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lazy_turtle

lazy_turtle

Member
Hey folks,

Hoping to gather some thoughts from others in the community.

I have a deer this year that is almost certainly 4.5 years old (3rd year of trail camera photos). My goal for age has been 5.5+ for quite some time now. However, this deer probably scores around 175-180. Potentially my biggest ever. I haven’t even gone after him once this year, but am starting to think I’m crazy.

Any thoughts/advice?
 
If he stays close to home and is somewhat protected, I'd consider passing.

If there are tree stands on every property surrounding him, someone will be tempted. Hate to shoot a deer worried that someone else might. Usually how it happens, though.

Only you can make that call.
 
lazy_turtle said:
Hey folks,

Hoping to gather some thoughts from others in the community.

I have a deer this year that is almost certainly 4.5 years old (3rd year of trail camera photos). My goal for age has been 5.5+ for quite some time now. However, this deer probably scores around 175-180. Potentially my biggest ever. I haven’t even gone after him once this year, but am starting to think I’m crazy.

Any thoughts/advice?
Click to expand...
That’s a tough call . If you have a large farm and think he can survive ? So much depends on his history and range ?

I do not mind passing bucks, but a 180 would be very difficult to pass !

Good luck !
 
Many years ago I passed a buck with some history that scored 195” at 3.5 years. He was a perfectly typical 6X6. I reasoned that if I killed him I would always regret it & wonder “what if”. Long story short, his core bedding area on our family farm was erased the following spring, he moved & was never seen again. Those are just the chances we take. Good luck with your decision either way.
 
Stoney said:
Many years ago I passed a buck with some history that scored 195” at 3.5 years. He was a perfectly typical 6X6. I reasoned that if I killed him I would always regret it & wonder “what if”. Long story short, his core bedding area on our family farm was erased the following spring, he moved & was never seen again. Those are just the chances we take. Good luck with your decision either way.
Click to expand...
erased? Like a bulldozer?
 
Set your own goals - stick to them. Do what makes you happy. I echo what's been said above. Don't be disappointed if you pass a buck, he meets someone else's goal and they shoot him, always bet on the deer and let them go if that's your goal.
 
It sounds like I am in the minority, but I would shoot him. You don't get that many chances at deer that big.

Unless you have a number of bucks that size on the wall and are really wanting a 200incher and have the ground to protect him you may regret it.

Just my opinion, but you did ask.
 
Only you can answer it- my goal is a 200” every year but then filling the freezer becomes more important. I have 16 acres- the neighbor shoots everything that walks and aren’t good shots, so I take the next best thing. Every situation is different- either way- whatever you decided I’m betting everyone on this site will understand and be happy for you as long as you are happy for yourself
 
To me it's the size of the property. I hunt two different farms, but not big enough where bucks stay just on those properties. Had a 170" droptine that hung in the area for two years that I was after. Neighbors son hit him early muzzleloader season on their property but wasn't lethal. The gun hunters in the area knew of him and had him on cams. Of course, Muphy's law had me in another stand the last day of bow before gun season and he was by one of my stands. I got a text the third day of gun season from the guy that killed him. Also, after the season a buddy sent me a link from Drury's of the buck. A guy down the road that bought a small piece and was an editor for them was hunting him hard also. Long story short, I can't pass on a shooter.
 
I have a folder of bucks that I either passed or didn’t get a chance at from the stand that never showed up the next year or I found out they were killed. I’m ok with some, some it hurts to look back.

Again, you have to make your call.


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