antlerfreak
New Member
That seems like a loaded question, one which is sure to start some conflict on here im sure. IMO shoot what makes you happy, and dont worry what others think. One mans spike is another mans wall hanger.
LYON
PMA Member
If YOU want to shoot a spike, then shoot a spike. If YOU want to hold off and shoot something bigger then get ready to make some decisions while on stand. Shoot the deer that YOU want and will be happy with, don't worry about what others would shoot. Unless of course you are hunting in an area or on someones land that has antler restrictions or rules to follow. It's YOUR tag, YOUR season and YOUR deer.
blakesburg
PMA Member
The more deer you shoot with a bow the easier it gets to let some walk by. If a spike makes you happy shoot it. Eventually that will not satisfy you and you'll want a 6 or 8 to make you happy....so on and so on. If you are just getting into bow hunting I guarentee anything you shoot will be exiting. If its not then bow hunting just isn't for you. My heart pounds on every deer I ever shoot reguardless what it is. That's what makes bow hunting the best there is in the hunting world.
Super controversial subject and a lot of guys will be in disagreement no matter what anyone's opinion is. I could write a 20 page post on this topic. I'll QUICKLY (ok, sorry, not too quick 
)say this.... I don't care what a kid starting out shoots, I shot a lot of little guys. I will say something that many might disagree with, and that's ok.... I do think it's screwed up the guy who shoots his 35th young buck with 34 other young buck racks nailed up in his garage, especially when hunting in areas with ample does. Everyone has some "exception example" BUT I honestly get sick of the guy who shoots a young buck just because he "has to kill something with horns" and I just get burnt out on hearing well "you can't eat horns", "trophy in the eye of the beholder", "I'm a meat hunter", "it was the end of the season and I needed to get something on the ground", etc, etc, etc. Really, I PERSONALLY see these comments as guys making excuses to themselves and others. Sure, I'm not gonna judge someone's inter-heart and if they are truly fulfilled- GREAT! Keep doing what you're doing BUT I don't think a lot are and I get sick of the same old, old-school mentality in THAT regard. Yes, this will tick a few people off BUT it's my opinion and I have MY OWN reasoning for that opinion.
MY BIGGEST REASON for above is this: Here's how "I" view deer.... I do not believe they exist ONLY for our shooting PLEASURE. I do not think it's just an animal that's there for our ENTERTAINMENT only. I BELIEVE we have a DUTY to manage these animals as wildlife for all and wildlife that deserves proper management. Now, my POINT is: I think folks have to take SOME consideration as to: "what's the best BIOLOGICAL decision for the herd OR does this make BIOLOGICAL SENSE to shoot XYZ"- I'm NOT saying that has to be your #1 and only consideration BUT I think folks SHOULD think of the biological impact AND I don't think shooting young buck after young buck - year after year (in average situations) makes any biological sense. A wild buck on average lives about 9-10 years.
I personally shoot a balanced amount of does & 5.5+ year old bucks (no matter score). That's ME, I am not FORCING anyone to do the same OR even put their goals at ANY point but BIOLOGICAL knowledge & impact SHOULD be considered IMO. Now, I am in the VAST MINORITY with this, I realize that. I'll defend it in and out though, I really believe it's responsible, rewarding, fun and NOT Greedy to do this (opposite of greed if someone wanted to argue the greed aspect). I love managing for MATURE deer, balanced herd, proper carrying capacity and I thoroughly enjoy it. I also ENJOY letting some younger bucks walk in a night of hunting and going home empty handed (or empty handed for whole season)- that's REWARDING to me. I'm NOT saying my extreme outlook has to be adopted by everyone - my bottom line is these critters are not ONLY here for our shooting pleasure and enjoyment- we have a duty to our NEIGHBORS, state, the animals themselves to put a BIOLOGICAL element to what we shoot and do. JUST MY OPINION.
