Why do you shoot the buck you do?

[blakesburg]

For the last 10 yrs I have used bow only and have killed about 90 or so and every one made my heart pound. That is the feeling that keeps me in the deer woods for hours and hours every fall regardless of what it is. I try to kill at least one mature buck a year but the hunt is always enjoyable regardless.

 

[Hardwood11]

trophy or meat hunter

I shoot the deer that makes the hunt. Why is everyone obsessed with numbers? If we quit keeping score maybe more people would enjoy the hunt.

Cooter: Take a look at your profile pictures, you have some dandy bucks and beautiful mature tom turkeys. Obviously you are not shooting the first (jake) or spike that walks in front of you, so why are you critical of Sligh?

 

[Shovelbuck]

I enjoy being out in the woods, the hunting part of it is just a bonus. Sometimes I'm in the mood to let a small buck walk, other times, especially if the freezer is needing meat, I'll shoot anything. I used to try to hunt only mature bucks, but in over a decade of doing so, it got me a 167, and several 150's hanging on the land owners wall. I am done growing them for other people. I'm glad they shot them, but cringe at the thought of how many were poached.
Somebody also mentioned that it depends on your area. Absolutely! I'm not blessed with a deer behind every tree. I probably see deer on 60 percent of my hunts. Of those sightings, maybe one out of 10 or less, might offer a chance at a shot. I simply don't need to limit myself anymore than I already am.
What gets me are those that look down at those of us that shoot small bucks. If you don't think it happens here, just look at the number of posts a big buck gets compared to a smaller one.
My heart still pumps hard after all these years when shooting any deer. If that feeling ever stops, I'll sell all my flintlocks and bows.
Have fun and respect your game and fellow hunters.:way:

 

[IQDM]

Starting out hunting, I shot any buck that walked by and those hunts were so amazing, I'll never forget them. As years went on, I wanted to challenge myself to bigger and older deer. Each year was a step up on the ladder. Each step I wanted to challenge myself more with older deer and bigger deer.
Fast-forward to where I am now, I don't care about SCORE, all I care about is trying to get a crack at an OLD buck (I don't care if he's 130" BUT 8 years old) because I feel it's the most challenging animal out there AND carries the most Biological benefit to the herd to target him (and Does if needed). That's my preference though and what really makes my hunt- connecting with the smartest animal in the woods - a MATURE buck. Something I consider to be UNLIKE any other deer out there- a MATURE buck is almost a different animal. Now, that's me BUT I'm sure others vary greatly.
Whatever makes a hunter happy, is legal (and HOPEFULLY makes a biologically sound decision in my OPINION) is great! (ok, I do have a strict set of rules for MY land but it does end at those boundaries).
Kids shooting some of their 1st deer is also awesome and I'm sure they have FAR different criteria and goals than me (which is how I started and is AWESOME!).

Just wondering, how do you set your goals, what are they and what criteria do you use? Like I said, I'm into AGE and NOT score BUT I am guessing the general population (ok, not guys on here) will simply shoot a buck with the most impressive rack. Obviously on my land, I want the 3.5 year old with the 160" rack to live while I shoot the 140" 8 point that is 7.5 years old. Unfortunately, the OPPOSITE occurs in most of IA. BUT, anyways, enough of my rambling.... How's it work for you, do you "target" a class of buck and if so what? I'm sure ALL of us have a different outlook on why we hunt and what we are after. Your turn....

Well said! :way: I agree 100%! When a buck reaches "senior" status, he almost literally turns into a different creature! He knows his turf like no person or other deer ever could! Hunting such a beast takes 5 times the skill and know how than it takes to bring down a younger animal. This challenge is what drives me to partake in this great sport! As Sligh said, connecting with the smartest animal in the woods is what makes it worth it. Harvesting the old survival artist is certainly the goal, but even close encounters are memories and lessons that keep me up dreaming and scheming late into the autumn nights!
Score is great and meat is great, but age is what draws me to the woods every year! :way:

 

[THA4]

Some of the responses on there really irritate me. This is NOT directed to anyone in particular, BUT if deer hunting is not really that much fun for you anymore because of someone else's standards, you need to quit and find a different hobby. At that point, you are killing to kill and thats when motives destroy what deer hunting is all about.

Who gives a rat's @$$ what Lee and Tiffany, or any celeb, or even Sligh shoots (he shoots some bigguns) Its NOT about doing better than your buddy, its not about doing better than someone that has more land, money, and better opportunities, its not about bragging rights.... its about making your heart pound in your throat and having an experience that will last in your memory banks for the rest of your life.

