At what age do you take a chance?
 

So, I have this thought going through my head, and would like some feedback from those of you that let younger deer walk.

We have a new piece of property that borders some land that is NOT hunted (a few hundred acres). My sights have always been on 3.5 year old deer, or older. I am now considering letting the 3.5's go, because they have a much better chance of surviving with the large unhunted piece next to us. I would then (TRY TO) harvest the 4.5's and above.

If you were in my situation, what do you think you would do? One bad thing about the unhuntable land, is that we have to take LOTS of does to try and keep the herd somewhat close.

Serious responses only, please!;)

Thanks for the input!

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

The Hanson buck (if I'm not mistaken) was 3.5 yrs old.

If you'd pass him.....I'd say stick to your guns.

I'll shoot ANY 3.5yr old or older buck. I "might" shoot a younger buck if he gets my attention.

Good luck with your choice.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

i shoot only 4.5 year olds and older but, my land has a huge cliff running along one side that a deer cant climb and the other land bordering us does not have hunters, if i were in your situation, i would prolly go ahead and whack the 3.5

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

I would try it. If, after a couple years, you don't like it, you can always go back to the old ways. The thing is, if you never try it, how will you ever know if you have been missing anything? At least at that point you can speak from experience and know whether that type of hunting is for you or not. For some it is, for some it isn't, and you won't know which you are if you don't try. Just my .02

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

Thanks Jeff.

My thinking is that at 3.5, they are not at their full potential, deer wise. When I hunt for deer, I am looking at one thing, maturity. I am leaning towards the 4.5, but am not sure.

In the end, I will make my own decision. Just looking for different perspectives to enhance my decision!

Party on.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

It is really up to you man. If 3.5s arent doing it for ya anymore, hold out for the real mature deer 4.5+. If 3.5 still gets you worked up and you are real proud of em, I see no reason to change. It is really just up to you though.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

Scout heavily this summer, glass the fields, or put up cameras to see if any real big boys R there. That may let u know average age & size. Since it's new property, may take a yr or 2 to figure out who's there.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

How many 4 1/2s do you see per season? If you see at least 1 per season and think you'll have a 50/50 chance at it and that sits well with you, go for it.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

I have a similar circumstance. I was letting many good bucks go and had two different sets of bucks get locked up and die 2 years ago. All were 4 1/2 or older. My theory is that there were so many older dominant bucks present that they were fighting like crazy all the time. Any one of them would have looked nicer on my wall at 3 1/2 or 4 1/2 than finding them dead locked up. If you have several bucks in the 3 1/2 and 4 1/2age catagory, maybe pick one or two out that have the least potential and put them on your "hit list". Let the bucks walk that you would really like to see hit the magical 5 1/2 to 7 1/2 yr age class.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

Thanks guys.

Greg, that is kinda where I am at. Not having hunted this place much at all, I SUSPECT that 4s and 5s would be there. I have talked to the outfitter who leased it last year, and he took 2 bucks, they were SAID to be 6.5 and 7.5.

I do think it might be best to take a wait and see approach?

I don't want to shoot 3.5s if I see then with any kind of regularity (say 10 a season). The trail camera is in the works, but I am really scared to get one that has a flash, as I don't want to spook anything.

My ultimate goal is to shoot the "slammer" of the woods. The deer that is old, huge, and full of smartness. (isn't everyones?);)

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

Fletch, very good approach. I like that!

If I see bucks fighting, then I think things are healthy. That is one way that I diagnose buck-doe ratios, numbers of antlers broken!

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

while I'd love to be managing 1000acres of my own where I could let a 3.5yr old walk....and attain his full potential, but sorry any 185" 3.5yr old is going down for the time being....

I'm really just letting small deer walk...sub 150" sure if i spotted a 7.5yr old 135" id manage him out....

but that just doesn't happen.

most of the good bucks i see are 2.5yr olds.....a 3.5 is a big boy....

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

Well saluki... you could hunt in NY a life time and never see a 185 deer. LOL Everyone is worrying about shooting the 3 and a half vs a 4 and a half, when in reality... you don't really know how old that deer is. Oh you can look at belly, nose etc... but I would venture to say that 90 percent would be wrong on age by looks. Heck, even the experts disagree after looking at dentures over 4. If you like the deer, just shoot him. Most bucks get displaced by the dominate bucks from their range anyway. Probably half the deer you pass move to someone elses property anyway. It's a fact... young bucks move to new country. What's amazing to me is that people that have shot a half dozen deer can look at one and declare it a 3 1/2 year old. They've been watching too many TV shows. I've seen a lot of TV Experts shoot a scraggly horned skinny boned thing and immediately declare it(from 200 yards away) a 4 1/2 or 5 1/2 year old buck. Many of them are probably no more than 2 and a half.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

I shoot a buck because his rack suits me. Not because I think he is a certain age. The Birth certificate is too hard to read from the Tree Stand. A lot of guys shoot what they call 3.5's and 4.5's when in reality they are only 2.5 year old. I ran a check station and saw it all the time. Guys were all the time killing Bucks that were 200# and 3.5 year old when in reality they were 160# 2.5 year olds.

