Just wondered what most of you guys would do? I have been watching a nice eight point all summer, hes about 120 maybe 130 we have alot of too many in my opinion but this would be my first harvest with long bow and im itching to put one in the pump house! shoot a doe first then wait maybe?
Only you will know.
All up to you.
Definetly a differnent experience hunting a specific deer. I done it last year and ended taking a different buck during firearms. A nice buck but I still wish I would of held out for the big boy through late season cause he started showing up again.
This year for me it's one deer as far as my buck goes if I can hold out. It's tuff when you get a good opportunity at another nice one.
Stiks
When I hunt I always say I'm gonna wait for Mr. Big. Then when I get an opportunity my belly grumbles and well I hate to pass up on a gift from mother nature. Back straps taste better than antlers. Don't get me wrong. I love big racks and want another to add to my wall but it's hard to pass up venison.
Magnus
If you have more than one tag I would opt for getting that first one under my belt and then relax and go for the big one you want.
Wait for the big boy no doubt. In the meantime, I'd bust a doe.
Turning your own crank is the name of this game. Only you know what will seem an accomplishment worthy of the effort and feelings you have for bowhunting.
I'm after my first recurve kill since 1974 this year. I've been practicing a LOT since December. I have trail cam pictures of two PY bucks from the same tree stand location (1 hour befoe dark). I am eager to kill a doe or two as soon as one presents the shot I'm after. Doing so might be that little more confidence I need to be better prepared for THE shot if/when it occurs.
I won't shoot an antlered deer before the 2nd week of November unless it is one of these (or bigger) bucks I know are on the area I hunt. I've hunted 4 times since our season opened last Saturday. I've yet to hunt the stand that is 16 yards from the camera that captured the two bucks. I'm hunting more a "doe spot" about 400 yards away for now. However, I have to report, the larger of these two bucks came by my "doe" stand on hunt #2 but he was quartering towards me to go behind my tree at 26 yards--2 velvet small bucks, a doe, and this dandy 9-point. Next time?
Years ago a buddy would often ask me what my minimum was for that day of hunting (what bucks would I pass or not). I had about 12 years of experience on this younger fellow. I suggested he set his own goals because I think bowhunting is an intensely personal pursuit.
QuoteOriginally posted by Bill Carlsen:
If you have more than one tag I would opt for getting that first one under my belt and then relax and go for the big one you want.
This always seems to work better for me. Seems to "break the ice" in a way, eases the pressure I guess cause you've already got one in the freezer.
I feel as if I lost 10 years of bowhunting pleasure waiting for the right one. Up until this season (hasn't started yet) I have waited and waited and waited for a mature deer to walk by, one did and I shot it. But that is just one over alot of years. I guess you could say I had an epiphany this winter and I am putting the fun and excitement back into my bowhunting. No more thumb twiddling for me, if the mood strikes me Im pulling the string back......I cant wait to re-experinence what brought me this far to start with! You will make the right decision for yourself.
I will take the opportunity for the first deer if it is at least close to what I have seen. If the deer I saw was a monster, I am even more inclined to shoot at my first opportunity. I only say that because he didn't become a monster being careless. If you live in a region where almost all grown bucks are trophy type deer I would shoot in a heart beat. It is up to you after all do what you feel is right. Good luck.
Put some meat in the freezer right from the start. Then plan your strategy for the 8 pt...If you have undisturbed land to hunt then the action should pick up during the pre rut and rut activity. You need to get that first trad bow kill under your belt. Good luck....
I agree with Pearl Drums. I have spent a lot of time waiting with hours/days/weeks in the woods and nothing on the table. The fun part in waiting is that I have been fortunate enough to be in the outdoors and I have put my eyes on 3 MASSIVE deer, but all three of them didn't offer me a shot. Because I was waiting I passed up on bucks of smaller size that I did have shots on. So, last year I dropped the string on a smaller buck and have never regretted it. I learned a lot through the experience and had a ton of fun. I can't wait to pursue them this year!
Matthew
Matthew
Give him another year or two.
We get two buck tags and a lot of private land doe permits around here. On a farm I hunt I shoot anything 1 1/2 yr. or older. Makes the farmer very happy, and keeps me on the place year after year. Other places I am more selective only shooting 2 1/2 yr,. old or older deer mostly to get my meat mass per deer up a little more. However, I always have a hard time passing a good size deer of any kind when there is noting in the freezer yet. I hold that second buck tag for a big one. Been saving them for a lot of years as usually I only see about one that is 3 1/2 yr. or older a year, and usually about 10 yd. too far to shoot or can't get the shot angle or a clear shot. I usually don't see the big one more than once due to the heavy pressure in the areas I hunt. Meat is king in our family. If I only shot big bucks I wouldn't have much to show for it and we would be eating a lot of steroid, antibiotic, hormone beef instead of a steady diet of free range venison.
