Passing on Bucks
 

I was just wondering what some people on the forum think about leaving buck tags unfilled to allow the deer to grow bigger. I want to shoot bigger buck, but the land I hunt is a small private farm, and neighbors shooting small buck is a problem, I was wondering if it is worth it to let the little ones go.

RE: Passing on Bucks
 

I've been contemplating this samething myself. I hunt 75acres private land with 3 sides bordered with several hundred acres of public state land. On the other border is 1,200 acres of private. The owners of the 1,200 acres don't shoot small bucks, they let them pass to grow. I started doing the samething 2yrs ago. I've passed up like 7-8 small bucks I can think of off top of my head. I said I'd try it for 3yrs to see if got any results. I'm in my 3rd yr right now. Last yr I saw more nice 2 1/2 yr olds then ever before. This yr has been little less results so far. 2 nice bucks have been seen in area so far. last yr I'd said No Doubt its making a difference, right now I'm unsure. But if anything I figure heck it can't hurt. Someone else may shoot that buck I let walk, but he at least got the chance from me to get bigger. I can't control what others do on public land. I may have to go a 4th yr to decide for sure, if things don't increase this year. Its hard to say because the public gets hunted heavy in Gun season, but the private 1,200 is more of a deer sanctuary as only 5-6 guys hunt that, and some of its so thick its never touched. So deer do have a good place to hide.

RE: Passing on Bucks
 

Read my post above on the 6 pointer i have the same problem every year and everyone thinks i am crazy because i let them walk. They say
someone else will just shoot them.