Over Eager?

[Fehyd643]

So I have a conundrum:

 

I am primarily a meat hunter.  My primary goal is 2-3 deer to fill my freezer.  I've only been hunting for 3 seasons, and I am blessed to be allowed to hunt on a property with plenty of deer.  I have no issue with trophy hunting, and would actually like to bag a nice rack.

 

My main problem is that I think I am over eager. If I am in my stand and I see a 2-3 yr old basket six open up for me, I take it.  I still hunt afterwards and finish my season, and I really haven't see anything bigger.  I'm not quite experienced enough to really track down the big boys.  I see big scrapes and rubs, in plenty of quantity, but haven't quite gotten the patterns down.

 

I went into last season telling myself that I would fill the freezer with Doe, and save the buck tag for an 8+ or a wide 6 or something.  Took a decent doe in bow season and let a big body 4 walk.  Gun season opened, and I got nervous that I may not get enough meat.  Another basket 6 walked by and I took it.

 

Am I just too new at this and over eager?  Anyone else (primarily meat hunters) have a problem letting medium bucks walk? I know trophy hunters don't have this problem.  

[thphm]

You gotta do what you goota do to fill the freezer. I know a few people that will shoot anything just to get meat.Not me I do not need the meat that bad. Sounds like you have a good hunting spot enjoy it.

[G-Man]

Your new , you may grow out of it or you may not. There are many stages of a hunter and you may never reach them all, just do not put so much pressure on yourself to get a trophy you lose the enjoyment of the hunt.

I had to fill every tag I had and the doe tags (party permits) when i started. Now I don't care if I get a deer or not, no pressure lots of fun.

[wolc123]

I am about as pure of a meat-hunter as you could be and I have struggled with that one almost every year. Fortunately, most of the times I have passed smaller bucks, I was rewarded with larger ones. Not all times however, and it does suck to end the season to be lacking meat and holding a tag. As a pure meat hunter, I am talking about body size not racks which no longer matter much to me.

Two years ago I watched a small-bodied fork-horn walk cluelessly right under my stand on opening week of gun season. I brought up my gun and watched him walk away, never pulling the trigger. The thought of missing a crack at a big boy the following weekend for maybe 50 pounds of meat held me back. Big boy never showed that year however and that little yellow tag did not provide much nourishment for my family.

Ironically, an almost identical buck showed up last gun season, in almost the same place, but not quite as easy of shot. Had it been, I doubt I would have held off given what occurred the previous season. Last season "Big Boy" did show up the following weekend however. I was rewarded with the heaviest buck I had ever harvested at well over 200 pounds field dressed. We still have some meat left from that one as I type.

A similar thing happened to me at the end of early archery season last year. I fell asleep in my blind due to staying out partying too long the night prior. I was awakened by the footsteps of a tiny-bodied 4-point that had snuck in on me. I tried to lift my bow real slow but he caught a glimpse and flushed before I could get a shot. A heavier 6-point showed up 3 days later and took an arrow thru the heart for me. Sometimes "you snooze, you win" I guess.

My harvest criteria changes based on the date and the remaining space in the freezer. On opening day or with a full freezer a 1-1/2 year buck has pretty good odds of getting a pass from me. He better look out later in the seasons (archery & gun) however. especially if our food supply is not good. For me food comes first and you cant eat antlers or tags.

[DirtTime]

I wouldn't sweat this one. Are you enjoying hunting? If so then just do what you do.

[jjb4900]

you're only problem is worrying about what others think...get past that and all is good.

Edited August 15, 2015 by jjb4900

[fasteddie]

You can't shoot what you don't see . Shoot what is available . I have taken doe and let small bucks walk only to eat my buck tags . It doesn't bother me because I have meat in the freezer !

 

[SteveB]

Having 6 vs 8 points has nothing to do with the age of the deer.

[NFA-ADK]

Shoot whatever makes you happy.  If you can get 2 doe early you have plenty of time to get a big buck or take a 4 or 6pt if you want.  As long as you are not in an AR zone you choose what you want.  Like some have said dont worry what others think, do what makes you happy.  If  you see no deer and a buck is big enough to shoot then do it.  No matter what you do someone will complain lol.  Just have fun and be safe, good luck this year!  Hope to see some of your success!

[JimMac]

Just enjoy it , it all looks the same in freezer paper