*What's also interesting to me, I have friends of ALL ages that "manage" with biological concern BUT it really seems to be the YOUNGER generation that I see FAR MORE of that. I also see some "old school" ways that are as stubborn as one can imagine and NO ONE can explain any new way of thinking because they already "know it all". These younger kids I meet all the time are hungry for knowledge, they get to hear from the "New School" that is about management & biology (as well as the enjoyment & challenge of the hunt) & meat AND they hear from the "OLD SCHOOL"- what I see is most kids with open minds adopting the "new school" from hearing both sides and experiencing it all themselves. I personally think that's cool and I love talking to some of the "younger" hunters. Kid said to me 3 weeks ago "why doesn't everyone just shoot OLDER bucks and that way, there will be better hunting for everyone and abundant mature bucks around every year, why doesn't everyone do that?" - just a comment that made me smile. This kid shot a big doe and an old buck last year and was THRILLED with the challenge of getting an older buck ALREADY (and it took me 3-4 years of shooting little guys). & folks, I have close friends and good friends on the OTHER SIDE of this argument SO let's just keep in mind, this is a contraversial topic and at the end of the day- I'm gonna do what I wanna do and you're gonna do what you're gonna do and we all LOVE hunting and outdoors. So I hope folks can discuss this with a little bit of calmness
)say this.... I don't care what a kid starting out shoots, I shot a lot of little guys. I will say something that many might disagree with, and that's ok.... I do think it's screwed up the guy who shoots his 35th young buck with 34 other young buck racks nailed up in his garage, especially when hunting in areas with ample does. Everyone has some "exception example" BUT I honestly get sick of the guy who shoots a young buck just because he "has to kill something with horns" and I just get burnt out on hearing well "you can't eat horns", "trophy in the eye of the beholder", "I'm a meat hunter", "it was the end of the season and I needed to get something on the ground", etc, etc, etc. Really, I PERSONALLY see these comments as guys making excuses to themselves and others. Sure, I'm not gonna judge someone's inter-heart and if they are truly fulfilled- GREAT! Keep doing what you're doing BUT I don't think a lot are and I get sick of the same old, old-school mentality in THAT regard. Yes, this will tick a few people off BUT it's my opinion and I have MY OWN reasoning for that opinion. MY BIGGEST REASON for above is this: Here's how "I" view deer.... I do not believe they exist ONLY for our shooting PLEASURE. I do not think it's just an animal that's there for our ENTERTAINMENT only. I BELIEVE we have a DUTY to manage these animals as wildlife for all and wildlife that deserves proper management. Now, my POINT is: I think folks have to take SOME consideration as to: "what's the best BIOLOGICAL decision for the herd OR does this make BIOLOGICAL SENSE to shoot XYZ"- I'm NOT saying that has to be your #1 and only consideration BUT I think folks SHOULD think of the biological impact AND I don't think shooting young buck after young buck - year after year (in average situations) makes any biological sense. A wild buck on average lives about 9-10 years.
I personally shoot a balanced amount of does & 5.5+ year old bucks (no matter score). That's ME, I am not FORCING anyone to do the same OR even put their goals at ANY point but BIOLOGICAL knowledge & impact SHOULD be considered IMO. Now, I am in the VAST MINORITY with this, I realize that. I'll defend it in and out though, I really believe it's responsible, rewarding, fun and NOT Greedy to do this (opposite of greed if someone wanted to argue the greed aspect). I love managing for MATURE deer, balanced herd, proper carrying capacity and I thoroughly enjoy it. I also ENJOY letting some younger bucks walk in a night of hunting and going home empty handed (or empty handed for whole season)- that's REWARDING to me. I'm NOT saying my extreme outlook has to be adopted by everyone - my bottom line is these critters are not ONLY here for our shooting pleasure and enjoyment- we have a duty to our NEIGHBORS, state, the animals themselves to put a BIOLOGICAL element to what we shoot and do. JUST MY OPINION.
*What's also interesting to me, I have friends of ALL ages that "manage" with biological concern BUT it really seems to be the YOUNGER generation that I see FAR MORE of that. I also see some "old school" ways that are as stubborn as one can imagine and NO ONE can explain any new way of thinking because they already "know it all". These younger kids I meet all the time are hungry for knowledge, they get to hear from the "New School" that is about management & biology (as well as the enjoyment & challenge of the hunt) & meat AND they hear from the "OLD SCHOOL"- what I see is most kids with open minds adopting the "new school" from hearing both sides and experiencing it all themselves. I personally think that's cool and I love talking to some of the "younger" hunters. Kid said to me 3 weeks ago "why doesn't everyone just shoot OLDER bucks and that way, there will be better hunting for everyone and abundant mature bucks around every year, why doesn't everyone do that?" - just a comment that made me smile. This kid shot a big doe and an old buck last year and was THRILLED with the challenge of getting an older buck ALREADY (and it took me 3-4 years of shooting little guys). & folks, I have close friends and good friends on the OTHER SIDE of this argument SO let's just keep in mind, this is a contraversial topic and at the end of the day- I'm gonna do what I wanna do and you're gonna do what you're gonna do and we all LOVE hunting and outdoors. So I hope folks can discuss this with a little bit of calmness
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DOR
Life Member
x2
It's your tag. Shoot what pleases you.
beararchery
Member
I just wait for one that gets me excited I passed a lot of young bucks last year which surprised my self. I ended up shooting a real old 6 that was smaller then the young bucks. I was pleased because the young bucks added inches this year and I'm thinking there gona be fun to hunt.
