How high are your standards?
 

I have seen some pretty amazing deer on here from trail cams to people wondering scores and some getting shot. But I've noticed some of the deer on here which I wouldn't think twice about shooting have people saying give it another year. I admire your self control in that and I guess I may get that way if I am fortunate enough to start getting trophy bucks.(I have yet to get a buck with bow.) So what are your standards for deer? 4x4,5x5 or 3 year old, 4 year old? I'm hoping for a 4x4 but I am willing to take a smaller one. I actually have no standards at this point in my hunting career. I'm happy with getting a shot and being able to say I got a deer with my bow.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

You will recieve a wide variety of answers to such a question.

Myself...I have kind evolved to where I am at now. When I first started hunting I shot the first thing that went by. Does, button bucks, 1 1/2 year old bucks. Over time my tastes have changed. I will no longer shoot a button buck or a 1 1/2 old deer. I would shoot a 2 1/2 year old deer, but it just seems I have never had the opportunity.

Once I started being selective of what I shot, my success ratio on actually harvesting and seeing mature deer has increased dramatically. Since I may let 10 deer walk by, I have a better chance of seeing what may be the 11th deer. If I shot the first one...I may not see anything else.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

try to stay 140 and Up.....130s if I think he is an older deer and not gonna get much bigger.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

I assume from your post that you're new to all this like myself (this is my second season). I just got my first about two weeks ago (a doe) and, as a result, am just going through the whole "I'm getting really addicted to this" phase.

My [buck] standards, like yours, aren't very high right now. I think, for me, it's more a function of the fact that I'm new to the sport. With more experience and experiences, I think I'll continually set a higher bar. However, for now, just the excitement of the hunt and any opportunity I have to make a successful harvest is amply fulfilling.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

125+ I have killed three 3 1/2 year old bucks now and 2 does. Now it is time to let the little ones go and wait for something with some horn to it.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

I think the premise of the question is a bit off the mark. Everyone is different and most hunting areas are different as well. To my mind it depends on the area more than anything. If I'm hunting an area that has an overpopulation issue, I might shoot a deer I would pass in an area with fewer deer. If I'm hunting an area I know has several trophy bucks running around, I'm gonna be a bit more selective....on my home turf, I want to shoot at least a 2.5 year old buck, but I'm not above shooting a doe if I'm given the opportunity.

I firmly believe any deer taken with a bow is an accomplishment. Further it's an accomplishment that alot of people will never achieve. There is a time and place for everything. It's a wise man that fully understands whata situation merits.


GH

RE: How high are your standards?
 

depends on what weapon I'm holding and where I am and if I've got meat in the freezer

shooting a recurve or longbow changes everything

RE: How high are your standards?
 

The area that I hunt is basically a 40 acre CRP field. There is no real reason for deer to be there other than just traveling through to get to somewhere else. They bed somewhere else and they feed somewhere else. So, I take any deer I'll be happy with. I rarely see a buck. Last year I only took one deer off this property (a large doe), and never saw anything larger than a spike. This year will be a different story though. With the cost of a license at $136, I can't afford to be too picky.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

On public land, anything that's around 100".

On private land, gotta be bigger than last year's so 125".

RE: How high are your standards?
 

I would agree with what I read above. Any deer is a good deer with a bow. With that said, I usually pass on button bucks. Other than that, anything is a worthy trophy for me, considering I haven't shot anything yet!

RE: How high are your standards?
 

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

RE: How high are your standards?
 

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

RE: How high are your standards?
 

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.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

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.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

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! :D

RE: How high are your standards?
 

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...

RE: How high are your standards?
 

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).

RE: How high are your standards?
 

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.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

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.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

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

RE: How high are your standards?
 

That's a joke right? A buck with 2" of antleris nothing short of "I got MY buck".[8D]Shoot a doe PT.;)

RE: How high are your standards?
 

4 years old or better.

Or a solid 3 yr old with 130" or more on his head.

I know that second one doesn't make much sense.. but I hunt alot of ground for only like a day or two.. so I don't have all season to screw around on one piece and be real picky.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

I have two deer in the 160's....One with shotgun on private ground and one with the bow on public ground....My standard is at least 150 or better....Don't want to be let down by deer smaller than what I have....Didn't get a buck last year...Let several nice ones(130-140) walk but shot 4 does...

get the first one under your belt and every deer after strive for bigger or at least equal to...

