I dont know if its because I'm lucky, have good land, have good deer, but I have seen many mature deer, the one I was watching, was shot by my neighbor, and scored 195" I have shot 2 125" bucks, and 1 135" And Ive only been bow hunting 3 years, the deer are getting bigger is my area, and I am getting better.

1. It was my.....second season I believe.

2. Same day, in fact. That buck was in bow range.

3. 5 long years. 5 VERY long years. I'm yet to have to track one for the recovery, he fell in his tracks.

No one cared how old a deer was 40 years ago (1967), But I got an 8pt my first season, Spine shot it, and continued to shoot it till itstopped kicking, looked like a pin cushion.

After getting out of the Marine Corps (I missed a few years of bowhunting for Uncle Sam) andkillingthe first good bucksI got a shot atfor a few years, I figured out if I kept filling my tags on average bucks, I would never tag a big one. I shot my first big one in 81, a 140 class 8pt.

Im sure some of the bucks I shot between 67 & 81 would be what is considered Mature since I hunted Mi, Va, SC, and Al in those years, but like I said, no one cared how mature they were back then any deer with a bow was a good one.
Even today since alot of my hunting is done on public land, I go by how much bone is on their heads, not by how worn their teeth are. Might be different if I owned a big chunk of private land.

i am not sure how many years i went before seeing a mature buck. i am guessing 16. it was the first year of the infamous t-zone season here in wisconsin. the saturday of the 4-day doe only hunt. the deer was an 11-point 18-19 inches wide. he almost brushed one of my screw in tree steps. i could of spit on him if i wanted to. never saw a doe that weekend. 4 different bucks.

I saw one in the second season, had one in bow range in the second season, and put one on the ground in my 7th season.

I shot a nice 8 my first year and this which is my 5th i missed the biggest buck of my life.

[quote]ORIGINAL: buckeye

How many years did you bow hunt before you saw a mature buck from stand?

2nd Season


How many years did you bow hunt before you had a mature buck in bow range?
2nd season


How many years did you bowhunt before you shot and recoverd a mature buck?

Hasn't happened yet

I will be in my third year of bowunting this coming season. Cant wait to get my first buck.

Sawone mature buck in year one.
Killed a mature buck in year three. An old guy with an odd,beat up 9 point rack. Saw one more.
Killed a mature ten point in year four. Saw a bigger onetwo days later while doe hunting.
Sawfour in year five.
Saw two in year six.
And then there was this year. The twelve point at 15 or so feet, the halloween monster and the ten point.
I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How many years did you bow hunt before you saw a mature buck from stand?

My 21st season ... I had to go to Illinois for it happen! 140ish 10-pt


How many years did you bow hunt before you had a mature buck in bow range?

Hasn't happened .... 23yrs of bowhunting so far, and counting


How many years did you bowhunt before you shot and recoverd a mature buck?

Hasn't happened .... 23yrs of bowhunting so far, and counting