last year i shot a real nice buck almost 150 class so i told my self this year id only shoot a deer about the same size or bigger past on alot of deer cause they just wernt big enough to sum it up had the werst season yetit aint for me takes all the fun out of the hunt and the real reason were out there i just wondered if any body else ever got caught up like this next year im going back to the way it should be thanks
I think if I lived in an area that had 150" bucks that were fairly common, I would hold out for a big one and be happy to take a deer like that every 3 or 4 years, but where I live 100-120" buckis a real good one and not real common. Shawn
Sounds like your reason to be out there is to kill something. In which case waiting on a big one is probably not for you. I've taken up the stance that IF I kill a buck, it will be big. I don't care or need to kill a small one. I'm ok just being out there trying & learning. You can go after a big one and still make it fun.
yep, been there, took some soul searchin to get it straightned out. I still like and always will like a good set of horns, but anymore sure wont shy away from a doe or younger smaller antlered buck either. just personal thing but I lay off the yearlings.As you can tell, I am NOT a fan of QDM and the stuff that goes with it. In fact I think that helped turn me off the horn thing.
I try and hunt the biggest buck in the area. That was a 9 point and I was 7 yards from him but he was walking off the trail 7 yards behind me and I didn't get a shot. The 4 point that came along later wasn't as start and I took him. Better then nothing is the way I look at it and there's always next year.
I would be more than happy to take a wise old Doe than a young Buck any day. Now if I get the chance for a wall hanger I will kake it.
In year 2000, put away the bows(gasp!) and decided to concentrate on shooting a nice buck with a rifle. I went for five years passing up does and lesser bucks, didn't even buy a doe tag.
In 2005, I was able to kill a nice (156+) buck. To be honest, I was burned out and didn't deer hunt until I picked up my longbow and went back out this fall...didn't shoot a deer, but I had both buck and doe tags, had a couple ALMOST in range, and had a ball...
This is supposed to be fun; I compete every day in the workplace. I LIKE killing things with the bow, but putting a "score" on things kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. Not to say I wouldn't like to shoot a 160.....
If it takes the fun out of bowhunting don't do it."We're supposed to be having fun out there"
Best
Bob
Yup. killing deer got to be formulaic, and I would pass on a good buck because it wasn't bigger than any I had gotten before. That led to a blasé
attitude, and ennui followed close behind. Now I realize that it is peevish of me to turn up my nose at a Gift because I don't think it's big enough. Insults the deer spirit that gives it, and its Maker.
Some use the size thing to up the challenge, however, just as we move to more and more difficult methods. Keeps a goal in view that has to be striven for. It is the striving that makes an accomplishment meaningful. Or gratitude for a gift.
Things have dried up a bit where I hunt, and I think on the bucks I let pass about ten years ago, and sigh.
Killdeer
I have hunted all traditional for about 30 yrs, no guns at all. I got caught up in the horns due to a good lease and have to say it ain't as fun. Finally hunted a bud's place in Al. last week and took to small bucks in 4 hours of hunting. That's fun.
I tried to hard this year for a big one. Thier not to common in my area, but some are here. I missed a couple and settled for two smaller bucks, i'm happy with what i have. I'LL TRY HARDER NEXT SEASON!!!!!
I shoot whatever deer decides to give me the opportunity.Like to put at least 4 in the freezer every year.........we love to eat venison.
Don't get me wrong,I would love to be able to shoot a wall hanger every year,but I'll very rarely pass up a Doe,unless the freezer is already full,even then tho I sometimes shoot them for other folks that like venison but don't/won't/can't hunt.
I don't choose the deer, the deer chooses me. Every one a gift from God. I don't pass up many gifts. You can always tell that gift deer. He continues to walk straight at you. Even looks you in the eye and seems to give himself to you. I had 2 of 'em this year. Some say "lucky". I say "blessed".
Every opportunity I get to drop the string on a whitetail...is taken. I'm not a horn hunter and even if I took a beautiful deer like your 150 class, it wouldn't deter me from filling my tags with the smaller ones. I'm out there to hunt and put meat in the freezer...plus donate one to the Feed the Hungry Program.
I never have been a "horn hunter". But rest assured, I do get excited by a large set of ....
Tenderloins. Yum Yum
What Varmint said!
I don't try to shoot a buck with a rack of a certain minimum size, but I do hunt what I call mature bucks, usually 3 1/2 year olds or older. There aren't a lot of those where I hunt, and they're pretty hard to get. Was a time when hunting mature bucks enabled me to spend more time hunting because we only got one either sex tag for the year. Shoot a deer early and your season was over. Now, I'm allowed one buck tag where I hunt and multiple doe tags. This enables me to keep hunting for a mature buck while taking a doe or two for the freezer, the best of both worlds.
