What to shoot first?

[bolo7735]

This month deer hunt, the outfitter said I can take one buck, 2 does, and all the hogs I want. My questions, what should I shoot since it is my first time deer hunting let alone I am doing it with a longbow? All my friends said shoot the buck first then does. Also, should I shoot any hogs, if I do will that spook any buck or does that might come later?

[xtrema312]

What is it you want to shoot?  Are you prepared to shoot nothing to shoot what you really are after?  If you have hunted hogs and really want a deer, I would say shoot a deer and hold off on the hogs.  Personally it would depend a lot on where I was hunting, and what kind of buck would most likely be seen.  I can get selective if there are some nice buck routinely in the area.  Not much of a worry where I hunt, but on a guided hunting that could be very different.  Most time when hunting I would shoot them in the following order:

First thing that shows up
Second thing that shows up
Third thing that shows up
And so on

Oh sure I would be holding out for a big buck to show, but I am a meat hunter at heart and have a hard time not dropping the string when given a good shot opportunity.

[centaur]

If I were you, I wouldn't get very picky on your first hunt. Anything that you get to shoot will be something to remember for a long time. Lots of people on this site have been hunting with trad equipment for years without taking a big game animal. If you get an ethical shot, drop the string!

[Norminator]

I agree with Centaur, it's all good

[Mark Baker]

What Pat said....take the first good, ethical shot opportunity you get, and relish the experience.  There is a lot to learn in this endeavor of hunting with trad gear, and it's always a big plus for your confidence, and your learning curve.

[KentuckyTJ]

That's a question only bolo7735 can answer.

[Bowwild]

Your decision of course.

Personally, I'd sure like a little experience before the buck of a life-time pops up. Imagine if you kill a couple does?  Then when the next deer shows up you can visualize how those does worked out (if it worked out well).

I was a 1-day guest on a nice spot in TX a few years ago. I killed a doe and then 30 minutes later a hog. The hog ran over the dead doe on a trail as he moved off to die.

if its a guided hunt,....ask your guide.
 he surely knows the area and your best chances for what ever,  bucks,does hogs.   good luck.

[Blueridge]

in trad bow hunting you take the first good/ethical shot oportunity you get. its all up to you though. depending on how long you are hunting I would want to break the ice and make a good kill first.

[Bjorn]

What a great dilemma!

[ron w]

I think only you can make that choice......not to be negative....you my not get a shot at anything! Seeing game and getting a chance to make a killing shot are two different things!  Good luck!

[bolo7735]

Thanks everyone. I am not looking for a trophy. I will be happy to connect with a deer. My thoughts is to take out the first game as long the shot is ethical. But all my friend's who of course uses compound to wait for the buck first. There reason is if I kill a doe with will spook the buck out. Is there any truth to this?

[xtrema312]

Originally posted by bolo7735:
There reason is if I kill a doe with will spook the buck out. Is there any truth to this?

I have seen it go both ways.  I used to worry more about it, but now I don't.  Leaving a lot of scent in a spot after tracking, gutting and dragging something out can stir things up some because you leave your scent there.  As for the blood and all, I have seen deer walk up to dead ones, walk right past gut piles, and stop to sniff a bloody arrow and not get jumpy.  Had a doe sniff a bloody arrow this year in fact; could have shot her also, but had too much work to do with the first one.

[Robertfishes]

Shoot the first thing that comes by, at my place if hogs or bears are nearby the deer leave..if bears are near everything  leaves. If you have a week or more to.hunt then hold out for a buck if thats really what you want, if you just want some meat then first ethical shot at either

[stujay]

Shoot what is available first. Get selective after you've connected. Best wishes...let us know how it all turned out.

[Rob W.]

I try not to worry about what everyone else thinks I should do. Jerky tastes better than horns. Take a bunch of pics no matter what you decide.    


Rob

[boznarras]

Let the animals decide who goes first.

[wingnut]

The only passed shots I'd want to hear about on this hunt were high or low.  If it's on your list. . .shoot it!!

Mike

[Red Beastmaster]

Pick the biggest one! Doesn't matter what species or sex, just shoot the biggest one.

[huntmaster70]

I agree with boznarras