hrlevi1

I think there's a village somewhere missing their idiot!

remember you cant shoot what you cant see... i made a mistake by buying a cheap scope and had nothing but problems including missing one of the biggest bucks i've ever seen - i learned! i bought a 30.06 and saved, saved and saved some more (i even sold some crap on ebay) until i could buy a swarovski. i am so happy i did. it was about a 2-1/2 year saving process however every time i had a buck or two i squirelled it away. when any event came up (b-day, christmas, anniversary etc) i'd ask subtley for contributions to the scope fund - yes they are expensive however all I have to say is WOW! The biggest part of the better glass is during low-light conditions. Unbelievable! best regards and good luck!

nope... i used to have the same issue then I decided to take a far different approach. i practiced and got pretty good with the accuracy then started shooting them in the neck. the benefits are - they just drop without even wiggling a toe and, to your point, there is nearly no damage to the deer (meat). shoot your muzzleloader until you're certain of a 3 - 3 1/2 inch group at 100 yards - this will build confidence then wait until the deer looks up to look around then touch off. best regards -

Leaf River IR-5 and an IR-7. I have one of each. They both take fanstastic pictures and the best video i've ever seen a trail cam take. As far as batteries - they take 4 d cell batteries and 3 c batteries each.

these, in my opinion, are great deer to get out of the gene pool. very massive, old deer with poor genes

I've read this entire thread and I'll only add my opinion. I've recoginzed a direct corelation between how hard I work at something and how "lucky" I get, period. If you don't work at all at it, rely on dumb luck and expect unbeilevable results - you'll probably be let down.

Very nice compilation. All look like good healthy bucks. The ten pointer is going to be a man next year - assuming he makes it through. Thanks again for posting!~

Although I saw this deer on Saturday morning it was only for a second since he was troting about 160 years from my stand through heavy timber. I have to say he looked to be a shooter however that opinion may be jaded a bit by my 12 times out in the wood and this is the first time I've seen so much as 1 deer. I'll have to make the decision when I get a chance to see him a little closer. From the pictures I'd say a 2.5 year old deer that will be a dandy if he makes it through to next year. BTW - a little 4 point was running with him on Saturday am... My question is where are all the does? I usually see several on this property and not so much as a track of one this year... go figure. Good luck guys and for your own sake let the subordinate bucks walk, you'll be happy you did later.

I know many folks would shoot that deer – I’m not saying I won’t; however I’ll make that determination when I see him on the hoof. I believe that smaller bucks only get to be bigger bucks by getting a pass or two. Personally, I hold nothing against the person who would shoot this deer – however I’d suggest that they consider whether they would be proud of it or not. If you have never shot a buck and this one comes by – by all means shoot the hell out of it however if year-in, year-out you shoot small rack bucks then don’t even think about complaining that you don’t see enough (if any) mature bucks. My personal rule of thumb is that I’ll only shoot a buck that I’m willing to put on the wall otherwise they walk and the next doe I see dies. If I’m meat hunting then the doe permit / tag is the ticket. Just my two cents worth… Here's another pic - is he a shooter this year? I can't tell, I'll let you know when I see him.

Here's a buck caught on the trail cam... thoughts? I'm convinced that he'll be a real slammer next year. I hope he makes it through the hunting season and on to next year. I'll definately have to wait until I see him in the flesh but for now I think I'd have to let him walk. Pretty good mass though...