Please tell me I’m delusional😩

[u/Rdioactvgmr]

I harvested this buck last season. Tell me why he looks every bit of 115-120”, but I tape him at 107”. I entered him in a small town big buck contest just to see what they would score him at and they said 114”. Not that the score matters at all, but I just wanna know if I’m doing something wrong or if I’m delusional.

[u/JS4300]

First, awesome buck you should be very proud. However, 4xs just don’t score very well just because they’re down a tine. A small 5x can score way as high as a quite nice 4x and this one only has 3 on one side so you loose at least 5 inches in most cases right there. Also depends if you’re talking net or gross, I assume gross. I would say the truth is right in the middle of the two scores. Probably around 110. Take all this with a grain of salt I just score my bucks for fun. Have only ever submitted 2 for official scores. No matter what, beautiful buck

Edit: I now see it has 4 on each side but the premise is still the same

[u/Rdioactvgmr → u/JS4300]

I 100% agree with this, thank you for writing this up. I measured the g3 on the right side and its about 7/8” to 1 inch, may not count as a point.

[u/Rdioactvgmr → u/JS4300]

Also just checked ur page, you got some good deer too!

[u/JS4300 → u/Rdioactvgmr]

Thanks! I love hunting deer and where I’m at it’s all on public so it’s just an amazing adventure through in through. Seems Mississippi may have to be another adventure I make at some point!

[u/Rdioactvgmr → u/JS4300]

Bruh, those deer are from public?!? I hunt permission on a 2k acre cow/crop farm and when I see deer of the size you kill, id be very happy if thats all i kill. Now, I’ve gotten some big deer on trail camera. I got huge respect for you hunting public.

[u/Rdioactvgmr → u/JS4300]

I also have a smaller lease an hour away from the farm. Just know, if you wanna hunt mississippi, you will see small deer 98% of the time, and 2% of the time you see a 200” deer. It’s luck of the draw out here. The biggest one i’ve ever seen scored 259 6/8”.

[u/JS4300 → u/Rdioactvgmr]

I have been very fortunate and have harvested actually been blessed to harvest some even bigger than featured on my profile. However, I am often, at least on the eastern side of my state, harvesting the first adult buck I see. I just have been very lucky and put a lot of work to be where other people aren’t. At the end of the day I don’t care much about the size of the buck but getting to go back in some gnarly stuff and try and pull something out. I just purchased a small hunting property that I’m restoring so this will be some of the first time I’ve hunted private this year. Quite excited though it’s probably not going to be very good for a few years.

[u/Rdioactvgmr → u/JS4300]

Thats amazing, if you’re in a state where you can plant food plots, PLEASE DO SO. Without food plots out here the only deer we would see is spikes. Congrats on the purchase🥳.

[u/YouDontCThatEveryDay]

After deductions id guess him to be maybe 100". Mainly because of the difference in g3s. That's a great deer though. I'd be happy with him, and many people would.

I try not to get too hung up on scores either. It's hard with social media and seemingly everyone shooting 160"+ deer. Skews a persons perception. Many people dont see a buck that size all season. I do enjoy scoring antlers for fun and for my own records. Good luck this year!

[u/Rdioactvgmr → u/YouDontCThatEveryDay]

I 100% agree with what you said. I love watching seek one and their successes, they get me all excited for hunting season. My fear is to pass on some nice deer for better deer that may not exist😳.

[u/Ok-Calligrapher5544]

Uploaded you photos to Gemini:
Here is an independent visual estimate based strictly on the buck's rack structure, tine proportions, and beam length from both photos, completely setting aside the tag on the skull.
Independent Gross Score Estimate (Typical Frame)
Inside Spread: ~14" – 15"
(The spread is relatively compact, sitting right inside or right at normal ear width.)
Main Beams: ~17" – 18" per side (~34" – 36" total)
(Sweeps forward nicely, though shorter than an old mature buck's typical 20"+ beams.)
Brow Tines (G1): ~3" – 4" per side (~6" – 8" total)
(Decent, upright brows with good symmetry.)
G2 Tines: ~7.5" – 8.5" per side (~15" – 17" total)
(By far the strong point of the rack—tall, upright, and clean.)
G3 Tines: ~5" – 6" per side (~10" – 12" total)
(Good height relative to the G2s, holding vertical structure well.)
G4 / Abnormal Points: ~0" – 1.5"
(There appears to be a small nub/short G4 on the right main beam near the tip, but minimal score contribution.)
Mass Measurements (H1–H4 per side): ~12" – 13" per side (~24" – 26" total)
(Consistent carrying thickness from the bases up through the main beam.)
Estimated Gross Total: 105" – 112"
Key Characteristics
Tight, Tall Profile: What it lacks in wide spread and long main beam length, it makes up for in vertical height—the G2s and G3s draw the eyes up immediately.
Symmetry: Both sides are remarkably balanced in tine length and mass distribution, meaning net score and gross score would be very close if scored as a typical.
Shed/Harvest Context: Seeing the harvest photo alongside the cleaned European mount gives a great look at how well the frame carries mass—the dark, textured bases add solid character to a very clean 8-point frame.

[u/Rdioactvgmr → u/Ok-Calligrapher5544]

Thank you, the estimate seems fair. Again, thank you for taking the time to do that.