standards...
 

as the season dwindles down, do you "lower your standards" any?? (IF you have standards for buck size)

just curious...no wrong answers...just out of curiousity

this year, i really didnt have standards..was hunting my first bowkill...first legal buck that gave me a shot was fair game...though when that 12-14" wide 8pt came out of the thicket at 10yds opening day, i immediatly said PASS..then looked him over better and said nevermind! hes mine! all that thinking caused me to never think about putting my arrow on the rest and blew a picture perfect shot...

not dissappointed a killed a smaller buck...i had a much better shot at the buck i did kill, not that the shot at the bigger buck was HARD..15yd shot, hardly an angle at al, but i had only a hole to shoot through to get to the vitals...10" hole..but a hole between brush and trees none the less..so anything could have happened...

next year i think im saying "nothing smaller than last year" and sticking to it throughout the season...atleast bowseason...but then again a 10" wide main frame 6pt aint much to top to some of you guys lol..figured that is a good starting point in my quest for larger antlers..

alot of you may be in a similar boat as me, not super good hunting land and hunting land that recieves ALOT of pressure and most bucks get taken from it yearly...so i can see why lowering standards would happen...

and some people simply dont care about the size of antlers...they arent WHY i hunt, but we ALL like bigger racks...

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I plan to not shoot until I see something bigger than my current best 84". I have passed a couple of small bucks since I killed it 2 1/2weeks ago. However I honestly just don't know until I'm in the stand and he offers a shot. No telling what may happen then.

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I'll lower them some, but not too much. I usally try for a 10 point, 150 class buck. But if I haven't found one or the season gets close to the end, I'll shoot an 8 point. I've shot quite a few bucks so just shooting something for the sake of filling a tag doesn't thrill me. Don't get me wrong, I love venison, but between my dad and I, there's plenty of deer meat to eat each year.

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My standards stay the same until I approach the end of my vacation time. I set out to not shoot anything younger than 3.5...however if I don't have one put down by this weekend, I MAY shoot a 2.5.

I can't really say until I see the deer and come to the point. I know of one 2.5 that I have been watching on regular basis the last 2 years from one certain stand. He is off limits in my mind just because he almost always comes in to the setup.

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Here we go agian.

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I go for the babies. If they are not nursing, I wont shoot them.

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If a 150 class walked in front of me...I would take it super quick. There aren't a lot of big deer around where I hunt, so what is considered small to you guys might be average for me. I am after a 8 point, which is the biggest deer that I have seen on the property since I started hunting there five years ago. However, like txjourneyman said, all things are subject to change when out on a hunt and the deer is standing right there.

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Yep...because in the end I am hunting for meat. After week 3 of Nov I thump the first 2.5 year old buck that walks by and get that 90 lbs or so to fill the freezer....It has happened several times. By then I am enjoying being out there a bit less....so to me it is pointless to continue.

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A buck that gets a free pass from me early in the season will also get a pass late in the season.

I would rather eat tag soup than shoot a buck that I won't be happy with.

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Right on cooter!:D

Standards are standards. If you lower them, you will not be completely happy, IMO.

A seasoned hunter shooting young deer isnt doing the right thing, IMHO.

Shoot deer that have the same experience as you in the woods. If you have lots of experience, shot a deer that is old, if you dont have much, shoot little ones until you become experienced.

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I try to set my standards realistically before the season so there is no need to lower them at any point in the season, beginning, middle, or end. If I wouldn't be happy with the buck at the beginning why would I be happy with it at the end?

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Got to be bigger than 125" for me to shoot!!

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I am fairly new to bow hunting (4th year), my standards are not real high yet, but i still let the little ones go. But if im hungry, look out!;) As the great Bill Winke says, gotta take the edge off!

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if the season starts winding down on me I'm puttin meat in the fridge... early on i'll pass on some to get a good one... my standards definitely drop as the season wears on...

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I hunt for the meat, not a trophy hunter. In missouri we have a 4 point on one side antler restriction, so no I am not killing young bucks that can grow a few more years. I would be just fine with a good doe.

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My standards stay exactly the same. Whats QDM if you don't take it all the way through the season if thats what your into!

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this post aint about QDM or anything of that sort...

just a question i dont recall seeing posed before...forgive me if it has been..

but its not about QDM...just a curious question about guys that have standards and weather or not they lower them as the season starts wrapping up...

if you guys dont know i hunt for more than a big rack by now, ya'll dont know ole mauser...i got more pics on my PC of random sightings of things nature has brought my way than i do big bucks...i enjoy the day for what it is....another day i am lucky enough to spend in the great outdoors...if a biggun comes my way, thats icing on the cake..if not, oh well...but yes, big antlers are nice...id be lying if i said i didnt want big racks for the wall, but thats not the sole reason i hunt, and ME practicing QDM on the lands i have to hunt would be a JOKE. if i pass deer, its because i feel i can get a different deer THAT season...not in hopes of seeing him NEXT season...

