Dan the Animal strikes again!

[kodiakcombo]

5 guys go out and up and bring some nice bucks down, one 5x5, a 5x4, 4x4, and a fork and a couple of spikes.

[4merguide]

Nice bucks, but since when do we count eye guards out west...???..........lol

[BRWNBR]

Since we aren't out west and when we became "up north". Lol I say count them if they got them, since a lot of black tail don't have eye guards.

[4merguide]

I say count them if they got them, since a lot of black tail don't have eye guards.

Never heard of such a thing in the "North West"........lol

[BRWNBR]

I guess we can make it up as we go....no rules!

[4merguide]

I've actually wondered quite a bit how the whole east/west count came to be.......I think we've talked about it here before.

I also remember years ago as a kid my Dad saying, referring to a deer point....."If you could hang a ring on it then it was considered a point." None of this one inch high at one inch across thing like we do for moose up here. I wonder if anybody else has ever heard of the "hang a ring on it" before?

I also wonder when it comes to hijacking a thread.......if nobody is posting in it and it changes subject....is it still considered hijacking...???..........lol

[BRWNBR]

I think it was Beyoncé that put a ring on it?! Lol
Seems all the down south deer hunters use the ring rule.

[Bullwinkle50]

It is formally hijacked!!! LOL

Randy

[4merguide]

It is formally hijacked!!! LOL

Randy

Thanks to me, I'd have to say from the get go.............lol

[Mammoth Hunter]

Down south the 5x5 is a 10 pointer. Don't that sound better?

[4merguide]

Down south the 5x5 is a 10 pointer. Don't that sound better?

Nope.........not to me. You know why? Because I've seen some huge old mosssy horned 4 point mulies (4x4 no eye guards) that would make, what they call an 8 point whitetail look tiny. The 4 point I'm referring to was 42" wide as well. So just because a little basket whitetail that they say has 8, 9, or 10 points and may be 18 inches wide, I'm supposed to be in awe because it has so many points?

The way I look at it is that whitetails are the only deer where you count both sides AND eye guards. They've got a different standard and that's ok. But all other deer you only count the side that has the most amount of points (not eye guards) and call THAT what it is. If it's got 3 on one side and 4 on the other then it's a 4 point. Or even if it's got 2 or 3 on one side and 5 on the other, then it's a 5 point. Other than whitetails it's like trying to call it something that it's not. Trying to call a little 3 point blacktail an 8 pointer seems ridiculous.

But I confess......I'm old school. I guess things, they are a changin' if folks are now counting eye guards on west coast bucks........lol

[Mammoth Hunter]

Nope.........not to me. You know why? Because I've seen some huge old mosssy horned 4 point mulies (4x4 no eye guards) that would make, what they call an 8 point whitetail look tiny. The 4 point I'm referring to was 42" wide as well. So just because a little basket whitetail that they say has 8, 9, or 10 points and may be 18 inches wide, I'm supposed to be in awe because it has so many points?

The way I look at it is that whitetails are the only deer where you count both sides AND eye guards. They've got a different standard and that's ok. But all other deer you only count the side that has the most amount of points (not eye guards) and call THAT what it is. If it's got 3 on one side and 4 on the other then it's a 4 point. Or even if it's got 2 or 3 on one side and 5 on the other, then it's a 5 point. Other than whitetails it's like trying to call it something that it's not. Trying to call a little 3 point blacktail an 8 pointer seems ridiculous.

But I confess......I'm old school. I guess things, they are a changin' if folks are now counting eye guards on west coast bucks........lol

I'm actually with you. I'd rather it be a harder more accurate count system. It reminds me of the kid that gets a trophy for getting last place because everybody has to get something.

[Steve_O]

So for B&C or P&Y scores would the eye guards be a deduction? I grew up in the south where "A little basket 8 pointer" was considered a trophy. Matter of fact I have one hanging on my wall. I call it my 9 point whitetail, Eastern count of course. I also have a 5X5 Mule deer counting the eye guards. I feel that as long as you identify the species then everyone can decypher the logic of what it is. I have never been one to go with tradition, I'm more of a call it what it is kind of guy.
Sorry to continue the hijack of the thread.
Nice Deer BTW.

Steve

[BRWNBR]

I've always called them, nice deer, forkie, good one, a monster, booner. Don't think I've ever used a number of points to describe a blacktail.

[KLNhunter]

Those are some nice bucks that I'd love to have put my scope on. That being said, I've always thought that it is a complete and utter waste of time and energy to debate whether a buck should be called 3x3 or 6 pt or which label is the better label. That time and energy is better spent outdoors chasing these great beasts! A nice buck is a nice buck and congratulations should be in order.

I grew up hunting white tail and calling a 3x3 a 6 pt. That is what I knew. I would have rather grew up hunting muley's when I look at pictures of the antlers. But in my opinion, blacktail are overall the prettiest specimen. That black head and double white patch are distinct and make a great trophy.