Mature? It's your choice when you loose the arrow. Very few hunters % wise can accurately age a whitetail on the hoof. I think inches of antler is still what trophies are measured by anyway. So who cares if a 160" buck is 3.5 or 4.5 unless you are growing them in a very controlled situation. I've never been privledged to bein such a situation.

Dan

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

In response to davidmil, I quite often know exactly how old the deer I see are. I have trail cam pics from year to year, shed antlers, etc. Also, in the midwest (and probably most places)it is pretty easy to tell a deers age by his body and antler mass up until about 4. We routinely send in a tooth for cross section and are seldom wrong.Also, I have several mature bucks that will share the same thousand to twelve hundred acre area. I will agree that the younger animals move off, but that is more for genetic purposes than rutting territory. And they move off long before they start to become mature with trophy potential. The 3 1/2 yr and older deeryou pass now are very likely to stay put. My young bucks (1 1/2 yr olds) move off and I get others moving in. Mature bucks will roam outside their main territory during peak rut, but that is for such a short time that it is worth the risk of letting them walk to me. It sounds like ICALL2MUCH will be in a very similar situation. I would agree that if you are hunting public ground with lots of pressure or a new piece of property it would be a much more difficult task.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

I think you have a tremendous opportunity on your property to produce some incredible whitetail with your management concept! I would strongly encourage you to go for it.... the only way to tag the older bucks you want is by passing the younger bucks up..... it's that simple.You can't shoot a 5 1/2 if you putyour tag on a 3 1/2. I don't have the luxury of unhunted neighboring properties but even so I don't shoot 3 1/2 year olds. I want the 4 1/2+ that score 150+. You certainly hunt an area that produce both the age and the scores..... go for it and best of luck to ya!

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

That's why I said 90 percent of the people would be wrong. I left room for dillusional people to be right. LOL

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

Using my scenario (NH), as it's similar to "davidmil", NH isn't considered a "huge/antler" deer place.
Every year we have a good share that dress out well past 200+ lbs. and even a few over 250+.
Body size means as much to what many in New England / NH would consider a "big buck".
Inches of antler for the mature (3 1/2+) tend to be 100/110"-140" and the latter is considered "very big".
NH has had a few monsters, as any other state does, but large bodied deer turn us on also!
Now to your question...
It depends on what part of the season your talking about and a few variables, as follows?
Example - If I sat in my stand every other day for a month and didn't see anything of size, I would probably wack a 3 1/2 year old when he strolled by.
- If I had pictures or sightings of MANY big deer, I would probably get pickier.
- If there were a lot of hunting pressure in this area, along with many big deer, I would probably be pickey until 1-2 weeks before Muzzle / Rifle season begins. * Assumming your archery season is like NH which starts 9/15 and muzzleloader starts 11/1/08 and rifle is 11/12/08.

I'm sure you will figure it all out when the time comes, just don't have premature-bow-alation if you can help it.
Always remember the cliche' of "TAG SOUP" and sometimes you'll have to eat it to get to your personal goal!

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

It’s all about your comfort level. If you have a legitimate chance at hunting 4.5+ bucks, then go for it. Not everywhere can that be done. I really think most people on here would have a much easier time holding out on a big/old buck if they felt they had a realistic chance at one.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

Thanks CornFed. I do believe that is the way I am leaning.

Rybo, thanks for the input. I agree with you too. Only time will tell. By the way, I haven't forgotten about your call!:D

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

A buck younger than 3 1/2 wouldn't be "mature", how else would he get YOUR attention? Would "inches" have anything to do with it?;):D:eek:

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

Sounds like you get to do a lot of shooting at does, so that will keep you from getting bored. I would say it sounds like you have a pretty good thing going on here. How many bucks comes off your ground right now? If only one, maybe two bucks are coming off, then IMO waiting another year is not going to make a huge difference. It is your hunt, hunt it the way you want.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

EI...I'm not a mature buck hunter (I've never claimed otherwise). I'm an opportunist.

In my area....it's likely going to take a buck of 3.5yrs or older to top what I've already taken (inches of antler). Thats why I state I'm "likely" holding out for that age class deer.

