How do you "pick"?

[Five Seasons]

This question is mostly aimed at hunters who may pass on smaller bucks, or have the time and land to be selective.

 

I had a situation this last weekend. Big thick beemed six. Probably a 3.5 going by his body size, and a wide 8 point, smaller body and probably 2.5. Got me to thinking. when you're a picky hunter... Would you shoot a 2.5 with a bigger rack or a 3.5 bigger bodied deer? Meaning the rack may be more important that the size of the deer. Is a taller and/or thicker beam more important to you then points or spread? Do you prefer symmetry over maybe a unique rack or vise versa?

 

Please don't turn this into a thread that it was not intended to be.

[Cabin Fever]

Belo, on 14 Oct 2013 - 08:31 AM, said:

 

Please don't turn this into a thread that it was not intended to be.

Good luck with that request!!

[bowaholic]

All depends on the hunter/land situation.  If I had my own land or at least land that is being managed to grow large mature deer, I would shoot the smaller older six, that way those kinds of genetics are out of the herd.  I have to admit, if I was on public land then I would probably go for the 8 unfortunately.   

[Uncle Nicky]

Since it's bow season, I'm assuming you're talking about archery hunting.

 

I'm not too proud to admit I've hit a few during bow season that I've never recovered. Since I try to make the best out of any bad situation, I make it a point to ONLY take high-success shots with an arrow. The first deer that gives me a brodside or quartering away shot at less than 30 yards will get shot.

 

With a rifle or slug-gun? Probably shoot the 6 pointer. I've seen deer like this in the woods, never killed one, so I'm about due.

[moog5050]

My preference between the two would be the more mature thicker 6pt.  Still waiting for that dilema this year.  lol

[UnderDog]

_{I would shoot the older deer every time. if the other is good as a 2yo will be great as a 3 or 4yo.}

[Lawdwaz]

This question is mostly aimed at hunters who may pass on smaller bucks, or have the time and land to be selective.

 

I had a situation this last weekend. Big thick beemed six. Probably a 3.5 going by his body size, and a wide 8 point, smaller body and probably 2.5. Got me to thinking. when you're a picky hunter... Would you shoot a 2.5 with a bigger rack or a 3.5 bigger bodied deer? Meaning the rack may be more important that the size of the deer. Is a taller and/or thicker beam more important to you then points or spread? Do you prefer symmetry over maybe a unique rack or vise versa?

 

Please don't turn this into a thread that it was not intended to be.

 

I'll know when "he" shows up.

[Nomad]

That's a good question one I ask myself every time I'm on stand ....

The farm I hunt has had AR for years, I ws never under them as the piece I hunt is removed from the bluk of the land. Until a few years back I was placed under the AR rules.

At first they were if you shoot a buck it has to be one you have mounted,that has relaxed to the old " outside the ears " .

How do I pick ,idk but i shot 3 since being placed under the rules.it happens so fast I'm Not always sure if its big enough till I walk up to it on the ground....

I'm try to hold off this year for a true giant, but if I get an easy shot at " outside the ears" that little guy standing on my shoulder ,tends to make me shoot...

Edited October 14, 2013 by Larry302

[Five Seasons]

Since it's bow season, I'm assuming you're talking about archery hunting.

 

I'm not too proud to admit I've hit a few during bow season that I've never recovered. Since I try to make the best out of any bad situation, I make it a point to ONLY take high-success shots with an arrow. The first deer that gives me a brodside or quartering away shot at less than 30 yards will get shot.

 

With a rifle or slug-gun? Probably shoot the 6 pointer. I've seen deer like this in the woods, never killed one, so I'm about due.

 

so this is a good point. In my situation I had 4 bucks in the area at the time. First to present a shot was the spike, then came a nice 6, but behind the 6 I could still see the 8, but there is no guarantee he comes through. Later in the day, out comes the big 6.

 

So to add to the question... do you take the first shot, knowing that in this case a bigger deer is right behind. But there's no guarantee he comes through.

[WNYBuckHunter]

My goal is age, not antler points. I blew a chance at a 5 point half rack on the second day of this season. Hes 4 1/2 years old or more, and has carried a half rack for at least the previous 2 years. He would have been my most mature buck to date, and I would have been more than proud.