If you rate your success based on what others do in their situation, you'll never be happy. You CAN'T blame TV, celebs, land prices, or any other factor on the drive for more bigger bucks. Its all relative to the hunter. If you pull the trigger and are unhappy with your kill, you have no one to blame other than yourself. If you feel the need to make excuses after you shoot, time for another gut check.

I believe what you kill is all about what makes you happy based on your personal goals. One can't sit online and judge another hunter for what they shoot, because in under their specific situation, that particular deer might have fit into their personal objectives based on the situations they are faced with.

Shoot what you want and enjoy it. We are privileged to be able to have what we have, Period. If its not that much fun anymore, take up bowling and quit wasting your time killing just to keep up the status. Its about the chase...

 

[DE2IA]

Well said.

 

[SaskGuy]

I have been fortunate enough to take some upper age class bucks over the yrs. However, if being totally honest their antler size was more of a deciding factor in me persuing them than their age.

With that said I'll add that in my part of the world, bucks with larger size antlers are also bucks that have some yrs under their belt and the larger rack is a biproduct of their age. With the availability of numerous upper age class and large racked bucks in the areas I hunt I know how fortunate the situtation is. I don't look at any harvests in terms of a mangement standpoint due to the differences in circumstance in regards to access of individual properties.

 

[hillrunner]

Sligh, I have quoted below a post from you a short time back. I am not trying to call you out or anything, I am just trying to understand where you are coming from. In the post above, you wrote "I don't care about SCORE, all I care about is trying to get a crack at an OLD buck (I don't care if he's 130" BUT 8 years old)"
It is hard for me to see that in the quote below.

Ok, so most the farms I hunt are full of 8 pointers that max at 140. The 10's also max around 150-155. That's the MAJORITY of the deer. Those are 5+ year old bucks.
Let's be CLEAR, I am not trying to change the gene composition of the area deer heard BUT simply take out inferior bucks so there's more room for me to keep that freak 157" 3.5 year old with 13 points alive. My goal is to have the herd contain several TOP CLASS GENETIC MATURE BUCKS. Here's my strategy BUT I want to know what YOU suggest....

1) I pick every 2, 3, and 4 year old with exceptional genetics and I make ANYONE on my place very aware of the deer. I also make them aware that when the 3.5 160" turns into a 180" 4 year old, they MUST hold out, MUST pass that deer until he's 5.5 and what we personally feel as mature.

2)I've done everything in regards to nutrition known to man to put on antler growth.... 1) alfalfa & clover plots dot the farm. 2)late season standing corn and beans keep the deer's stress far lower during winter months 3) Turnips, winter rye, peas. **4) I love this one, i put 6-7 mineral licks of Phos-8 beef mineral (After my non-scientific test on deer preference AND what constitutes the best nutrition)- $18 per 50 lbs bag. I put mineral out in February. It also helps with parasite protection, skeletal make-up (during tough times, deer will take OUT from that, thus hurting next antler growing season) & adding to building blocks of antlers.

3) I have at least 40 different bedding areas on farms in strategic areas. MOST are hinge cutted areas or super thick TSI areas. I space these out SO 2 bucks aren't getting too close. I also have the switchgrass bedding spread way out all over farm for lots of big boys to be able to be all over the place.

4) Last, when I see a deer that's 140 for example and he's 5.5 years old, he gets a lead sandwich or an arrow from above. I'm doing this to make room for the other younger or other aggressive bucks that wouldn't have tolerated each other. My goal on my farm is to take 1-2 top notch genetic masterpieces off my place AND take 3-5 poor genetics bucks that are often bullies off the place (kids get to kill them, party hunting, etc). In either case, the deer are mature BUT we are pushing to let the high genetic bucks live on. til they really reach their potential.

5) we shoot a very strategic amount of does. Sometimes it's a lot, sometimes very few. don't just shoot for shootings sake. We also do most the DOE shooting LATE- after the rut SO the big boys have plenty to hang around for. If I'm in an area with too few #'s, I will NEVER shoot a doe. If it's HIGH #'s but the ratio seems about right, I usually will only take a few at most or many none.

This is my project now- turn a mediocre farm (full of stubby 8's) I have now into a giant creating factory. What else do I need to be doing and what are your thoughts? Any help, experience or guidance appreciated!

