If your goal is a 5 year old then the size of the antlers shouldn’t matter. If I was you I would be looking for an old buck with poor genetics, to many top end young deer get targeted and that’s why there’s so few true giants anymore. He’s made it 4 years so I’d be betting on him.
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Windlooker
Well-Known Member
I think this growing deer thing is out of control…but It depends how big your farm is and if you can protect him. On my farm, not that big, I’d shoot him because I’d never see him again.
I did that once. We had a 160 in 8 point who was a stud. Decided to pass him to kill the world record 8 the next year. lol. Found one shed in the spring. Never saw him again.
I did that once. We had a 160 in 8 point who was a stud. Decided to pass him to kill the world record 8 the next year. lol. Found one shed in the spring. Never saw him again.
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Nightvision
Active Member
I shoot what makes me happy. If I’m a guest, I follow the rules I’m given even if it means passing up what I’d normally shoot.
What would I do? I’d shoot him and not think twice about it. But I’ve never had a chance at that caliber of deer and only see them occasionally when I’m in the Midwest.
What would I do? I’d shoot him and not think twice about it. But I’ve never had a chance at that caliber of deer and only see them occasionally when I’m in the Midwest.
YtailFreak
Active Member
Several years ago, I was in a similar spot. I killed the deer and it didn't bring me the joy that it should have. He ended up being my biggest deer at the time scoring in the mid 80s, but deep down knowing he was only 4, it hurt me more than it satisfied me. May sound silly to some but my goal is 5+
The size of property and the neighbors goals shouldn't really matter IMO. Those are just excuses. "If I dont shoot him my neighbor will" YOU are that neighbor!
You do you. If he'll fill your soul with happiness, kill him. If you think you'll regret it, then don't. Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
Best of luck
The size of property and the neighbors goals shouldn't really matter IMO. Those are just excuses. "If I dont shoot him my neighbor will" YOU are that neighbor!
You do you. If he'll fill your soul with happiness, kill him. If you think you'll regret it, then don't. Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
Best of luck
Windlooker
Well-Known Member
Property size absolutely matters. If the deer is habitually crossing property lines the chances of him surviving exponentially diminish. I’ll post 20 pics of 3 or 4 year old bucks from my cams that were not seen the following year. I don’t have enough property to keep them from wandering. Yea there are exceptions but I’m not passing a 180s class deer and would be grateful for the harvest. To each their own I guess.
northcedar
Well-Known Member
IMO the fact that he's "almost" a 5.5 helps somewhat. If he was a 3.5 scoring the same that makes it worse. A 2.5 even worse. Then you really would feel awful shooting a 2.5 scoring 175. Just how I see it. I bet a lot of the guys saying to pass him up already have a 175" on the wall. I also think most the guys saying 5 is the goal, probably actually mean 5 with a great rack is the goal, but maybe some settle for a scrub 5 later in the season, while others may not. Lotta grey area in this convo. This is deer hunting. Don't need to overthink it. Personally I haven't shot a buck under 5.5 in maybe 20 years, but I've also never shot a 170". Can't guarantee what I'd do in your situation, but I wouldn't rule out shooting him. Do what makes you happy, but then be happy with your decision.
Tmayer13
Well-Known Member
No what he is saying is that giving the excuse of shooting a deer because of the property size and the "if i dont kill him the neighbors will" is b.s. At that point you are just becoming the neighbor that would shoot everything. If you shoot and kill a deer then it 100% will not make it to next year but if you pass it, then it at least has a chance.
To the O.P.- You first and foremost should only be asking yourself this question, no one on here can make that choice for you. I would probably pass the deer but the next guy may not, neither of us are wrong for our decision. I have a feeling if you are asking on a forum what you should do, you already know.
Good Luck
lazy_turtle
Member
I appreciate all the great discussion here everyone. I’m leaning towards pass since I’ve held out this long. I don’t think I would personally give the deer what he deserves if I was always thinking “what if” after I killed him.
