ORIGINAL: davidmil

For you folks that haven't shot one yet, maybe some of you are looking at it wrong. Some of you have stated that you've learned from people on this site to only shoot big deer. Well the problem is, many of you don't live where big deer live. Oh sure, there's always the occasional one that's bigger than the average, but honestly, most of them are taken on pure luck or because someone pushed them your way or something. If you've never shot a deer with the bow you need to gear more towards killing the first one with the bow. Doe, 4 point, whatever. The first one or 4 will prove to you you can do it. In anaylizing what happened most will find they don't remember the site picture, the shot and can't begin to tell you what was going on at the time. Get a couple under your belt, then if you want to become macho hunter you can. If you hold out for MR BIG as your first deer and pass up shots at good eating, you'll probably blow your first shot.... at least 50 percent of the time. My advice.... shoot something respectable. It can be a nice doe or a little basket rack. It doesn't have to be Macho Buck. Me personnnally, I'd shy away from Bambi and little runts that just lost their spots. If you hold out for the likes of a deer that someone in the midwest sees daily or often and you live in Upstate NY or Florida, you're really cheating yourself. You've practiced and become proficient, at least we think so. Put your skills to work. Don't wait until the biggest buck of your life walks out to decide you're going to shoot. You have a long time to kill Macho Buck. I wouldn't know, but I'm sure several years of not loosing an arrow at a deer would become very boring. Consider the first nice fat doe extended and practical practice. Consider it a proficiency exam. Most of us don't have the luxury that people in Illinois, Iowa or Kansas do. The biggest buck killed in my area of NY this year would probably just be considered an OK deer or maybe even small in some circles. What I'm saying is don't get all wrapped up in waiting on the "Mature" deer some people have. You don't have them more than likely. Shoot something. No it shouldn't have spots and be sucking on a doe, but shoot a deer. 50 percent is luck. You can scout etc, but usually the deer you kill will be one you haven't seen or expected to see in your area. The one you maybe targeting can pass by a half dozen times and not offer a shot. Stuff happens. Just shoot something and enjoy. Then if you want, get picky as you want. It's suppose to be fun. Don't start comparing or measuring your deer by what someone else shoots or most will become very discouraged or ashamed. That should NOT HAPPEN. It's suppose to be fun.... IT IS NOT A CONTEST. You should not measure your success by comparing to a GregH or RD or someone in a land where there are many big deer. Measure your success on pleasure and first and foremost.... killing something respectable for your territory. I only say respectable because I personnaly find it distasteful to shoot a Bambi.

ORIGINAL: TEmbry

I look at it different than most. I have absolutely NO interest in shooting a 4 point. Just doesnt appeal to me. Until this year, I have had no interest in taking does, last years jerky making cured that up though. So that left me with waiting for a respectable buck the last few years. Close calls, but still no cigar. Even came to full draw a few times without letting loose an arrow.

Why does everyone seem to have the mindset that if you havent killed a deer with a bow yet, you should shoot anything that walks by. I did that for my first with a rifle years back, sure I was proud, but I built off of those experiences. I shot a respectable 8 point in 2004 with the rifle, and have gun hunted probably 20 days total since.

This year is a change of pace for me though. I have already taken a nice pronghorn buck with my bow, am looking to take 1 or 2 does for jerky meat, and am still waiting for the right buck to happen by. My first whitetail with a bow will likely be a doe, but my first buck with a bow will be a nice one in my eyes. Could I not experience the same thrill of killing a spiker or 4 point through taking a doe?

Im not trying to look down on people who take a spiker for their first or 40th bowkill, to eachhis own...but its not for me. my first buck with a bow WILL be a respectable one in my eyes. Ive already been there, done that with the rifle as far as getting a first down...no need to repeat the process imo.

This is all how I feel for my personal hunting, Ill congratulate anyone over even a spotted button buck kill. What someone else kills doesnt effect me in the least, unless you are my neighbors.