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How big is this CA Blacktail
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Picture of Mike_Dettorre
posted
What say ye...



Just FYI, this is considered a very nice buck in CA A zone


Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10181 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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Picture of Bobby Tomek
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Very nice!

I wouldn't hesitate on a CA blacktail of this size for even a moment... Big Grin


Bobby
Μολὼν λαβέ
The most important thing in life is not what we do but how and why we do it. - Nana Mouskouri

 
Posts: 9454 | Location: Shiner TX USA | Registered: 19 March 2002Reply With Quote
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Picture of Mike_Dettorre
posted Hide Post
Snapped that photo yesterday...

Yea, Bobby for us here in CA...that is one you don't even ask whether it's a shooter


Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10181 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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Picture of JBoutfishn
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Hey Mike, how much jail time for discharging your 308 where that big boy lives?


Jim "Bwana Umfundi"
NRA



 
Posts: 3014 | Location: State Of Jefferson | Registered: 27 March 2002Reply With Quote
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I don't know much about them. What is average body weight? Ear-tip spread? Are they usually 4x4 ?
 
Posts: 172 | Location: DAPHNE, ALABAMA | Registered: 26 April 2009Reply With Quote
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Picture of Big Bore Boar Hunter
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My guess is that photo was snapped at a park where there are few predators (especially those armed with a .308).

JL
 
Posts: 1343 | Location: Northern California | Registered: 15 January 2006Reply With Quote
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Picture of Mike_Dettorre
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JL,

That photo was snapped on a ranch in Monterey County up in the hills and the ranch is actively hunted. Closest dwelling is probably a mile away.

JBoutfishin,

See answer above.

Sir Mauser,

There really is no standard on CA Blacktail in that anything from a large forky to a 3x3 is very common and is considered mature.

large symmetrical 4x4s are considered real trophies.



My guess is he is at least 20 inches wide...


Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10181 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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posted Hide Post
Damn,
That looks exactly like a buck I've been looking at.
He gave my kid a few peeks last year but slipped away.
That is a shooter.

Here is a big one my kid took last year.
100% Blacktail. A Zone

 
Posts: 23 | Registered: 14 June 2009Reply With Quote
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Picture of Mike_Dettorre
posted Hide Post
Salmonella,

That is a very nice 2x3 look at the length of those tines.

where was that taken?


Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10181 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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posted Hide Post
North eastern Napa County.
25" wide.
 
Posts: 23 | Registered: 14 June 2009Reply With Quote
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Picture of Mike_Dettorre
posted Hide Post
He's a beauty


Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10181 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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Picture of JBoutfishn
posted Hide Post
quote:
That photo was snapped on a ranch in Monterey County up in the hills and the ranch is actively hunted. Closest dwelling is probably a mile away.


The country looks a lot like the hills around I680 Smiler


Jim "Bwana Umfundi"
NRA



 
Posts: 3014 | Location: State Of Jefferson | Registered: 27 March 2002Reply With Quote
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Picture of Mike_Dettorre
posted Hide Post
It does indeed Jim but it is not...


Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10181 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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posted Hide Post
Thanks Mike.
Here are a few other Blacktails from recentley...

A 4x3 w/small droptine another my kid took.


Nice Archery bucks I've taken.






Rifle bucks.


 
Posts: 23 | Registered: 14 June 2009Reply With Quote
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Picture of Mike_Dettorre
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Those are all very nice deer...congrats to all that success


Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10181 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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posted Hide Post
Mike-Nice 3 point in the first picture, I agree that he is 20+/- and he looks like he has some pretty thick bases. I would definetly shoot him.

Salmonella-Some great bucks for you and your son.

Thanks,

Greg
 
Posts: 201 | Location: Sonoma, California | Registered: 06 July 2003Reply With Quote
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Picture of Bobby Tomek
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Mike and Salmonella-

Those photos are enough to get anyone's blood pumping, never mind the fact that it's 100+ degress and late June.

Thanks for sharing them!
Bobby


Bobby
Μολὼν λαβέ
The most important thing in life is not what we do but how and why we do it. - Nana Mouskouri

 
Posts: 9454 | Location: Shiner TX USA | Registered: 19 March 2002Reply With Quote
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Thanks for the information Mike. Looks like you and Salmonella have a beautiful place to hunt.
 
Posts: 172 | Location: DAPHNE, ALABAMA | Registered: 26 April 2009Reply With Quote
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Picture of DLS
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I have a hard antlered buck like the buck shown in the first photo, except that mine is a 4x4 with eye guards, but about the same size. I mounted him, as I've always wanted a real pretty blacktail, and he's one of my favorite mounts of all.