 

In your situation, I would have chosen the 6 if he indeed was mature. Ive passed on 3 2 1/2 year olds this year that were 8 point and up.

[verminater71]

shooting deer is like chaseing woman,  you probably wouldn't ask your buddy which one you should go after

 

shoot what you like, like what you shoot

 

the problem is, we all think we know what we're talking, when it comes to ageing deer

 

the reality is, most are not that good at it, but let ego get in the way

 

i spent some time around a cornell  biologest, while he was ageing deer by jawbone, evan with a chart in front of them, 100% of the hunters were wrong

 

one doe 80# was marked as a yearling, it was actually 8 1/2 years old

 

and anyone who says they wouldn't shoot a 150" buck because it's only 2 1/2 is full of sh**

[Fantail]

Would have taken the larger buck if possible. Presuming both are typical - not drops or freaks then antler / point has little to do with that decision.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

 

and anyone who says they wouldn't shoot a 150" buck because it's only 2 1/2 is full of sh**

 

 

I would love to see where one of those were taken in the wild in NY. I have never heard of a 150" 2..5 year old here,.

[Five Seasons]

That's a good question one I ask myself every time I'm on stand ....

The farm I hunt has had AR for years, I ws never under them as the piece I hunt is removed from the bluk of the land. Until a few years back I was placed under the AR rules.

At first they were if you shoot a buck it has to be one you have mounted,that has relaxed to the old " outside the ears " .

How do I pick ,idk but i shot 3 since being placed under the rules.it happens so fast I'm Not always sure if its big enough till I walk up to it on the ground....

I'm try to hold off this year for a true giant, but if I get an easy shot at " outside the ears" that little guy standing on my shoulder ,tends to make me shoot...

 

such a good point. under some ARs this 3.5 year old big 6 that a lot of guys would mount would be outlawed. And it's so hard to tell when all you have a second if they're beyond the ears or not. ARs are tough really.

 

[Five Seasons]

My goal is age, not antler points. I blew a chance at a 5 point half rack on the second day of this season. Hes 4 1/2 years old or more, and has carried a half rack for at least the previous 2 years. He would have been my most mature buck to date, and I would have been more than proud.

 

In your situation, I would have chosen the 6 if he indeed was mature. Ive passed on 3 2 1/2 year olds this year that were 8 point and up.

 

 

Would have taken the larger buck if possible. Presuming both are typical - not drops or freaks then antler / point has little to do with that decision.

 

so here's my sincere question to you both. WNY; why is age the most important thing to you? You'd rather have a more mature 1/2 rack then a nice 8? Fantail, you just prefer a bigger bodied deer then a nicer rack? If this is because you get some more meat, I guess I buy that but generally the bigger and older the worse they taste (depending on season).

[Nomad]

Well if its tall and thick ,long tines whatever ,it would be ok they want mature bucks killed.

The outside the ears is a general guideline that screens out most younger ones,a starting point I guess.

It's like the judge said in a pornography case said, " I can't define it,but I know it when I see it ".

Hope I see it in a few hours....(buck)

[Culvercreek hunt club]

Hunting a more mature animial is generally more difficult and challenging. I know somw on here aren't into the tech aspect of modern hunting but I think it is a rush to have a buck you watched pre season and then have an encounter with him during the season. Really a plus if you can actually take them. That has only happened once to me.

[G-Man]

I would go for older buck, esp if it is only a 6 pt. Had a big 4pt tha I knew was.Years plus. Never gave a good shot was killed 2 years later as a 6in base 20in wide 18in beam spike. By a neighbor, was a/true trophy in my opinion, had no teeth above the gum.. not sure how old it was for sure but was at least 7.5 Known. It would of not been a legal buck under mandatory ar's.

[WNYBuckHunter]

so here's my sincere question to you both. WNY; why is age the most important thing to you? You'd rather have a more mature 1/2 rack then a nice 8? Fantail, you just prefer a bigger bodied deer then a nicer rack? If this is because you get some more meat, I guess I buy that but generally the bigger and older the worse they taste (depending on season).

 

Because that is whats important to me, its a goal I have set for myself. I have some younger bucks under my belt already and am not feeling the need to shoot them this year. I prefer hunting an older, wiser buck. Im not necessarily saying thats how it will be for me forever, but at this point in the game it is. That bad tasting thing is a farce as far as Im concerned. Ive eaten plenty of meat from mature deer, and it tastes the same to me.

