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do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I've got a three part question here ...... do you hunt for mature animals only and if so, why ?
The third part I'll ask a bit later, it involves a thread on another forum that I'm getting grilled on ;) |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
Yes, I only hunt mature whitetail bucks, as for the doe's and otheranimalsit is not as critical in our program.
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
No... I hunt whatever is legal here in my area...
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I've got a three part question here ...... do you hunt for mature animals only and if so, why ? I find it impractical to hunt for bucks, PERIOD, on the properties I've been hunting. I take them when the opportunity arises. I go to the woods about 3-5 times a year targeting bucks. The rest of the time I consider myself an "opportunist". On the new properties I have for this year.......yes. I will be targeting mature bucks......but I'll take an occasional doe, also (especially in the right situation). It'll be quite the PITA to get an animal out of these areas (2 of them)......so I'd better make the kill worth the drag.;) I am NOT choosy about which does I take. I'll kill ANY female deer....on a few of the properties......including does with fawns and fawns. |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
For the most part yes. When it comes to bucks its usually 4.5 and up unless a 3.5 has at least 135" of antler. When it comes to shooting doe's I try to shoot an older looking doe if possible. If she looks a tad on the old side and has no fawn or just one fawn I'll try and take her out instead of taking out the young doe who has a pair of fawns and who is most likely going to put out 2 fawns every year. When it comes to fawns I'll shoot a doe fawn late in the year if it comes down to it, never a button buck though.
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
Yes ,that is why I hunt .I like the challange that an old buck gives. [/align] |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
It will be interesting to see where this thread goes.
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I typically prefer to shoot a mature buck. Even though we really don't have a management plan 'per se' in place on our hunting property, I still know by scouting and trail camera photos, what bucks I would let walk and which ones would get dropped!
Not to brag, but in 26 years of bowhunting, my dad and I have accumulated quite a collection of 100-130" antlers. So with time, I think we have just begun to target the more mature deer on the property and let the 1.5 or 2.5 year old 8 point walk. |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
No.
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
no, i have one land owner that has a big problem with the deer, on her land we shoot any thing that does not have spots or doe's that have fawns with spots, here in NC if you don't shoot it someone else will, you can't manage for big deer where i am at, one one farm we have, we dont shoot spikes
Lenny |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I have shot little bucks, big bucks, does and fawns, I do each in certain places and I don't in others. I will never be a trophy hunter or mature buck hunter exclusively. I enjoy hunting too much to let it take the fun out of it.
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
For the most part, yes.I only shoot 3.5 yo buck or older (trying to discipline myself to be more selective and make sure he will score 140 or better or be over 4.5yo).
As far as doe, I only shoot mature ones for the challenge. I could shoot "a deer" just about everytime I go out, but not much challenge. We have "depradation" tags to fill each year and I will try and kill 7-10 doe between my place and my friend's place, but can still get it done with targeting the "alpha" doe which are usually as difficult to get in bow range as a mature buck. I feel by doing so, it makes me a better hunter. There are twoexceptions. 1.If it is late season, I still have my buck tag and haven't seen anything all season that interest me in the way of bucks, then I have on ocassion, taken what I consider to be an inferior spike or 3 pt "cull" buck. I realize there is data to suggest that we can't accurately predict what will eventually grow to a trophy, but right or wrong I have been known to do it. 2. If at the end of the season, I need to kill a few more doe for management purposes than what I have already done, I'll invite a friend with a young kid to gun hunt and take out what I feel still needs to be done. |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I'm not sure how to answer. Most of my stands are set up in thick, nasty, brushy setups where I have found beds/sheds etc. Signs of a mature deer. When I'm hunting those spots, I'm not actually hunting one specific animal or size animal. I justlike to be set up in a position to take a good buck. Mature or not mature....who's to say. Lots of people would argue that a 3 1/2 isn't mature, but most would agree that the average midwest 3 1/2yo buckisbig.By big, I mean usually will field dress 165lbs + and have a good rack. Mature...probably not. Big enough for me? Every day of the week.[&:]
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
Sometimes I do go out to hunt mature bucks only, just depends upon the situation...But...