They are very neat little deer to hunt.
 
Posts: 3948 | Location: California | Registered: 01 January 2009Reply With Quote
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Picture of Mike_Dettorre
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Well CA Elk Nuts...give it up...how big is he...


Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10181 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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Picture of DLS
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I think he's about 20-21" wide. He'll grow some more since it's still June, but regardless he's a shooter just about anywhere that blacktails live in California. He's nicer than about 80-90%% of the blacktails that I see where I hunt.
 
Posts: 3948 | Location: California | Registered: 01 January 2009Reply With Quote
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posted Hide Post
Salmonella – You got one nice spot! Where have you been getting those nice bucks around Napa County? Don’t tell me Knoxville!

Congrats! beer
 
Posts: 396 | Location: CA | Registered: 23 October 2007Reply With Quote
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Picture of Kyler Hamann
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I was with Mike when he took this photo. Its definitely a hunted area, in fact I've guided on this ranch for the last 21 years. This buck is by no means average for this area. He'd rank in the top 2 or 3 of any we've taken in all my years of guiding.

While I know 4x4's (Western count) are more common in the blacktails up north, we're too far south to have a true blacktail by most accounts. I can just about count on one hand how many honest 4x4's I've seen in my lifetime in this area (and never during season).

I take very few deer hunters to keep the impact on the deer low, but still our average buck is about a 14" fork.

This buck was my son's first taken last summer:

(Sorry about the phone picture - I've taken photos for well over 1,000 clients and I didn't have the camera for my son's first buck!!!...) For perspective - this buck was about 14" wide and weighed about 125 lbs. live weight. It was taken about 2 miles to the north of the one in Mike's photo.

Here's the largest one I know of taken on that ranch:


It was between 23-24" wide and 17-18" tall. It tipped the scales at 186 lbs. (live weight) and is the largest I've seen locally. He was taken about 700 yards (and 14 years) from Mike's photo.

And my guess for the buck in Mike's photo???...

I doubt he'd go over 21", but I've been wrong before. If he can be found during season I'll post "close-ups" and the truth according to the tape. That impressive mass will fade significantly when he starts rubbing here pretty soon.

BTW - as you guessed we don't normally get this close to these bucks. This is the second time I've seen this buck, the last time was at about 300 yards and on the neighbor's side of the fence (where he ran right after the photo was taken).

(I've been nervous to post on this thread because I know at least one of my booked clients frequents this board and is going to INSIST on finding this exact deer... they don't get big by being stupid! BESIDES Tony - you already have one larger than this on your wall!!! Wink).

Kyler


___________________________
www.boaring.com
_____
 
Posts: 2520 | Location: Central Coast of CA | Registered: 10 January 2002Reply With Quote
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Picture of Mike_Dettorre
posted Hide Post
Don't blame me for your client management problems Kyler, I kept quiet on location. Smiler


Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10181 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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A lot of people get confused and a lot of arguments have been made on what a “true” Blacktail is. Even the “books”, organizations/clubs, and even the CA DF&G all seem to have slightly different boarders/maps. IMO the only one that matters is B&C. This is what they say –


Boone and Crockett Blacktails:



California — Beginning in Siskiyou County at the Oregon-California border, the boundary lies between townships R8W and R9W M.D.M., extending south to and along the Klamath River to Hamburg, then south along the road to Scott Bar, continuing south and then east on the unimproved road from Scott Bar to its intersection with the paved road to Mugginsville, then south through Mugginsville to State Highway 3, which is then followed to Douglas City in Trinity County, from which the line runs east on State Highway 299 to Interstate 5. The line follows Interstate 5 south to the area of Anderson, where the Sacramento River moves east of Interstate 5, following the Sacramento River until it joins with the San Joaquin River, which is followed to the south border of Stanislaus County. The line then runs west along this border to the east border of Santa Clara County. The east and south borders of Santa Clara County are then followed to the south border of Santa Cruz County, which is then followed to the edge of Monterey Bay.

Salmonella - Check out this guy taken in Pope Valley in 1977!

 
Posts: 396 | Location: CA | Registered: 23 October 2007Reply With Quote
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Picture of Blacktailer
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So what species does B&C list for south of Monterey?


Have gun- Will travel
The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark
 
Posts: 3831 | Location: Cave Creek, AZ | Registered: 09 August 2001Reply With Quote
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Kyler,

Hey did you ever see that really big fork horn buck again that Jeff and I saw while pig hunting with you? That was one of the biggest fork horns I've ever seen.

