Question on waiting for your deer.

[GeoffM24]

Hey Guys,
I'm headed out to New Mexico in 2 weeks for a unit 2b Nov 3-7 hunt. This will be my first mule deer and my first hunting trip out west.

A co-worker just got back from a Colorado Elk hunt where he ate some tag soup. He had a bull/cow tag and said he could have easily taken a cow the first day but was holding out for a bull. He said after the first day the pressure pushed all the elk into hiding and he didn't have a shot after that. Apparently they all went onto private land. Two guys in his party of 4 got something, one cow and one nice bull both on the first day.

On the plus side he said he saw tons of mule deer.

My question is this, does this happen with mule deer after opening day too? Should I be hoping to take something opening day even if he isn't a big one? My plan is to hold out on a fork buck until the last day if I don't see anything big.

I know I'm over thinking this but I don't want to make too many rookie mistakes.

 

[AndymanSavage]

My general feeling is this:

"Don't shoot one the last day that you wouldn't shoot the first day, and don't pass one up the first day that you wouldn't pass on the last day "

In other words, set your goal and hunt till the end for it. It's not much fun to shoot a buck just to have killed something. To me, a shooter is a shooter regardless of the day of the hunt.

Andy

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http://www.trophyblogger.com/Andymansavage

 

[gilamonster8]

well said andy

 

[ktg]

Good advice. I've been on hunts where each day my standards dropped a notch and so did the bucks we saw. Should have shot on the first day. Now that I've killed a few good bucks, I'll hold out for something bigger or come home with nothing.

 

[257Tony]

Andy is dead on! Set your standard before you go based on the kind of Deer that are in the area, and your own personal goals. Shoot the first one that meets the standard and go home happy! If you don't tag out at least you don't feel bad about shooting a little guy just to kill something.

 

[GeoffM24]

I have never shot a buck, whitetail or mule deer and would be very pleased to have pretty much anything. Shooting the 1st buck I see doesn't sound like a great plan though.

 

[swbuckmaster]

Well said Andy! I would only add if you don't see a buck that doesn't meet your standards eat tag soup.

 

[JimmyAZ]

there are plenty of good deer in that unit. It sounds like they've been hit with a dusting of snow already with possibly a bit more to come. You should start to see some deer moving in from the CO, but even if not, there is a good resident population that would keep you busy. Also with the fact that the bucks will becoming a bit more active for the rut, the deer should be moving quite a bit, even with pressure. I understand you have yet to harvest a buck, but you have a good chance of doing so and at the same time, it being a good buck, espicially for your first. I would set a goal for yourself that you would be happy with and sticking with it to the last day. Last year, I didn't see anything until the last 2 hours of the hunt, midday, and ended up taking a beautiful 4x 177". I personally think that even though it's your first buck hunt, you aren't being crazy setting a minimum standard with a 4 point. I'm not saying a 28" with great forks and mass but an average 4 might be a realistic goal for you with it being your first buck hunt and it being in 2B in November. On the muzzy hunt in the end of September, we saw 12-14 4 points alone, with double that in 3 points. Now a lot had weak forks or narrow or spindly, but any one of those, I would have been ecstatic about as my first buck!!! Again, some people may not agree with me but talking from experience, I think you have a good shot. And, with that, a chance of getting lucky and coming across the buck of your dreams!