What qualifies a shooter buck?? in your opinion
 

What is your number one criteria for considering a buck a shooter?

I know some will say all of the above or more than one, but I've been reading the post on shooting small bucks and what tops your list?

RE: What qualifies a shooter buck?? in your opinion
 

None of the above, if my heart pounds out of my chest when he gets in range, I shoot him. If I have to talk myself into shooting him, I let him go.

RE: What qualifies a shooter buck?? in your opinion
 

I look for a nice rack...130+ inches or so.

RE: What qualifies a shooter buck?? in your opinion
 

Kind of a biased poll as people who are selective are shown in separate categories than those who just want any sort of boney lump on it's head.
Right now 8 of 13 are selective hunters.

RE: What qualifies a shooter buck?? in your opinion
 

2 points on 1 side(club rules) and i blast him[8D]

RE: What qualifies a shooter buck?? in your opinion
 

For me it depends where I am hunting. When I know a certain property has some quality animals, I hold higher standards...If I am unsure of what is there, or if I know the quality is not the same, I adjust my expectations, and will take a smaller size animal.

Typically I like to take at least a 2.5yr old, ideally a 3.5yr+ and at least an 8pntr. I don't care about scoring.....

RE: What qualifies a shooter buck?? in your opinion
 

Everything but "just having antlers".

RE: What qualifies a shooter buck?? in your opinion
 

^^^I'd have to vote in thiscatagory as well. If you have to look him over and decide if he's big enough, he usually isn't big enough. Butifthe moment you firstsee him coming and you nearly choke on your heart, he's a keeper.

RE: What qualifies a shooter buck?? in your opinion
 

hard for me to say....

id say a mix of antler size and age....im looking for my 2nd bowkill...my first was a 60 something inch 1.5yo last year....


this year, i passed a 2.5 yo early in the season....he would been a trophy to me, age wise...and his half rack was bigger than any of my 3 1.5yo racks(2 rifle kill racks) but i passed him, for now, because he was a half rack...both sides, no question i would released...early season, half rack, i decided to hold off....though i may still take him...and age wise hed be a trophy to ME. just because i dont see a whole ton of bucks over 1.5yo...so it would be an accomplishment and a trophy to me right now...couple years and more deer under my belt, i might not even pick up my bow on a 2.5yo...

this year i may take a 1.5yo if hes a fair bit nicer than mine from last year...but thats going to take a really decint 1.5yo(mine was a 2x4, or 5 if you count the 1" sticker and about 10" wide..not a tiny racked 1.5yo..) but if i do, it will likely be the end of the wire and its kill a nice 1.5yo with the bow or hunt in rifle season, which i rather not do...

RE: What qualifies a shooter buck?? in your opinion
 

I'd say a mixture of age and anlter size. Trying to take deer that are 3.5 years of age and older is the unofficial goal of our hunt club. We don't take young bucks, but if a very nice 2.5 year old 10 came out it'd be very hard to resist

RE: What qualifies a shooter buck?? in your opinion
 

My standard is whether I will mount him (No jokes necessary. I mean pay a taxidermist to create a wall mount). I have two on the wall and a pile of racks in a box in the basement. The pile of racks are useless for the most part. The two on the wall provide more enjoyment by reliving the hunt and telling others "got him right back there one rainy evening".

I live and hunt in west central Illinois and most any buck allowed to grow will get bigger - generally. Therefore, if I have no intention of mounting a buck, I let him walk in order to grow and get bigger. I have video of one hell of a seven point buck. I imagine in Texas he would have been culled in his youth for bad genetics. He had two points on one side and three on the other with two brow tines - won't score worth a sh1t. But, I guarantee any deer hunter would be extremely proud to have this one. If you could see the video - wow!

An injured buck is a different story. I try to put him down.

Bob R.

RE: What qualifies a shooter buck?? in your opinion
 

State antler restrictions,club rules, and what I'm after on any given day,... in that order. I have three leases:

Arkansas: State antler restrictions - 3 points on one side or better.
Tennessee 1: Club rules - 4 points or better on one side
Tennssee 2: Club rules - 8 pointer or better.

On public land in Missouri - anything goes, and normally I'm taking venison home from there. Since I have four does in the freezer already, I'll be more selective on bucks than I normally would.

RE: What qualifies a shooter buck?? in your opinion
 

a buck that I decide to shoot! I do not get paid the big dollars to be on film! So if I want it I take it!

RE: What qualifies a shooter buck?? in your opinion
 

A buck that gets my ticker going and my legs a shaking!!:D 130" and up will do that to me easily. Heck a doe will do that to me If I know I'm going to shoot her!

RE: What qualifies a shooter buck?? in your opinion
 

I wont shoot a less than 140 4 year old buck. Howeve, I live in east central Illinois and have good private ground to hunt and that makes all the difference in the world. It would be different if I lived in Georgia or South carolina. You have to have the deer of that size before you can be picky. If I lived in Kansas or Iowa my standards would be higher. It also depends on the ground you hunt alot or little private or public. There are alot of factors.

RE: What qualifies a shooter buck?? in your opinion
 

I voted height & tine length, just to play along with the poll. Like everyone else, there are multiple factors. But personally, I like to have tall brow tines and tall G2s and G3s.... first thing I tend to notice about a deer. I have about a 120ish cut-off. And I have let more of those tweeners go than I have shot... several dozen more actually. I'm extremely picky. If I don't say from the very first glimpse, "No doubt about that one..." then I probably won't even strongly consider it.

RE: What qualifies a shooter buck?? in your opinion
 

everything but just having antlers.