-Sean
 
Posts: 161 | Location: La Honda, California | Registered: 22 August 2002Reply With Quote
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posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Blacktailer:
So what species does B&C list for south of Monterey?

I believe B&C just consider them Mule Deer.

CA DF&G have the deer (directly south of Monterey) listed as Southern Mule deer. They also have all of CA deer broken down to separate subspecies –

Columbian Blacktail Deer
Rocky Mountain Mule Deer
California Mule Deer
Inyo Mule Deer
Burro Deer
Southern Mule Deer

The difference between CA DF&G and B&C is the DF&G have the Blacktail going in a lot father east (the other side of the San Joaquin Valley). That would mean some parts in the D zones hold Blacktails.
 
Posts: 396 | Location: CA | Registered: 23 October 2007Reply With Quote
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posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Sean Browne:
Kyler,

Hey did you ever see that really big fork horn buck again that Jeff and I saw while pig hunting with you? That was one of the biggest fork horns I've ever seen.

-Sean


Here is a big fork I flimed last year.





A runner up from last year.






CSH,
THAT IS A MONSTER FOR THIS COUNTRY!
Thanks!
 
Posts: 23 | Registered: 14 June 2009Reply With Quote
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Beautiful A zone deer. No expert, but 125 B&C is my guess when he is hard horned in August. Do you agree or disagree Mike?
 
Posts: 633 | Location: California | Registered: 25 June 2005Reply With Quote
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Wade,

I don't have any idea on how to estimate score...I was more just referring to his outside spread.


Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10181 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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Picture of Big Bore Boar Hunter
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Kyler Hamann:
I was with Mike when he took this photo. Its definitely a hunted area, in fact I've guided on this ranch for the last 21 years. This buck is by no means average for this area. He'd rank in the top 2 or 3 of any we've taken in all my years of guiding.

While I know 4x4's (Western count) are more common in the blacktails up north, we're too far south to have a true blacktail by most accounts. I can just about count on one hand how many honest 4x4's I've seen in my lifetime in this area (and never during season).

I take very few deer hunters to keep the impact on the deer low, but still our average buck is about a 14" fork.

This buck was my son's first taken last summer:

(Sorry about the phone picture - I've taken photos for well over 1,000 clients and I didn't have the camera for my son's first buck!!!...) For perspective - this buck was about 14" wide and weighed about 125 lbs. live weight. It was taken about 2 miles to the north of the one in Mike's photo.

Here's the largest one I know of taken on that ranch:


It was between 23-24" wide and 17-18" tall. It tipped the scales at 186 lbs. (live weight) and is the largest I've seen locally. He was taken about 700 yards (and 14 years) from Mike's photo.

And my guess for the buck in Mike's photo???...

I doubt he'd go over 21", but I've been wrong before. If he can be found during season I'll post "close-ups" and the truth according to the tape. That impressive mass will fade significantly when he starts rubbing here pretty soon.

BTW - as you guessed we don't normally get this close to these bucks. This is the second time I've seen this buck, the last time was at about 300 yards and on the neighbor's side of the fence (where he ran right after the photo was taken).

(I've been nervous to post on this thread because I know at least one of my booked clients frequents this board and is going to INSIST on finding this exact deer... they don't get big by being stupid! BESIDES Tony - you already have one larger than this on your wall!!! Wink).

Kyler


Since you are vouching for Mike I'll give it the thumbs up (like Mike needs vouching for). Our local park here has some nice 4x4 bucks that are pretty unbelievable, but I haven't been getting there early enough to take pictures as they don't allow dogs. I remember seeing one or two nice bucks on your hunt site 2 years ago.

BTW, your son is getting big, I figure you got about two more years before you start seeing eye to eye.

John
 
Posts: 1343 | Location: Northern California | Registered: 15 January 2006Reply With Quote
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Regardless of score it is a great blacktail. 20 inches inside would be my guess. Happy Hunting, I hope you get him or his father.
 
Posts: 633 | Location: California | Registered: 25 June 2005Reply With Quote
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I almost wrecked my car on the I680 today in Alamo. There were two bucks as big as this one 50 ft of the side of the freeway and one was a true 4x4. There was also slightly smaller forky with them...made my head snap around.


Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10181 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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Picture of Big Bore Boar Hunter
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There is no car bumper season! I have noticed a few nice ones on the hills of livermore on 680 last trip up north, surprised me. What really gets me are some of the El herds popping up in central california and even in San Benito county! I remember before my wife started hunting she said those were the biggest deer she ever saw! Nice to see the rehabitation paying off.

