We are talking about symmetrical deer.

Explain to me exactly how I'm wrong:

120 inch deer = Something like 16 spread, 20 inch mains and 8 inch G2s.

This is a math. I am 100% correct. If mass is 3-3.5 you are going to score lower but 8" G2s = small deer.

If you can't shoot that you have problems that's a 3 year old deer anywhere in AL - IMO.

A 16” spread 20” beam 8” G2 is not an average 3 yr old anywhere in this state. That’s an exceptional 3 year old that has loads of potential.
I’ve got plenty of data to prove it. Average inside spread for mature bucks(those 4+) in ALL parts of AL is less than 16”. It’s actually 13.5-15” depending on location. Average beam length is 19-20” for 4+ year olds. Average B&C gross score is less than 120”. Considerably less in areas. A symmetrical 120” 4x4 is a very nice deer in AL and I know multiple ppl who have never killed one despite hunting hard and they’re not idiots. A 130” is a GREAT deer. A 140” in this state is a deer of a lifetime for most.

The deer in question is well above average. His bases are in excess of 5” and he carries it well. That buck can’t score any less than 137” no matter how I figure it, and I score a ton of bucks every year. I’ll be shocked and apologize if I’m wrong but I see a 137-142” slick 8 in those pics.

Yep.

Y'all stop looking at the "forced perception". Ignore the hunter.

Avg tailgate height is 22" on a full size truck? Somewhere in there and 6.5' wide? That deer is way over 120

Yep.

That's a good buck for Alabama, I don't care what y'all say. Some of you are acting like the woke crowd by putting everything down. There aren't many that would pass on that deer and actually be serious.

I believe that method will get you in the ballpark:
"Wimpy's Rule

Jerry Stafford of southern Illinois has killed a ton of huge bucks. His dad Wimpy has killed his share too. Both Jerry and Wimpy guide for big Illinois bucks, and when a mature buck steps out, they use Wimpy's Rule to evaluate it. The rule is to take 100 and add in the total of the tine lengths. This 100-inch figure includes inside spread, main beam length and mass measurements. As you can see, this quickly simplifies scoring a deer on the hoof. If he has three points up and they are 10, 8 and 6 inches, this total 24 inches. Adding a 4 inch brow tine makes 28 inches for one side. Double this and we have 56 inches plus 100, giving us a net score of 156 inches, a great buck.

Don't Miss: Score Your Rack

How accurate is Wimpy's Rule? You may wonder. Pretty darn accurate for their area. The only thing they change is if a buck looks a little thin, they go to 95 inches, and if he looks a little bulkier than normal they go to 105 inches.

I have taken the scores of many local bucks and developed my own formula for the southern Indiana hill region I hunt. If a buck is a good healthy 3 1/2- or 4 1/2-year-old whitetail, I use a Wimpy's rule score of 90 inches, then add in the tine lengths. Since it is so hard to see brow tines, I use an average length of 4 inches for them. I score for Pope & Young and have found by looking over my score charts that Wimpy's Rule is a very accurate way of determining net score once you determine the figure to be used for your region.

For Alabama the figure might be 80 inches, while for Canada it may be 105 inches. Take time to study several score sheets from your local hunting area and average out the main beam, inside spread and mass measurement totals and you can accurately come up with your own Wimpy's Rule figure. You may want to fine tune your system like Wimpy does by adding or subtracting 5 inches or so from this figure if a deer's rack looks thin or heavy. Try this system on your future hunting trips and I believe you will find it to be the best way of speed scoring bucks on the hoof that you've ever tried."

I admire your optimism but I don’t think the average mature buck in AL will hit 120”.

I’m fortunate enough to hunt several really good tracts that have produced 150”+ deer.

This year on 6 different properties I didn’t have a single buck above 130”. One tract alone has/had four 5+ yr old bucks this season.

I’ll admit that a good portion of the blame lies on those shooting the 120”+ 3yr olds. But high grading young deer aside, I still don’t think the “average AL” buck will ever make 120”.

I hunted one property right next to my house so it was super convenient to run cams all season. In 5 years I never got a single pick of a 120”+ buck on that property. Note- I personally saw a 160” 10pt two miles from that spot, so I know larger deer were in the area but they didn’t use that 60-acre tract.

I think it’s called a difference of opinion. It makes for a healthy debate. No need for name calling. However you are correct about it being a dang fine buck and I would bet better then 95% of the people on here would shoot that buck. I know I dang sure would.

Dang - this thread took off 🤣🤣

Marsh - that pic is awesome - makes him look well over 24 inch wide

U can take pics to easilt enhance size of a good buck - sometimes significantly

Share the data then. And nobody has said anything about an 3 year old averaging 120 either. The conversation is mature deer. That is not a 3 year old.

I would say you don't have the data because I don't see many deer make it to 5 yrs around here...... BUT if you do have data on deer by age send it to me. I would love to see the 5+ data because that's what is relevant to this conversation.

Deer in first picture is way over 120. Nice deer.