I think the average once in a lifetime buck is probably around 140-ish. In some places that's a monster, in other places that's average.

But I define it like this: It's all about expectations. In all the years I hopefully (Lord willing) have left to hunt, do I expect to see a 140 class buck? Absolutely. 150 class buck? Probably. 160? Probably not. 170? No.

Fortunately, I already have that once in a lifetime buck, netted 173 4/8. He's the biggest thing I have ever seen, and I never ever expect to see a deer like that again. But you can bet I'll be looking.

Well .... if your Mobohunter ......[:-]

If you got two, then you've yet to get your once in a lifetime buck. Something to look forward to you greedy B@5tird! [8D]
Where I come from, 140 is what you're asking. It keeps increasing every year thanks to AR in PA. Before AR it was probably 125.

That is one reason I posted the question. If I limit myself to taking only bigger bucks than I have already taken, well, I might as well take up knitting, because they may not exist. I don't think my county has ever had a boone and crocket buck entered.

I was mulling over what my standards will be. I figure, I want a buck to be a 5x5 minimum. If I go a few years without taking one, I might lower them. I can keep my predatory urges down by shooting does. For a while anyway.

There is the obvious tradeoff: You will never get a trophy if you keep putting your tag on little ones, and they don't get big if they don't grow up. But if you set your standards too high, there might not be a deer in the area that can meet them.

I have two maybe even three that most will never see upclose orkill with a bow in my home state... firsta mid160 class 6x6 he right on the borderline of a lifetimer, my 171 inch gross6x6 (4x4 main frame) is a lifer imo..and a 184 inch gross(8x8) 5x5 main frame is most definately.. No complaints or regets the rest of my life..

Seen one in Kentucky once that had about 22" inside spread, with so much mass I dont know how he held his head up, seen one in Kansas that looked just like the Hanson buck, but as long as were wishing I want mine to have so much mass you cant get your hands half way around it, 10" split G1's, 16" split G2's, 14'' split G3's, 8'' G4's, 6" G5's, doubble drops on both sides that look like the ends of base ball bats with at least a 26" inside spread! Untill then a 24" 10pt that scores in the 170's will have to do it for me , But I aint dead yet!

My father hasone that netted 186 5/8". Until I get something that can compare to that, I will not say that I have achieved my "buck of lifetime". If I never get there, oh well. It isn't really a life goal of mine.

I'm torn on this debate. My logical engineering side says you can't get more than one "once in a lifetime buck". BUT as some have shown, they've taken more than one buck that for thier area could have conceivably been a "once in a lifetime buck". Maybe for them, thier OIAL buck is still out there and big beyond belief?

For me I'd have to say it would take a 180+ for me to consider it OIAL.

What I meant is not the buck of your dreams, but the buck you actually have a chance to get. What I mean is how big a buck can you actually expect to kill. Not that you will. Sometimes one guy (like me!) is lucky and gets more than one, sometimes you blow the opportunity. I hate to say it, but we are not all going to get a chance at a 200 inch deer. Some wont get a chance at a 150 inch deer.

Another way to put it: Take one hundred guys, and there were 100 opportunities to kill a buck at least this big. 20 guys maybe never had the chance, 20 guys maybe had two chances.

If life was fair, and opportunities were distributed equally everone would have 1 chance to kill a buck that scored at least ________.

Where I live 110 -120
Luckily I hunt other states , and hope to put one down bigger than that before I go down