I big thing for me also is getting that first one down every year. Helps me settle in. If I can shoot a couple does I am a lot more settled to tackle a big buck. The first little yearling that walks under my stand every year gets me all shaky. I just love deer hunting and being close to them!
We can get unlimited doe tags, so taking a doe early puts meat in the freezer and takes the pressure off. It's a lot easier waiting for a nice buck and if it doesn't work out I still had a great time with meat in the freeezer.
i d have to say pile em up. Shoot the doe. Get you freezer stacked, a few pieces of sinew, the skin for raw hide. That takes the pressure off. Then wait. Wait until the next doe comes by and stick her too. Repeat the process until the buck you want comes by then stick him too. I do love deer meat. Oh, and if a turkey, or a squirrel, or racoon, or rabbit... well you get the idea.
I'm an equal opportunity hunter.
If a legal shot presents itself I'll take it.
My freezer is looking a little empty at the momment. I know what I would do fer sure!!
Back strap, roast, burgers! Can you smell what I'm cooking.
Thats just me!!!!
Good luck to you.
I've gotten to the point where, with limited hunting time, work, coaching, young kids, caring for elderly parents,etc. I will without question drop the string on the first legal deer that walks into range.
I enjoy the anticipation of waiting on a big buck deer. Nothing wrong with killing a big, mature doe or two while I'm waiting though.
I've never really felt any pressure to fill a buck tag. I don't care to kill small or immature ones (nothing wrong with it, I just don't want to).
I have a lifetime license, so basically have all my tags in my pocket for all seasons. I do understand the pressure to fill a tag you have to buy every year. I imagine I would kill the first legal buck that walked by in that case.
OkKeith
Take the 1st decent doe that offers a shot.Youll have your 1st under your belt and it will give you some confidence to go after Mr.Big with.
I know how you feel though.I've seen an exceptional buck where I took a nice 10pt. last season and as much as I'd like to hold out for him there are other bucks roaming about the property I just couldn't pass on.Only you will know if you can hold out for the big guy.Good luck!
Good things come to those who wait. that is in the early season, when mid November comes hunt for the meat.
Since I have yet to get a deer with a bow, I would shoot the first opportunity no matter what age or gender.
Given the amount of deer we see around here that may be your only opportunity for the year with a bow.
I have hunted many years for a big buck and have had several close calls and now look at me, I have been bow hunting 14 years and have yet to kill a deer with a bow. I have been able to touch more than I can remember and now I hunt 1000 miles east of there.
Get One and then think about the next!
I have a good feeling with a spot I found this year I will be on someones blood trail :thumbsup:
When it's right you'll know,if it's a buck or a doe you have to decide right then .....you'll know!!
Im new to trad and although i like a nice rack. This year the first one i see gets it :archer:
I appreciate a big buck as much as the next guy, but like has been already said, with limited time, I'll drop the string on the first shot opportunity I get a legal deer.
I've always thought a mature doe was just as hard to kill as mature buck. She not only had to be smart enough to live through a couple seasons, but also had to be on the look out for her fawns as well.
Boils down to each his own.
Before I married my wife all I ate was deer and had the attitude that horns just made good handles for dragging meat out. I was not picky at all and killed 5 or six a year. My kids will eat it but mama ain't cooking it and she definetley ain't eating it.
I kill 2 a year. Give one to my wifes grandparents and put one in my freezer. So I am absolutlely not against taking the first thing that comes along. I did it for years. I'm just at a point in my path that being there is good enough wether I take one or not.
I'm hunting with flint heads this year and very well may take the first one that comes along because I think that it would be awsome to take any deer with primitve equipment.
Each hunter had to walk his own path and mine has taken a turn in the trail. My journey, not anyone elses. As long as you do it legal and ethical it's all your journey. You will know when the time comes.
Any critter with trad gear is an accomplishment in it's own right.
Stiks
If salt an pepper are your two main seasons shoot a doe. I would have to wait for Mr. Big to show up...
I thought your answers would be similar to mine. Every year since 96 i have killed the first thing that walks by if it is mature doe or buck, it definatly takes the pressure off.
