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Texas mule deer
#7988989
09/26/20 05:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 193
Stetsonoverton
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 193 |
First season on a lease in the panhandle that has bunch of mule deer, while it has an antler restriction, legal bucks are definitely on the property my question is what will a mature class buck score/be first time hunting muleys and don’t want to shoot just because he’s legal rather than nice mature Texas muley . We have seen several nice muleys but nothing like the giants wide bucks you think of when you think mule deer. Thanks in advance
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7989277
09/26/20 10:50 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
SapperTitan
Taking Requests
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Taking Requests
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609 |
different areas will have different quality of mature bucks. Just remember they aren't like a WT they don't reach their peak until about 6-8 yrs of age in my experience.
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7989413
09/27/20 12:35 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
Pitchfork Predator
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638 |
The best way to judge a mature trophy is brow tines and deep forks, along with tall FRONTS........meaning the front tine on the main beams.....usually if they are mature they will have a big body and tall noticeable fronts that you can see from 100 yards without binoculars.....8 years is usually the peak age for the mulie bucks so there aren't too many running around.....
Last edited by Pitchfork Predator; 09/27/20 12:36 AM.
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7989512
09/27/20 01:46 AM
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 193
Stetsonoverton
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 193 |
Thanks good info to know based on that looks like I have bunch of nice up and comers then
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7989719
09/27/20 01:22 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,900
Jgraider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,900 |
Focus on their body structure, not what their racks look like IMO. After you've seen a few, it's easier and easier to tell how a mature buck looks (whether WT or MD) by the "fullness" of their neck, shoulders, swayed back, etc. A word of warning though......mule deer hunting is very addictive.
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7990058
09/27/20 09:05 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 783
Gringocazador
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 783 |
I've never hunted texas mule deer. Maybe when I retire I will give it a shot, Texas or Oklahoma panhandle would be fun.
Thanks, Billy
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Gringocazador]
#7990126
09/27/20 10:22 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,273
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,273 |
I've never hunted texas mule deer. Maybe when I retire I will give it a shot, Texas or Oklahoma panhandle would be fun.
Stick to Texas, Oklahoma mule deer aren’t all that for what ever reason.
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7990317
09/28/20 01:10 AM
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 91
LtizzleMcTiz
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 91 |
First season on a lease in the panhandle that has bunch of mule deer, while it has an antler restriction, legal bucks are definitely on the property my question is what will a mature class buck score/be first time hunting muleys and don’t want to shoot just because he’s legal rather than nice mature Texas muley . We have seen several nice muleys but nothing like the giants wide bucks you think of when you think mule deer. Thanks in advance What county/city are you hunting? I’m in Briscoe. Seeing tons of pigs and auodad but Mule deer activity seems down this year. I guess you never know with them since they are always moving.
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7990394
09/28/20 02:39 AM
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 193
Stetsonoverton
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 193 |
We are north East motley county, loaded with pigs and good amount of mulies low number of whitetail and zero aoudad on our place
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7990858
09/28/20 04:07 PM
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 193
Stetsonoverton
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 193 |
So would this guy age around 5-6? Just trying to get a idea on body to age class since I’m new to these guys
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7990919
09/28/20 05:04 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,640
LeonCarr
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,640 |
He's a brute
I would guess around 5 he has the belly for it lol.
Just my youneedtoshoothimandshowuspictures .02, LeonCarr
"Whitetail Deer are extinct because of rifles with telescopes mounted on them." - My 11th Grade English Teacher
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7990935
09/28/20 05:16 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
Pitchfork Predator
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638 |
So would this guy age around 5-6? Just trying to get a idea on body to age class since I’m new to these guys He's mature IMO and could be post mature.......shoot him if you like him......they are just like whitetails in that they aren't all going to be great antlerwise when they mature.....if he is post mature he could of seen his better days.....
Last edited by Pitchfork Predator; 09/28/20 05:23 PM.
