no more head hunting

[Wary Buck]

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.

[Gatekeeper]

Hickstick,

Nope I wouldn't pass. That is a mature whitetail.

[hickstick]

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  :-)

[Larry247]

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.

[Gatekeeper]

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.

 

 

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.
   

[Charles K.]

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.

[kennym]

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

[Tom Leemans]

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.

[Eastern fisher]

Here in Nova Scotia you would be VERY lucky to see something that big.  Personally I go for the meat.  Can't eat antlers.

[LV2HUNT]

Pretty buck Gatekeeper!

[Mark Baker]

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!

[Bonebuster]

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.