4.5 year old or up which usually falls above the 150" mark

While I like to shoot deer with big racks my main goal is to shot one that is 4 1/2 or older. It can be difficult but I have been pretty lucky in doing so. The only way I would shot one that was younger would be if he was a monster and that is mainly because the rest of the guy on my lease would shot it if I did not. If I could get them to agree to let it walk then I would to.

-john

I hunt private land and we are working towards good QDM, I did set a personal goal for myself this year that I wanted a P&Y buck, so I will hold out for that. I wont hesitate to take a doe though. But as for bucks, I want that P&Y first and then I will regulate myself to 140 class bucks or bigger.

Good Response, also, I found that once I started watching them rather than trying to "KILL 'EM ALL," I started to understand them much better, herd dynamics, body language, even showing affection towards each other that I'd never noticed in the early years.

For me personally, skinheads are in danger especially single does and herd does, but the buck will need to be a minimum P&Y qualifier or have some really neat character before I'll shoot him.

For me personally, its if I see one that makes me happy. Truly, this would be a 100" or better. Where I hunt, thats all I can realistically expect as a good one, and one that sizewould be 3.5yrs at least. That said....I haven't taken a buck with my bow in 10yrs now - because I haven't seen one I wanted to shoot. No regrets though, I don't hunt for bragging rights. I killed so many smaller ones before I decided to quit doing it, I've had my fill. I'd rather take a doe than a small buck - just so I can say "I got my buck".

You guys waiting for 130,140,150.....that kills me. What I would do to even glimpse one of those around here. You'd be waiting your whole life where I am. Killing a 110" buck here is like taking a 140" in many other places. Its all relative I guess, but boy would I like to have some bucks like that around here!

On another note....for the newer bowhunters here, don't let what others do or say influence your decisions. Do what makes you happy, period. Your goals will change over time most likely, as most of ours.If shooting a spike or fork jacks you up....by all means DO IT!

2" of horn or more will get my consideration as far as a buck goes ....it all depends on how I feel at the time ....

for doe, it needs to be a decent size ..... no fawns for this guy...

I set a goal of 3.5 yr old or better, which usually is 125"

Does - has to be decent size (2.5 yr or better).

Buck wise he's going to have to be sporting at least a 130" rack. When shooting doe's I always hope for a doe over a fawn being they have more meat but If It's getting late In the year and no venison yet the doe fawn will get an arrow.

well i have only gotten2 bucks before it was 4 pointer and a buttonwith my shot gun but now i say my standards would have to be maybe 100-110 unless he has a lot of character then ill take a smaller one but i will take just about anything if it is real late in the season also i only have one buck tag here in ohiho so im little more picky than i would be with 2 buck tags
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_100/11644214893jb3EN.jpg
this is my bottom limit in early to mid season maybe a little smallerafter that its pretty open

I agree with many others above, theanswers will indeed varydue to the broad differences of deer size from region to region. I am fortunate to live in Iowa andcalled ina 130-135" 10 pointbuck from across the field just last Friday evening. About 45 minute later he was 5 yards under my tree and spent 15 minutes looking for the deer he heard. He had great mass on his main beams with an 18-19" spread, but short tines. I felt he was an older deer that may be on the decline. Last year I would have likely taken that buck without a second thought but I shot one about 140" so I'm looking for bigger this year. Coincidentally I was late in arriving to hunt that night and had a 150" that I saw a few time last year run across the road in front of me on the way there less than 100 yrds from where I park my truck, so that probably influenced my decision as well. Plus the rut isn't here yet so I know bigger ones will show up soon. In other parts of the country the deer I let walk would be the buck ofa lifetime. It's all relative to where you live, what your expectations are, and what you've harvested in the past.