If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

shoot a dink not one that shows promise yet today still doesn't amount to much.One of my pet peaves is when I see someone shoot a young deer that has a lot of potential for its age but is still nothing today. You want meat or just have to have a buck......okay that is fine but shoot a lesser one rather than a mediocre one.

I know that there are studies that show that you can't necessarily predict the outcome of a deer when he is mature based on what he is as a 1 1/2, but the theme of the thread is "IF YOU JUST HAVE TO", I think the law of probabilities would still favor the bigger 1 1/2 or a 2 1/2 having more potential.

Here are some pics that express my opinion of what I wish people would pass on vs what I think is more preferred in this category.

This paragraph is an edit as I am a poor communicator and some of the responses are misreading (I think) the opinion I am expressing. My opinion is based on the hunter hunting in a county that only allows 1 buck per season and with some time in the field, you are going to have ample opportunity to fill your tag. At the end of the day, I'll support your right to shoot whatever you want, I just don't understand why some people have to shoot the "in between" deer when ample opportunity to shoot a 4 point or spike is there as well.

Agree or disagree?
Don't shoot regardless


Shoot if you must


Don't shoot regardless


Don't shoot


Don't shoot unless you haven't shot one this big yet


Shoot


Wildcard- Depends on your mood

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[Deleted by Admins]

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

Im not gonna lie, i might shoot the one with the little kickers off the side, depending on the day, and how he looked in real life. but i do like the way that rack looks, im sure he would be a great deer next year.

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

My question to you would be............. What do you do when the hunting pressure in your area is so great that most people shoots everything that moves? Let them walk 300 yards down the trail so the next guy can kill it because there are VERY few bucks around here that make it past 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 years old unless its on property that can not be hunted. Your statement is true but it only works where there are larger tracts of land and the hunters are more spread out.

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

Let me guess...you've never had a 20 page post before??

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

A man has to go through some trials and tribulations to become a good hunter...that means killing spikes. 4 pointers, smaller does....one has to become proficient at his craft and in doing so, some smaller deer have to die. I have no problems with people having a good time in the woods and killing what they want. Davidmil made a great post the other day about taking deer...at one point he said, IT IS NOT A CONTEST....and I agree.

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

I agree to some extent with you Jack, I have one ranch that we won't shoot anything under 4 1/2 on regardless of antlers (I chose to hunt here and pay for the lease)....Then my family owns a place that I have been trying to manage for the last 15 years but it just isn't working as not everyone is on the same page. I would say that for me it depends on where I am hunting as to what my standards are....

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

So what's your point. You shoot what you want, I'll shoot what I want. I don't like Tacos either Tex.[8D]

P.S. The first 6 are dead.:) MAYBE. Depends on my day and how many people have told me what to do.

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

20 pages here for sure.

I'll shoot what I see fit. Here, at me house, I'm shooting ALL of those minus the spotted fella. As soon as it's out of spots and isn't a button, it's game too!

However, at my buddies farm, only a few are shooters.

I'd be happy with all those bucks with a bow HERE. Once again guys, location plays a big role.

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

Every single one of them bucks, and the fawn is down if i get a shot.

this should help with yout 20 page goal

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

It's so easy to tell someone else what to do when you see dozens of bucks in a year. Last year I saw ONE, and don't tell me it's me. It's the territory. Admittedly I didn't hunt as much last year. I've spent days and days glassing fields this summer. I've pin pointed 4 bucks, all on land I can't hunt.

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

Even though I hunt private lands very few if any of the deer stay on our property 100% of the time, so there is a good chance one of my neighbors might shoot what I pass. But I have no control over that....only what I do.

My point is that with the possible exception of the one with kickers, what difference does it make which one shoot, so just shoot the little 4 point or 5 point and leave the others if given a choice and you think you have to shoot a buck.

I certainly don't disagree with anyone that says to pass them all. That is why I have pictures of them.

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

What difference does it make???? It's probably going to be the only buck many of us see in a year. LOL Texas people should be forced to spend aweek in the Adirondacks, or Maine, or Vermonthunting as an educational tool. I swear, at the end of a week you'd say there are no deer here. How can there be, there's no food plot, feeders or senderos baited with food.