I hunted all does this year and had fun doing it. I passed on several young bucks because I would like to shoot a wall hanger and I will never get that opportunity if I shoot all the young bucks.
I like hunting the does. The older does can be very wise and a true challenge to hunt. Right now my hunting property is heavy on the doe population and light on the bucks.
This year was a blast for me. Two close encounters, but no opportunity for a shot at the old boy that runs around on my hunting ground, several close encounters with younger bucks, opportunities to make calls to younger bucks and watch how they react, called in three does, got busted visually and by scent several times, missed a couple of shots and I brought home the meat.
This year was a great year for me. I don't understand why you can't combine trophy hunting with meat hunting in the same season.
yea ive learned a lesson next year god willen i wont put so much pressure on myself and just have fun and enjoy it like i use to
threads like this make me chuckle...up here in one would be lucky to even see a deer during the season, let alone NOT draw down on it cause of a shortage of bone....
I will pass up fawns, or doe fawn sets sometimes (mostly cause thats what the landowner requested)....but any, and I mean ANY adult deer is on my menu.
I hunt for the enjoyment of being outside and bringing home at least a small portion of the food my family goes through in a year. I mainly hunt does, simply because the meat is better for the duration of the season, but if I see a buck and the first thing that pops in my head is " this is going to cost me a big taxidermy bill", then I'll take him. If I have a buck tag late in the season and have a good shot at a smaller, cull buck, I'll take it for the meat and raw materials, but it's mostly does for me.
Im fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time in the woods.I've never had the desire even at 13 to take a young buck.That being said after passing up several forkies and bigger this last fall I took a 3pt.a couple weeks ago for my first trad. kill.Why, because it felt right at the time.Were blessed here in MO with unlimited doe tags in most of the state you can fill your freezer with.Besides a 1.5 plus yr. momma doe brigs a lot more challange than juvenile buck. I'll probably never take another young buck again but I'd still cherish that little buck as much as if he was a bruiser.To each his own but my personal take is fill up those doe tags and hold off on younguns.
I hunt for food, I have always been this way. I look seeing 160+ "s but it's not for me.
I like to shoot deer period, I'm not choosy.
Big deer are few and far between here. I enjoy the hunt and usually take a shot if one is presented.Sometimes I even kill one. :campfire:
I see a repeated sentiment that I don't understand.
Many people feel that "horn hunting" is pressure ridden and unenjoyable?
I don't understand. I hold out for a mature & big for my area buck, but in no way do I feel any pressure while doing so. If anything it's a freedom from pressure, and an absolute bonus if I am fortunate enough to connect on one.
I like big racks. The last blacktail I shot was an 18" wide x 18" high 3x2 with eyeguards. You all would say seven pointer. That was two years ago. Had a shot this year at a very nice 4x4. Big body, big rack. The arrow didn't even get off the string, he moved so fast. Could've shot many does...but we're not allowed.
The first weeks of the season I'm hunting big bucks. On the last week I'm hunting forked horn or better. I've come across many legal bucks that I've let go. No regrets with that. There's no pressure with me...I just like to get out and hunt. As often as possible.
Right on, rybohunter! That's part of what I was trying to say.
Many years ago I shot (gun) a very nice deer with 20 1/2" inside spread. That almost ruined me. Hunting was no fun anymore. I hardly hunted at all for around 15 years.
Since going back with longbow or recurve the fire is back in me. I love it. Love to count coup, but still haven't killed a deer. I will when the time is right.
When I hear the TV hunters start talking inches oof antler, I turn it off.
since Ive started hunting public land last year Ive had to change my method of thinking about as good or better. Around here lots of the guys were shooting YOUNG deer cause its all they would see..Im still looking for MACHO but Im gonna be hard pressed to find to get on my wall
I always try to discern the biggest buck in the areas I hunt and hunt him till I get him,a bigger one or the season ends. I fill my doe tags and spike tag when the situation is perfect. I`ve bowhunted for 45 years and have killed way over a hundred deer and see no reason to keep shooting small and medium bucks.
We do have a large doe we call Humpback that I would definitely shoot at any opportunity. She is without doubt the smartest deer around and a true trophy.