***OH- controversial issue here, some of the big dudes out there are giving deer heavy pellet implements to increase growth. Nutritious, not outrageous cost & there's several claims it will ad 8-15" per year. What do you think: too much OR is this another tactic we have from technology to better our herd????
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[Sligh1]

SORRY FOR THE NOVEL, answering this question above and have a little more thought on a few folks that may NOT ENJOY HUNTING anymore....

Hillrunner, FAIR question!!!.... OK, I THINK I am understanding what you are trying to point out. Let me see if I have this right.....
On ONE HAND I am saying that I don't care about score - I want to shoot an OLD buck. BUT, on the other hand I'm saying I want to have as many top end, high scoring, top genetic bucks on my place & trying to get a crack at them. Sounds somewhat contradicting to you possibly? I think I have a grasp on what you're saying.

OK- let me see if I can clarify OR answer your question there.....
I'll be honest, I'm trying to do BOTH.... I want to shoot bucks that are 5.5 and older. Sometimes this means I kill a 130" 7.5 year old and sometimes I will try and kill the 6.5 year old 180". What REALLY happens on my place is this.... I do try and kill pretty much any buck over 5.5 years old- IRRELEVANT of the score. I do TRY and allow MORE top end, good genetic bucks to live on my farm though. Even though I'm killing a 130 or a 170 that's both 5.5- my GOAL is to have more OLD bucks on my farm with superior genetics. This make sense?
In ALL of my posts (above and the one you quoted) I am CONSISTENTLY talking about killing 5.5 year olds and older, no matter the score. Some happen to be the genetic masterpieces and some happen to be the 130" bucks- happy with all of them!
What happens in ANY given season on MY own land is this: I generally try to shoot ONE buck with good genetics that's 5.5 or older and 1 or 2 that are also 5.5 and older BUT have much more poor genetics. I am happy with all those bucks being shot- irrelevant of score. I can do BOTH. I want to shoot mature bucks BUT I also want to manage my farm to carry more bucks with better genetics.

Fair? Does that answer your question? If it DOES NOT, please, feel free and question me some more. Your question and post is VERY FAIR and happy to answer it.

And remember, just because one person does things a certain way, I'm NOT infringing on your right to do things your way, to the contrary, I posted this because I enjoy understanding why people target the bucks they do and how they set their goals, enjoyment of hunting, etc.- PRECISELY WHY I MADE 10 SELECTIONS ON THE POLL- I know so many different folks that do things in different ways, have different goals, have DIFFERENT TYPES OF LAND/SCENARIOS and set their goals and targets so different- and that's GREAT! For folks that aren't enjoying hunting anymore, that's boggling to me, I LOVE being out there and I love the goals I PERSONALLY choose. I think MOST folks are enjoying themselves and if you're not- you got some thinking to do. Great responses folks and it's cool to see all the different perspectives!

On the NOT ENJOYING HUNTING TOPIC....
Honestly, the ONLY thing I PERSONALLY have dealt with that made me not enjoy hunting was excessive PEOPLE.... I've spent LOTS of time on small places where guys would walk in at 8:30 after I've been sitting for 2 hours and they set up next to me. My stands get ripped off, 4 years ago there was actually someone IN MY STAND on private land hunting. I do get VERY frustrated when I was younger and agreed with neighbors to shoot "certain class of bucks" and they blew everything away. Guys hunting right on my fence, trespassing, poaching, etc. HONESTLY, that's the ONLY part of hunting I don't enjoy- I can deal with hot weather, slow movement, mosquitoes, bucks leaving my farm, poor weather, etc. PEOPLE is my only frustration and I've made some choices on how to deal with that part less- my choice. I CANNOT understand how YOUR NEIGHBOR passing up small or young bucks OR trying to shoot a 4.5 or 5.5 year old or older makes ANYONE not enjoy their own hunting??? Boggling to me.

 

[Thinkin Rut]

Sligh1...how many acres do you own to make this happen or how many acres of landowners all being on the same page to make this happen? Are there any 80's adjacent to your property for sale?

 

[Sligh1]

I used to own an 80- I actually was able to manage it to SOME degree. I then was blessed enough to have a 315- I absolutely was able to keep the bucks safe I wanted to- not just because it was 315 acres BUT more to do with the fact that: I improved the property to have TONS of food, awesome/thick timber, SUPER LOW PRESSURE and I passed young bucks and shot plenty of does (I basically did what was quoted by Hillrunner above). It worked. BUT- to this day I STILL hunt REGULAR 80's, 100's and other farms owned by my buddies that are REGULAR FARMERS having REGULAR LAND. I did sell my 315 and not quite sure what I'll end up with. Up in Dallas/Polk county there's more people, less large farms, etc. Any farm I hunt though, I am able to pass bucks and target older bucks BUT I sure have to hunt hard, be patient, keep pressure as low as possible on my spots, etc.

