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Post by zemmer18 on Oct 8, 2008 15:29:19 GMT -5
Below are a series of pics from my trail camera that have been posted on different threads. My question to all of you is this: The big guy is out there but so are these other fine bucks. What if one of the smaller ones comes through first? Do you hold off and wait in hopes to see the big guy, or do you take one of the other bucks? Put yourself in my position if you can and pretend these are pics from your stand. What would you do? NOTE: I believe pics 3 and 4 are of the same 2 deer so there are 5 different bucks total coming by. I sort of have my mind made up already but I am curious to see what others would do so please post your opinions. Thank you The MONSTER The tall 6 Friends for now Still friends during daylight Wideboy
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Post by Contender375 on Oct 8, 2008 17:54:15 GMT -5
10 years ago , I would have shot the first buck that gave me a good shot, so any one of those bucks would have been in extreme danger if they came by my stand. The older I get, the more I like holding out for a big boy since I really enjoy watching the rut develop and the exitement associated with knowing there is a chance a real monster could stroll by at any moment.
I try to put a doe or two in the freezer early on and then wait for a big buck. Knowing one is there is a big bonus. If I fill my buck tag early in the season it gets harder and harder to get out of bed to hunt the does when I have meat in the freezer especially if the weather aint the greatest.. I love bow season, I love hunting the chase phase of the rut and therefore try to hold the buck tag for a bruiser.(Keep in mind, I am still holding many of those buck tags) For that reason, If I dont have meat in the freezer and it gets to the last few days of bow season, I would likely shoot anyone of the bucks in your pics.
As for gun season, The last few years I have been going out less and less, Usually the first week and then it is very sporadic after that . If I have a buck tag or dont have meat in the freezer, I will go out , but the weather starts to get nasty, the deer are all spooked and I find it harder and harder to drag nmyself out after the first week.
Now after all that, Here is my opinion which you have been anxiously waiting for. Wait for the monster!! Here are some points that affect my opinion:
*The other bucks will be bigger next year. *The rut will get that big boy up and moving in the daylight.(the picture is at night, I believe) *An even bigger buck may move thru your area as the rut progresses. *Doe's are very good in the freezer and I am sure you have plenty of tags. *The rut is a blast to hunt, when you have a buck tag. * If you use your buck tag on a smaller buck, you will definetly see Bullwinkle soon after. ( dont ask how I know)
There's my opinion....You asked for it..
Good luck
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Post by Burt on Oct 8, 2008 18:27:53 GMT -5
Zem, I'm with 375! I would wait on the big one. The other bucks are nice but the big guy looks real good. Is there a lot of pressure in the area? That should be taken into consideration. I have 56 acres and we don't shoot anything less than a real good six point but the guys next door who have over 200 acres shoot them all. There property they shoot what they want, last year after the third day of gun season I went over and saw some of the bucks hanging that I passed at bow season. Three days hunting 11 guys- 7 bucks and 5 doe. Thanks for sharing the pictures they are really great! On a side note I just talked to that neighbor today and he saw 8 bucks in the field across from my place, three were 8pts or more the others very respectable! Good luck!
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Post by fasteddie on Oct 8, 2008 20:14:30 GMT -5
What Contender said . Wait for the BIG one !
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Post by zemmer18 on Oct 8, 2008 20:14:48 GMT -5
Great opinions fellas, thx for sharing and keep em coming. I should have shared a little more knowledge of the area and info on time in the field. There isn't much pressure during bow season at all. Noone hunts up there but me. Problem is, they all come off of posted property that is not hunted and I cannot get near it without calling and then I get an escort to track with. I hunt a very small piece of timber and field edge totaling maybe 12 acres, but it borders 100's of acres. Gun season is when the pressure begins but I do not gun hunt up there. I have this feeling that the smaller bucks wont make it through gun season but they very well could.
Then there is time in the field. I will piecemeal every chance I get just like last year. I put 49 to 55 total hours in a treestand during bow season last year but I know I wont get that much this year.
If interested, I will share my decision after everyone has had a chance to voice their opinion. Thanks again fellas.
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Post by Handcannon on Oct 12, 2008 18:24:29 GMT -5
Don't shoot the yearlings (1.5 years old), let them grow. Hw is the doe population? I'm guessing pretty robust. You said the smaller ones might get shot....Well if you shoot them, you are all done. Maybe the neighbor will see the bigger deer after that.
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Post by zemmer18 on Oct 13, 2008 12:15:37 GMT -5
Excellent advice Handcannon. The doe population seems good as I am getting the same 4 does on camera now and less of the bucks. They are there at all hours and I do have a few smaller bucks coming through during daylight hours.
- Well its seems the opinions are in so here is my train of thought.
I have taken 2 bucks with my bow, a 4pt, and the 5pt last year on the double. I have taken a few doe as well. I would love to have a wall hanger someday so my decision is to let the smaller bucks walk and hunt the 8pt exclusively. It will be tough and I may not see him but I will give it my all like I did last year. I spoke with my neighbor and my brother in law and I told them they are welcome to come and take what they would like except the 8pt and they have agreed if they do come up they will not take the 8pt. Now I just have to stick to my word and let the smaller bucks walk. I hope I can show some restraint if one does come in. Maybe a few will make it through next year and I can get a crack at big one then too.
Thank you all for your opinions and rationalization. Good luck to all.
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Post by huntingfreak on Oct 13, 2008 23:39:54 GMT -5
I agree with the idea of letting the small ones walk they look like they are 1.5 year olds. Take a doe or two if need be but try to hold out for a big boy it is very rewarding.Don't get me wrong I think any deer you take with a bow is a trophy but if you connect with a big buck there isn't anything like it.I'm only saying that because of the nice one I shot with my gun a couple years ago. I'm still waiting for a wall hanger with my bow but the properties I've been hunting are pressured pretty bad and as they say if it's brown its down ( god I hate that phrase) But anyways good luck and I hope you get the big one.
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Post by joel on Oct 14, 2008 20:31:11 GMT -5
as long as the pressure is low i would take a doe for meat and satisfy my blood lust then wait for a big deer.thats my plan for this weekend
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