Why do you shoot the buck you do?

[Daver]

When I first started deer hunting, any deer was a big deal to me. As the years went by I began to see the value in letting little ones grow up a bit and I then switched hard to being a "trophy hunter". B&C or bust!! :grin: Well, I think I waited for 3 or 4 years for my B&C "buck of a lifetime" to show up, all the while growing more frustrated because I never so much as saw a B&C during that time frame!

I then came to my senses and realized that I was hunting deer mainly for enjoyment and there wasn't much joy waiting for a deer that for the most part didn't exist. (The areas that I was hunting then were heavily pressured and in all the years, about 12 total, that I hunted I think there was one B&C level buck in this area and I only saw him once at a distance and shortly after that another hunter got him.)

For the last 10 years I have had my own place and the potential for a super big one is there every year as we are in a good area. But realisitically, my actual hunting time is limited and I choose to share my ground with family and friends to the extent that I realize that I am not likely to shoot a B&C every year.

I admire the guys that have the patience and opportunity to pass 150"+ bucks and let them reach their full potential, but I am happy shooting the ones I shoot. For me, anything that is 3-1/2 or older might get shot, it just depends on things at that time. I have passed bucks that were at least 3-1/2 and maybe 4-1/2, and at other times I have not passed the same deer. But I am having fun at it. :way:

 

[wegner36]

I shoot a deer that's going on my wall, I invite people to come hunt my ground and if they're somebody that has shot a few bucks, I ask them to do the same. I don't want to dictate what is a trophy to them, but I also don't want them shooting up small bucks just to shoot some horns. Now if a youth or someone who hasn't really hunted much wants to come hunt, I say shoot away, if your excited to kill it, then I'm excited for you. I enjoy shooting deer, I just happen to choose to shoot does, or bucks that make my wall. A few years down the road and after a few things are changed, I will start to manage more aggressively for mature deer but right now thats just not in the cards.

The only thing that bothers me about my stance on the deer I shoot came a few years ago when we were slug hunting, my older brother who hadn't hunted in years decided to come out with us this year, I was pretty pumped. Well when he shot a little six pointer, I think some of the fun was gone for him worrying if I'd be upset with him for shooting it, of course I was jacked up and after seeing that he was more at ease. I didn't like the fact that the way I hunt took a way a little bit of the fun for someone else. Will it change how I do stuff? No. And unfortunately I really don't see any way of avoiding this in the future. I think it comes from the misconception that just because I like holding out for a big deer that I'm some sort of a-hole that expects everyone else to do that or they're not good enough... I think that is as much the fault of the people that think I'm only in it for the trophies. I'm still into hunting for the same reasons I started.

I do hate the pure "meat hunters" because if a 180 inch deer and a 100 inch deer are standing side by side, i guarantee no meat hunter in the world looks to see which one has a bigger body. The fact that they would enjoy shooting that big buck just agrees with what I do, they just don't admit it.

 

[LoessHillsArcher]

Personally and on our farms we stick to 4.5+. We've just started considering passing great genetic 4.5 bucks... but haven't actually done it, just playing the scenario out in our head IF it ever happens.

Another thing we've had thrown in the mix is our aunts/uncles/cousins all really have grown to enjoy hunting. They are a family with 6 kids and have no place to hunt so five years ago we've made it a tradition to take them out during the 1st shotgun season where they can enjoy the hunt just sitting with their kids... now that has blossomed into youth, bow, 2nd shotgun, and late muzzleloader. But it is all fun and enjoyable but also comes with a new struggle. These are all new people to hunting and would absolutely love to shoot the first button buck or 4pt that walks out... So in one year we're taking 6+ beginners out to hunt and boy when that 1.5 walks by they'd be more than happy to pull the trigger, and we are more than happy to see them do it!

The toughest part of this has been the fact the harvest of immature bucks came all in a couple years but in the end we feel like they will be life long hunters that may not have been before... Now we take them out but have up'd the standards (possibly not by choice... but it has to be done...otherwise they'd tag out on day one with the first thing that stepped out) . Now the next big step for getting them more involved in the outdoors is to get them to help with improving the habitat and conservation efforts. Looking back and seeing what growing up a hunter has done for me it isn't the big buck harvested that has changed/shaped my life. It is the challenge, work ethic, way of life that comes with being a hunter. The more we can share that with others the better, the world could use a few more conservationist and less video gamers... Sorry for the rant, this has been on my mind since last season's young buck bonanza with the family. The deer are there and will always be... the time with family, well...we're just going to keep soaking it up while we can!

 

[Crimson Arrows]

Looking back and seeing what growing up a hunter has done for me it isn't the big buck harvested that has changed/shaped my life. It is the challenge, work ethic, way of life that comes with being a hunter.

Man, that's well said :way:

 

[Bill Hartzell]

LoessHillsArcher---Well said as well as some of the other posts. It just seems that there is no scenario that is the same as the next person's scenario. I remember hunting with one of my best friend's Dad 25 years ago and didn't quite see the hunting the way he did. Now, that I am 50 years old I can see what he was thinking plain as day. Time spent with family & friends is cherished by me more & more. No matter how big a buck someone chooses to kill I am happy for them. For me, I still hope to shoot something that will go on the wall. I will admit though, I have killed a few bucks with ground shrinkage. As I stated earlier Sligh1 to my knowledge I am yet to see a 6.5 or 7.5 year old buck--but I hope that day is gonna happen and I am also gonna keep my eyes peeled. Half the fun is seeing what is behind that tree. A dink or a pig. fyi--I bowhunt only Excellent post by the way.

 

[THA4]

Man, that's well said :way:

:way:

very well put, buddy!

 

[LoessHillsArcher]

I didn't mean my previous post as an attack on what anyone else chooses. If you like mega bucks (I do too) and that is all you want, cool. If you like to eat deer (I do too) and want to go with the "brown it's down" policy, that's ok... just different than I choose.

Now I'll be completely honest I'd prefer to have neighbors who perform at least some sort of managment versus 'it's brown, it's down'... but if you're playing by the book and breaking no laws... keep on huntin' and enjoy yourself