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What Would You Do?

boonerz

boonerz

Member
I could see this being taken the wrong way. I'll say first off I realize it's not all about the size of the rack, it about the experience and enjoying the hunt. I just had a situation I was curious what others would do as I have been thinking about it myself. I have a buck on trail cam, very consistently, that I think is in the mid 180s. Very impressive deer. Has a 7 inch drop and a dual G3 on one side that are both about 8 inches. I recently pulled cards and saw he busted off the dual g3. Heartbreaking. Not sure how that happens this early but it did. Anyway, do you still shoot him? If so, do you have the taxidermist remake the dual g3? Probably won't even see him during season but was curious what you would do? Guessing he is 4 or 5...
 
I would pass, nothing worse than a busted up giant. I had a situation not quite the same but had my top buck for the year break off one side just past the brow. I passed him several times knowing there was almost no chance to find the broken part. Well of course I did find it but I am still glad I didn't shoot him.
 
If its just those two tines I probably shoot. Whether I get it fixed or not depends. But if you have a 186 gross and he busts off 16 inches of tine,you still have a 170 inch deer with a 180 inch frame. If you he doesn't make your heart pump, you have other studs to chase, or think you could catch up with him next year then pass him.

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I would pass - but if u did kill him I would have it fixed. Just me personally. Sometimes it can be a blessing in disguise if he lives to next year and you kill a deer close to 190-200:)
 
I would hope that he would bust the rest of his rack up so it would be a no brainer and no one else would want to shoot hime either. All joking aside, I would have to decide in the moment.

Do you have history with him from years past or did he just show up this year?
 
Interesting thoughts from you all. Love hearing the opinions.

I have a little history with him. Had him on cam quite a bit last year at what I thought was 3 years old. Awesome buck then but really wanted him to grow atleast another year...if jot for myself for someone else Cuz he had potential. I did see him twice in the stand. Seeing what he became this year was worth the wait.
 
Shoot him if you have a chance. Bucks of that caliber don't come along all that often. I'd get the broken tine rebuilt if I had a good picture for reference.
 
I would pass. Just think what he could be next year. If you do decide to shoot him, repair based on the photos showing what he had before he tore himself up.
 
If I for sure knew he was only 4, I would try to pass him regardless of the broken tine. His best years are yet to come.
 
my 2 cents.... 4 yrs old- could make amazing jump for next season & maybe this is the "excuse" needed to get him to the next season. Could be a blessing in disguise. Of course it's a wild deer so anything can happen but, MY PERSPECTIVE (which i am only referring to my view and it's not a "right or wrong thing")... I think it's kinda fun to roll the dice on the survival of a genetic marvel like that. Leave it up to him if he can outsmart others like he has for 4 years (which if I had to guess, over a 50% chance he will being pretty smart now). That buck will "likely" survive, if I was putting $20 on the casino table. If I was a betting man, I'd bet he's a ridiculous slob next year too. But that's just 2 cents from one schmo. I was just talking to bro about this kinda thing - a few deer we debated on. He said, and I agree for US- if u really need to think that hard or on the fence- err on the side of conservative and let him go. Wait for something that's "no question what u want to get" and I agree. But - again, for every 100 guys that think about this and voice thoughts- u may hear 100 different responses and none are right or wrong- u ultimately are obviously the decision maker. Good luck no matter what u do and choose!
 
Can't fault you either way on your decision...BUT there is no way I could let a deer like that walk. We just don't get that many opportunities at true giant deer where I'm at. If you do, then maybe you would feel fine passing him. It's your call. Best of luck.
 
Only you can make the decision, and only "if" the opportunity arises. I can tell you from experience, they don't always make it or grow from year to year... I found the sheds off of a really good one a few years ago and counted down the days until i could put cameras out. Long story short, i located him in early Aug and watched him grow and shed velvet. Less than a week out of velvet he broke off his entire main beam right after his G2! Probably lost 40-45 inches!!!
 
I personally like to have the decision made before being faced with it in the field.

For me, it would all come down to if I felt like he might be killed by someone else. I hunt areas where I know the guy next door wont pass on a buck like that, but if I was on a large enough piece of property that the buck primarily stayed on and I felt like I would get pics of him next year if I passed, then I would love to see what his potential could be (Killing him is another story). But I would be passing more on his potential than the broken tine. Assuming he is the age you think he is.....Pass would be my call, but I would not fault anyone in a second who didn't pass.
 
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