The information from the three checking stations also showed that a significantly higher 

 percentage of 4.5 year old deer from the northwest had five points or more. This may 

 indicate that deer from the northwest "catch up" and perhaps surpass their southern and 

 eastern counterparts in antler points after reaching 4.5 years of age. Its interesting to note 

 that in all three areas, a significant percentage of deer 4.5 years and older had fewer than 4 

 points (Table 2). 



White-tailed deer antler point and age information from check stations paints a similar picture 

 as that for mule deer. In the northeast (Region 6) 43% of the yearling bucks (1.5 years old) 

 have 2-point or less antlers, while 87% of the yearlings from northwestern Montana (Region 

 1) do. As two year olds, 50% of the deer from northwestern Montana have 4 point or more 

 antlers, while 84% of those in the northeast have antlers of that size. 



TROPHY BUCKS 



The most often used references for trophies are those publications by the Boone and Crockett 

 Club, Safari Club International, and the Pope and Young Club. The recent publication 

 "Judging Trophy Mule Deer" by Safari Club International noted: 1) "Mule deer are 

 habitually larger in perception, than in reality;" 2) "No matter which measuring system is 

 used to evaluate a trophy deer, an initial frustration often exists in trying to evaluate size of 

 the deer's antlers while he is bounding, or running, or even standing perfectly still;" and 3) 

 "It is frequently the hunt and the experience which converts the mule deer taken, into a 

 trophy which is cherished." 



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