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7990964
09/28/20 05:45 PM
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 193
Stetsonoverton
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 193 |
Mature is what I’m after, get the age antler size will come hopefully , being first time hunting them just I’m trying to learn to age them and what good representation Of mature buck for the area and whats not, they definitely are different than whitetail Least to me. Thanks for the help
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7991013
09/28/20 06:27 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,262
dkershen
Rev Dave
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Rev Dave
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,262 |
I think poor body condition may have you guys fooled a bit here. I assume it's been a down year for rain in your area? I'd age him at 4.5. He'll be a bruiser if you let him get a couple more years on him. Just my .02 cents.
To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.www.NewHopeEquine.com - Health and Healing through Horses.
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7991065
09/28/20 07:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759
snake oil
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759 |
"You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas".
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7991364
09/28/20 11:42 PM
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 91
LtizzleMcTiz
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 91 |
We are north East motley county, loaded with pigs and good amount of mulies low number of whitetail and zero aoudad on our place If you ever wanna trade a Mulie Hunt for an Auodad Hunt let me know. I’m in Briscoe just north of you. Lots of Auodad.
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7991590
09/29/20 02:10 AM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,154
ErikL
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,154 |
mule deer in above pic don't look mature, if true mature later than wt, would give 2 more yrs at least
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7991637
09/29/20 02:45 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,576
Sneaky
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,576 |
JG, is that a sandhill deer?
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: dkershen]
#7991683
09/29/20 03:23 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,459
majekman
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,459 |
I think poor body condition may have you guys fooled a bit here. I assume it's been a down year for rain in your area? I'd age him at 4.5. He'll be a bruiser if you let him get a couple more years on him. Just my .02 cents. Agreed....hunted that area for 6yrs. Mules can fool you. They did me.
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Sneaky]
#7992041
09/29/20 02:23 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,900
Jgraider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,900 |
JG, is that a sandhill deer? Yes sir. Those bucks have huge bodies, at least the old, mature one's do. Always acorns on the shinnery, "stout" browse, etc. They're just different. Biologist has told us more than once that a mule deer should be in the prime of his life at 7.5 yrs. We try not to shoot any much younger than that.
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7992144
09/29/20 03:39 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,576
Sneaky
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,576 |
Those deer sure do hide well. I’ve spent a fair bit of time out there, and I’ve only seen a couple.
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Jgraider]
#7992219
09/29/20 04:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 618
Texasteach
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 618 |
Focus on their body structure, not what their racks look like IMO. After you've seen a few, it's easier and easier to tell how a mature buck looks (whether WT or MD) by the "fullness" of their neck, shoulders, swayed back, etc. A word of warning though......mule deer hunting is very addictive. I grew up hunting sandhill deer on the other side of the state line (Unit 31 New Mexico) and that buck reminds me of what we would see. Generally shorter tines but wider antlers than their mountain brethren.
You did what?
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7993222
09/30/20 11:58 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
Mule Deer have a different body shape and size at younger ages than a whitetail has. They always look older than they are to someone used to looking at WT. You have to really study the whole body size/shape and the facial hair colorations to age the buck IME. This buck was very old and I had seen him for 3 yrs in a row. He was also an odd ball for body size in Trans Pecos area in that he only field dressed about 135 lbs. Most mature bucks on this lease will field dress out from 185 to 220.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7997813
10/04/20 03:45 PM
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 193
Stetsonoverton
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 193 |
Watched him for hour plus opening morning, decided he gonna get at least another year was tough to let him walk since I’ve never killed a Texas muley but I know there’s better bucks around just gonna have to be patient
Last edited by Stetsonoverton; 10/04/20 03:47 PM.
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Re: Texas mule deer
[Re: Stetsonoverton]
#7999239
10/05/20 08:36 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,052
Dodge_Rock
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,052 |
If he's a small/young one, you must have some nice muleys on your place! Maybe a 200" will show. Patience...best of luck.
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