When I go to Ohio, the only one of those deer in danger is the one with all the kinky kickers. He's interesting.

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

Just like David said, in certain locations it can be very difficult to see bucks...I saw only three last year and I hunted many many hours...a spike, a 6 , and an 8. Luckily all three came within 10 yards of me and I chose to shoot two of them. Some of us do not have the luxury to manage land.

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

Why are some people so concerned with what others do, that they feel the need to come to an internet forum and tell people how they should hunt?

Blows my mind.[:@]

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

JB... he's on his holier than thou 20 page project. Don't be thinking rationally on this thread. Personnally, he won't make 20 pages without help from Bwanajim. LOL

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

I understand that the entire country is not the same and I am certainly not "peaving" about the guy that desires to shoot whatever he shoots if they are few and far between.

I am referring to the situation that many hunters do, whatever region they are in and two bucks are running together. Why shoot the bigger of the two if neither is really all that big to begin with.

And for what it is worth, the part of Texas that I am in has more in common with Kansas (I am within 80 miles of Kansas and its about 500 miles to San Antonio)hunting than what most people think of when referring to Texas. We didn't even have enough deer to hunt until 1985 and it was 1989before I ever shot a deer and even then the numbers were so sparse that few people believed me until they saw it.

I know all about hunting hard all season and being able to count the number of deer you saw the entire season on your hands. Yes, today it is a different story and we are getting overpopulated, but I've been on the other end of the spectrum as well.

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

I've hunted in the Panhandle,actuallyShamrock, Texas. True that it was not like South Texas, but no shortage of deer either!

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

Manage your land you hunt as you see fit... If your happy with 4-6 points then take em'. If you arefortunate enough to hunt a property where you actually have some control over QDM, then pass on the young ones, especially the ones with potential, and pray for them to make it long enough to get big enough to make your heart about jump out of your chest. If you want meat then take a doe. I have been doing this for only 4 years now and am now seeing more "mature" bucks than ever before. I have shot small bucks before too, don't get me wrong, just had a change in mindset.

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

This statement defeats the point of your thread:eek:

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

I have been fighting all these temps all summer. Would I or wouldnt I. I have a 2.5 year old 10 point. He comes to the house everyday since he was born it seems. He is a high main frame 8 just at the ears, but has double split brows that are nice. It is a really pretty deer, I actually have pictures of this deer in velvet and try to post them on here. but I have wentback and forth, cause everyone around me that hunts is trigger happy and if i let him live, all i can hope is he stays by the house and dont wander off, but we all know how a 2.5 year old buck is...STUPID

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

this was at least month ago

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

Not at all. This deer is probably a 3 1/2 with some character. As someone said and I agree, hunting is a progression of experiences and if that would be the biggest deer you've ever taken he is probably a low 120's, have at it. Now after you've already taken a few that size, why not either shoot one like I did in the below picture and take a chance that the bigger one might still be there next year. I attached another pic of the kicker deer as well to give you a better idea.


Here is one of me on my "holier than thou throne"

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

Yeah I agree, it all goes down to if yourmanagement minded and have the land to do it. But if you likeit I have no problem with someone who takes it.

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

those are all young bucks, they need some age on them. but if its a young hunter more power to them

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

I hunt as hard as most. I hunted 48 sits in '07.....and I saw FOUR bucks, total. I got lucky.....and took a 4.5yr old. The other three I saw were all 1.5's. Would I have eaten my tag.....rather than kill one of the 1.5's (on a normal year)? Sure. One of the 1.5's was injured...and I shot him. Normally....(and previously), he'd walk.

But that's MY personal preference. If anyone hunting with me shot one of the little guys....and it made them happy.....I'd be happy for them.

When we start projecting what not to shoot onto others.....we're heading down a slippery slope.

All that being said.....do I understand what the OP is saying? Sure.;) And....I agree. if given the choice....I think shooting the buck with less (perceived) potential is the right call. But if you're gonna be "choosy"......think about letting him walk, also. Only you know your woods good enough to make that call.

Shoot whatever you want. I'll help you drag and take your photos.