There's an 80 for sale next to me right now!!!! It's $500 per acre, has 14 bucks over 200" at a minimum. My land is in South Florida, I'm right south of Miami, tremendous hunting!

 

[THA4]

My personal objectives...


My goals and objectives change from year to year as my land access often changes.

In years past, i was having to drive up to 3.5 hours to access my ground and I was also filming. So a simple Pope and Young was a big accomplishment for me with a limited amount of days. Those deer are on my wall today and I still have as much pride in each of them as I did the day I shot them and I look at them as I do the one I shot this year which was my best. ZERO apologies.

The past few years I have been able live near where I hunt and have better access than before, so i have been blessed to have the opportunity to pass more deer and spend more time in the woods. Not sure I'll ever get to the point where I'll pass a 4.5 or 150 class. I don't own ground and don't have the kind of access where spending a lot of time in management efforts is worth it. Thats kind of unfortunate, but I take what I can get. If I were to have exclusive access on 600+ acres, I might be willing to hunt like Sligh and pass 150s and 160s....

I would LOVE to get to know every animal on my place and keep strict management practices where I am increasing the trophy output potential. But for now, i am more than happy to shoot what "I" consider a trophy and it makes a great memory. Right now, I'll shoot any animal I deem to be 4.5, a target buck, or a personal best of some sort. The history I have with a particular deer and all the work I put in leading up to the moment I squeeze the trigger makes the trophy what it is to me...

But there have been times when i shot something else to accommodate other needs, i.e. this year's late muzz buck was to fulfill a need I had for meat and I needed a new cape for one of my other mounts. He still sits on my wall with pride.... but each situation is unique for me.

Next year? Well we'll have to wait and see....

:way:

 

[Sligh1]

Next year? Well we'll have to wait and see....

:way:

Cool! I've had so many years of changing "targets" it's crazy. I started hunting at 14 and I had to learn it all on my own- my mom just dropped me off and I started walking around & learning from scratch- would have shot ANYTHING. I remember when I 1st decided to pass up 1.5 year olds. I was 16 years old . It took 2 more seasons and I chose to pass up 2.5's, I think 2 seasons later and I decided to pass 3.5's and so on. Each year was a blast and each new season of goals and challenges has been a really fun time out there.

I sure appreciate all those hunts through the years and I'll never forget when I was 14 years old- shooting my 1st buck, with a bow too, that actually was a 2.5 year old- it was one of the coolest experiences and hunts I'll EVER have. The following year I shot a 1.5 year old 7 point with my bow, amazing as well- I'll never forget it and never forget how proud I was. I'll also never forget being 19 years old and shooting a big old 7.5 year old (had to get him aged) 178" and how proud I was of that too (and how nervous and thrilling it was!!). My goals have changed with the seasons very quickly BUT each year and each step "up the ladder" has been awesome too!

 

[Cooter]

You guys are right I dont enjoy hunting any more

Just decieded to to do a little change on my out look.

Stuff like this tends to give some people tunnel vision.

As far as me posting my opinion.......this is a public sight.

 

[Sligh1]

If we quit keeping score maybe more people would enjoy the hunt.

It does seem you have a perspective that either you or lots of others aren't enjoying the hunt anymore, I don't get that??!?!?!? I LOVE the challenge, reward and pursuit of mature bucks, I FULLY ENJOY IT!!!
If your neighbor wants to shoot only 5.5 and older bucks for example, how is that making YOU not enjoy your hunt? I would argue, in reality, you'll enjoy you hunt a heck of a lot more because you're going to have a heck of lot more bruisers and heart-pounding monsters around. How isn't that exciting, thrilling, awesome and enjoyable hunting?!??!?! The thought that I could go out and have a chance at a GIANT mature monster is AWESOME & VERY ENJOYABLE!!!! I would suspect a lot of guys fully ENJOY improving the land to have more mature bucks, passing smaller bucks and simply the time they spend outdoors even if they aren't shooting at something every time they go out. Heck, I'll go out 20 times in a row, pass all sorts of bucks, maybe shoot a few does and that's VERY ENJOYABLE!!!

