Are they really that smart: spinoff
 

Tread in title got me thinking...

If we kill a mature buck during the rut, how much easier is the feat, and if so how much of the accomplishment does it diminish(if any)from the kill -vs- if we were to kill him far outside of the rut when he'd not on drugs?

As I mentioned in thread in title, I have a p&y and a near p&y hanging on the wall but they were both taken during the peak of the rut when they were doped up. I'd like to someday be able to take one when he aint "sniffin" because I think I would personally have a greater sense of accomplishment if I did.

Your thoughts...

RE: Are they really that smart: spinoff
 

Agree, totally (and both my bucks on the wall were taken while they were chasing).

The guys who hunt bucks onthei turf.......outside the rut....and are successful, consistantly.....have my respect.

RE: Are they really that smart: spinoff
 

I have never felt that way.

I have gone through way more years without tagging a mature buck than the times I have been able toget one...so it must not be that easy.

That being said...my best buck to date was taken on Oct 4th...2nd best was Nov 25...3rd was Nov 7.

RE: Are they really that smart: spinoff
 

I wouldn't care if he is chasin or not. A trophy buck is a trophy buck regardless. I would be proud to hang him on my wall.

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RE: Are they really that smart: spinoff
 

Shoot a big one while hes on a summer feedin pattern when hes predictable?

Shoot one when hes all dopped up on hott women?

Shoot one one a post rut food source when he is, again, predictable?

Its all relative, shooting a mature buck is an accomplishment to me no matter what the circumstances.

RE: Are they really that smart: spinoff
 

It is possible to really split hairs with this kind of conversation.Killing a mature buck with archery equipment is a respectable feat regardless of what phase of the season it happens in.No doubt you will get away with more mistakes when they are preoccupied to the degree they are when chasing or defense of territory but even with that they don't come easy.
I think having an easier time of it once in a while is the way the hunting god's keep us coming back for more!

RE: Are they really that smart: spinoff
 

If it weren't for the rut, some bucks would never be seen let alone shot.;)

RE: Are they really that smart: spinoff
 

Exactly my thought, thus the post.

Sorry to the rest of you guys and I don't mean this in any negative way but I think Rob and especially Jeff are the only guys who totally get what I'm saying. What I'm not saying is that a mature buck is easy to kill duringthe rut. I'm saying he is justeasier to kill when he's chasing under the influence. Because of that I think it would be a bigger feat to take him when he's not all doped up. That, is future goal of mine.

RE: Are they really that smart: spinoff
 

So a lesser buck out of the "rut" would be more of a trophy than a P&Y during the rut?

Valid question given your hypothesis.

RE: Are they really that smart: spinoff
 

Are you kidding me?

Seeing them in the rut and bow killing them in the rut is two distinct different things.

I have seen more mature bucks during the rut but I have killed more mature bucks post rut.

I can think of three occasions in the last several years where I had definitemature shooter bucks chasing does and run within 10 yards of my stand and I couldn't get them to stop long enough to get a shot.

On all three occasions that come to mind I literally yelled and waved my arms to try get them to stop. Two of them stopped briefly to look my way after they had already blown by my stand and then went right back after the doe and the third one..... he may still be chasing that doe as far as I know.;)

RE: Are they really that smart: spinoff
 

What if someone shot a deer that somehow had learned to climb trees but was only 12.2345 lbs? Would that be a trophy? Mind you, I am talking about this creature being taken during the rut, when it is horny and jumping around trees, finding all the nice sap reservoirs....trophy?

RE: Are they really that smart: spinoff
 

I would rather have a 115" 3.5yr old on his terms than a 125" 4.5yr old on mine.

Nope I'm not kidding you.

Yes, seeing them in rut and killing them in rut are two very distinct things. It is why I used "killing" and never mentioned anything about seeing as to not confuse anyone.

If I were you, I'd put in my vacation time for post rut.

For me personally, I believe that I would be more proud of my kill if it were outside of the rut. I hope nobody takes offense to that. Afterall, I did use words and phrases like personally and for me.

RE: Are they really that smart: spinoff
 

I think some of you might be complicating a simple thing. I believe for good reason (those reasons being my guys on the wall) that bucks are more vulnerable thus are easier to kill during the rut. That's all... but that's just my opinion.

RE: Are they really that smart: spinoff
 

Hoytail, I am just playing around. I have found that shooting spooky does can be very very difficult, ALL the time. Some of them are dang near impossible to shoot because they are so wary.

RE: Are they really that smart: spinoff
 

Ahhh, but watching the chaseand hoping they come within bow range and then hoping you can get the sucker to stop in a shooting lane., and that I can then make the shot before he takes off again......for me it doesn't get any better than this. By hunting every chance I get during the rut, I usually get to observe 3 or 4 bonafide chases, sometimes fewer and certainly not always involving a mature deer.Its not all about the kill, if it was I would just gun hunt as we can use our choice of weapon for 2 or our 3 month season.

Nope, at least for me, I am certainly not offended. Afterall, its just the internet. Idon't see it the same way but that doesn't mean I am right and you are wrong, as there is not a "correct' answer, just different.