How long would you wait?

antlerrick · Dec 6, 2007

I got to spend some time down on the Henry's the last couple of weeks, and really enjoyed seeing the great bucks this area is producing. I was just wondering if I ever drew a permit, how long would I wait before I tipped one of those big boys over?
I think that the minute you shoot the biggest buck you have ever shot, a bigger one would probably walk out. Or you would see bigger ones as you headed off the mountain?

So a question for discussion:
How long would you wait, or how big would a buck have to be before you punched your Henry's deer tag? Would a 200" be sufficient, or do you get greedy and wait for bigger, maybe eating tag soup?

jagrmystr · Dec 6, 2007

Dont put a # on it. You will know it when you see it.

overton · Dec 6, 2007

One dilemma I'll probably never face.

thebuckstopshere · Dec 6, 2007

I think the real fun would be scouting knowing you had a tag. Once the season finally arrived, I sure wouldn't hesitate to drop one that I knew was a shooter in my mind. Personally, on the Henries - I would want a big wide buck. I might have it scored, but that wouldn't be something I would consider prior to shooting it. Heighth, width, mass, trash, or any combination that is appealing to me would be the considerations.

If I knew there was a true monster on the mountain, and saw him on day one, I might risk tag soup seeking "the one" the rest of the hunt.

Deerlove · Dec 6, 2007

Amen Overton but it would have to be 200 plus.

MortgageMan · Dec 6, 2007

200"???? You kidding me...That thing would be hitting the dirt in a heart beat.

Shummy · Dec 6, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Dec-06-07 AT 01:53PM (MST)[p]After the shot was fired I would blindfold myself and refuse to remove it until I hit the highway toward home.
Oh yea, and if you're holding out for more than 200 you need your head examined!

mntman · Dec 6, 2007

I agree with jagrmystr, i have set goals before of "scores" but in reality that all gets thrown out the window when it comes right down to it. If there is one that catches my eye, I shoot. If I have to think about it, then he isn't one I want and I let him walk. Yes I keep track of the scores but i realize that isn't the only piece that makes a trophy.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

antlerrick · Dec 6, 2007

My thought was that once I found one I liked, regardless of score, I would get him down and taken care of and head home as soon as I could just so that "why didn't I wait" problem never hit me.
I agree that the scouting would be the fun part of the whole thing...

FishlakeElkHunter · Dec 6, 2007

Hey Rick, I got the pics of the Buff....way cool man!!! It looks like it was a Great hunt!!! I love all the blood in the snow!!! COOL!!!

You know me......I would get too excited and kill a small one! You saw me on my elk hunt this year, I was a nervous WRECK!!!! I can only imagine what I would be WHEN yes I said WHEN I draw my Henries tag! I think you are right, just pull the trigger on the one you like and enjoy him! No matter what happens after!

timberline_shedfreak24 · Dec 6, 2007

200" Is big enuff for me anywhere.

Timberline

eelgrass · Dec 6, 2007

I would probably trophy hunt the first day and then panic and shoot the first 150 class buck I saw.

Eel

marley · Dec 6, 2007

This year I drew a good tag in CO and took the whole week off. I had made up my mind before my hunt started that I was going to hunt most the week before pulling the trigger. You know...do a little shopping first. My buck was down in the first 5 minutes of opening day. He scored 198 7/8 and I don't regret it at all. My point is that you never can say what you'll see in the first 5 minutes so how can you put a time limit on it?

Elksnuffer · Dec 11, 2007

antlerrick,

I guess that would depend on if you,truly now what type of buck you would be happy with????
Or would you let the masses re-calibrate your expectations/standards.

Later
Snuffer

slamdunk · Dec 11, 2007

Hey Rick....i'll give you my answer after next year!! ;-)

Skull Krazy
"No Bones About It"

B_F_E · Dec 11, 2007

I waited too long one year.

shelbys · Dec 11, 2007

Like it was said above, you will know the buck when you see it. Those monster type bucks are a whole different critter than the 150-160 variety.