We own 3 farms and raise corn, soybeans, peanuts, wheat and cotton...Deer can decimate a bean field if the population is not kept in check, so we also kill a lot of does as well...Last year we killed 46 deer on these farms,4bucks were mature, if I remember correctly we killed a total of 7 bucks off these farms, 3 were killed by younger hunters, we let them kill whatever they want to... |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
No. I hunt for the buck with the biggest rack I can honestly expect to kill in my area. As I've said in the past, you can't score "mature".For me, from this point forward, it's all about antler size or I'll just shoot another doe.;)
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
No, i hunt to learn
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
yes only bucks over 4.5 years or older.......ive been hunting for bucks like this for i think 3 years now
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I will never be a trophy hunter or mature buck hunter exclusively. I enjoy hunting too much to let it take the fun out of it. To answer the original question, I try to target bucks that are at least 3.5 years old, I'll let the peanut gallery decide if that is mature. In regards to does, mostly I will try to take a larger one, but given some of the places I hunt, ANY female deer is putting herself in peril if she gets within range. |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I've heard that said before and it puzzles me every time. [&:]Trophy hunting it not enjoyable? And THAT is "fun"....to ME. What passes for "fun" with many......would be MIND-NUMBING, to me. To each his own. |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
Yes I do for the most part. I don't see the point in shooting a small buck. If I was that hungry, I would much rather shoot a doe. There are a lot of people on here with the mentality that if I don't shoot it, someone else will. I don't believe in that. If you let the small bucks walk for a couple of years, you will reap the benefits year after year after that. That is what we are experiencing in my area anyway.
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I hunt on public land on the eastern shore of maryland. I pass up five or more bucks a year out there. The way I see it, if I see asmall buck I am letting him walk cause he might be alot bigger next year. And a kid on his first hunt might be able to harvest him.
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
For the most part I target mature animals be it doe or buck, with the excption of a nice tender doe for the freezer. In addition I do allow family and friends to hunt my areas at certain times and alow them to harvest less mature animals not only to give them opportunity but to help manage the herd
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
How old is a "mature" doe?
And how do you distinguish them? Nevermind....I'm kidding.;) |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I've seen three type of replies
A) no, hunters who hunt to shoot animals and they aint that picky. Meat hunters, or just enjoying a nice hunt and a buck tag filled. B) yes, and attaching that "yes" with a game management plan specifying astandardthey have C) hunting mature animals because of the challenge Now, the thread I mentioned ...... theSpider bull, that monster non-typical utah bull that is causing all the hype.Because he's drawing every outfitter's attention, he's got guys camping on him every night, every way possible is being set in motion for a guy to fly in first day of season and shoot him ....... I suggested the Utah G&F tranqulize the bull, and lop his antlers off to the 4th points. what would that accomplish? Same old smart bull, same mature animal to hunt, the "loss" of inches of antlers to the guys on that thread was just absolutely something some of them couldn't fathom. why ? because it aint about the challenge of hunting mature animals, its about net inches few guys who are "trophy hunters" have said they'd shot Spider bull with half his rack missing. my question is why wouldn't you ? same old smart bull - the hunt changes not one single bit with part of a rack missing right ? |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
ORIGINAL: Big Duane I've seen three type of replies A) no, hunters who hunt to shoot animals and they aint that picky. Meat hunters, or just enjoying a nice hunt and a buck tag filled. B) yes, and attaching that "yes" with a game management plan specifying astandardthey have C) hunting mature animals because of the challenge Now, the thread I mentioned ...... theSpider bull, that monster non-typical utah bull that is causing all the hype.Because he's drawing every outfitter's attention, he's got guys camping on him every night, every way possible is being set in motion for a guy to fly in first day of season and shoot him ....... I suggested the Utah G&F tranqulize the bull, and lop his antlers off to the 4th points. what would that accomplish? Same old smart bull, same mature animal to hunt, the "loss" of inches of antlers to the guys on that thread was just absolutely something some of them couldn't fathom. why ? because it aint about the challenge of hunting mature animals, its about net inches few guys who are "trophy hunters" have said they'd shot Spider bull with half his rack missing. my question is why wouldn't you ? same old smart bull - the hunt changes not one single bit with part of a rack missing right ? |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
You're right Duane! Same old, smart bull...the hunt on that bull changes very little with part of a rack missing...but the thing to understand is that among us hunters, there are some who hunt strictly for the net inches orthe trophy mount to hang on the cabin wall. That's just the way it is...like it or not...and it's not going away!
Personally, I'm not supporting one side of the issue or the other. Just pointing out that we hunters all have different ideas of what a trophy is to us, and therefore we all are out for something a little bit different. But I think that's the beauty that surrounds the sport of hunting!! To have the freedom to "choose" whatever it is that you want to tag, for whatever reason you may have. As long as it's done legally, I have no problem with someone who hunts only for net inches just the same as I have no problem with someone who wants to shoot a fork horn because it's a trophy to them!! We are all unique in our own way! |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I just read an artical in Petersons Bowhunting Mag (old issue) and it was about how to lose the want for a monster buck and be happy with any 1.5 to 2.5 year old deer, lets face it, that is what most of the bucks you see are unless you hunt a really well managed piece of land.
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
because it aint about the challenge of hunting mature animals, its about net inches |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I try to only take bucks that are 4 1/2 +. That way if I make a "mistake" the buck is probably still 3 1/2. The definition of a trophy is an individual thing. It should be left to the hunter himself. If the deer is a trophy to you then that is all that matters. Most people go though several stages in their hunting career and as they do their definition of trophy will normally change. It is not the definition of trophy that needs to be adjusted but peoples insane need to push their definition of trophy on everyone else.
