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?

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.

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

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.

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

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.....

Everything but "just having antlers".

^^^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.

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...

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