More context if folks are interested:
* 120-ish acres
* moderate rifle season (Missouri) pressure. Low Bowhunting pressure
* this is the third year with the farm. Tons of hunting pressure from previous owner. This buck was the oldest (2 years old) and the biggest when I got it. So pretty cool to see the progress so far.
More context if folks are interested:
* 120-ish acres
* moderate rifle season (Missouri) pressure. Low Bowhunting pressure
* this is the third year with the farm. Tons of hunting pressure from previous owner. This buck was the oldest (2 years old) and the biggest when I got it. So pretty cool to see the progress so far.
iowavf
Active Member
One thing about it, if you shoot that 160" buck, the odds of ever seeing the world record 8 point next year just changed.
Windlooker
Well-Known Member
I maintain growing deer isn’t hunting. While I try to shoot the biggest deer I can I don’t get crazy about it. I own property for family and friends to enjoy it; not keep everyone off for fear the big one might leave.
God forbid you actually walk your property. Like was stated trail cams and drones now do the scouting. What’s next a bot you control and shoot deer with from your living room. I know that’s extreme.
It’s like the guy who goes out at night. An 8 who’s willing and able walks in and he says, nah, waitin on the 10. Night after night that happens and he finds he and Rosie Palm have become real close. lol. Another bad analogy. In reality how good of a hunter is he, what neighborhood is he hunting, how often can he get out etc. A bunch of variables matter.
To each their own. I use my property, have family and friends hunt and kill deer regardless of size as we have hunters in various stages of their hunting life. We yuck it up, drink a few beers, tell some lies and plan for next year. To me that’s what it’s about.
God forbid you actually walk your property. Like was stated trail cams and drones now do the scouting. What’s next a bot you control and shoot deer with from your living room. I know that’s extreme.
It’s like the guy who goes out at night. An 8 who’s willing and able walks in and he says, nah, waitin on the 10. Night after night that happens and he finds he and Rosie Palm have become real close. lol. Another bad analogy. In reality how good of a hunter is he, what neighborhood is he hunting, how often can he get out etc. A bunch of variables matter.
To each their own. I use my property, have family and friends hunt and kill deer regardless of size as we have hunters in various stages of their hunting life. We yuck it up, drink a few beers, tell some lies and plan for next year. To me that’s what it’s about.
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Hawk32
PMA Member
Its hard for me to pass a deer of that caliber now matter the age. It blows my mind the number of nice deer with great potential or already there that we've had on camera year after year that never show back up and just flat disappear. I have lots of years worth of files I look back on every now and then and just scratch my head. Pretty good managed area but has a good number of hunters. Frustrating as heck. If I had a nickel for every time I've said this deers gonna be a stud next year to only never see him again I'd own 1000 acres by now.
I agree windlooker. Before I bought my own piece I had a buddy that has bought and sold a few farms over the years tell me once, don't just buy a farm to deer hunt. Buy one you can enjoy as a family in other ways as well. Fishing, bird hunting, etc. His advice based off his past experiences was you can easily burn yourself out and ruin the enjoyment of actually deer hunting if you put all your efforts into killing a deer. After 3 years of owning a farm I admittedly haven't exactly followed his advice. I think in a lot of ways he was right though. Last fall we took one of my sons buddies (15 at the time) hunting during archery season and he passed a decent 135-140ish 10 pt that was probably 3 maybe 4 years old. I asked my son later why his buddy passed him and he said he was worried we would be upset because he hears us talk about passing this deer and that deer and this ones a shooter and this one isn't and so on. Next time we took him to the farm I made it damn clear to him I bought this farm to shoot deer and he can shoot whatever deer he wants regardless of size or age as long as he was happy and nothing would make us happier than seeing that happen.
I agree windlooker. Before I bought my own piece I had a buddy that has bought and sold a few farms over the years tell me once, don't just buy a farm to deer hunt. Buy one you can enjoy as a family in other ways as well. Fishing, bird hunting, etc. His advice based off his past experiences was you can easily burn yourself out and ruin the enjoyment of actually deer hunting if you put all your efforts into killing a deer. After 3 years of owning a farm I admittedly haven't exactly followed his advice. I think in a lot of ways he was right though. Last fall we took one of my sons buddies (15 at the time) hunting during archery season and he passed a decent 135-140ish 10 pt that was probably 3 maybe 4 years old. I asked my son later why his buddy passed him and he said he was worried we would be upset because he hears us talk about passing this deer and that deer and this ones a shooter and this one isn't and so on. Next time we took him to the farm I made it damn clear to him I bought this farm to shoot deer and he can shoot whatever deer he wants regardless of size or age as long as he was happy and nothing would make us happier than seeing that happen.