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I agree, standards are standards. BUT, i refuse to fill my first bow tag with a cull buck. There are too many other good deer to do so. Now, toward the end of the season (or on my second tag) im willing to take a deer that needs to be removed from the herd.

I decide this typically in the summer by looking at trail cam pics. I just made the post about that old 8 pointer...now a 7pt that i would love to take. He is below my typical standards as far as antler size goes however he is well above my maturity standards!

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I'm sorry if i offended you but my standards equals QDM thats all!

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I don't really have standards. I hunt heavily pressured public land mostly, so each deer I see is automatically a shooter because I may not get a second chance at another deer. I've only passed on deer a handful of times, and that's always been because I haven't felt comfortable with the shot presented (with gun or bow).

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I agree with you alot on what you say here! The only diference between your season and mine is i only get onetag, very rarely do they give out more tags in my area.

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I think I've realized that my "standard" is subject to change based on what's in front of me. I guess I just reserve the right to change my mind on a whim.

But....I see a lot of does in my future......and fewer and fewer bucks.;)

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M06
You reach a point where killing a buck does not make your season, but the pursuit of the buck does.

The buck I am hunting is kicking my arse right now, I have learned more this season then thepast 4. The past for years i have shot 5 bucks over 120'' in MI.

I learned a great lesson in KY this year. I have learned to adopt and move this year, the rut is down and I have a theory as to why. I have spent many hours in my stand this year. More than the last two years combined. It has been terrific, and like I said I have learned a ton.

Almost anyone in MI can go out and shoot a buck, hell I have lost count on how many 1.5I have seen.

I will end with this, shooting a 1.5 or 2.5 will not make me a better hunter, eating tag soup will. My goal every year is to learn more, and be a better mature buck hunter.

It's not over, I have my first SE wind tomorrow. I will be in his bedroom at 4:30 AM;)

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No lowering here. I get no pleasure in killing a young buck just for the sake of saying that I did. That is pointless to me.

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I don't set standards when it comes to what I will or won't shoot,it all depends on my mood at the time a shot presents itself.As far as shooting something that won't make me happy that will never happen because evry deer I take fills me with joy and pride I guess I don't understand you guys that are'nt happy unless you kll huge bucks,not that it is wrong just not my cup of tea after all I'm deer hunting not trophy hunting.Now if I was hunting in a trophy buck rich area I might sing a different tune,but as it is I will keep on keeping on.

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Absolutely NOT! I have intentions and goals throughout each season. I will not bend on them, I'd rather eat tag soup and go into the next season with a fire under me!

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There is a difference between "hunting for meat" and doing what is right for the whitetail herd in your area. Science STATES that it is better for hunters to take the old does, and let the young bucks walk. If you hunt for meat, shoot a doe. It is all about Quality Deer Management, IMHO. Its about doing what it best for the animals and nature, on all fronts.

Hope I dont piss anyone off, but thats just the way I see it. I am not dumb enough to think everyone things this way, but I think they should!! :D:)

Hunt safe!

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schultzy...wasnt offended in any way, just making that clear...

Germ, was just going to PM you!! just been curious as to how things are goin...good luck buddy...love those seasons that you feel you learn more than any others ever...i can relate, with my turkey hunting...


i also know what you mean about "maturing as a hunter..." and learning more yearly...i understand that fully...

last year was really my first as a DEER hunter..period. yes, ive gun hunted 7 years prior to last, but the first 4 or 5 i was under dads wing...he taught me what i know about finding deer, but rifle season came, and we were sitting in funnels and pinchpoints looking to put meat in the freezer...we drug several does out and seen alot of deer. just never "waited" for a buck...then 16 or 17 i got with my crew i hunt with now and started hunting in drives...id take stand alot of mornings before driving, but never put in time to scout long and hard...

so im pretty wet behind the ears when it comes to buck hunting from a stand...but i feel im doing well thus far...

just curious as to who sticks to their guns, or who isnt afraid of tag soup etc....no wrong answers..just curious...

