Rack Fact: Look for Tall Tines

This buck was reportedly just shot in Clermont County, Ohio and grossed around 170". Great deer, way to go man! Focus on the tines on the right side, that is where this animal racks up score. Add up brow and G-2,3 and 4 and you get at least 32" right there. Everybody talks about width, but if it's score you want, width means little. A buck with an 18" inside spread scores 3 more inches than a 15" wide animal. Now imagine if the Ohio buck had tines only half as long; he'd be a good mature deer, but he'd score 16" less in that area of his rack alone. The beauty of a buck is in the eye of the hunter. If you don't give a flip about score, fine, shoot any buck that turns your crank this weekend. But if it's score you're after, look for tine lenght moving through the woods. Spot 3 tall tines on one side like the Ohio buck and get ready, you're looking at a big 10-pointer (assumes the other side of his rack matches up or isn't broken, and most of the time it works out). Shoot man!

Comments

[Chad S.]

That's a really great point about the tine length, Mike. And that is a hog of a buck too!!

[Flatlander]

Mike you hit the nail on the head.......i have seen lots of people who had ground shrinkage..... width only adds what is not even there and decent main beams and great main beams are only 3-4 inches different. even mass is only 8 measurements of maybe an inch or 2 different each between good and great. tall tines and more of them rack up inches fast.

but what is really important is the big smile that deer puts on your face ......if you like him and you will be proud after he is on the ground then let the Carbon (or allm.) fly :)

awesome deer above, most hunters never even get to see one like that come through the woods

good luck to all

[Doug Hagan]

Super buck-neck looks huge for early October. He is a bruiser for sure older age class.. Ill take long points anyday, that's for sure. good advice.

[Doug In Wisconsin]

Awesome buck for sure!!! Great point, Mike. I personally prefer narrow, tall racks.

Having said that, I'm currently hunting a super wide racked buck without a ton of height. First, I have to shoot a doe.