If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

Then you've got to let some of the nice bucks walk. It's early in the season here, and I've already let a few nice bucks walk to see another day and hopefully another year. These are two of them:

3.5 year old eight:


4.5 year old eight. This buck's body looks huge at 10 yards.


But I stick to my word. If you want to shoot a huge one, you got to let these guys walk.

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

i know what your sayn,but in my neck of the woods im stickin both of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

So they let you root around in their mouth soyou could age them or do you have a copy of their birth certificate? Just curious how you know exactly how old they are.

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

I'd shoot em Jim. How's the supply biz w/Holt BTW?

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

I'd be pressed, they'd have to stand in front of me for a while for a decision. Probably pass unless it's the last week.;)

And James, man I'd hate to argu but in PA (which is not unlike WI) I'd be pressed calling them 3.5 and 4.5, I'd say 2.5 and 3.5 repectably. Dunno.

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

i think whether someone should pass on such a deer is totally differnent in each situation. One person who has hunted for years may have shot deer like the two pictured and then another individual who just started hunting may have never taken a buck. With the latter.... I would be fine if a friend of mine who just started hunting or never had any real luck harvested one of those bucks. And by no means does passing on these deer mean that 100 yards or 500 yards through the woods another hunter won't take a pop at them. :eek:

I'm not saying I would or wouldn't, just saying I think everyone would have a different reason for taking or not taking a shot. I've been hunting 12 years and haven't harvested many bucks, so it would be a toss up. I will agree that the first deer looks more like 2.5 and the stockier one is around 3.5-4. I'll say one thing, that second one is a hoss! :D

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

did the farmer accidentally spill some spill some corn in that top pic.

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

Not to start anything, but that top buck is no older than 2.5, and the bottom one is 3.5....:eek:

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

Both those deer should be nice ones next year

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

I don't mind your skepticism on the ages of the two bucks which I have posted. It is only to be expected when I put an estimated age on the enclosed photos.

The first buck, I have photos of last year as a 13-14" eight point. One would only have to assume that would make him atleast 3.5 this year.

The second buck, I have no prior history with. But, I have seen him at less than 10 yards, two hours before nightfall. He surely is not 2.5. And he could be 3.5. But I don't think so. Think, being the operative word.

Andy, the supply biz has been great. Things are really picking up. I've had a great week. First Statim sale and first Pelton autoclave sale for me this week.

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

The first buck I would say is 2.5. He could be a slim bodied 3.5 but no way with the lack of mass in his antlers. The second one I say is 3.5 and can't be 4.5 due to the fact that a 4.5 year old dear's front shoulders are bigger and higher than that. The corn in the one photo might be a problem, but I am not up on the baiting laws in WI.

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

For your viewing enjoyment, here is another picture.

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

The reason for this post is not discuss the age of the two deer in question. I've given a solid explanation of how I came up with these estimates and it will not turn into an argument. Also, I will not let this turn into a discussion on whether there is corn in the photos or not, and whether it is legal or not. It is not the reason for the post. But it is the reason why I often do not post pictures.

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

No big deal JV, in the new picture I have little doubt he may be 4.5. The first picture is very deceiving. He's a hoss, and I'd be pressed to pass him if he stood there posing for me.:D

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

Way to be disciplined, James!! It'll surely pay off... and you're exactly right. I chuckle at some of the people who post pics of big bucks in their neighborhoods and shoot the first one with antlers they see...

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

Nice pot belly on that deer, not unlike mine! and I'm waaay older than him!

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

Very commendable!

These are the type of deer I pass on every season, and I watch them grow more and more. I know many people don't hunt in the area, so the chances of these deer getting shot is slim. I have watched a basket racked 8 grow into a 140+" 10pt in 3 years now, this season may be his year, maybe not.

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

"Passing" is relative to what's in your area.

In MY woods.....both those deer are "shooters".

Nobody can tell you what to shoot, though. That's the beauty of it.

Good luck!

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

There is nochance I'd let either of those bucks walk. NONE!

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

Since I have not gotten a buck (yet) like either one of those with my bow, I would shoot either one in a heart beat.

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

Are you sure about the age on those bucks???

lol;)j/k Nice job. I agree, if you're able to manage a spot, then letting the young/mid-sized bucks go, only increase your odds now and in the future in harvesting a big buck.

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

Nybowhunter, I wouldn't blame you for an instant if you chose to shoot these deer. My brother has never shot a buck with a bow either. I recently got two pictures of a young double drop tine from his stand site. After seeing the pictures, he looks at me and says "Dead deer walkin". I just laughed and told him to have fun and shoot one. Here are the pics of that deer. Would love to see him make it to 5.5 or 6.5.

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

JV (;)My initias, too).....

I'm just in awe at the body on that young, drop tine buck. I've only been fortunate enough to see one deer in my life on the hoof, like that. My buddy Germ once told me that there are "mature bucks"....and then there are "deer". He said I'd always distinguish them that way after I saw each. He was right.

That buck is a stud. He's beautiful......rack EXcluded.

Good luck this season.

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

A 4.5 year old would be shot at from my bow. A 3.5 will walk this year unless I just feel like killing him. Sometimes you've got to remember that this is a hobby and is supposed to be fun. Do what makes you happy.

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

I would probably shoot that deer as he won't get much bigger.... BUT, I get 3 buck tags. I wouldn't use my only tag on him. But he is mature and that is what its all about!

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

Oh he will definately get bigger! The bottom picturedbuck at 3.5 years old, has only reached about 75% of his full rack sizepotential of a 5.5 or 6.5 year fully mature buck. Let the 2 and 3 year oldgo and watch them grow!

You'll be glad you did!

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

I'd say 2.5 on the top one and 3.5 on the bottom one... Just a guess from a uneducated public land deer hunter, nothing more:D

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

I've seen one 4.5 year old buck in over 20 years of hunting. So, if I let the 3.5 year olds go I'd have had one shot at a buck in 20 years. My point isit really has more to do with where you are and the pressure the herd gets. I know the herd pretty well (7 trail cameras and about 5000 pictures this year), I just try to shoot the best buck available.

If baiting were illegal in wisconsin and that was corn in the picture then you'd have a hard time getting people not to talk about it.

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

My thoughts exactly...I don't see them like that where I hunt deer. I wouldn't hesitate on taking either one of them...

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

James Vee you did right. If thats not what you want then let him go.Wait on something thats going to make you happy.I like to let some of the smaller bucks go were I hunt and it makes you feel good to see them live. It's even nicer when the rut hits and you get a chance at a real bruiser.

RE: If You Want To Shoot A Huge Buck....
 

Wow James!!! A shooter is in the eye of the beholder!! But I do believe where you are hunting you made a wise choice my friend!!! They will only get bigger and better!! Walt