What is a trophy buck to you?

I enjoyed the post proutdoors made on what you would consider to be a trophy bull, so let's do one for deer. What do you consider to be a trophy buck?
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IDHunter
I would consider a 170 class buck a real trophy.
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I would say a 170 class or a 30''. [-o<
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AGCHAWK
I agreed with the first two as far as using a score to judge your animal. However...and this is coming from someone with a grand total of NO "book bucks" to his credit...in my opinion a buck can gain "trophy"status with me even with a lower score. (Again, easy for me to say...LOL)

1) How did I harvest the animal? Was it an exceptionally tough hunt, did I have to go above and beyond to outsmart him, or were the circumstances such that the hunt will never be forgotten?

2) A unique animal. Maybe a cactuc buck or that double main-beem buck that Brett posted. He's a trophy regardless of score!

Great question though!
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BOHNTR
Well, just about any critter taken with a bow & arrow is a trophy to most.......but since we're talking about trophy class deer using the B&C/P&Y scoring system, It depends which species I'm hunting and where I'm hunting. (genetic potential)

For me personally, I'd classify the following as trophy class animals taken with a bow & arrow:

Mule Deer-160" P&Y

Blacktail-115" P&Y
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waynedevore
Depends, For us hunting out on the BLM and ranchland where Muley's are managed for numbers I'm thinking 140 or 150 is a good buck. If you got the money for a controlled hunt where bucks are managed with a trophy fee, if you don't come back with a 180 or better not many of us are going to be impressed. zzz So I guess if you out on a fair chase and not shooting over the hood or out the window I'm going to like your buck. :thumb

I say score doesn't matter.
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cobowhunter
170 > Rifle
150 > Bow [-o<
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i say what ever i shot is a tropie because i know that i have worked my behind off to get it :thumb
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I agree completely with AGCHawk, it depends on how the hunt was and what type of buck he is. I think you could have a 150 class buck that is a trophy because of a great hunt and you could have a 180 class buck that isn't a trophy because...uh...actually a 180 class buck is pretty much always a trophy.
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DeadI
"Coloradobuck" wrote:i say what ever i shot is a tropie because i know that i have worked my behind off to get it :thumb
 My thoughts as well.
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Torch
I just realized that I asked the question, but I didn't give my 2 cents. I don't consider whether or not a buck is a trophy based on what it scores. I know their are many variables that determine what a trophy animal is to a hunter. I just like to hunt/kill mature deer and most of them have larger racks.

The main thing I use scoring for is to tell my friends what type of buck I have seen or shot. If I tell them it was a 25" 180 class buck, then they will know it is a tall buck, with great tine length, main beams and forks. If I tell them it's a 28" 170 class 3 point, then they know it's a huge three point. Other than that, I don't really care about what a buck scores. It just has to be the type of buck I want, which will most likely be a mature buck and look good on my wall. :thumb
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Torch,

I agree with you and I know that when you size up a deer or elk, you are pretty close to the actual score. I know others where I have to subtract 3 inches from the outside spread and subtract 10+ inches from the total score.

I think that any animal I harvest is a trophy to me! If it wasn't, I would release the arrow or pull the trigger. Thjat being said, I like to release the arrows and pull the trigger. That makes me smile :1

CS
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NONYA
If he looks like a shooter when I spot him thats good enough for me.If you get picky and start setting number limits here in MT your gonna eat alot of tag soup. :222
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southwind
If I am blessed to harvest a game animal than it is a trophy to me.
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RooDog
All bucks are trophies, If he looks good to me that's all I need. I sure wouldn't pass up a 190+ or a goofy looking spike. It all depends on the area I'm hunting I guess.
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MTQUIVER
I think public vs. private land plays a huge roll here. I mostly archery hunt and I agree that the 150-160"+ is a trophy but alot of factors come into play. For example: Public land DIY vs. private or guided. I think bucks with great character are trophies regardless of score. I think old heavy bucks that don't score well but are pushing the 8-10+ age class are trophies. I think if you scouted the buck all summer and then kill him it makes him a trophy...etc.
As far as mounting a buck with a bow it has to 150"+ and it has to be public land DIY. (Or it had better be a heck of a lot bigger than that.) The harder you work the greater the trophy value. Just my $.02
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MuleyMadness
I voted 180, partially because I spend a lot of time on a Limited Entry unit and am used to seeing some nice bucks.

I wanted to vote that the score doesn't matter, but couldn't vote twice. :)

I'm not concerned about score myself, I just want a BIG BUCK. And will go after the biggest I can find or one that is unique. I like mass and trash first. I'll shoot a really tall buck over a wide willow horned buck.

Good posting Torch!
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Its a trophy to me as long as its bigger than the one I got the year before! [-o<
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johnyutah5
"MTQUIVER" wrote:I think if you scouted the buck all summer and then kill him it makes him a trophy...etc.
I agree 100%.....for me it's all about the experience and what it took to get the deer. For instance if I took a 150 buck that I scouted out, I would consider that too be much more of trophy than a 150 buck that I lucked upon standing on the side of the road.
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