i feel after this year, i will be a changed hunter. already started my scouting for next season, and wont stop...i want access to MORE land, better land, and better bucks...even considering PAYING for access...found a "club" within a township, they got the landowners to go along with their system..noone hunts without permission...noone gets permission without paying...and i think you have to take a doe first, and bowhunting only...i REALLY feel that will up my odds of good bucks, and will teach me more about hunting older/mature bucks...something i know little to nothing about, because my older, bigger deer are 2.5 tops usually...i feel if nothing else, having access to better land will TEACH me more about DEER in general...still deciding on that whole deal...and either way, my knuckles will be bloody by spring, once season closes, i plan to start knocking...here and school both hold slugs...just gotta get access to the right properties...

but i know i will never learn more about deer and deer hunting if i take the first legal buck that walks by me...i just "felt the need" to get that first bow kill under my belt...im confident i could have laid a bigger buck down this season...not regretting my decision..still thrilled...but i will admit, i got lazy...instead of sitting on stand fridays and saturdays i chased small game or turkeys at home...hunted at school as much as possible though after taking my buck...if i didnt take my buck, i would still been out there watching and learning..i love learning and becoming a better hunter...thats what its all about...

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I don't really set standards either. I don't hunt a specific buck and I don't hunt for trophy's. If I see something and I can be happy showing it off to my buddies, I take it. If not, than thats fine too. I've eaten my tag quite a few years because of passing deer. But I've also shot my share of basket rackets. Its all about what makes me happy at the time. I know many have said it, but honestly...I will not pass a buck that I would shoot the last day

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My trophy room looks exactly like the freezer !!!!!! If the antlers happen to be bigger...well then good fer me !!! I always say them horns make really s*%ty soup.

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Don't shoot a buck on the last day that you wouldn't shoot on the first day. I go in with certain standards for a buck and they don't change from day one through the last day of late archery season. Shooting a young buck does nothing for me. I'd rather eat tag soup every year. It's pretty tasty actually if prepared right [8D].

My problem is I've set the bar on the high end of realistic for my land. Meaning I'm hunting a very low percentage of class bucks roaming my land. Makes it very difficult and challenging, but that's what I'm after. I take solice in the fact that all the lower class bucks that have cruised by me and gotten the free pass were as good as dead. I've learned more by watching deer walk then shooting them. And like this guy says........


Damn Germ that's 2 posts I've read from you this morning that I were my exact thoughts. Kinda creeping me out [:-][8D]

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I shoot whatever I want, whenever I want.

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For me, it's never real cut and dry, so in essence,I could use atlasmans post to describe me but I'll expound a bit...

This is forme andnobody else... It all depends on where I'm hunting and how much time I have to put into it. I've passed on a lot of deer over the years and will continue to do so, but at the same time I try to be realistic based upon the time and location factor.

It wasn't always thatway for me. At one time, I ate tag soup for like 5 seasons straight seasons because Iset the bar too high for mygiven circumstances, so I've adjusted my standards accordingly based upon where I am in my life at any given time. Some years I have had lot's of time. Others...not so much.

I like killing deer, so I feel no shame taking a basket racked buck if I feel my personal circumstances dictate that I do. It's still an accomplishment and in my mind something new can be gleaned from every hunt and successful kill regardless of how long I've been at this. The first little buck I fooled and successfully put down years ago with a decoy setupis every bit as important to me as any other, and I came away as a better hunter for it. There are many that have hunted for a long timeand never taken a buck with bow and arrow. I feel fortunate and thankful to have had some success.Every one is still a rush for me knowing that I put myself in position to get "lucky".

I guess what I'm saying is sometimes the deer I look to shootthis yearwould have gotten a pass last year due to personal circumstance. It's a fluid situation for me.

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In PA - I'll lower my standards, just b/c passing up legal bucks is pointless here. Everything gets slaughtered anyway (at least in the areas I hunt). For a legal buck to survive rifle season, he better have 2 horseshoes up his ass, and a mouthfull of 4-leafed clovers. Same with the areas I hunt in Northern WV. It's a slaughterhouse.

Now in Ohio - I haven't lowered my standards, and probably won't. Put 12 hrs in the stand yesterday, and passed on another gorgeous 4x5. Just not the deer I'm looking for. Passed up 2 other bucks too. If I was in PA, and the sun was setting on my '07 season - I'd have been dragging. Not a shadow of doubt in my mind.

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Today and all weekend I'm hunting with the recurve. Standards are anything with antlers now.

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x 2

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I hate tag soup, but I think last season, 06 showed I stick to my plans.

I'll add, my standards change based on my objectives and priorities. For example when I go to ND this winter to bowhunt late season. I will get there, asses the situation and make a plan based on what I am up against. I simply shoot what makes me happy and with so many different species to hunt and for various reasons...filing the freezer, challenge, new area versus one I know like the back of my hand. etc.. I make adjust standards..or set a standard accordingly.