QB1

I know some of the guys on here are spot on when it comes to scoring a deer from a picture, need your help my buddy says 140 min. I guessed 130-135 tops...let the debate begin!

I haven't had too big a problem yet but the potential is there. I hunted this weekend and harvested a doe early and continued my sit, not 30 minutes later I hear a lawnmower start and its coming my way. About 30 yds to my right where the field end is a hedge row and the property owners back yard (his house is not close to the field). He pulls his lawnmower up to the hedge row gets out and starts messing with his posted signs, walks out into the clover field messes with some branches, basically doing nothing. I can see him eyeballing the dead deer in the field but isn't paying me any attention. After about 10 minutes I decide to climb down and he watches my Dad and I drag the deer out. Now if I hadn't already shot the deer I would have been upset he ruined my sit. The next day my brother hits the spot and has 2 dogs run off a 6pt buck runs it into this guys yard where the dogs stop and he is playing with them. I'm not positive the dogs belong to him but I have had them on trail cam and they ran the same 6pt past my dad in the adjacent hardwoods hundreds of yards away from this guys house. So between him potentially sabotaging my hunt and the dogs running off deer it makes our hunting even harder then it already is. I understand there is nothing I can do if this guy wants to come to the edge of his property and play the drums I can't do anything about it. But the dogs are killing me. I am contemplating what I can mention to the gentleman to try and get him on the same page as us? On my way out of the woods I also noticed a Salt Lick in his backyard, is that illegal? I don't want to make a big deal out of this because its really not my primary hunting spot but if I have a big buck come out while I am there and this yahoo or his dogs (if their his) scares it off I am not going to be happy. Opinions on what I should do about the situation?

Arrowed this doe Saturday afternoon. This is from my backup spot back near my parents house. I know the deer come out from the thick like clockwork 4PM-dark everyday. Mostly Doe and Button Bucks, the occasional Buck will also appear so the gameplan was to harvest a doe and if a good buck showed that would be a bonus. Right on que 3 button bucks and 2 doe show up. I dropped her at 30 yds with a less then ideal spine shot (right above shoulder in pic). Second shot went through her heart ensuring the kill. I probably should have got down from my stand for the final kill shot but decided to let it fly luckily it met its mark. After about 20 minutes 2 of the Button Bucks came back out to investigate. I was planning on staying in the stand since it was still early but the home owner off the field who I believe isn't a fan of hunting and likes to watch the deer decided to come out and look at his posted signs and walk out to field 30 yds from my stand which ended my day.

The only details I have on this buck was that it was taken in Middlesex, NY. My buddies uncle is the one who had the trail cam shot of the buck from behind his house. Unfortunately for him it was a hunter on the neighboring property who bagged this giant.

Check out pics 0019 and 0020. 0019 has in the background a second deer, I believe its a good sized buck. Compare the 2 pics the 2nd deer has its head up in 0019 and down in 0020. I think you can make out one side of his rack which is gone when he puts his head down. What do you think, potential solid buck?

Great Deer!

Unicorn?

Me too! I will bring the drinks! Very awesome that will be a great spot to celebrate this hunting seasons success!

Very Impressive. Oct. 1st can't come soon enough!

I really like the responses to the original post. What I am taking from this is that even if we want to "manage" our property the idea of taking out less quality bucks is pointless. The best plan would be to let the small bucks walk and hope they make it to next year which is what we currently practice. In the 3 years I've hunted this property no one has shot a deer purley because of genetics/antler potential. I will keep tabs on this specific 6pt and hopefully get a pic or two when he loses his velvet. ** favorite quote..."Personally, I'd shoot the SOB because I'm the baddest MoFo in the woods, not him, ha."** I like to think the same thing

I can understand that trying to "manage" 300 acres is unrealistic. We don't expect to be like the Lakosky Farm in Iowa. But we would like to try and have better quality Deer on or around the property. Scenario, you own 300 acres, neigboring property has 800+ and has the same goals in mind. Let young deer with good gentics walk, shoot deer that have poor gentic (IE basket 8pt 3yrs). Is it unrealistic to think that in 5 years your chance to see more deer in the 140-150 is greater if you practice this strategy? We are only trying to do our part in order to have a crack at bigger deer in the future. If I (or a club member) can shoot a 140 or better buck every 3 years on the property then I am a happy hunter. I do have other spots to hunt that if I want to shoot a smaller buck I can, so my own personal goal of 1 buck and 1 doe during Bow and the same for gun is still very possible. I guess my question has now turned to how realisitc or unrealistic are the chances of taking our current rules and having them turn into bigger deer in the future for the property, maybe not this year or next but in 3-5 years?

