Mule Deer anatomy

ermont · October 28, 2011, 03:06:00 PM

Anybody know the average distance from the ground to the bottom of a standing mule deer buck's chest?

JimB · October 28, 2011, 03:21:00 PM

A large mule deer should be about 40" tall and chest is about 18" tall so probably 20-22".

FerretWYO · October 28, 2011, 04:08:00 PM

Where is Shedrock when you need him?

ermont · October 28, 2011, 04:32:00 PM

That is about what I thought. I tried Googling and all I could find was height at the shoulder.

Jim Wright · October 28, 2011, 05:01:00 PM

twenty six & 11/32 inches

Shedrock · October 28, 2011, 05:08:00 PM

JimB is right on.

JimB · October 28, 2011, 06:30:00 PM

Thanks Shedrock.I was working that out on paper.Thought it would be in the ball park but haven't actually measured from the chest to the ground.Cats and bears,I have data.

ermont · October 28, 2011, 07:41:00 PM

Thanks guys. Headed to eastern Colorado in a couple of weeks and am trying to prepare for longer shots.

Blackhawk · October 29, 2011, 06:19:00 PM

I posed the question to a friend with a wildlife management degree. He has kept lots of records of such stuff and says an exceptional mature mule deer buck would most likely go 23" from ground to chest while the typical 3X3 would be close to 20".

ermont · October 30, 2011, 09:44:00 PM

Thanks guys. Looks like we are in agreement. So if I miss low, it's my fault!

Dax · October 30, 2011, 11:11:00 PM

Just speaking from my experience....they don't seem to jump the string like white tails do.