Every year I questionwhere Ifall into this mix when it comes to bowhunting.With a rifle there is no doubt, I won't shoot a buck that I believe to be under 3.5 and haven't since 1999.

In 06' I wanted a 3.5 year old buck and passed up countless legal 1.5-2.5 year olds. I eventually shot what I thought at the time to be a very good 2.5 year old.......after aging he ended up being a stud of a 1.5 y/o. Part of me still wishes I would have let him walk, just so I could have hunted more......it ended my season too early and was a source of motivation to pass a lot of deer in 07.

I went into the 07 season this year with the thought that any buck I would shoot would have to meet 3 points of criteria. 3.5 years old, bigger than any buck I've taken with a bow,and I wouldbeproudenough to get it mounted. Again I passed several 1.5 and 2.5 year olds through the season, and when the buck I shot came in I honestly thought he was 3.5 when I shot him due to body size, behavior, etc.He was aged out as a stud of a 2.5 and almost 20lbs heavier than average.He certainly met my other 2 points of criteria though, and I wouldn't change the outcome at all......he is a trophy in my eyes at this point in my life and I'm proud to have shot him.

I can honestly saythat every buck I've shot with a bow was my biggest at that point in time as well, and I'd like to keep this up until I finally manage to put one in the books. I don't see myself finding another 2.5 as big or bigger than the one I shot this year so I'm guessing that itwillbe3.5 or older from here on out.............