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The Reminder Buck

moog5050

By moog5050,
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moog5050 Mentor

moog5050

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This is my sixth season hunting and over the past 5 I have been blessed to shoot a handful of very nice bucks.  Primarily because I was fortunate to be mentored early on by Phade and I am fortunate to have some really good properties to hunt.  

Anyways, as this season approached, I was a intent on shooting another pope and young.  In fact, I promised myself I would draw on nothing less.  Frankly, reflecting on my approach, I realize I was becoming obsessive, arrogant and greedy. And this really all hit me last Saturday when I invited a newer hunter out and he shot a nice 2yr 11pt. While I was happy for him and showed excitement, in the back of my mind I was thinking that would be a great buck in a year or two.  I wished he had shot something else.  

That night it really really bothered me that I even had that thought. He was on cloud nine.  It was selfish and wrong.  I was really upset with myself.  I realized that my attitude towards hunting was taking a bad turn and it had to be corrected.   There is nothing wrong with trying to shoot a monster and I plan to continue to do so, but I also want to be sure to maintain the right perspective, remain humble and be selfless.  

So yesterday afternoon, despite having passed better bucks this season and knowing that I had some big boys roaming, I decided to shoot this little guy to prove to myself hunting is not all about getting MY BIG BUCK!   It was fun as he busted me but I still was able to close the deal. I know some may not understand, but this was the right buck for me this season.  He will be a reminder for years to come regarding the proper attitude.  

As I said, I will continue to strive to shoot the big boys, but I won't forget what's really important when doing so.   So with that said, here is THE REMINDER BUCK.  He won't make ant book or even the wall but he may be even more meaningful.

Hope you all have a great season.  I am off to chase does and watch the big boys I may get a crack at in regular season.  

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moog5050
moog5050

This is my sixth season hunting and over the past 5 I have been blessed to shoot a handful of very nice bucks.  Primarily because I was fortunate to be mentored early on by Phade and I am fortunate to

coonhunter
coonhunter

It takes a big man or woman to take a good look at themselves and not like what they see. With deer hunting it is easy to fall into the snob trap. We have plenty right on this site. I have been in you

G-Man
G-Man

well said..i have a few friends that need to read your post.. to worked up about getting a big buck.. become crank miserable bastards that a candy bar wont help.. enjoyment 1st and foremost is key. Do

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Steuben Jerry Proficient

Steuben Jerry

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Good for you Moog!

Two of my successively best bucks (well under 100 inches) were questioned by so-called friends. When I questioned back, "why wouldn't I shoot the best deer I've ever had that gave me a opportunity?", I was told that I just don't "get it".

Mind you, these were guests on my property who never pitched in and never paid a cent of taxes. They don't hunt here any longer.

That buck needs to mean something to you, not others.

I don't know you personally, but I feel very good that you took the deer that you wanted!

 

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BizCT Grand Master

BizCT

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Congrats on the buck. Every situation is different. In the last 5 years or so, I try to hold out for older/bigger bucks but in 2012 I passed a 4pt on opening morning and was kicking myself afterwards, well he came back so I shot him. Typically on Thanksgiving, I will shoot any buck if I still have a tag. I have only killed 1 TG buck, but it's cool nonetheless to change your approach from time to time. The luxury of NY is that you get 2 buck tags and you get them every year. In other states that have better hunting, you may only get 1 tag, or in some cases only 1 tag every few years. Again, congrats!

PS - for fun, take a tape to this guy and tell us what he scores!

Edited by Biz-R-OWorld
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adkhunter71 Explorer

adkhunter71

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Thanks for the refreshing story.  While I have killed some decent bucks in my hunting life, I have fallen into the same situation that you found yourself in.  The only thing that it did was make me feel too much pressure and anxiety.  I began enjoying myself much more when I stopped caring so much about antler size and other hunters choices and started paying attention to the moment at hand and the situations that I found myself in. 

Perfect example was a couple of week ago when I shot a spike horn within an hour of being on stand.  An hour total for the season, mind you.  I know that there are bigger bucks around, but at the moment it felt right to shoot the spike horn.  I was able to kill a doe with the same arrow/broadhead combination from the same stand that evening.  It was an epic day for sure and one of the best in all of my time hunting.  When I stopped being jealous or angry at others choices and success and stopped putting so much pressure on myself, I began to enjoy the hunt much more.  Nothing is guaranteed....Enjoy every sandwich....

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Robhuntandfish Grand Master

Robhuntandfish

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I'm with ya. But this is my one year that I have been after a big one.  Usually I shoot a 4,5,6,7 every year.  But this year I got two early does in the freezer so am after a good one. Passed on a small 8 that would have been close to my biggest buck ever.  But really trying to hold out as have never gotten a wall hanger. Nice buck and congrats on a good hunting season. And I will prob end up with that 5 point like always and be very happy to get him!  

 

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NYBowhunter Rising Star

NYBowhunter

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Thats awesome Moog and that is how all hunters should perceive hunting. I myself have been blessed with taking quite a few mature bucks. But like you, when i need meat or have any itchy finger, i will never make any excuses for shooting a young deer. I like you try not to loose perspective as to why i hunt. For me upmost, its about family, memories, enjoying nature and i really enjoy vension. Thank you bud for keeping it real. I commend you because most wont admit what you did, some feel its beneath them if they did. 

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TreeGuy Rising Star

TreeGuy

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I'm a firm believer that the argument of mature Vs meat will never end, and I'm ok with it. I am set with MY style, no matter who says what. The reason is, a trophy to me is always going to be a trophy TO ME. Big buck, little buck, fawn or a button... Doesn't matter what, if I think it's a trophy, it's a trophy ! I applaud you for doing WHAT YOU WANT regardless of the antler size. We are lucky to have any opportunity at any deer and being able to appreciate that is step 1.

For what it's worth, every day I step in the deer woods I think of something I'm thankful for and usually say it out loud. I'm in the "mature only" club, and there are many times frustrations can set in. It is definitely important to take a step back and realize what's around you, and where your at and how "lucky" we truly are, big deer or no deer.

Hack a piece off that rack and make a necklace...

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

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Zag Rising Star

Zag

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Thanks for sharing, I often say pass and next yr he will be bigger but I rarely see the same buck on t cam the following season. So I sometimes wonder what the point is. Maybe if I had 500 acres I would see a difference but smaller properties are limited due to their range.

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halfnelson Rookie

halfnelson

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Wow! Congrats on your buck!  Nicely put into proper perspective!  Enjoy the moment out in the wilderness, and realize all the cool things that we see are a blessing from God.  I was all reved up this morning hunt cause I saw a slammer the other night in the swamp.  

This kinda makes me think again about the whole deal and relax more while out there and just enjoy the moment.  Had a nice little 5 pointer close to me twice this morning.  He's one of a pair of twin bucks that were hanging around our yard all summer.  It was just cool to see him out and about.  It's about the 4th time I've seen him from my blind this season. 

Again, thanks for the message Moog!

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Moho81 Mentor

Moho81

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Awesome post Moog, and that's still a good looking buck I just think the guy holding it throws off the scale a little bit. Its like the reverse of a guy sitting well behind his deer making it look bigger to the camera!

In all seriousness though I think we all could use the same moment of self reflection that you had. You would have really hated yourself if you said what you thought out loud. 

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