By the way the big buck won this year,but by not killing another small buck,I stayed hunting to the last day,otherwise my season would have been very short,and I enjoyed every minute of it. Bob
I like shooting deer, gutting deer, skinning deer, butchering deer, preparing meat and lastly eating it. I love the whole process. In my neck of the woods I wouldn't have much fun if I was only into trophy deer hunting. Chad
I try to only shoot bucks 140 and bigger.I watch deer all year,if i shoot the first buck that came by i might hunt 1 day and my season would be over.I LOVE TO HUNT BIG BUCKS.And yes they make a fool of me some years.
I've supplimented my big buck hunting with the camera. Makes we want to be in the tree more and get photos of that small buck or big doe, red headed woodpecker, baby racoon, etc. I'm just too far along to shoot little bucks anymore, besides, those long nose, snorting does are just the ticket once in a while.
-Mike
I always dream of the big one walking into range. Actually it has happened a few times, but I blew it. How ever, if I get a shot opportunity, I'm taking it no matter the size.
We have some real nice buck's here in s.michigan and we get two buck tags. I'll gladley fill A tag with A young buck and hold out for something better. Now down in Ohio it's A diffrent story the property I hunt on is managed for larger animal's and your only allowed one buck state law. Their's nothing like seeing A wild 150 inch animal in their natural habitat,If I shoot him great if not let the day-dreaming begin.I do love the whole process as Holm-made says that is what keep's me going.
I trophy hunt till something else comes along :bigsmyl: . I like to lay off the little bucks whenever possible and will take does anytime except during the rut.
I am happy to take any deer with my bow, although I do not generally shoot forkhorns and spikes. I would much rather shoot a doe than one of them. It is amazing how many forkhorns and spikes have walked past me since I have decided not to shoot any buck that doesn't have a "rack". I have had far more opportunities at spikes/forkies in the past few seasons than I have on does.
It's like they know I'm not going to shoot them. I don't require a lot of meat in the freezer, so I would much rather let the small bucks walk in hopes of shooting a doe. I keep telling myself that one of those small ones that I passed on over the last few years will stroll by with some real hardware on his head one day.
QuoteOriginally posted by pseman:
I have had far more opportunities at spikes/forkies in the past few seasons than I have on does.
It's like they know I'm not going to shoot them.
Adolescent males are not too bright, mature males are a whole different story. :D
OK ladies, flame away! :scared:
I've been 'bow hunting' for something like 20 years in MA, and 'seriously bow hunting' (lots of scouting, planning, stand hangin, trail cams, food plots, searching for acorns,etc) for probably the last ten years. this is BY FAR the biggest buck I have seen while on stand, and it almost pains me to think that some of you might 'pass' on it cause it isn't big enough....those of you who do...NEED TO INVITE ME HUNTING :biglaugh:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/hickstick/trailcam/bboy.jpg)
I hunt a lot so get more opportunities than most, but still I am amazed at the wide disparity across this country when it comes to deer hunting success. Some folks here are lucky to get anything within range of them during a whole season. Others routinely pass up bucks that others would consider a lifetime deer.
I hunted 99 times in 2007 and had shot opportunities at 81 antlered bucks and approx. 150 does/fawns. (Our buck:doe ratio is almost 1:1 right now). And while I normally try to hold out for a pretty good buck, I do LIKE to take a buck each season. In other words, I'd rather kill a 120-130" buck every year, than go without four years in a row and then kill a 150" buck that fifth year. Others would choose a different option. Different strokes for different folks.
I think the important thing is that we don't let peer pressure, horn porn, bragging rights, or our own ego determine what we will or won't shoot. Heck, I killed a 127" 4x5 in October that was a step below my recent bucks (I'd been riding a pretty lucky streak) but was still a thrill and a deer I was proud of. Then on the last morning of the season, I passed up a 130"ish 5x5. Why? Hard to say...
But one thing for sure. Deciding a deer is one worth shooting is a personal decision, and you shouldn't have to explain it to anybody. If you do, the other person just doesn't get it. (Unless of course you are part of a lease or something with some pre-determined policy in place, which may in the end take some of the fun out of it). That is probably one of my pet peeves, is hearing guys apologize for shooting a deer by saying, "it's a management buck" or something like that. Yeah right. You shot a buck, don't apologize for it. Own up to it, be proud, and go do it again...
Each of us has a myriad of reasons why we hunt. We also have different mitigating factors including family, job, how long it's been since we last killed one, how empty our freezer is, etc., etc., etc. Good luck and may all your deer make the only book that is important--YOUR PHOTO ALBUM.
Hickstick,
Nope I wouldn't pass. That is a mature whitetail.
keeper...what I was trying to say is in 20 years of hunting thats pretty much the only 'mature' whitetail I've ever seen on stand. I didn't pass either...hit a sapling and shards of my lodge pole shaft fell at his feet.