I take whatever comes by. You never know when, or if something else will come your way.
I sure do love my trophies, but everyone at my house loves the tablefare. Take what opportunities you are afforded and fill the freezer.
If it's your first with trad bows, you may want to shoot the first anything deer that presents a good shot. Buck, doe or fawn.
But after breaking that ice, here's a mere suggestion for "what to shoot".
Instead of focusing on one particular buck, another option is to focus on a particular class of buck.
It's the 10% rule. Focus on the top 10% of bucks in any given area. Age class will typically determine what is the top 10% in any given area.
Focusing on one lone buck can lead to undue disappointment if he's never seen and can lead to resentment if a neighbor kills him, when congratulations is the proper reaction.
I am a member or QDMA and try to employ much of methods into my hunts. Saying that, one shouldn't always confuse antler score with "maturity". Also consider body size and antler mass vs score. One could easily argue that a 250lb, 5.5 year old buck with a "small", 14" wide, stout, heavy beamed rack scoring 120 is a much more unique trophy than a 3.5 year old scoring 135.
More importantly, you need to think about your whole herd situation. How many doe's should you kill?
Every area is different in deer population, hunting pressure and available mature bucks. Some have few deer, some have just the right amount and some are polluted with deer. Some area's have ample 4.5 year old bucks and some have very few that make it past 2.5 years old.
My area still has too many deer per mile, roughly 40-45 per mile and the DNR goal is mid 30's per mile. My area also gets very heavy hunting pressure on bucks and tradtionally a 100 class 2.5 year old buck was "the buck of a lifetime".
Luckily that is changing since the mindset of never passing bucks is changing and we're seeing more 3.5 year old bucks. Plus we now have more food per deer since we've knocked down our local herd from roughly 60 deer per mile in the 1980's and 1990's to the low 40's per mile now.
Our camp policy is, fill every antlerless tag you have available on any doe or doe fawn that presents a good shot and then hunt the top 10% of bucks in that area.
For some area's with low hunting pressure, that may mean focusing on 4.5 year old bucks and older. In another area, that may mean looking for 2.5 year old bucks with a rack out to it's ears.
For my area, that means kill any female deer that presents a shot and look for good looking 2.5 year old bucks and up. If a fluke 4.5 year old buck shows up, by all means take a good shot. But I'd suggest you do that on any of the top 10% of bucks in your area.
One last thought, it's hard to "blast away", as you said in your post, with your longbow. LOL
Same issue. Last night I shot a doe and looked for a chance to shoot another. Nothing gets you prepared like shootin' arrows at live animals.
Take a doe and learn from it.
Well I passed on a small spike at 10 yards last week. He just didn't have enough meat on him yet. It was an easy call, but his mama is lucky she didn't come by. Its a personal preference thing. I've passed on many cow elk simply because I hunt bulls.
dnovo X 2
Simple choice, shoot the one you want.
If you have multiple tags shoot whatever comes by, it will give ya confidence in your new equipment. I shoot mostly fawns early on as I hate to kill 3 deer by killing a bred doe and also ya shoot big does ya educate the herd quicker. Do what you feel in your heart is right!! Shawn
When I first started bow hunting I had a mind to take anything that came close enough, before I could manage that seemingly simple feat I had changed my mind and set about taking a buck. I eventually decided I too needed to "put one in the pump house" and settled on a nice fat doe for my first bow killed deer. I have encouraged my wife and my boys to get one under their belt so to speak by taking the first deer that presents an honest shot but all of them are dead set now that it will be better than the 110-120 inch 8 pointers that seem to be in abundance on my lease. I guess I cant complain that they all seem set on some form of QDM and I think Im softening them to the idea of taking a nice fat doe as part of that program. In my opinion it helps to get that first kill in, settles your nerves and lets that pessimist inside of us all that we can make the shot when the chips are down. Im pretty picky these days concerning what I will shoot at but thats a product of many years of filling my tags.
I say get one out of the way now then you will know you can make it happen later.
I passed on a nice 4X4 the first evening of hunting last year, because I knew there was a much bigger buck around. He came into and stood in one of my shooting lanes at 12 yards. I never got that good of a chance again all year.
DO I have regrets? Yes, sometimes. But I would have had no chance at the big boy then. And I have learned more about the movements of the deer on that farm. So I am comfortable passing up the first buck, and I think I would do it again. But then again maybe not, he was pretty nice. :-)
Good luck in YOUR future decisions.