-john |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
why ? because it aint about the challenge of hunting mature animals, its about net inches Start a 5.5yr old half rack thread and you'll get similar results.;) |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
because it aint about the challenge of hunting mature animals, its about net inches |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
You just now figuring that out? Start a 5.5yr old half rack thread and you'll get similar results.;) I'm not putting down anyone's choice on this....but I wonder how more inches and less maturity = even an EQUAL challenge.;) |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I think it does suck for this one particular bull and I wish the state of Utah would take your advice in this instance (about sawing the horns off and transplant him somewhere else). Not right imo that these outfitters are advertising him on their websites.
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
While I see you point concerning the Spider bull, I disagree with your solution for this reason. It affects someones pocketbook. With that animal in the woods lots of people will be willing to spend lots of money to try and kill him. This pursuit will put lots of money in local rural communities. Hunting this animal for whatever reason is not immoral or illegal. If it is something that you don't want to do then that is fine. You have the freedom not to hunt the animal just like other law abiding people have the right to legally hunt the animal. Maybe I feel this way because I live in the country and I understand the positive affects that hunting dollars can have on rural communities.
-john |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
Displacing the bull would be perfectly legal, too, I suppose.
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
As a matter of fact.....you might be surprised at how many would pass it up for a lesser mature animal with more inches of antler. I'm not putting down anyone's choice on this....but I wonder how more inches and less maturity = even an EQUAL challenge.;) Equal Challenge? Some will try and justify it that way, but I think those that can be objective with themselves can still recognize the difference even though they elected to go after the larger rack. And also keep in mind that if there is a large disparity between the two animals' racks, say like a 110" 4.5 yo as compared to a 140" 3.5 yo, that in most cases the hunting pressure will be that much greater on the younger deer as compared to the older one, possibly making him a bigger if not more of a challenge than the older deer. Also depends on hunting situation. If I am hunting public land as I do for elk, you betcha that maturity means nothing - its ALL about the size of the antlers as I most likely won't get a chance at that bull next year anyway. At my home place for whitetails. I might go after a lesser antlered 4.5 over a bigger racked 3.5 for a variety of reasons but most likely because I in fact do think the 4.5 will be a bigger challenge but just as important if not more, is that I at least stand a GOOD CHANCE that I will reap the benefit of letting the 3.5 turn into an even bigger buck the following year. |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
ORIGINAL: jackflap As a matter of fact.....you might be surprised at how many would pass it up for a lesser mature animal with more inches of antler. I'm not putting down anyone's choice on this....but I wonder how more inches and less maturity = even an EQUAL challenge.;) Equal Challenge? Some will try and justify it that way, but I think those that can be objective with themselves can still recognize the difference even though they elected to go after the larger rack. And also keep in mind that if there is a large disparity between the two animals' racks, say like a 110" 4.5 yo as compared to a 140" 3.5 yo, that in most cases the hunting pressure will be that much greater on the younger deer as compared to the older one, possibly making him a bigger if not more of a challenge than the older deer. Also depends on hunting situation. If I am hunting public land as I do for elk, you betcha that maturity means nothing - its ALL about the size of the antlers as I most likely won't get a chance at that bull next year anyway. At my home place for whitetails. I might go after a lesser antlered 4.5 over a bigger racked 3.5 for a variety of reasons but most likely because I in fact do think the 4.5 will be a bigger challenge but just as important if not more, is that I at least stand a GOOD CHANCE that I will reap the benefit of letting the 3.5 turn into an even bigger buck the following year. |
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I'm a head hunter ,If he lost half his rack He walks till next year.I'll be posting my heads soon as my man cave is nearly finished.
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I think most of us would like to only shoot mature deer, unfortunately that isn't an option where I hunt now. Too much pressure and too many people that harvest anything that is Brown. If I see a anything under a 6 point I usually will let it walk. Any mature doe without fawns will have a tag on her ear soon after. Basically if I could only shoot mature deer that would be fine with me. If I did that now though, I come home to an empty freezer 8 out of 10 times. Until I get my own property, for me a deer is a deer. A long is its not a small buck and I need to fill a tag, I will take it.
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RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I find it very interesting that there are folks who can (or think they can) accurately judge the age of a deer while in the field. I killed a 160 2/8" brute this year that my taxidermist aged at 5.5 years, two DNR Biologists age at 3.5 without hesitation and one very seasoned hunter aged at 7.5, all based on the teeth. Best I can do is; "that's a young one", "he's got some age on him" and "man, he's old". I'm not saying it can't be done, but if these guys had that much trouble aging mine from the teeth, how can someone be so accurate simply based on body structure?
Wish I had that talent. |
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