I have seen bucks, nearly ALL 2.5 year old and younger 6, forks and spikes, and an occasional 3.5 8ptr ....but I'm talking I SEE and average of maybe 10 deer or less from Mid october thru december. this year was worse than most...I saw 2 thru the entire 6 week bow season (one was the doe in my avatar) the other a little fork that I couldn't get a clear shot at, but you be darn sure I was gonna take the shot if it happened.
Mind you..I'm not complaining...I just need to get of my azz and go to where the deer are. maybe then I'd have the luxury to pass on deer. I'm looking at an outta state trip this fall...maybe OH (as my wifes familys is there) or Missouri or something...somewhere were there is more than 4 deer per square mile :-)
Hickstick, the biggest buck i've taken with a recurve was almost that big. I had never seen him before and was hunting a much bigger buck when i saw him. I didn't pass him up i shot him. I'll fill my fist buck tag with what ever buck i want or get a shot at, then take a doe and then hunt for a monster. It doesn't always work out and i take what ever i can.
Hickstick,
I too see mostly 1.5 year old bucks on my hunting ground but, my cameras took pictures of six 2.5 year olds and two 3.5 year olds. I have only seen two mature bucks while hunting and they were a lot smarter about the hunting game then me. :p
One of the 2.5 y.o. has 13 points and I got to see him from about 40 yards away one morning this season. That was very exciting. I hope he made it through the season I would like to see him get two more years of growth on him because he will be a monster if he makes it that long. The pictures that I've attached are of the big boy that I was after this year. I got to see him twice once from 50 yards away (I couldn't get him to come to me) and the next time was the last day I could hunt during our season. He was about 12 yards away but it was 40 minutes before shooting light. I was thrilled during both occasions just to have the opportunity to see him in action.
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc168/Gatekeeper100/MooseinSeptember2.jpg)
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc168/Gatekeeper100/MooseinSeptember1.jpg)
Seeing only 2 deer a season would, without a doubt, be frustrating. Hopefully you will get a chance to make it to some better hunting grounds. I am glad you made good on one of the two opportunities that you had.
:thumbsup:
ok...I'll chime in.
Any deer I shoot with my longbow or recurve goes into the freezer to feed my family and friends. If it has a huge rack I might place it in the mudroom for a coat hanger....I might give it to an area kid for ratteling horns...I gave some racks to a craft lady that makes candle holders...it's just bone....I admire the deer for what it is, and don't think I'm any better of a human for slipping an arrow into a deer's lungs regardless of it's rack size....Big monster deer are nice, and little spikes are nice.
OK,I LIKE antlers!! I shoot way more does than bucks tho,prolly 6 to 1. If I'm gonna pitch the rack in the shed and forget it,I don't shoot the buck. I never know what size buck will flip my switch,just know when I see it. I'm not into inches of antler either,don't care. If he's big enough to shoot,he'll be hung in the house somewhere,plaque, euro or mounted.
JMVHO
It's all a personal thing, and there's no "correct" deer hunting protocol to follow, other than your local regs. It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you have. Set whatever goals you wish, just don't overanalyze yourself.
Here in Nova Scotia you would be VERY lucky to see something that big. Personally I go for the meat. Can't eat antlers.
Pretty buck Gatekeeper!
There are a lot of ways to define trophy, IMO, and every deer I've ever shot has been one for me. I do hold out with my only buck tag here for what I consider a mature buck...at least 31/2 year old, anyway. I get out a lot more than most, and I do my homework and scouting and have some decent places to chase them. The big boys are there, and every year I'm treated to a couple sightings, and opportunities to "chase" 150 plus class bucks. But it isn't really about inches for me, and any mature buck that turns my crank at the moment can be the one I'll take. I take a buck every other year on average...don't like to go longer than that. I won't shoot "young" bucks...I can use my tag on a doe as well if I'm after meat.
I kill at least 3 or 4 does for every buck I take, and I'm very glad I get those opportunities. They present all kinds of challenges, and rewards, and they are plentiful. And since hunting with trad is such a mental game, a guy has to "kill" from time to time to get his head right for it. But I do like spending lots of time in the woods, and "holding out" with my buck tag usually allows for that!
A few years back, I gained access to some really good property. Scouting showed more big buck sign
than I had ever encountered.
I put too much emphasis on killing a big one and missed out on hunting for fun. The harder I tried the more things went wrong. I put myself through hell. The land changed ownership, and I never got to truely enjoy what that land had to offer.
I will NEVER turn hunting into a job again. For me, I know I`m doing it right, when just the sound of an approaching deer gets my heart pounding, and I can smell fresh Ven.