One thing I have learned from my grandpa is that its not the size of the rack its the love of the hunt.
One thing I have learned from my grandpa is that its not the size of the rack its the love of the hunt.
jamesfry
New Member
Liking the opinions i like the long one and i will take my fareshare of does and the problem in indiana and not onlythe fact i have twenty acres is since people shoot fawns and buttons the biggest deer i have everseen on my camera is a nice 120 class 8 my dad shot a monster and has seen monsters untill all these houses started gowing up just wish we could het more acrage without having to tear down a house
indiana boy
indiana boy
josh macfarland
New Member
Sligh1 said:Super controversial subject and a lot of guys will be in disagreement no matter what anyone's opinion is. I could write a 20 page post on this topic. I'll QUICKLY (ok, sorry, not too quick
MY BIGGEST REASON for above is this: Here's how "I" view deer.... I do not believe they exist ONLY for our shooting PLEASURE. I do not think it's just an animal that's there for our ENTERTAINMENT only. I BELIEVE we have a DUTY to manage these animals as wildlife for all and wildlife that deserves proper management. Now, my POINT is: I think folks have to take SOME consideration as to: "what's the best BIOLOGICAL decision for the herd OR does this make BIOLOGICAL SENSE to shoot XYZ"- I'm NOT saying that has to be your #1 and only consideration BUT I think folks SHOULD think of the biological impact AND I don't think shooting young buck after young buck - year after year (in average situations) makes any biological sense. A wild buck on average lives about 9-10 years.
I personally shoot a balanced amount of does & 5.5+ year old bucks (no matter score). That's ME, I am not FORCING anyone to do the same OR even put their goals at ANY point but BIOLOGICAL knowledge & impact SHOULD be considered IMO. Now, I am in the VAST MINORITY with this, I realize that. I'll defend it in and out though, I really believe it's responsible, rewarding, fun and NOT Greedy to do this (opposite of greed if someone wanted to argue the greed aspect). I love managing for MATURE deer, balanced herd, proper carrying capacity and I thoroughly enjoy it. I also ENJOY letting some younger bucks walk in a night of hunting and going home empty handed (or empty handed for whole season)- that's REWARDING to me. I'm NOT saying my extreme outlook has to be adopted by everyone - my bottom line is these critters are not ONLY here for our shooting pleasure and enjoyment- we have a duty to our NEIGHBORS, state, the animals themselves to put a BIOLOGICAL element to what we shoot and do. JUST MY OPINION.
*What's also interesting to me, I have friends of ALL ages that "manage" with biological concern BUT it really seems to be the YOUNGER generation that I see FAR MORE of that. I also see some "old school" ways that are as stubborn as one can imagine and NO ONE can explain any new way of thinking because they already "know it all". These younger kids I meet all the time are hungry for knowledge, they get to hear from the "New School" that is about management & biology (as well as the enjoyment & challenge of the hunt) & meat AND they hear from the "OLD SCHOOL"- what I see is most kids with open minds adopting the "new school" from hearing both sides and experiencing it all themselves. I personally think that's cool and I love talking to some of the "younger" hunters. Kid said to me 3 weeks ago "why doesn't everyone just shoot OLDER bucks and that way, there will be better hunting for everyone and abundant mature bucks around every year, why doesn't everyone do that?" - just a comment that made me smile. This kid shot a big doe and an old buck last year and was THRILLED with the challenge of getting an older buck ALREADY (and it took me 3-4 years of shooting little guys). & folks, I have close friends and good friends on the OTHER SIDE of this argument SO let's just keep in mind, this is a contraversial topic and at the end of the day- I'm gonna do what I wanna do and you're gonna do what you're gonna do and we all LOVE hunting and outdoors. So I hope folks can discuss this with a little bit of calmness
Well sayed
arrow flinger
loneranger
Well-Known Member
Definately depends on your area,,what will get you excited. If you had alot of land,,abundant deer that would mature on that land,,as can be seen on many hunt shows, then you would be crazy to shoot young deer,,even from meat perspective. Also, in that scenario you need to keep females under control. On a small piece of land, not many deer, smaller bucks might get you excited. The older animals, regardless of antlers get me excited. The challenge... matching whits with a creature that has gotten wise. Even though my land is small, and seeing a buck over 2 yrs old is rare. I try to hold out. Not satified with seeing that youngster, lifeless on the ground. So few does I even quit shooting those,,,in my area. Try to get doe meat up north,,near suburbs, where I see lots of does.