*Cooter, if your kid plays baseball or basketball- are you one of the parents that doesn't want them to keep score, "you're all winners" and everyone gets a trophy at the end? Just curious.

 

[THA4]

You guys are right I dont enjoy hunting any more

Seriously?

Just decieded to to do a little change on my out look.

Explain....

Stuff like this tends to give some people tunnel vision.

"Stuff" like what? AND... gives "WHO" tunnel vision?

As far as me posting my opinion.......this is a public sight.

Yup :way:

 

[Thinkin Rut]

You guys are right I dont enjoy hunting any more

It's not hunting that you don't enjoy...it's what it has turned into that you don't enjoy. It has turned into such a competitive atmosphere, people trespass, steal sheds, steal stands and cams, poach deer out from under you, take questionable shots and don't follow up on them,lie about how and where you killed your buck, lie about how they killed theirs. Then comes the money. Over priced bows, every Tom, Dick and Harry trying to sell videos, business men in their favorite Mathews dress shirt at the Classic trying(and succeeding)to sell hunting ground at a premium. Then you have the NR banning together to sell their beliefs to the DNR, the DNR buying it because it's the path of least resistance to grab more money denying it all the way, hunters denying that they are denying it, encouraging higher taxes to buy time in keeping the NR out. WICKED! A guy really just needs to step back from the BS and take a simpler approach. Take a step back from the hype and start enjoying it again.

 

[Cooter]

Seriously?



Explain....

Seen how it was effecting my relation ships with friends and other hunters, and how my son is looking up to me.

"Stuff" like what? AND... gives "WHO" tunnel vision?

Post, TV shows, magazine articals that focus on scores and age(like it is the most important thing about hunting)

Who?
Young hunters and people just getting into hunting.



I guess my point is that we would all love to shoot giant mature deer, but we shouldnt let it consume us.

 

[Sligh1]

Even with any of that stuff going on, a guy can tune out if he/she chooses. SOME of that stuff bugs me- I tune out, don't buy it or ignore it. For example a few of the hunting videos became advertisements (some are not and are great)- I just quit buying them. A guy improving the place he/she hunts, passing younger deer or smaller deer and setting goals and challenges for himself/herself is TOTALLY DIFFERENT and a totally different topic. Some may try and mix them together BUT they aren't. I can set my goals, improve the land, pass young bucks BUT I ignore 80% of the stuff you mention above, I successfully FULLY enjoy my hunting experience. Like I said earlier, the ONLY thing that hinders my ability to enjoy hunting is when people screw up my experience when I'm out there (trespassing, hunting like idiots, walking past my stand when I'm in it, poaching, etc- stuff that has happened for DECADES!)- I don't ruin others hunting and I enjoy MY hunting to its fullest- all the other stuff that occurs WHEN YOU'RE NOT IN THE WOODS is something you need to deal with on another level, the way you see best.

I guess my point is that we would all love to shoot giant mature deer, but we shouldnt let it consume us.

Did it consume you? If it CONSUMED someone, could they still ENJOY hunting? If it consumed them AND they still ENJOYED hunting, would that be ok? If it did CONSUME YOU and you didn't ENJOY hunting, I can understand why you'd want to quit. BUT... For me, I won't classify it as "CONSUMING ME", it's a big focus- to improve the land, to pass young deer, to improve nutrition, to keep low pressure and to make the area all it can be AND I LOVE the challenge of trying to shoot a mature buck. SO, however you classify me, I sure ENJOY IT!!! If I didn't, I'd save a fortune and start learning how to Knit, Shuffle-board, landscape my yard to perfection or get into watching Jersey Shore, Oprah and The View.
I can focus on improving my land, passing young deer, going home deer-less most evenings AND spend tons of time with family, church, priorities, work, etc. I ENJOY the balance and I enjoy everything about this sport except the rare occasions PEOPLE ruin the experience. Sound ok?

 

[THA4]

I guess my point is that we would all love to shoot giant mature deer, but we shouldnt let it consume us.

I hear ya, but to each their own. If a hunter finds satisfaction in shooting ONLY mature bucks, sweet.... Thats his decision and that decision shouldn't affect you or anyone around him. Not pickin' on ya, just sayin'.

As far as the competitive atmosphere? Well, thats what drives me and most seriously hunters out in the woods each day, to better ourselves as hunters and a woodsmen.

I won't even comment on the commercialization side of things... :moon: