I've never hunted any other way. Since I was 8 yrs old I've been a member of a deer camp that praticed QDM, thats back in the mid 80's when QDM was in its infancy. I'm no trophy hunter, but I've always passed on bucks under 3 1/2 yrs of age. At this camp we were only allowed 2 buck tags per year, one for me and one for my dad. I've let countless basket rack eight and ten points pass. However, I truly believe it has made me a much better hunter than the guy who goes out and kills the first 4 pt that walks by. By passing on deer, you really begin to understand them and their habits. I try not to kill a deer under 120inches, and here in Mississippi that is a pretty nice deer. If only we could all begin to truly practice QDM, the trophy hunting in this country would sky rocket. Just my opinion.

Hunt the thickets

Never even took a deer this archery season but it wasn't for the lack of opportunity. I passed over a dozen decent bucks looking for the one I wanted and I would rather go home empty handed than to settle for something I honestly didn't want just to say I shot one. If we don't pass the small ones and tag out, we'll never have the opportunity for a larger one. Nothing against those who do otherwise...



Deep down, everyone here is a trophy hunter....if two bucks stood at 20 yards broadside, a huge 10 and a small 4, absolutely no one here would shoot the 4 point....all things being equal....

<font color=blue>Good Luck and Good Shooting</font id=blue>

<font color=red>Rob</font id=red>

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Amen to what Rob/PA Bowyer said, I think one of the biggest problems with people and QDM is that as the season drags on they tend to lower their standards, resulting in the harvest of countless bucks that they aren't even proud of. Seems pointless to me. The experience is worth much more than the kill, in my opinion. That being said, I think we all agree that kids and adults for that matter who have few deer under their belt should kill whatever they feel proud of.

Hunt the thickets

About 10 years ago, I began holding out for &quot;mature&quot; bucks. Four or five years ago, it became 8 points or better for bucks. I've been tempted badly by easy shots at broadside, relaxed 6 pointers who wanted to commit suicide, but I've held off waiting for the big guys--who have been successful in eluding me this year. I'm harvesting does for meat until a &quot;biggun&quot; comes along.

Got to let 'em go and let 'em grow! Been passing up baby bucks since I started bowhunting 11 years ago. I've never shot a buck with less than 8 points and will not shoot a buck unless it is PY. I passed up probably 20-25 shots on immature bucks this year. It gets really tough at year's end to watch a small buck walk by but is extremely fulfilling once the hunt is over and I reflect on the importance of my role in the management process. It is definitely a good thing.

I will second what David said, with me it is mood and which place I am hunting as to whether or not I let a buck walk or not, there is one place I hunt that holds a monster and as a result I let all of his offspring walk hoping to take papa, there is another place I hunt where if I don't take it during bow it will be gone with the gun season so nothing legal walks as long as it is not a fawn, then another place where the only thing I have seen so far there is a ton of doe and one darn nice 8 point, with the number of doe there and me being the only one hunting it if it is not 8 points or better it walks unless it is a doe. I am basically a meat hunter, but where I am the only hunter I do let the little ones walk.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog

I started passing on immature bucks about 6 years ago. I usually end up taking a fairly decent buck before the season is over, but this year so far I have not gotten a buck. Ive passed on at least 10 or 12 immature bucks this year and dont have any regrets whatsoever. I get a bigger thrill just having a close encounter with a mature buck than killing immature bucks.
I do most of my bowhunting in Southern Illinois and I know if I pass on the 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 old bucks that they have a good chance to grow to be a trophy buck, the kind of buck that Illinois is known to produce.

hc4runner
Mo. bowhunter

I pass up all immature deer, whether it be a buck or doe. Both for personal and management reasons.

Good Hunting,
Troy

I enjoy letting the little one's walk. To me that is pretty much as good as taking them. I started letting them walk about 6 years ago...holding out for a big one, and shooting does. I haven't killed a buck with my bow in the last 6 seasons. Sure have passed alot though. I have killed a few bucks with a gun in the last few years. This season I saw 33 <u>different</u> bucks total, (archery, m/l, and rifle) and could have taken 25 of those. I only shot one. Some of the bucks were pretty nice racks...14-15&quot; 8points. I enjoyed letting them go. Hopefully they will make it and be much better next season. Anymore to me, it's more about management and personal fulfillment, than killing a buck. Last thing I want is to shoot one, then say to myself....man, what did I shoot that one for.
Trophies are also in the eye of the beholder. Some areas are just flat better than others, no doubt. To one person, a 100&quot; buck might be the biggest they can ever expect to see...others see 3 or 4 that size each trip out. I guess you have to be honest with yourself when setting your expectations. In the areas I hunt...it is rare for a buck to reach P&Y size...even if they live 4 or 5 years. Still, I'm holding out for 110&quot;+, and hoping someday that a 130&quot;+ will stroll by. Alot of folks I know, do the same now.
My suggestion, if it makes you happy(big or small)....go for it! But if it won't make you happy to shoot it....Let em go, so they can grow. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>