First off, Awesome buck! That is a once in a lifetime buck for anyone...I'd much rather take a 180" typical than a 200" non-typical any day. Do you got the score sheet you can post for the buck? I'd like to see what his mass measurements were.Those tines are outstanding..And how old was he??
On the other hand...
A real hunter?
I am as real of a hunter as you will ever be. Killing a big buck does not make you a better hunter than someone else.. However, CONSISTENTLY harvesting mature bucks does.
Over 75% of the biggest bucks I know of killed have been killed by strictly luck. I.E. Walking in, dogs run it out, someone jumps it, etc.
Now when you pattern a buck, and know how to use and when to hunt the sign..That makes a hunter.
Also..Mississippi has only had 180" typical taken..Much different from Missouri.. Compare the B & C deer from MO to MS and there is ABSOLUTELY NO COMPARISON. MO grows much bigger deer..All there is to it..
The buck you posted of mine was at least 4 1/2 years old...Taking bucks like that every year off public land is a major accomplishment... In MO, with that mineral rich soil, there is no telling what kind of rack that joker could have had..
I just wish I had the opportunity to hunt some land like you can in Missouri, Iowa, or Illinois. I am positive I could routinely harvest deer in the 130-150" class yearly.
The odds of anyone taking a buck like you did are VERY SLIM.
But you got him..So congrats!