RE: How do you define a "top end".....
 

I am not sure of %'s but I would say a "top end" buck in any area is going to be 4 1/2 years of age or older in any area!!!!

RE: How do you define a "top end".....
 

Scott - I guess I use the term "top end" loosely. I'd say anything that will put younear the top of the leaderboardin the local buck pool would be "top end."

Top 10-15" probably.

RE: How do you define a "top end".....
 

I view "top end" in relation to what I see on the properties I hunt either through scouting or trail cams or spotlighting. If I'm seeing a lot of scrappy 1.5 year olds and there are 2 or 3 2.5 and maybe a 3.5 year old those are my "top end" bucks. They stand out from the others. Now those deer may not qualify as the "top end" on another property, and may qualify as unheard of on yetanother. If it stands out from the "norm" on a property then to me it's top end for that property and thus a target.

RE: How do you define a "top end".....
 

Good post Bry!

RE: How do you define a "top end".....
 

I would call it top 10% EVER killed in your area.

RE: How do you define a "top end".....
 

Fair enough, DC.....

But what you're saying is.........MANYyears a hunter has NO CHANCE of killing a "top end" buck (according to your definition).

Nothing wrong with that.....but it seems a dismal outlook to the season.....and just trying to clarify.

RE: How do you define a "top end".....
 

Around here the easiest way to tell is by looking at edges of their birth certificates,if they are torn & tattered you know hes been around a while and been carded for several years by less than knowledgeable hunters whom couldn't properly age he.

RE: How do you define a "top end".....
 

Yep, thats what I'm saying. To me, a top end deer is once in lifetime, if that often... Its one of those bucks that people remember and talk about for years....

I've yet to kill one.

I don't really see it as dismal... It really just proves how rare they are. I don't start the season with the goal of killing a top end buck. I just want a CHANCE at a nice deer for my area.

RE: How do you define a "top end".....
 

Can't argue with that description/definition. Good luck to ya.

RE: How do you define a "top end".....
 

I consider top end the best 6-8%. Which would bejudgedin three differentcategories, 4 1/2+ year old, 150+ inches or filed dress 220+ lbs. This standard is just fore myregion andsubject to change for other regions. I also base the top end onyear to year, if it were based on all-time for my region the weight and inches would be much higher.