John
 
Posts: 1343 | Location: Northern California | Registered: 15 January 2006Reply With Quote
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posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Kyler Hamann:
I was with Mike when he took this photo. Its definitely a hunted area, in fact I've guided on this ranch for the last 21 years. This buck is by no means average for this area. He'd rank in the top 2 or 3 of any we've taken in all my years of guiding.

While I know 4x4's (Western count) are more common in the blacktails up north, we're too far south to have a true blacktail by most accounts. I can just about count on one hand how many honest 4x4's I've seen in my lifetime in this area (and never during season).

I take very few deer hunters to keep the impact on the deer low, but still our average buck is about a 14" fork.

This buck was my son's first taken last summer:

(Sorry about the phone picture - I've taken photos for well over 1,000 clients and I didn't have the camera for my son's first buck!!!...) For perspective - this buck was about 14" wide and weighed about 125 lbs. live weight. It was taken about 2 miles to the north of the one in Mike's photo.

Here's the largest one I know of taken on that ranch:


It was between 23-24" wide and 17-18" tall. It tipped the scales at 186 lbs. (live weight) and is the largest I've seen locally. He was taken about 700 yards (and 14 years) from Mike's photo.

And my guess for the buck in Mike's photo???...

I doubt he'd go over 21", but I've been wrong before. If he can be found during season I'll post "close-ups" and the truth according to the tape. That impressive mass will fade significantly when he starts rubbing here pretty soon.

BTW - as you guessed we don't normally get this close to these bucks. This is the second time I've seen this buck, the last time was at about 300 yards and on the neighbor's side of the fence (where he ran right after the photo was taken).

(I've been nervous to post on this thread because I know at least one of my booked clients frequents this board and is going to INSIST on finding this exact deer... they don't get big by being stupid! BESIDES Tony - you already have one larger than this on your wall!!! Wink).

Kyler


Kyler,

Just picked up on your message. True, the Monterey County buck on the wall is 22 1/2 inches, but I'm still heartbroken about the 4x4 that the little old lady hit with her Mercedes. That one was going to be this fall's buck... See you in a month.
 
Posts: 54 | Location: San Francisco Peninsula | Registered: 31 May 2005Reply With Quote
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Mike, how goes it?? I've the buck in Alamo of which you speak, East side of 680 between Livorna and Rudgear?? an absolute toad... I used to live on Livorna between 680 and Danville Blvd, saw an easy book 4x4 one time right along the creek just off of the fwy.... I've been hiking up Las Trampas ridge lately, seen a couple of good forks and 3x3's up there as well...

hope all is well,
regards,
Craig Nolan


Best Regards,

Craig Nolan
 
Posts: 403 | Location: South of Alamo, Ca. | Registered: 30 January 2003Reply With Quote
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Picture of Mike_Dettorre
posted Hide Post
Yep Craig, that's the spot...he has often had another decent buck with him and then a yungin...

It goes ok...and you


Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10181 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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Picture of Kyler Hamann
posted Hide Post
I'm getting worried... General season starts this weekend and I haven't been able to find that buck since the photo was taken. The neighbors have a PLM and have been rifle hunting for a while, hopefully he isn't already gone. He'd been living right on the line between the two ranches and could water on either side (unless the pipe going to their side "accidently" got shut-off Big Grin, just kidding they're terrific neighbors and are even rebuilding the shared corrals right now).

I'll keep my fingers crossed that he's still around. Those big ones usually do a good job of disappearing in mid summer and not reappearing until the rut after the season.


___________________________
www.boaring.com
_____
 
Posts: 2520 | Location: Central Coast of CA | Registered: 10 January 2002Reply With Quote
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Picture of Big Bore Boar Hunter
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Kyler Hamann:
I'm getting worried... General season starts this weekend and I haven't been able to find that buck since the photo was taken. The neighbors have a PLM and have been rifle hunting for a while, hopefully he isn't already gone. He'd been living right on the line between the two ranches and could water on either side (unless the pipe going to their side "accidently" got shut-off Big Grin, just kidding they're terrific neighbors and are even rebuilding the shared corrals right now).

I'll keep my fingers crossed that he's still around. Those big ones usually do a good job of disappearing in mid summer and not reappearing until the rut after the season.


Time to get the game cam out, my guess is he is sporting a set of Night vision optics.

John
 
Posts: 1343 | Location: Northern California | Registered: 15 January 2006Reply With Quote
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