to enter the BH.C contest that we have just for fun. The score is part of it. I dont understand why you wouldnt Its just a score!
It is simply a way to describe a deer regardless of what region of the country you are in. Doesnt mean you have to be a tape-measure monger. Doesnt even mean that the deer has actually been officially measured. Just a common ground for conversation. Fletch: That's an extremely valid point. And....you're right. Never is a very long time Jeff. If you shoot a crazy, freak-daddy giant buck in Illinois this Fall, I have a sneaking suspicion that you will use some type of score to describe it. Pretty sure the masses will demand it, or at least partake in exhaustive speculation. And I wish you all the luck in making it happen. I said I had no interest in scoring him. I didn't say I wouldn't show pictures!:D (as I will on ANY buck.....regardless of size) Dink....I think I'm done with contests. No offense to contests (in the least)! I had a BLAST...and I might change my mind. I've had fun in every one of them.
I couldn't agree more that nets are for fishing. If it is bone, it should be shown. Seldom though does a score tell the whole story, I have a 100" buck that I'm just as proud of as a 154". I think Fletch is right, to me it is a reference not for comparison but for discription. I know around here most bow hunters understand the inches system, many rifle hunters go strickly by points, 4x4 5x5.... With that said very few guys I know refer to net scores.
Jeff, I will let you hunt any of my ground if you promise to score the buck and enter it in the contest. Fletch
What does that have to do with this discussion?? Is it THAT hard to comprehend still enjoying deer hunting and yes chasing nice bucks as well..........without the need to carry a tape measure in your backpack for validation of what you killed? It's actually not like that at all. Wow...........comprehension in this thread is reaching an all time low.
I couldn't care less what you are "buying" Gary..........some guys look at deer and see a number, most don't. Being one of the some probably makes it hard for you to understand..........or "buy", but it's still true. Are you serious? My reply was how little sense that makes because one is dependant on the skill of the participant.................the other is not. Really.......I "couldn't wait" LOL Done for a specific reason which reared it's head almost immediately.............the "you probably saw a 120" and thought it was bigger because east coast guys aren't used to seeing big deer". LOL you thought that was by accident or coincidence Gary??
Fletch: We interrupt this thread to inform you that there's one thing you ought to know..... If you invite this guy to come hunt, there's a DAMNED good chance, he'll accept....lol. 2011? I'm booked for 2010. 2011 is an open book! Just figure out which days have been "good" for you.....and I'll apply. "IF" I shoot a buck....I'll leave him at your taxi. If you wanna score him....have at it!
Why would someone care about a what a deer "scores"?? The only reason people keep score in anything is to assign a level of skill to a number or to decide who "wins" in competiton. NEITHER of those logically apply to hunting............no matter how badly some wish they did Yet you expect me to believe that most hunters CARE about something as meaningless as that. I'm not buying it
What does it matter? Hunter A scores bucks Hunter B doesnt but still shoots the biggest buck he can Whats the differance? Scoring deer that get shot is just the way things are done now. I dont like a world where its the "Cool" thing to score them or where the"Holier then thou" dont. How come we cant just hunt, have fun, post pictures, and rag on each other?
WOW.............you gotta be kidding right?? Hand 10 guys a tape measure and tell them to score a buck and I bet 9 would either have no clue how to or at least mess it up big time. If EVERY hunter was interested or cared about such things wouldn't this be common knowledge?? So why put a tape measure on them??...........do you feel better or worse about any of them because of what imaginary number you came up with??
