well, I've been passing up bucks here in the old dominion for the last two seasons only to never see them again after archery. I know what happens to the little guys, they get whacked by the first person that sees them in gun season.
So, I am reading this article on trophies in a magazine the other day and basically, it says that all trophies are relative to the area you hunt, and what you consider to be a trophy. I've always been of this frame of mind. Like I've said, I am passing all these bucks, and altho I would not shoot a 1.5 y.o., I am considering 'lowering' my standards a bit to see where it gets me. I know of a beautiful 2.5 y.o. 18-20" eight I will be hunting opening morning, and a nice two or three and half old six or eight running around where I hunt as well. I believe that I am going to shoot one of these bucks this year if they measure up. I know for a fact that if I do not, someone else will. Anyone feel that this is backstabbing my qdm? The land that the big eight is on is rumored to be for sale and will be plowed under for suburban sprawl next year. the other six or eight lives around me and I highly doubt he makes it till next year, even if I don't pull the trigger. I have only shot three bucks around where I live in the past two years, two of those I regret shooting. the rest are does, of which five of the 14 deer that have fallen to me in the past two seasons.

I see what you are saying there. We practice QDM were we
hunt but there is a lot of acres to manage. In your case that
goes out the window when no one around you practices it. A
two year old 8 point may very well be a trophy were you are
because they are rare. I would just take whatever deer you
feel comfortable with and be happy with it. Any deer is an
accomplishment with a bow. Yes it is all relative. Just my
thoughts. Good luck!

I agree, I've taken one deer with a bow, and it was a 2pt (2x2 or 4pt for most of you), and it was by far the smallest deer I've ever harvested, but by far my favorite, and the one I'm most proud of. All you have to do is say to yourself before you take the deer "Will I be happy if I am fortunate enough to get this deer." (probably just in your head so you don't spook the deer) and if the answer is yes, nothing else matters.

I say shoot what makes you happy, post the pics and story and everyone is happy

If you want mature bucks you have to pass the youngs ones, of course this goes with out saying. Now if you decide to not pass that young buck since your neighbor won't, after all is said and done that will be two young bucks taken instead of just the one your neighbor would have shot.

Sounds like sage advice to me as well. I don't expect others to be happy with what I shoot. I am the one making the decision...not them. The same thing would apply here.

Are you shooting these deer for the right reasons or just because you want to fill your tag?

the area I hunt most is around my house. I own six and a half acres, and have permission to hunt about 90 more in the immediate area. the three bucks I speak of where a broken six (taken opening day of muzzleloader, I got carried away because he was the first deer I ever took with a gun), the second was a healthy five ptr (with my deceased grandfathers 06), and a three and a half year old four ptr that was to be nothing more than what he was. I regret the two fives, but not the four ptr. I really regret the deer I shot with the 06, just because he was so young. still wish I hadn't pulled the trigger. I shoot mostly does in hopes of seeing or shooting a better buck. I have seen a good buck in each of the last two seasons, one in archery, the other in rifle. I've upped my standards in the past years, thinking, 'if I wouldn't shoot him in bow (which I have been hunting with far longer than rifle) why shoot him with a gun?' I do understand the thinking behind letting them go, for if I shoot one young deer, so will my neighbor and that makes for two dead young deer. If I don't, that means only one young buck is killed. Here in va though, you have three either sex tags, and three antlerless tags. It is quite the quandry too. I suppose that I will continue making myself happy as others have suggested. I'm sure that you all will see some pics of my decision by the end of october. Hopefully, it will be one that I am happy with.

If you snooze you lose.If you knwo someone else will shoot them before next year then by all means take one of them.

If you dont you will starve to death. I only eat store bought meat once a year on my wifes birthday.all the rest is venison hunted or road kills. Need my meat cheap

IMO if you have to ask then you shouldn't shoot it. I'm not going to tell you it's okay to shoot an immature deer even though it's legal. Your neighbors should only have so many tags so the more young bucks you let go only increases the odds of some making it to the next year. I think if you stick to your guns (bow in this case) and when you finally see that one...and you'll know "the one" and you take him you will be 100 x's more proud of him than otherwise. And furthermore, "the one" could be living miles from where you are hunting right now but during the rut will be at your back door...you never know.

HARVEST it ifn its legal... then eat and enjoy......no more whining ....you could be scouting instead. Hope you understand.. We are hunters.. Hunt your style ..Ill hunt mine and everthings gonna work out fine...dont getmad!! .Be safe and Hunt..HUNT...HUNT!