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iowavf
Active Member
Well as long as the lets the 8 walk afterwards and doesn't take it home, he's still hunting!
Buckscrape
Well-Known Member
Hunters have all kinds of criteria when it comes to what they hunt/shoot. Me, I'd be gambling on finding him in a future year. A lot wouldn't have left him to grow to four and a half. Do what you want to do. It's your tag.
Bucksnbears
Well-Known Member
I'll admit this..., my goals change in a heartbeat. Once hard winter hits here, I just wanna be done for the year. If i feel like being done, i have no regets shooting a forkie just to know my tag is burned.
Spent many hours in the past in super cold (like minus 0% temps) waiting for the big one sitting in a tree. Things always seem to go horribly wrong in those temps.
My " goal" now is to never spend one more minute EVER in a stand if temps are _ zero F.
Reminiscing here. Back in the mid 80s ,a huge blizzard set in. Temps were _25 ish and 40mph winds.
Windchills were like _ 50*.
I still had a tag and WAS going!.
Told my dad I was gonna go. He CHEWED my ass for even think8ng about it.
Didn't care (young/ dumb).
My truck wouldnt start so I stole his van, lol.
Went around a sheriff's road closed blockade, drove about 20 miles to a remote willow/ cat tail Swamp, walked across a 1/2 mile of open ground to get to it, (visibility was maybe 20 feet), and got to the Swamp.
Walked in, found a leaning boxelder and climbed up to a limb.
Other then the extreme cold, it's wasn't to bad.
Missed a chip shot at a freaking GIANT buck. I was so COLD , like (couldn't function) cold.
I still think back to that day 40 years ago.
Was an honest 220± NT at 10 yards.
I would not even think about doing what I did back then if I had a chance at a world record.
Needless to say, my goals now change with the temps. Lol.
To damn old to endure the pain I used to.
Spent many hours in the past in super cold (like minus 0% temps) waiting for the big one sitting in a tree. Things always seem to go horribly wrong in those temps.
My " goal" now is to never spend one more minute EVER in a stand if temps are _ zero F.
Reminiscing here. Back in the mid 80s ,a huge blizzard set in. Temps were _25 ish and 40mph winds.
Windchills were like _ 50*.
I still had a tag and WAS going!.
Told my dad I was gonna go. He CHEWED my ass for even think8ng about it.
Didn't care (young/ dumb).
My truck wouldnt start so I stole his van, lol.
Went around a sheriff's road closed blockade, drove about 20 miles to a remote willow/ cat tail Swamp, walked across a 1/2 mile of open ground to get to it, (visibility was maybe 20 feet), and got to the Swamp.
Walked in, found a leaning boxelder and climbed up to a limb.
Other then the extreme cold, it's wasn't to bad.
Missed a chip shot at a freaking GIANT buck. I was so COLD , like (couldn't function) cold.
I still think back to that day 40 years ago.
Was an honest 220± NT at 10 yards.
I would not even think about doing what I did back then if I had a chance at a world record.
Needless to say, my goals now change with the temps. Lol.
To damn old to endure the pain I used to.
Lil perspective & 2 cents - exactly what this is worth…
I’ve passed a gazillion deer I “never saw again” so I can easily throw that one out the window of concern whether I shoot a buck or not. Think about how many bucks a guy passes…. 50 - 100 a season for example. How many of those u think you gonna put ur tag on? Small amount in long run!!!!