 

My ideal for this year is one deer in particular. Hes old, and we have 3 years of history. I just cant say that Id hold out if another mature (or my idea of mature) buck steps out. Im trying though.

[Uncle Nicky]

so this is a good point. In my situation I had 4 bucks in the area at the time. First to present a shot was the spike, then came a nice 6, but behind the 6 I could still see the 8, but there is no guarantee he comes through. Later in the day, out comes the big 6.

 

So to add to the question... do you take the first shot, knowing that in this case a bigger deer is right behind. But there's no guarantee he comes through.

 

I'm at the almost paranoid stage when it comes to bowhunting....I'm honestly more concerened about making a good kill shot than anything else, especially if it's close to sundown or rain is in the forecast. So, I'm holding off for the first buck that gives me a good kill shot, because in my experience, I don't often get the "perfect" shot when bowhunting. I like killing big bucks & bragging as much as the next guy, but I'm running out of room in my house for mounts.

 

I'm supposed to hunt in Texas next month (low fence, before all the critics come out of the woodwork). The rancher I'm supposed to go with has a HUGE 6-pointer hanging around that he sent trailcam pictures of. He seems to think it's 5+ years old. I won't hesitate to shoot this deer if it shows up, I've seen deer like this in the past, and it would be pretty cool to kill one, IMO.

Edited October 14, 2013 by Uncle Nicky

[Five Seasons]

Because that is whats important to me, its a goal I have set for myself. I have some younger bucks under my belt already and am not feeling the need to shoot them this year. I prefer hunting an older, wiser buck. Im not necessarily saying thats how it will be for me forever, but at this point in the game it is. That bad tasting thing is a farce as far as Im concerned. Ive eaten plenty of meat from mature deer, and it tastes the same to me.

 

My ideal for this year is one deer in particular. Hes old, and we have 3 years of history. I just cant say that Id hold out if another mature (or my idea of mature) buck steps out. Im trying though.

 

That makes sense. If you have a "hit list" then I get that completely. And I agree and understand the self satisfaction with taking an older deer. As far as venison, I didnt say they tasted bad. I said worse. In my opinion a 1.5 year old is the best tasting deer in the woods... again assuming after the shot was all done correctly.

I'm at the almost paranoid stage when it comes to bowhunting....I'm honestly more concerened about making a good kill shot than anything else, especially if it's close to sundown or rain is in the forecast. So, I'm holding off for the first buck that gives me a good kill shot, because in my experience, I don't often get the "perfect" shot when bowhunting. I like killing big bucks & bragging as much as the next guy, but I'm running out of room in my house for mounts.

 

 

I for one believe that any archery kill is one to be cherished. For how close they must be, for how you must calm your nerves, for how you must wait for the right moment to draw, for how you have to play the angle of the shot. There is nothing better and anyone who has been hunting less than 15 years and even those that have been hunting longer should be thrilled with any kill.

[WesternNY]

For me I hunt by age.... and it has been a slow increase on caliber of bucks. 

 

I have not taken a 1.5 year old in 7 years.  I did take some 2.5 but recently 3.5 and 4.5  

 

Aging can be tough, especially in bow season when you may not have alot of time to make your decision.  I keep it FUN and realistic.  Trail cams help to a point... it is nice to know what's in the area.

 

Read this for some good insight.

http://www.qdma.com/articles/will-he-be-a-good-one-next-year

[WesternNY]

Here is another good article

 

http://www.qdma.com/articles/which-bucks-can-i-shoot

 

To answer Belo's I would go for the 3.5, especially a bigger 6 point.

 

You are right Belo most AR are not perfect.... for my farm guests it is 8 points or better.  These are easy harvest goals, but far from perfect, but it is better than nothing.

 

It's all about AGE. 

[nyantler]

I like antlers outside the ears and they have to have some mass.... spindly 8-point won't do it for me.. but an 18" 6-point with good mass?  I'm all over that

[jesse.james]

From a QDM perspective the older deer although QDM suggest 5+ yrs. On a new property that usually means a few years of tag soup.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

Edited October 14, 2013 by jesse.james