BUGLEMN · Dec 11, 2007

DID YOU GET THE BUFFALO? IF SO LETS SEE SOME PICS. IF YOU DID CONGRATS TO ALL THAT HELPED! ABOUT THE QUESTION MENTIONED ABOVE, AS LONG AS I LIKED IT AND HAD FUN SCOUTING, DOESN'T MATTER THE SCORE! ( BUT A 200" WOULD BE NICE!)

BUGLEMN

antlerrick · Dec 11, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Dec-11-07 AT 10:14PM (MST)[p]Elksnuffer
I would be happy as punch just to draw the tag and No, I would not let the masses have anything to do with my expectations.
I would be sure to enjoy the experience and then harvest whatever I liked the looks of. When I drew my Monroe Archery elk permit, I made the most of the hunt. I hunted every day of the hunt and harvested a bull that would probably be looked down upon now days, but I was very pleaed with the quality experience, and the animal I took. I had no regrets then, and I don't think I would have regrets there either. If you pull the trigger, you had better be happy with what you take. I know that I would probably see bigger bucks but once I make the decision to shoot, I'd be happy with it.
And Slamdunk, maybe we can get down there and scout the Henry's together in person, instead of by PM messages...haha...since I am planning on drawing that tag also!!!!
Rick
And yes we got a buff... PM'd you Bugle

dancasey2 · Dec 25, 2007

200 is a big deer!

ZR1 · Dec 31, 2007

I hunted the henrys ln 2006 on the bow hunt. I also have guided trophy mule deer in CO&WY for the last five years. Every Pay Hunter wants a 200 inch deer regardless of what it looks like. after several scouting trips I set standards for my self on this hunt at least 28 inches wide and a gross score of 185-190 on the main frame and had to have good mass (because it's there) or a massive huge frame buck with once and a lifetime wall appeal regardless of score (they are there also), If I had the rifle or muzzle permit my standards would have been higher just based on the deer I saw.I wanted to be realistic just because I saw 200plus deer didn't mean I could kill one with a bow . so I set a size and number that I could be happy with knowing I might leave bigger deer alive for other hunter's to chase.
the first 5 days chased three giants bucks one buck was 5x4 grossed 207 (killed on the rifle),another 5x4 that was obviously bigger than him,and a HUGE frame 5x7 that was just a big 35plus inch 3-point with little stickers.I hunted these deer every way me and my buddy could thin of mostly trying wait for the perfect opportunity, well in five days the closest I came to them was 65yrds with only the head and neck visible, I never got to draw on any of these bucks.there was always big bachelor groups which made getting close( within 100 yrds) tough.plus the country can really were you down.
On the 6 the day I was on my way back to camp at about noon when I spotted my buck he was alone out feeding.At 1st sight he was clearly smaller than the giants I had been chasing but I took the time to look at him.I guessed him at 28-30 wide and a 185 frame with a 5inch inline with great mass.He was the borderline buck, about the 5th biggest buck I had seen that week a no-brainer for me anywhere else but it was definitely a tough decision.It wouldn't be the 1st time I wasn't willing to settle.
I decided to go for it!My Bucks 5x4 frame grossed 189 including eyeguards and a 4inch inline and 44inches of mass! I am completely happy with him.He is not the biggest buck I have taken ,there bigger bucks Ya I hunted 4 of them for 5 1/2 days would I have got one? Maybe I have ate Tag Soup yes many times. I'm glad I have a standard for what a trophy is to me or I might have ate it again.

creamofthecrop · Dec 31, 2007

oh i cant believe its happening to me! some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this, sorry started my new years drinkin a little early and this is the sang that popped up in my head. jk wouldnt ever enjoy hunting anymore if i had to pass on a 200" deer most people are lucky to see one let alone get one. ill tell ya a secter about tag. every year he comes back to camp smelling like whiskey and every day he sees this monster that one year he got a shot off and it ducked his bulled then turned and smiled at him. lol oh he had us all rolling on the ground.