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brutusthebuck
Guest
I am 18 and have never killed a deer because I am waiting for that perfect wall hanger buck. Should I lower my standards and shoot a small 4 point or a 3 point? or should I keep holding out for a big one?
It's all up to you. I'd say shooting a mature buck is an accomplishment. No matter what the size is.
Nobody can tell you what to shoot. That's whats great about hunting. The trophy is in the eyes of the beholder.
Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.
Nobody can tell you what to shoot. That's whats great about hunting. The trophy is in the eyes of the beholder.
Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.
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AZbowhntr
Guest
I agree with Michael. It is up to you. My first buck was a fork horn. And every year I set my sights higher. My best buck to date is a 24" 4X4. Two years ago I came home empty handed from Idaho because I didn't see anything better. I passed on at least 15 to 20 bucks. Everyone gave me crap for not taking a buck but I had a great time and my friend who had never shot a deer before got one. That was my main goal of the trip.
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answermonkey
Guest
If I were you I'd shoot the next decent buck I see. It'll build confidence in your ability to close the deal. What if you hunt 5 more years before you finally see that great buck but when it comes time to put on a stalk you have no idea what you're doing? You don't make sure the wind is right or you don't know how to use the terrain to your advantage and then you blow the stalk on a buck of a lifetime. There's not much more of a confidence killer than that and there's not much more of a confidence booster than a well executed stalk and a well placed shot.
Just my two cents but I say get the monkey off your back and go for it.
am
Just my two cents but I say get the monkey off your back and go for it.
am
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bckcntrybuck
Guest
I agree with answermonkey, get the monkey off your back. start out with a decent buck, and keep setting your standards higher each year. Good Luck.
Shoot a couple deer...If its getting at you enough to post on MM about it, get r done!
Your 18, you need to get a few bucks under your belt anyway.
Who wants to kill a buck of their lifetime on the first deer at 18?
If you take a couple "decent" bucks, that wall hanger will look all that much better.
Your 18, you need to get a few bucks under your belt anyway.
Who wants to kill a buck of their lifetime on the first deer at 18?
If you take a couple "decent" bucks, that wall hanger will look all that much better.
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OSOK
Guest
I agree with AM as well.
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redelkarcher
Guest
I agree with the above posts... My opinion is that you learn year by year on the experiences that you have in the field. If those experiences include getting in on bucks and deciding to not take it because it is not what your looking for , but you put your-self in a position where you could have connected and harvested the animal then so-be-it. But I also feel that there is nothin' wrong with putting meat in the freezer even if you don't put a head on the wall if you are gonna eat the meat.
Anyways it's more of a personal opinion thing if ya ask me.
Good Luck
redelkarcher>>>--------------->
Anyways it's more of a personal opinion thing if ya ask me.
Good Luck
redelkarcher>>>--------------->
We all have to lower our standards now & again, here on MM for example we use to only allow people to post, now I see they're letting monkeys post messages.
Maybe Crosby, still & nash said it best; "if you can't be with the deer you love, love the deer your with"
Maybe Crosby, still & nash said it best; "if you can't be with the deer you love, love the deer your with"
elkantlers
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 3,719
I say put one on the ground.
and then you will be wishing you still had your tag so you could keep hunting.
and then you will be wishing you still had your tag so you could keep hunting.
I shot a bunch of deer between the ages 18-30 and then set a similar standard that you have. A trophy wallhanger...
It has been twenty years since I pulled the trigger and now I am fifty.
So if you set your standard, be prepared to be patient.
Good luck!
Ed
It has been twenty years since I pulled the trigger and now I am fifty.
So if you set your standard, be prepared to be patient.
Good luck!
Ed
Excellent posts all.
It depends a lot on whether you are bow hunting, rifle hunting, how much time you have, what type of area you are hunting and how good of a shot you are. If you are hunting(with any type of weapon) on public land, you may only get one chance at a little guy. If you are hunting on a private ranch with a guide, you might get your pick of animals.
"It's all up to you"...
It depends a lot on whether you are bow hunting, rifle hunting, how much time you have, what type of area you are hunting and how good of a shot you are. If you are hunting(with any type of weapon) on public land, you may only get one chance at a little guy. If you are hunting on a private ranch with a guide, you might get your pick of animals.