That is why I posted the pic. I'm torn when it comes to the 6pt because he's a awesome buck but part of me says "man if he made it through this year..." So I was looking to get opinions from other hunters who might be able to give me some insight to bring to the table when my hunting buddies and I decide what to do. This is a super nice 6 pt but has he reached his maximum growth potential? The idea is to work to have trophy deer (150 Class) on the property. In order to achieve this goal you have to try and take out the bucks which have poor genetic traits for growing big antlers so the big boys can have all the ladies. Also you have to let the 2-3 year olds walk, If a 2-3 year old deer is already 100-120 inches his potential to be a "trophy buck" is very good. If you or anyone else was looking to manage your property in a similar fashion to how we are would this 6pt be a buck you would put on the hit list this year or give him another year to grow? If a buck is under 120 inches and we decide his potential to be a trophy buck isn't there then we as a club will still put him on the hit list even if he is under 120 inches.

Yes there are bigger deer on the property. We have almost 300 acres and have had deer in the past in the 150's 160 class on and around the property. There are hunters in the area that will pass on a 130 class buck and others that won't so you take the chance of letting a deer walk and getting popped by someone else. The way I look at it is I can hold out in hopes of seeing a bigger deer, and hopefully having a 120/130 be a 150 next season. If I shoot the 120/130 that leaves 0 chance for next season. And I say all this now but a 130 class deer is open to shoot on hte property and would be the biggest deer I've taken so if a deer of that caliber walked under my stand who knows what I would do.

Do you think he would be a bigger 6 or 8 next year? The reason I posted this buck was to get feed back from someone who has better knowledge on qdm and deer potential. If this is a 2yr old deer then personally I would like to see him as a 3yr old if I'm convinced this deer reached his top potential then it's time for him to be on hit list...if not maybe we as a club decide he is off limits just looking for opinions

Not since we implemented the rules. (last 2 years) We did have a buck that scored 118-120 roughly (just us measuring not an official scorer). We gave him the benefit of the doubt. We have had some button bucks killed but that was because shooter thought it was a doe. Basic penalties are $20 for small buck (under 120) or button buck, fees go to kitty for new stand, seed, etc so everything comes back to the property.

I get you. And its not that I don't want someone else to shoot the deer but at the same time is kinda is but I'm not getting my shorts in a bunch over it, if I was on another property with unlimited tags it might be a different story. Just so happens we have rules as a hunt club and I let the deer walk hoping that it would make it to next year and be a real stud. In this case I watched the deer walk towards the next property and get shot. I'm disappointed/frustrated the deer didn't make it to next year, probably more frustrated after the deer wasn't recovered but thats a different story.

I've shot at least 1 Deer every year. Just not a buck since 2007, well I lied I got a button buck on accident a couple years back. I get 4 tags a year, 2 for bow, 2 for gun. Goal is to harvest a doe and a buck during each season. As I said before I don't depend on the venison that just an added bonus.

I don't know if I could bring myself to go back to the stand if I hadn't harvested a deer on the property. I have taken Does each year, and can't remember the last time I sat without seeing at least one deer. I just choose to pass on young bucks, I would rather take a good doe and let a young buck walk any day of the week. We know there are quality bucks on the property and I don't depend on the meat so I can afford to be picky when it comes to what I shoot. In our hunting group we have big buck contests and rules for the property regarding "shooter bucks". To us this just adds another dimension to the hunting expierence and brings out our competitivness. I also think its pretty cool to see/watch a buck grow, learn and study his patterns and be able to take him out while he is in the prime of his life.

Steve, This is why I said I am in no place to tell another hunter what he/she should be shooting. Not my call and none of my business. What I meant was that it was a tough pill to swallow knowing I had a layup shot at the buck and chose not to shoot and 10 minutes later the buck was shot on the neighboring property. Frustrating for me yes. Congrats to the neighboring hunter of course. But I am sure you can see how this would be tough for me especially knowing the deer never was found.

Dave, I know what you mean. I haven't shot a buck off that property in the 3 years I've hunted there (haven't even taken a shot with bow or gun at one). Last year I had a buck come thru during gun let him walk...wasn't bigger then 120inches. 10 minutes later BOOM neighbors shot him. I'm in no place to tell another hunter what they should be harvesting but it is frustrating when you sit there watch a buck in range and tell yourself to let him walk then find out the neighbor shot him that same day. And to boot I learned the buck was never recovered!

One of the guys I hunt with got a shot of this buck on the property. Any idea on age? He looks like a big 6 and we are debating whether to put him on the hit list as a management buck? Thoughts?

Figured I would get some feedback about camping spots around Central NY. We are looking for places with Cabin Rentals (make life a little easier on the ladies) Definatley want a water source for swimming and fishing. Golf course near by is a plus too. Anyone have any places they've been too or recommendations for me. We are looking for something for Late August. Thanks.

Any idea on cause of death? Do you or your Uncle recognize the buck from trail cam pics or scouting from last season? Would break my heart to find a buck like that dead on the property impressive rack!

My dad has put me in control in finding a piece of hunting property. Looking for minimum 50 Acres. Food Plot Availability, in the Finger Lakes area. I am in Rochester he is in Newark so basically anything within a 30 mile radius (Ontario County) is where we have currently been looking. He is recently retired and has some extra finances at hand so would be able to move forward quickly Anyone who might be interested in selling or knows someone who might I figured I throw out a line and see what I can find. Thanks.

Approx. 20-22 acres is considered Swamp/Wetlands. So I agree that 2K is high.