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shoot or not to shoot?

180class

180class

Well-Known Member
This kind of goes hand in hand with the "Trip your trigger" post, but I was wondering what your opinions would be about taking a average shooter buck, say in the 140 range, early in the season when you know there are a couple deer in the area much bigger. Would you hold out until rut, or consider yourself luck and take the shot?
 
I guess I'm not in the class of trophy hunter that some of you are in but I wouldn't pass on a P&Y buck.

I think it all depends on the area you have to hunt and the number and quality of the bucks you have taken in the past. If I hunted an area with a lot of big bucks and limited pressure and I had a bunch of 150+ class bucks already on the wall then I would probably let it walk in hopes of a bigger buck.

Unfortunately I hunt mostly public land that gets a lot of pressure so I don't have a bunch of big bucks on the wall and don't see many of them like some do so I'd be more than happy to take that 140 for a ride to the taxidermist.
 
That's kind of a personal choice based on your own goals and the amount of time you have to hunt.

Bottom line is, shoot what makes you happy. It has very little to do with what anyone else thinks.
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That one is up to you Bud. For me I wouldn't shoot, just because I feel just knowing you passed or could have shot many 140's a season is no different than shooting the first 140 that walks by. I have just as much fun knowing I could of killed them as I do shooting them. To me a guy that has killed a 140 every year for the past 10 years and a guy that has passed on 30 140's in the last 10 years but never killed one, is no worse of a hunter to me. Others might wonder what is going on, but if you know what you see and what you could have taken is all that really matters. I see hundreds of deer a year all over the state, before dark, shining etc, and a 140 just doesn't trip my trigger anymore. I'm out there to have fun, enjoy the outdoors, and when that buck comes walking through the woods and I start grabbing my bow, then I know it's the one I want. If that buck makes you reaching for the bow, you bet you better be shooting
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Time is probably the biggest reason most guys shoot smaller bucks (before full maturity). I was there, so I'm wouldn't knock a guy for doing it, but if you have the time, I'd wait it out! Besides, what fun would being tagged out be anyway?
 
I know the saying goes, "never pass up a deer on the first day that you would gladly take on the last", but I would almost rather eat tag soup, than to fill it on the first hunt.
 
This might not make sense to some, but try to follow:
I compare it to going out to the bars. Us young un-married guys might only being going out to 1- get drunk (easy) and 2- get a piece. Of course, early evening (early season/opening day)you can find those decent ladies (140 class bucks), but maybe, just maybe, if you wait till closing time (late season/post shotgun), you can find the drunken smokin' hot honey (the monster 180 + buck) The key is get a buzz (go hunting, feel the adrenalin rush from calling in a buck) not drunk (keep your focus) and keep your eye on the 140 while waiting for the 180. If you never get a shot at the 180 and lose the 140, alteast you have meat in the freezer. (AKA doe tags or beer at home)
 
Bad analogy Double rack, I could end up with a 50 class or Barely legal by closing time or Even the tusker award
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However with waiting until closing time one can also come home with the Tusker award which is not purdy either...
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Boys, boys...how did we get from a tree stand to a bar room...so quickly!
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First your talkin bout hawgs then hogs...slow down, I'm easily confused
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Back to the woods... I've found it easier and easier to pass on smaller bucks, mostly by "killing" them with my camcorder
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I would feel worse if I killed a 130 inch deer than I would if I let a 150 inch deer walk and never filled my tag. Everytime I kill a smaller deer than my goal I regret it. This does not apply to the bar analogy.
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It's all about the experience. Shoot what makes you happy. For me, I shot enough little bucks when I was a kid. I'd wait it out, my kids don't like deer meat....
 
i have never been hogging, just trying to fill my tag
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i have gone seasons without any deer and don't mind it until i have to take meat from others to eat or make jerky and stuff then it kills me
 
Yep if you wait till closing time you might think that spike has multiple main beams and will make for a great mount and story. In reality the mount will not look so hot in the morning and the story you hope to god doesn't get out.
 
Well i was just thinking of this today. If you go pick sweet corn. Do you wanna pick the small ones that arnt ready to eat yet? Or do you want the big fat ones that are juicy and good to eat? Dont wanna pick the one thats to small and not ready. IMO
 
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