This is the point of my thread, what is the top end buck of your hunting area.

It's just about what I figured, even in big buck areas like the midwest, a 160 is where the air starts getting thin. I think that the results of our hunting contests are in line with this also. I realize that there are some places where a 130 is a top end buck also.

In 17 years of trophy hunting I have seen only 6 that are 170+. Glad I'm not holding out for a B&C. [:-] It shows just how special these bucks are.

In North American Whitetail magazine it shows a chart for top 10 states and provinces for B&C and P&Y entries. Ill is #1 for B&C at 873 entries and Wis is #2 with 853. For P&Y Wis is #1 with 6348 and Ill is #2 with 4892. Even in the top two states there are 5-7 times as many P&Ys as there are B&Cs (granted that some P&Ys are B&Cs). Again, a 170+ buck is something to behold. Not many people will even see one much less kill one.

Now you know (already did I'm sure) why your buddies don't post here.

I wish I would of kept my last buck more of a secret.[:@]

Um I am closer.

You just had PLENTY of guys tell you that a 100" deer was a top end buck for their respective region.

I would say that a 125 - 135 inch buck would be a common size with 160 - 170 being a top end buck, but there are bigger out there. I just haven't seen alot. Our property producedone 140two 160'sand a 209 inch gross buck last year. I've seen alot of 140-160's bucksshot byfriends this year than I have for a long time....

I would agree with many in the midwest, stating a 170 class would be a top end buck. I see a few in that range shot every year, plus usually 1-2 in the county over 200" In the past 5 years or so, there has been 3 freaks over the 220" range, but those bucks are very very special!

A 130-140 class buck is an average 'Nice' buck.

This year, the biggest buck I saw would have been in the 170 gross range(on public land)along with probably a dozen in the 140-150 range. But it isn't uncommon to "see" them bigger... Seeing them is the easiest part

I am sorry to apparently insult your intelligence but the stats of Lake county you were refering to are from 1980-2001. Over the past 5 years Lake has taken a dive and many counties have surpassed it since. I am sorry to break the news to you.. but this conversation is getting old.

And I am well aware that Ill. and Wisc. have more entries than any other state in both B&C and P&Y.. but that was NOT what you so clearly stated earlier about Lake county.. which is the ENTIRE subject of what we have been posting about.

Furthermore.. within a few more years Illinois and Wisconsin will eventually fall to the likes of Iowa and maybe Kansas.. These, and a few other states, have been kicking our arse for several years now in entries for both clubs. It's in the same 'book'.

You know what a book is.. don't you Greg? It's a little thing they conceal information in.[8D]

And who ever accused you of lying? I sure did not.. and our entire discussion was on Lake county, Illinois. Which is not to be confused with the entire state.

Just basket racks where I hunt in Licking County Ohio


Actually I say on average 120-150 class for a hunter patient and dilligent enough to hunt for a more mature buck. I have seen what I feel were 3 booners on the hoof 170-180 range (of course never got a shot opportunity). Almost all of the deer that I have seen have been typicals so I would say 170 to 190 would be the high end.

Spots in this county are getting tougher to to come by thanks to outfitters and guides and the wonderful stories in magazines and tv shows that have been promoting east central Ohio. Two landowners that I know gave exclusive rights to an outfitter this past season. It has me worried.

I have seen 2 that push 170. One of them got shot a day after I saw him and he measured 168. I don't think I have anything over 200" in my woods but you never know.