RE: How high are your standards?
 

Sorry Jeff .... I'll shoot a fat spiker most of the times ..... they eat real nice ;)

RE: How high are your standards?
 

Depends on the mood im in I suppose. My standards change daily.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

For the most part is atleast a 100" inch deer, which is respectable for where i hunt, no monster but a nice deer. Now on certain days, an 85" deer better be careful, ive passed on 3 of those this year already, but on any given day you never know.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

You'll never have any big bucks running around if that mindset is very common. And if it only has that much antler, you may as well wait for a doe that is a year past her spots, she'll eat better.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

Bow-140 to achieve Missouri Big Bucks. I think my standards are really pretty high and I try to shoot a bigger buck each and every year.
Rifle-150 +. I don't really consider rifle hunting to be self gratifying. Don't get me wrong when I shoot a big buck with a rifle I'm thankful but I always think to myself I wish I would've gotten him with my bow.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

100" or better here in SC...if not, I'll shoot does all season.

If he isn't going on my wall, he isn't getting shot.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

I will always hold out for a mature buck. I get only two doe tags and one buck tag a year. My family will eat at least three deer a year. I usually get my doe early, like this year, which leaves me the rest of the season to look for a big mature buck. Now if the season starts coming to a close and I have not tagged my buck, a buck will go in the freezer regardless of age.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

Rally personal opinion stuff here......fueled mostly I would imagine by what's realistic for ythe woods you're hunitng.

I've been fortunate enough to ake a few bucks, now.....but nothing most would get excited about. I did.;) I've taken one injured 1.5yr old.....two 2.5yr olds.....one 3.5yr old and one 4.5yr old in the last 3 seasons (Eastern and western NC zones).

I've gotten to the point where taking just "any" buck don't do it for me. My last NINE deer sightings have ALL been bucks (no does mixed in there). I've had legitimate shots (as close as 5 yds) at really most of them. No interest.

I'm waiting for the following:

A) A buck with a rack larger than anything I've taken (age unimportant....but for these parts he's gonna be 2.5 or older

or

B) ANY deer 3.5yrs or older.....regardless of rack size.

I might take a less than 100" buck if it's the one I watched all Summer.....but it'll be a "heat of the moment" decision on him.

I'm perfectly fine with not killing a buck, this year.....and that's what I'll do unless I can kill one I'd be proud of.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

I like to say 130”, but more realistically if it’s a nice looking 3.5 yr old & 125” its probably going to get shot.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

even though I have only been hunting for 3 years I found myself passing up young smaller bucks for something, what I consider, with a decent rack...
wide six with mass... nice symetrical 8pt..... anything bigger I would probably pass out before I could get a shot off.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

140" or better and he has to be 4yrs old or more, thats my plan as of now. If I have to question whether to shoot it or not i am most likely going to let it walk.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

Public land, I start of trying to be selective, but if the freezer is empty too long, than anything goes. If Im hunting private where the monsters are, than I will be very selective.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

2.5 years or older for bucks. I won't compromise that anywhere I hunt in MI. My freezer is always full of does so I have no pressure to kill a buck...which is nice.

RE: How high are your standards?
 

If I shot less 100 inch deer than I might be able to up my standards a bit but I reserve the right to shoot any legal deer I want. I understand how letting the little ones walk is the way to gobut after 30 years of hunting I am still a weak man.

I figure you shoot what you want and I'll shoot what I want. If the Preacher wants to shoot spikers so be it. I will still pat him on the back and give him a big ATTA BOY. I would rather shoot a yearling doe for the table that an old mature doe regardless of what QDM guidelines dictate.

You can always find something good to say about a bow killed deer even if it is "Boy thats gonna eat good"

RE: How high are your standards?
 

Doug ... it's EVERYONE"S mindset out here ......everyone.....so until I can get my own land and really manage for more bone, it's allllllllllllllllllllllllllllll good;).......... and a fat spike eats just as good as any doe

RE: How high are your standards?
 

i have yet to killa deer i have hunted 16 of the last 22 days i saw a deer when hunting once the otherday. If it is brown it is down as long as it does not have spots. Though i plan to old out for a big buck say a 8 or better till the rut slows

RE: How high are your standards?
 

150 or higher that is my standard this year last year it was 140 However I think your standards should change depending on where you live. I live in east central Illinois. If I lived inSouth Carolina it would be a whole different story