For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

I've got some questions. I have several that I've thought about doing that with but am unsure. They are all good bucks, but I know there are bigger. One is a 2 1/2 year old 10 point that is a main frame 8 with split G2's. One side also has the start of 3 brows so he is a good buck but could grow into a dream buck in a year or two.

So I'm just curious...

1. How often do you actually see that deer again the following year(s)?
2. Are you on public or highly managed private land?

Thanks

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

Yes I do see several of them the next year and I am just hunting small farmland areas

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

I passed on one two years ago, saw him again last year and had a hard time letting him go -this is the year if he walks by again. Hunting about 400 acres that is managed.

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

I think more and more people are finding it very rewarding to pass on marginal bucks. Here in PA with one buck rule ,I'm enjoying more tree time by letting them go. If your neighbor shoots him congratulate him and be glad .

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

I am picky on my buck, but the private ground I hunt are non-manage small tracts. Honestly though, I see several of those deer again.

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

It all depends. Quite frequently I am a guest at a place, or perhaps have only hunted there for a few years. Its kinda like letting a smaller fish go... sometimes you'll catch it again.... but you probably won't ever know.

Private, but often not "highly managed". Private land in VA is kinda a relative term... with the dog hunters its awfully hard to ensure that a buck will even be in the same zip code again next year, assuming he isn't shot by someone in front of hounds. Its pretty political.

I look at it like this.... if there is any ? in my mind about shooting a buck with regards to size.... I don't do it. He might get shot next week.... I don't know. But I look at it like this too.... if the hunter who shoots him next week wants him THAT BAD, and it will make his season to have that deer.. then good for him... because I'd just assume shoot a doe as a small buck. Hunting is what you make of it after all.

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

Jim,
I agree, and I believe they are also finding that they are learning more about them as they start watching the animals rather than focusing on trying to kill them!!! I learned a lot more about deer when I stopped trying to bust every one of them that passed by within bow range. Now due to a good scent containment/control program and hunting much smarter, I probably pass on 50-75 shot opportunities every year, some years even more. And it's rewarding to just watch the deer carry on with their lives knowing that I'm one up on them on that day. Unfortunately, I only occasionally see the deer I've passed on, but that's okay, because I know that 3 of them were killed by kids under 10yrs old last year during the youth hunt, and I'd rather have it that way.

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

We do see a lot of the bucks that we let walk the year after, we hunt 1200 acres and are on our 3rd year of management (shooting 4 1/2 and older bucks)....

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

Very well said, I couldn't agree more. I hunt public land that is bowhunting only, so I don't worry too much about them being killed by another hunter.;):D

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

Pops, it's all up to you and what you want. I had a person tell me a long time ago that you shouldn't shoot any buck that you're not willing to have mounted. I normally go that route. Several years ago I did take a shot at a buck that I normally would not have. Late in the day on the last day, hadn't seen any big'uns or slickheads and this guy walked by. But in that situation, I was thinking of nothing more than meat in the freezer. If you hunt public land, I don't know what the chances are you'll see the buck the next year, but if you have private land there's a better chance of seeing again as long as the 'yotes, poachers, or mobow in his truck don't get him.:)

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

I've been passing bucks for more years than I can remember now Pops and I can honestly say I don't think (know) that I've ever seen a buck that I've passed again. I can't say for certain. I'm just trying to do my part and where I'm at today in bowhunting, I have no desire to shoot a 1.5 year old. I have taken a few 2.5 year olds in the past few years but have a good record of 3.5's as well. I've seen only 2 in 10 years that would go 4.5 or better and one I missed, the second I was already tagged out and a cameraman.

Oh and 2, small private land tracts where I couldn't manage the deer if I wanted to.

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

We see the deer quite often in years after allowing them to pass. We also occasionally see them on the side of the road or in the back of a neighbors truck, but over all, allowing them to walk has done nothing but help us see more quality bucks.

We lease 420 acres and have permission to hunt an additional 350 that borders our lease.

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

Passing on buck X is a personal decision and it is about that simple. Do I wish everyone passed on 1.5 year old bucks? Yea, but I am also a realist that knows that is not what everyone else wants to do, so I am OK with it.

Right now I dont want to shoot anything under 3.5 years old - this means I pass a few bucks. I would love to see that buck you are talking about in a year or two. My brother passed a split brow tine main frame 10 point 2.5 year that was just beautiful (I saw the deer once on stand as well). The next year he turned into a beast that would gross over 170 but then vanished forever(nobody took him on that farm and what I would have payed to see him at 4.5!) We never took him but it was worth it just seeing him again. He was on a 300 acre farm that has several bowhunters and gets hammered in gun season....the way I see it I will never know if I end up squeezing the trigger on something with that potential. Age is the lowest denominator for me but I still love antlers.

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

Thanks for all the replies. I've been leaning toward passing because I know what's in the area but it's public land that can and is hunting by some. I guess when he walks up that trail, it will all depend on what's going thru my mind.

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

I cannot say that I have ever seen the same buck that I passed on from previous years, but I do know that we see plenty more big bucks every year. It makes it easier to pass on the small ones too.

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

Without a buck having something that makes him stand out (color, scar, etc..) how do you know that the big buck in front of you is the same buck that you saw the year before? The deer in my area are pretty uniform and I am not sure that I could tell if the buck was one that I had seen before or a buck that came in from the neighbors.

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

I've never passed on a buck with the thought that he will grow up and I'll shoot him when he's bigger. Once that buck walks out of my sight, I never expect to see him again. It is just not a very realistic situation for me.
I am much more interested in the what the PRESENT holds than what's on down the line. Somehow, some way, bucks get thru to be big each year. Whether I have ever seen them before is a mystery and one I could care less to figure out. Makes it a lot easier that way.

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

You will learn more in one year of passing marginal bucks than you will in ten years of killing the first legal you see.[:-]
Taking the time to study the way they travel and stop ,the many different shot angles they present you with ,and most of all the time frame you have to make a killing shot.

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

I've been wathcing this 1 buck for 3 years now. I hunt private land.

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

I would probably pass on any really big buck because my neighors are after the big rack and they are good to me, so i would leave it to them. But if it is a younger tender buck, any growing that it is gonna do would have to be a scientific miracle cause it would be happening in my freezer.

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

Ive been hunting for four years and have killed 4 does but Iveyet to bag a buck. I let a six pointer walk last year because I listened to what others told me I should do,and I regretted it. I am not a trophy hunter so I will not pass on a buck this year unless its a spike or forkhorn. Im 22 years old. I have the rest of my life to become a trophy hunter

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RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

There are a few that we have let go, that were never to be seen again. However, sound management will reward you in the majority of cases if you do it correctly. There is always a con to doing something, but worth it in the end.

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

Come on DT, EVERY ONE of them??? Probably a bit of an exaggeration, but if you have 1,000 acres, you should have some pretty good ones especially if there is little outside pressure.

RE: For those, that pass on bucks to let them grow...
 

What I have learned in my 8 years of bowhunting is that if you shoot the first buck you see you will never see the big ones. On opening weekend last year I let a nice eight point go by that I saw the year before as a 6. I'm sure he's 3.5yrs. this year and I can't wait to get him on my camera or let the air out of him. I won't shoot any bucks that I cannot put on the wall, if I am looking for meat I will shoot a doe. I shot a doe and a 10pt. with the muzzleloader last year but hope to get a nice buck with the bow this year.