I Passed A ten Yard Shot At A Mature, Lone Doe

[The Ole' Bowhunter]

A few weeks back, I passed a ten  yard shot on a nice, fat, mature doe. It was early in the bow season and I felt I could hold out for a little while hoping to fill my tag with any one of the nice young bucks I had on my trail cameras.  Well, here it is gun season and I have yet to fill any tag let alone my archery tag.  Anyone in the same situation as this ole' bowhunter?

[T Folts]

It has been said to never pass up a shot on the first day that you would take on the last day or you may have tag soup.  And yes it's happened to me in the past. Good luck ole' bowhunter.

[threeunder]

I'm trying my best not to fill my last buck tag before Faith gets to me for the month of December...LOL

But, to answer your question, yes....been there, done that.  Good luck with the rest of your season!

[Kamm1004]

Sign me up. Got tons of does almost every night offering me shots. But I have three buck in my area over 140 class size. I've yet to draw one close enough and don't know if I will before the end of the year when our season ends

[centaur]

Originally posted by Kamm1004:
Sign me up. Got tons of does almost every night offering me shots. But I have three buck in my area over 140 class size. I've yet to draw one close enough and don't know if I will before the end of the year when our season ends

That's the story of my season. I have filled my doe tag, but have let lots of bucks pass, waiting on one of the good ones.

[Bernie B.]

That seems to happen to me more times than not!  My wife and I really like a full freezer of venison, and by passing on some pretty nice deer it sometimes remains empty.  I rationalize that my season would be over if I shot something early. Not sure how smart I am though by stretching it out into frigid temps with blowing snow!    

Bernie

[newhouse114]

I had made up my mind to attempt a harvest of the first legal deer that that offered a possibilty. This one posed at 20 yards and I just couldn't resist.

[Joeabowhunter]

Yep, I'm in that boat right now.  Passed on several gimme chances early in the season (under 15 yards) then proceeded to miss a nice 9 pt hitting a branch I did not see.  Then with my vacation time approaching actually ending today I passed on a two more opportunities.  Today I pulled a camera and have 3 different bucks coming in so I think I might hold out longer....try for my first trad buck.  I've always said that I'm lucky to get 2 really good shooting opportunities per year but this year has been exceptional.  Hopefully I won't be eating my tag but we do have until the end of December...

[KyStickbow]

It has happened to me a few times...but I try to harvest the big does early in the season so I am not pressured later on during primetime. But I am weak..lol...and passing up a mature doe at ten yards is very hard for me too do! Wish you the best for the rest of the season.

[Got2strum]

I always say I'm not going to wait and take the first opportunity I can at a nice deer. Then I always pass on that opportunity anyway hoping for something better. After a miss at a dandy buck on the last morning of PA's archery season, I watched two doe pass barely 15yrds broadside in front of me that evening. I just watched and let 'em walk hoping that big boy would be in tow...he wasn't...    

[KentuckyTJ]

Your delima brings 2009 flashing back for me. I have dreamed of elk since the mid 80's. September 09 I finally went with some great friends. On day two I passed at 12 yard broadside shot on a feeding cow. I am still kicking myself. I learned something that day.

[newhouse114]

I killed three cows before I ever got a chance at a bull. I live in elk country so I get to hunt them every year and I like EATING elk. Nothing legal gets a pass.

[SELFBOW19953]

Unless I know a buck is trailing her or she has fawns with her, a doe doesn't get a free pass.

[LB_hntr]

For me its all about the meat and hunting. I only let a doe pass if Its my last tag in my pocket and more than a week left in the season...otherwise arrow is on the way.
I don't like my freezer empty and I don't like being in the. House during hunting season.

[knobby]

I'm wearing that same collar right now, as a matter of fact. To make matters worse, the freezer is out of venison and our gun season just started. But then again, I've ended my season early a couple of times in the past and was just miserable the rest of the Fall. "Tag soup" isn't so bad once you get used to it!

[pdk25]

My guidelines for what I will shoot change on a daily basis, lol.  I don't go by the rule "never pass up a shot on the first day that you would take on the last day".  More like don't pass up a shot on the first day that you will regret not taking the last day.  Slightly different.  I give a lot of does a pass early in the season, hoping that they will be bait for the rut.  Then I shoot them later on if I have the freezer space.

[turkey65]

I'm in a different situation,I live in a gated community and we have a management control bow hunt.The Idea is to shoot the breeders,this season I haven't had a good shot at a mature does but I've passed on younger deer at least eight,we also have to shoot a doe before we can kill a buck,of course I've had many chances to shoot a buck.Late season no passes.

[Kevin Dill]

Gambling experts will tell you not to risk it if you can't stand to lose it...     That doesn't mean you (and I) wouldn't like to have it back, though.

Good thoughts.

[Roger Norris]

I'm in the same boat....pretty cocky early on, passed on several "pretty good" bucks and countless does. Oh well.....I have the entire month of December yet, and one of my sons killed a does a week ago, so it will be ok.

[Izzy]

A bird in the hand is the same as a deer in the hand. I love venison. I'd choose a big buck over a doe or small buck anyday but am thrilled to take either.