Buddy and I are having a debate this afternoon. What are the typical scores in this county for a good buck and what score would you say for a really good buck? Typical low fence ranch. I know this can be argued in so many ways with food source, water, etc, but just wanting to get y'alls opinion on how big the deer can get in this county.

I think there is a difference north and south of I-20 and possibly, Hwy 36, but to a greater degree, east and west of 283. The headwaters of Pecan Bayou seem to hold good deer.

I have held the rack of a 174 that came off of a 300 acre place between Clyde and Baird 3 or 4 years ago. I have seen photos of monsters on some larger low fence acreage southeast of Baird. Another place I used to hunt south of Baird held good deer until some a$$hole carved up a few places into 10-20 acre ranchettes. Higher density of owners (smaller tracts) means fewer bigger deer to me. The more homes with wheels in an area, the more poaching/trespassing one could anticipate.

Anything smaller than 250-ish acres with even smaller neighbors around it is going to be crap for deer (think sub-135" deer), IME. There are always outliers of course, but those are exceptions, not the norm.

To answer the original question, above 145-150 is exceptional. 125-130 is good. 110-120 are dime-a-dozen.

Huntnflys last sentence is probably a good guess.
Key word is always “guess” on a question like this.

Yup thank you HuntnFly that's where I am on the debate. My buddy seems to think an exceptional would be 120 range, but everyone's opinion is different. Years ago I saw one pushing 160-170 as he was running off. Knew that one was big because my buddy from Indiana was with me and it took his breath away lol. Last year saw a 2YO that was pushing high 120's. His place is 1300 acres so there's plenty of room and the neighbors don't hunt.

I shoot 140+ pretty consistently every year at my (low fence) place in Callahan. (South of 20) Here are a few pics:

We have 140-150 class every year on eastern part of county and our neighbors hunt very little and don't lease and went let them grow.

I grew up hunting for decades, twelve months out of the year between Putnam and Moran. Used to know all the big landowners there. All those old gentlemen have passed and I have moved.

quality bucks

Not all of us!

Oops! Re-read your post. Missed the "gentlemen" qualifier.