ORIGINAL: LittleChief
In reality, I've passed on probably 15- 20 young bucks so far this year, from spikes to small 6 points. I am a deer hunter who hunts for meat, and while I don't hunt for the trophies, I would like to take a "respectable"(relative, I know) buck for my first bow buck.
We hunt with exactly the sameoutlook. I waited 4 years to shoot a 3.5 for my first buck with a bow, but this year shot a 2.5 8 that went 92", nothing big for around here...but I couldn't be happier. I've even passed deer his size or slightly larger in the past...but it was time for some antlers on the ground that were still big enough to make me happy. Im glad I waited and it worked out the way it did, and now I have something to build off of. It broke the ice as you put it.
I want meat each year, but I still want a respectable buck for my area.
The difference with us is, when we shoota smaller buck, if we do, we aren't then complaining of the quality deer in the immediate area. Two totally separate issues.