"It's all up to you"...
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brutusthebuck
Guest
Thanks for all of your suggestions.
If I can't get at least a small 4 point this weekend with my rifle then I will start hunting hard on the extended archery for at least a forky.
If I can't get at least a small 4 point this weekend with my rifle then I will start hunting hard on the extended archery for at least a forky.
Do what you think is right for you. Killing a deer is a personal decision and we can't make that for you. When mr big shows up it's a whole different feeling. If I were you I would put the stock on any buck just to practice getting within 200 yards or closer(rifle). Treat every buck like your going to take him atleast until you decide not to. Good luck.
ridgerunner
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 1,958
It's a personal decision but here's my two cents. I hunted 4 years before killing my first buck, a small 2 point. I then started to get Eastmans and dreamed of big bucks. In 95 I went to Wyoming determined to go big or go home empty handed. The first morning I passed on a 26" 4 point with a small cheater, beautiful buck. I never saw anything bigger. To this day I wish I had shot that buck. Since then I've taken 5 bucks, up until this year they seemed to always get a little better each year. During that time I have also missed a couple of 180+ bucks. Although it is a personal decision there is nothing wrong with taking smaller bucks and they are good confidence boosters, I still looking for a wallhanger, but have found contentment in hunting hard and shooting decent bucks in the meantime.
nfh
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 7,657
LAST EDITED ON Oct-19-05 AT 09:29PM (MST)[p]here is what i do. search as hard as you can and try to bag that big one. on the last few days of season shoot a small one. or if your in it for the meat and want the little one to grow shoot a doe.
ITS NOT THE SIZE OF THE ANTLERS BUT THE SIZE OF THE HUNT.
ITS NOT THE SIZE OF THE ANTLERS BUT THE SIZE OF THE HUNT.
In your shoes, I would lower my standards. Since you're only 18, you've got a long time to bag a monster. Plus, if you don't practice on a few smaller bucks, then you won't know what to do when that monster finally does show up. There's something to be said for experience. My 2 cents.
BeanMan
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 6,903
Brutus,
You have a bunch of learning to do and not just in the area of killing a buck. The first deer you gut will not be as well done as the tenth (if you are capable of learning). Learn how to put it on the ground, get the guts out and the hide off, practice caping, and keep the dirt off the meat. You can also learn how to process it yourself.
And most inportantly learn to have fun while you are doing it.
BeanMan
You have a bunch of learning to do and not just in the area of killing a buck. The first deer you gut will not be as well done as the tenth (if you are capable of learning). Learn how to put it on the ground, get the guts out and the hide off, practice caping, and keep the dirt off the meat. You can also learn how to process it yourself.
And most inportantly learn to have fun while you are doing it.
BeanMan
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PhantomLord
Guest
Hey I say dont lower your standards, if you keep high standards you will no doubt get lots of huge deer like BCBOY, oh wait, nevermind, I think I am getting it wrong here
just because someone lives in a better deer hunting range where there are better, and more deer running around doesnt mean they are a better hunter.
just because someone lives in a better deer hunting range where there are better, and more deer running around doesnt mean they are a better hunter.
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AZWALKER
Guest
You need to get some blood on your hands partner. I personally think you are getting some VERY good advise from these guys. I look at it this way, I'll never pass on a buck opening day that I would take the last day of the season. Its tough around here for a young guys because you get to see pictures of huge deer every season but what you forget is that the guys that are shooting these giants have put in alot of years learning muleys. Besides, if you shoot a 180" buck the first time, theres really not much chance over a life time to improve opn that, almost every other deer you see will be a dink.
Donnie
P.S. Good luck to ya!
Donnie
P.S. Good luck to ya!
Hey "Phantom~Lord" hows the troll biz ??
I think you logged onto the wrong site, when you did your web search for monsters, you were obviously looking for the dungeons & dragons web page...... Oh mighty FFFF-phantom.
I think I'm going to call your high-school principal & tell him not to let you on the computer during class time.
I think you logged onto the wrong site, when you did your web search for monsters, you were obviously looking for the dungeons & dragons web page...... Oh mighty FFFF-phantom.
I think I'm going to call your high-school principal & tell him not to let you on the computer during class time.
