should I have shot??
 

I have never gotten a buck with a bow, just killed my first deer with a bow 3 weeks ago for that matter. I was hunting this past Saturday morning, trying to get my buck before all the rifles start going off, and a small 4 point comes walking by at about 7:45. He was just kinda milling around and eating not ever aware of me being there 15 yards away. This young buck stops and gives me all kinds of shots, broadside more than once. Well, I pulled back but just couldn`t get myself to pull the release trigger on him. I kept thinking of what he may be next year or the year after. Well after about 20 minutes he feeds on out of range and I go home empty handed. I felt pretty good about letting it go but didn`t feel too good about not putting one in the freezer. I am confused on what I think about it, I know if I would have shot, he was mine, but I just couldn`t or didn`t do it for some reason. Thanks for letting me vent.

Hack

RE: should I have shot??
 

Sounds to me like you did the right thing. You were uncomfortable with taking a young buck so you didn't. Good for you. It's been said on here many times, if you are uncomfortable with the shot, for whatever reason, don't shoot. Sounds to me like your starting to practice deer management. I have the same problem on my farm. I've got a small 6 point that has given me 3 or 4 shots over the last month. But he and 2 other bucks are the first bucks I've seen on this property since we bought it 4 years ago. And I just can't bring myself to shooting him because I want bucks here again next year. Hope this helps. Good luck.

KEEP IT LEGAL. KEEP IT SAFE. OR WE MAY NOT GET TO KEEP IT AT ALL.

RE: should I have shot??
 

Don't worry about it. I do it all the time. Let the little ones go and if you need the meat, shoot the does. I have two does in the frezzer this year, and donated another one. I feel better about that then I would have shooting a small buck, which I could have done on numerous times this year.

RE: should I have shot??
 

I've always felt that if I have to think about whether to shoot or not, I'll regret it later. When the deer you've been looking for shows up, you wont have to think about it. You did the right thing.

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: should I have shot??
 

And now for the rest of the story:

"Thwack!" went the arrow as it whacked the small 4 pointer that badluck had moments before let walk....The other hunter was confused as to why the other hunter didn't shoot but was nonetheless greatful to have some meat in his freezer...

Moral of the story...Man you gotta do what you wanna do or it ain't worth it...read some of the posts of the "Trophy Hunters" that haunt this place and how irratable they get towards the end of the season when they haven't arrowed one yet. If you felt good letting it walk then good...Enjoy watching some of them...Enjoy harvesting some of them...

~Will Hunt For Food~

RE: should I have shot??
 

Dog is right - YOU are the one who had to make the decision. If you thought it was right at the time, then it was. Don't second guess yourself after fact.

I had a similar, but completely different experience this past Saturday that I'm going to post under the topic title of "Scab Hunters?"



Shoot often - Hunt always

RE: should I have shot??
 

badluck any time you see a deer and can not decide whether to shoot it or not because it is to young you have made a personal decision that is always correct for you, forget what others say or think as long as it is legal and you feel good taking I and many others will congradulate you, I will also take my hat off to you for letting one walk.

I had a fawn, no spots but still this years deer at 10 yards broadside for 10-15 minutes this year and could not bring myself to draw the bow even, why would I have even considered it? It would of been my first bowkill, but I let it walk. I did get my first bowkill this season though later, a nice fat, mature doe.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

RE: should I have shot??
 

you would be beating yourself up either way, so dont worry about it.

propmahn
save the world, reload your brass

RE: should I have shot??
 

If you ever have to wonder whether you should shoot or not, the answer is always no. That's a rule my uncle taught me when I was a kid and I haven't ever been in a situation that it wasn't true.

RE: should I have shot??
 

Its gotta be hard turning down your first buck. It sounds like you had a great day in the woods though.

RE: should I have shot??
 

You got to do what makes you feel good!!!

If that means letting this one walk then great, but don't think that you have to always do it sometimes you may let them walk and then change your mind.

Take it a shot at a time!!!

" Anyone can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a Dad"

RE: should I have shot??
 

If you feel good about your decision then you made the right one. But it has to be your decision. Lots of bow hunters would look down on you for taking that 4 pointer. I would have nailed him. I have only taken one doe...ever(this season as a matter of fact) If it's a decent sized deer I would take a spike. Maybe after I get some more kills under my belt I might let im walk....I let a few does walk this year because I thought they were too small. But I'm not a big time trophey hunter. I love to hunt, and I love to eat venison ( and squirrel, and turkey).
Only you can make that decision.

David

RE: should I have shot??
 

I agree with SW Iowa! Free Will! I went to my stand countless times this season saying " I'm taking one for the freezer". I passed on deer no less than 6 times this year, does and small bucks, and haven't regretted it. I may still shoot a spike or a young doe...maybe, maybe not. Maybe a monster. I'll decide when I'm in the stand!

Trushot }}------>

RE: should I have shot??
 

We all pass up deer all the time. I've passed up deer one day and had the same deer push my button the next day and TWACK..... You don't have to please anyone other than yourself. Bowhunting isn't to make others happy or said. It's your thing.. relief, adventure, nature, Twack and blood.... whatever. That doesn't mean you should do everything you want... just within reason and the laws. I don't bother to count the deer I let walk by anymore. I don't consider it anything more than a sighting. I do closely observe their actions and see what they're up to. They also have far better hearing and sight than I do and will often alert you to a better prize in the bushes. If you're happy... I'm happy.

RE: should I have shot??
 

badluck- that's how the big-un's get to be big. you done good<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

daytona 500 winner- Ward Burton
go Cat-22

RE: should I have shot??
 

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
... This young buck stops and gives me all kinds of shots, broadside more than once. ...

Hack
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

I shot at a range near Madison Wis years ago called Valkyrie archery. There was a guy in there with pictures of a HUGE non-typical that he had gotten -&gt; I think it is 9 or 10 on the P&Y list. He was talking with some regret - he knew that he would never get another deer that would approach that one.

Write your own moral... :-)