The Relentless Pursuit of that Dream Buck

[Bisch]

My dream is to kill a 150” buck before I die. Don’t know that it will ever happen because 150” bucks are pretty scarce on the places I get to hunt.

But I will keep going out there with my dream in tact as long as I can!!!!!

Bisch

[Wudstix]

You’d think but then there’s Texas A&M too pay for and a nursing degree to help with.  $5,000/Year on a lease 250 or more miles away doesn’t work for me.
 

[MnFn]

When I was twelve, my Dad and cousin shot a tremendous deer with rifles.  It scored something like 188, but there were some deductions, but still in the 170s, I think. That has been my goal.

I read one of Gene Wensel’s books that stated if you don’t pass on the small ones you likely never take a big one. Or something like that.  That has guided my bow hunting ever since.

I have taken lots of deer with guns, one a very nice 130 range buck.   But usually I take something for venison and my foster son likes to be involved in the hunt so that’s part of it too.

But my archery is a different story. In the last few years I have passed on decent deer; I had a pretty nice 5X5 at 14 yards right in my shooting lane and last year a big 4X4, because I knew there were bigger deer around.  Sometimes when I tell guys how few deer I’ve taken with a bow they seem shocked.  One thing is where I hunt I am allowed only one deer.

The main point of this is I want to take one really nice buck, with my bow.  So I am ok with not taking a deer.  I never want to walk up to a deer I’ve just killed and think “why did I shoot that”?

[beemann]

This years dream buck.   The pursuit is the fun part.  The journey makes it enjoyable.

[valleysniper]

Everybody I get is my dream buck. We don't put out cameras as we like to be suprised as what we see. The area I hunt is well known for bucks, so usually not if but when I you see a good one. Plus its a quality deer management area, so the buck you take this year has to be bigger than last. Does take some of the fun out of it, but its better than hunting public land in Wisconsin

[MnFn]

Amen Beemann

[reddogge]

This was my biggest so far, a 9 point taken on Aberdeen Proving Grounds. I hit one in the shoulder bone much bigger and he ran away unhurt. On my own property, I passed on another bigger deer because it was just a tad too far for a good shot. At my age, I'm satified with a shot at any deer now, buck or doe, big or little.

[Orion]

I don't target a specific buck, but I do try to hold out for a mature buck. In my neck of the woods, there aren't that many of them around, and in the big woods they're difficult to find and even more difficult to pattern so I sometimes end up with tag soup.  But it's the hunt that matters, and since I'm limited to one deer of either sex on my archery trag where I hunt, not shooting the first buck that comes along certainly does lengthen my season. 

[Wudstix]

Texas has five tags on a license, two bucks.  So can fill the freezer and still wait for a good buck.  Also, there is MLD deer that don’t come off your tags.  Just need time and place to hunt.
 

[GCook]

That's true Wud but not all counties have a five deer bag limit.
Then county I hunt in does and no antler restrictions.  2 buck and 3 doe.  However we have a ranch rule of only one buck per hunter.

[Wudstix]

Couple counties have no buck rules to I think.  Hunt Government land and it was one spike and on 2 1/2 Year old or better.
 

[BrushWolf]

Took me eight seasons.

[Crittergetter]

I have a goal of 140 plus on public land in Texas.

[curlis]

May never get another like him.

[Wudstix]

Brushwolf; love that character.
 

[Friend]

Have really enjoyed completing the long list of labor-intensive habitat improvement projects this year. Am looking forward to observing the results this fall, winter and spring. Some results may not be revealed until next season. Am now focusing on locating a couple of target bucks and located several nice deer. I am most fortunate to be able tohunt extensively thru the season and have, thus far, not located that special buck. It is quite early as most of my target bucks are not located until late October and in early November and then again in December and January.

Come on cooler weather as the anticipation is on the rise.

[Wudstix]

Still waiting and hoping my hunting land will open this season.
 

[BlkDog]

We shall see what happens this season.  Been watching this guy for 4 years and last year, he exploded in size.  The good news is that he made it through last season in an area heavily hunted with dogs. 

[Wudstix]

Good looking buck, best of luck to you.
 

[Friend]

BlkDog...certainly am hopeful that he presents an opportunity for you.