Big bucks I’ve shot - they are a TINY % of the deer I’ve passed BUT…. I’d say the overwhelming majority are deer I’ve passed at younger ages. So I do see it translate for self & others OFTEN to pass a buck & get him later. When it’s “1 year away” I’d kinda say most cases are 50/50 on average… “I found him dead”. “Another guy got him”. Or “I found his sheds and got a crack the next year”. FOR sure can go both ways. I’m ok with that but that’s ME. Some folks aren’t. Fine.
I personally stick by standards NOW but ive “deviated” in past. Say I wanted to shoot 3 year olds or older. A 2 year old gets shot. I’m PERSONALLY a little bummed inside but that’s just me. Some folks are more like “but dude, the experience & how it went down & the memory of that hunt”…. Totally get it. If ur the type that’s like “whoa, that blew my mind- amazing!” - DO IT. If u are like “deep inside i think I might regret this” DON’T IMO.
Theres no right or wrong - clearly. It’s not a competition EXCEPT vs your self and your own goals. That’s the ONLY competition that matters. One could say “he’s my biggest buck” & absolutely valid. Another might say “next year he’d be my biggest by a lot more & id 100% know I’d wanna shoot him” - absolutely valid.
So- I think what I’m saying & what everyone else is saying, in a way….. only u know this. U r the decision maker & everyone on here would be like “awesome” on however this played out. Or “darn, sorry, that sucks- he didn’t make it. BEEN THERE” if it goes that way. Or next year “holy crap- props on how that worked out”. I think in YOUR GUT - u know the answer….. go witn that.
Other side tangent…. I get “softer” as the season goes on. Example….. maybe a farm has 2 deer of same age I’d shoot. I tag one. All the sudden it’s past gun season & the second is still there. Like some folks above - I often go “eah- he’s gonna make it. Let him go”. That’s the softy or conservative minded part of my brain coming out. As of TODAY- MO rifle gotta be close to done. Hmmmm.
I’ve passed a gazillion deer I “never saw again” so I can easily throw that one out the window of concern whether I shoot a buck or not. Think about how many bucks a guy passes…. 50 - 100 a season for example. How many of those u think you gonna put ur tag on? Small amount in long run!!!!
Big bucks I’ve shot - they are a TINY % of the deer I’ve passed BUT…. I’d say the overwhelming majority are deer I’ve passed at younger ages. So I do see it translate for self & others OFTEN to pass a buck & get him later. When it’s “1 year away” I’d kinda say most cases are 50/50 on average… “I found him dead”. “Another guy got him”. Or “I found his sheds and got a crack the next year”. FOR sure can go both ways. I’m ok with that but that’s ME. Some folks aren’t. Fine.
I personally stick by standards NOW but ive “deviated” in past. Say I wanted to shoot 3 year olds or older. A 2 year old gets shot. I’m PERSONALLY a little bummed inside but that’s just me. Some folks are more like “but dude, the experience & how it went down & the memory of that hunt”…. Totally get it. If ur the type that’s like “whoa, that blew my mind- amazing!” - DO IT. If u are like “deep inside i think I might regret this” DON’T IMO.
Theres no right or wrong - clearly. It’s not a competition EXCEPT vs your self and your own goals. That’s the ONLY competition that matters. One could say “he’s my biggest buck” & absolutely valid. Another might say “next year he’d be my biggest by a lot more & id 100% know I’d wanna shoot him” - absolutely valid.
So- I think what I’m saying & what everyone else is saying, in a way….. only u know this. U r the decision maker & everyone on here would be like “awesome” on however this played out. Or “darn, sorry, that sucks- he didn’t make it. BEEN THERE” if it goes that way. Or next year “holy crap- props on how that worked out”. I think in YOUR GUT - u know the answer….. go witn that.
Other side tangent…. I get “softer” as the season goes on. Example….. maybe a farm has 2 deer of same age I’d shoot. I tag one. All the sudden it’s past gun season & the second is still there. Like some folks above - I often go “eah- he’s gonna make it. Let him go”. That’s the softy or conservative minded part of my brain coming out. As of TODAY- MO rifle gotta be close to done. Hmmmm.
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DMarley83
DMARLEY83
If I dont shoot him my neighbor will" YOU are that neighbor!
I love this statement 1 mill%!!!!