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

It's none of your damned business what someone else shoots, elitist a-holes like you piss me off, not everybody hunts for the same reasons you do jerrkoff. [:@]

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

X2

When you feel the need to tell others what to shoot - just don't.
The majority are still just deer hunters and enjoy what they do very much.

Steve

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

So do all you guys get this upset when you see commercials or read articles telling you how to conserve energy or recycle?
Do you get mad when someone you work with tries to comment on how you can do a better job?

I have never seen a bunch of whiny babies who can’t take the slightest bit of advice or criticism than this group here.
“I’ll shoot what I want and no one is going to tell me any different!”
Get over yourselves people, it’s a flippin suggestion from a guy trying to help out.

[Deleted]
 

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RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

theres only one here I wouldnt shoot. thats the fawn. to me shooting fawns has always been a waste. the deer hasnt even begun to develop any type of muscle tone nor taste for one. I cant stand seeing fawns strapped to the backs of the BMW's and Mercedes Benz's from all these over paid underworked corperate asses from Chicago, Cincinati and other big citys and go around parading the fawn like its a 14 point buck thinking they actually have something. if a guy shoots a fawn fine, but ndont go parading it around and bragging about it in my town. You might end up strapped to the hood of 1 Ton Chevy truck with a 6 inch lift. Some people around my area take big offense to fawn shooters. If you want to fine, but keep it in the trunk. Im not against anyone who shoots a fawn, I know it sounds like it but im not. Its all personal prefrence. But we see it too many times year after year after year, alot of big city folks come around and slaughter the fawns and then they complainwhen they only got 10-15# of meat back if that. Ill never forget the one year i think it was back in 2005, we got stuck behind a truck from Illinois there were like 3 people in the truck but the entire truck was full of fawns and yearlings. I think they had close to 10. (this was gun season). Just made me sick. Sorry had to vent a little, I feel better now. :D

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

wis...

The taking of doe fawns from my woods (and perspective) has NOTHING to do with "accomplishment". They are simply another mouth.....eating day by day. I don't specifically target them.....but I WILL take one if the timing is right. You won't see me posting those photos, either. I am neither proud nor ashamed of the fact that I will take them. I wouldn't begrudge anyone who was proud of taking one, though. Personal preference....and sometimes there's more to the situation than meets the eye.

I got "thank you" notes from two neighbors I gave the hams from two fawns taken last year. They said it was the best deer meat they'd ever eaten. They are also quite abundant, here.

Good luck to you in your pursuits, this fall.;)

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

I just think some over do it a bit is all. And good luck to you as well. Wack em and stack em!

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

all those bucks are legal here in Pa and at this stage in my bowhunting career they would all get wacked

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

I won't argue that, Wis. Not at all. Just know that HERE.....it's not a bad thing.

If I lived and hunted a different herd (dynamic) I wouldn't shoot them. Hell I still don't WAY more times than I do.;)

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

;)

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

This post just may be the most poorly thought out one I've seen in a long time here.

Your theory of "potential" on these young deer is so wrong that it's sad it's being propagated.

The LARGESTfactor of the deer that you deemed to have less potential were victims of a late birth date, and vice versa for the larger racked 1.5's. Science has proven time and time again that they not only catch up, but in many cases become studs. Even though you noted science behind this, it doesn't make it any better to assume that the larger potential deer will be bigger, and thus bank your harvest decisions on that. If you shoot are younger deer, regardless of antler size, you are still shooting a younger deer - bottom line. At that point, it doesn't matter because YOU don't know what they COULD become. A 1.5 is a 1.5....is a 1.5.

Plus, I think if ANY hunter takes one of those bucks, and they are happy...then I am too. I would not only congratualte them, I'd be happy and helping them drag it out.

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

If anyone wants to shoot any one of those I will gladly pat them on the back and help drag it. I may or may not shoot any of those deer. If I knew I had a population that would afford me the opportunity at a larger target then maybe I'd let them walk.

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

You tell them to not walk by my stand and they won't get shot at by me;), except the fawn. I see no point in trying totell someone "you need to take this buck,instead of that one". People are going tokill the bucks they want to anyway.

RE: If you just have to shoot a young buck.....
 

I agree with you on that!;)