But rest assured.....if a 110" (or greater)2.5 yr old comes by my stand....I'm gonna try to kill him.

When you hunt the woods I do....and have over 600 deer sightings in 2.5yrs........seeing only TWO animals from stand that were 3.5yrs (or older).....you see why I take this approach.

I've been fortunate enough to kill every one I've ever seen.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

Just keeping you on your toes Jeff.;):D:D:D:D:D

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

What a strange response. How does someone being right or posessing certain skills make them dillusional? That would suggest that you dont believe me? Does the LOL at the endnegate the backhanded insult??

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

Let all keep in mind that even though a 3.5 year old might be the oldest deer you may be seeing in your woods, it still isnt a fully mature animal.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

HELLOOO??

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

Willie, It's a very personal descision. Only you can truly answer that question. If you consistently see older bucks you can pick and choose. Your trail cams may be a big help.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

So just so I understand what our saying,you won't shoot a 150+ 3.5 yr old,but you will shoot a 150+ 4.5 yr old,how do you tell one from the other on the hoof if they are both over 150?After all you are hunting for 150 class bucks and up why would make any difference if one was a year older?

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

So you wouldn't shoot a 2 yr old with 150 inches? I would.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

Jeff 600 hundred deer sightings and only 2 over 3.5 years old? Therein lies the problem,if you don't have mature deer on our property you can't hunt them.So if you wanted to kill bigger deer you would have to let them walk and see what they may turn into.I'm not saying this is what you should do, just pointing out to others that hunting is different depending on where ou hunt.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

Thats kinda how I roll. Only I prefer to only take mature deer (4.5+)... but I may shoot a 3.5 year old buck if he gets my attention.... couldn't have said it better!


In general.... hunt for you.... if you are happy of the buck you take.... then shoot that joker! From a biology standpoint, yes I think a 3.5 year old deer has a better chance of surviving a rut/winter than a 4.5 year old.... but from a hunting standpoint you stand a better chance harvesting a 3.5 year old deer than a 4.5 year old.... they don't get old by being dumb, and they don't get any dumber as they get older. I haven't shot a buck in over a decade now because I'm just too damn picky, and thats fine, but I've never shot anything that I've had to make an excuse for either.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

I guess that's pretty much the same way I think. If he's big enough you would shoot him even if the Birth Certificate said 3.5

Does that mean you shoot a 4.5 even if he's a Dink? That's where I might differ but then I do have trouble reading the Birth certificate;)I rarely see Bucks aged anything but 1.5, 2.5, & 3.5 at the Slug check in station. I couldn't agree with all the ages even though some are pretty evident.;)

Dan

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

If it taste like deer meat, its not safe around me until the freezer is full (even a yearling). After that, I'm looking for a buck that is larger than my last and won't shoot otherwise. Age doesn't matter to me, I'm just looking to beat my previous best.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

No, not me. I care less about the age of a buck (3.5 vs older) so long as he is a good buck and I'd be proud to have him. I've seen some pretty good deer that I knew were 2.5 that I let go. Pretty good ain't good enough. I'm picky about bucks.... thats why I shoot does and eat buck tag soup with my salad before having doe fawn backstrap for supper.

Now all this ofcoursedepends on what your definition of a dink is. I've seen some of those TV boys let "dink" 150" deer go because they are holding out for something over 170". Good for them.... but you'd have to help me drag out my "dink". ;)

Here is a 3.5 year old I'd shoot.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

Stop being so defensive. I was saying you're probably one of the 10 percent that can come close... that's why I said 90 percent were wrong and not 100. No back handed slap. If I want to hit you it'll be up front with a full fist to the beak. ..... and... here's another LOL

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

You called me dillusional because I know how old many of my deer are. I just dont see that as any type of compliment. Nor do I see the relevance to this post. It was in poor taste and judgement. You do know what dillusional means?

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

I'm with you all the way Swamp. I'm not passing up 150" Buckeven if someone tells me it's 1.5 year old;)

I have a freezer full of Does, well it was a few short months ago.;)

Dan

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

No I didn't. Read my post. Where did I call you dillusional? I don't even use the word, usually. You're reading a lot into something that is not there. Heck, maybe you are dillusional. You're looking at general statements and taking it personal. Take a breath. In with the good air.... out with the bad.

RE: At what age do you take a chance?
 

Ha. You state that 90% are always wrong and the other 10% are dillusional, then tell me I am probably in the 10%. Then respond again by telling me maybe I am dillusional again. Wow, man up when you get caught. I'm simply telling you I didnt appreciate the remark and youcant seem to step up.