Existance of big bucks
 

We all know not every area holds big bucks. For the sake of discussion we'll call anything around 120 the minimum "big" buck size. So what would you say is a realistic number or percentage of big bucks in the areas you hunt? Do you hold out for a big one, knowing you have a legitimate chance becuase there are some around, or do you just hope that one MIGHT be where you are hunting?

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

I hunt the big woods in PA, there have been a few large bucks taken in the area but not many, mostly we are happy to see one that is legel by PA standards.

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

I will typically get 1-2 chances at a 115 class buck each year.

However, they don't seem to be much bigger. After bowhunting for 14 years, I've only had a 2-3 P&Y deer within bow range. P&Y is hard to come by down here. We've got them, but very few.

I only personally know around 5 people who have ever killed a P&Y.


Part of the problem is our gun season runs the entire pre-rut, rut, and post rut.

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

well i know there are here because they are everywhere in illinois:D but im not really the big "trophy hunter" ill shoot the first thing thats comes by unless its bambi then maybe try for that big buck but yes i see around average 3-4 bucks over 130" a season

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

I am fortunate enough to hunt a very large tract of private land. 120" class bucks are not uncommon and are getting to be considered "average" here. The nutrition and genetics are finally taking hold here. The true dandies are in the 150" and up caliber. They are a little scarce. We usually know of a couple every season.

Its a whole different game on public land, or small tracts of land surounded by public land. 120" or even 100" deer are scarce at best. Especially here in PA.

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

I see my share while spotting. There were a pair of nice buck around my stand aera that the neighbors saw late last fall. Judging by the tracks out in my honeyhole they are still around.

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

6 or more 120+ and 2 180+ on private land

20 or more 120+ on public

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

[:o]

For god sake that's a big buck in the woods I hunt. In several of the different tracks of properties I have permission to hunt I believe there to be about 2 or 3 in the (120s(or a little less)) in each. Maybe once a season I'll see a 130+ while hunting. I get about 2 or 3 chances a season on a 120. Thats hunting near every day.

After wackin a few does I hold out for a big boy, that being close to 120 and up of course!;)

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

I'd say the land I hunt has at least 6 120"+ deer on it, possibly more. The few others lucky enough to have access to the land are all big time trophy hunters who won't shoot at anything less than a nice big 4x4, generally they go home at the end of the season empty handed. The past few years I've been mainly meat hunting, taking only does, but this season I've got my sights set on that buck I posted a picture of earlier.

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

I own a 400+ acre farm i WV, and our # of big bucks seems to be shrinking...but they seem to school up. LOL

A couple years ago, during gun season, we killed 3 great bucks from the same general area. They were all 115-125", and that's pretty nice for mountain bucks.

Three years ago I found the biggest deer DEAD that I've ever seen there. It was 21" wide with 12 nice points. G2's were extremely impressive for central WV.

Last year I missed an 8 with my bow that was in the 115-125" range, so they're there, but to answer your question...I'd say that we have at least a couple at any given time.

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

I hold out for the big ones, but 120?? thats not big. I travel alot, Illinois, Iowa, etc. and I am lucky to have very nice bucks back home in Wisconsin.

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

I would say that the places I hunt probably 40-60% of the bucks will score 120" or better. I have absolutly no idea how many 120" bucks that are running around here. We do spotlight surveys, alot of driving around, some stand sitting, and 1-2 helicopter surveys each year but we dont keep track of the all the bucks we see. Most of the time we will only video and record the bucks that look to score 150"+. We get 3 buck tags each year and MLD tags which allows us to take extra does and cull bucks. As for me when I'm out hunting I'll hold off until I find a mature buck that scores 150"+ or a buck with a unique rack, then again I might take both :)

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

Where I hunt, a 120" buck is a real trophy. In the past 15 seasons I've hunted, I've killed one that was about 120" and seen two others that were in the 150-160 range, but I didn't have a good shot and they're very scarce. Gosh, if only I hunted in IL and OH. :):):)

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

All of the places I hunt have quite a few 120 -130 around every hunt right below my stand. My latest honey hole I've seen 170+ every hunt. It's been tough to get the big ones in front. It's tough to judge just where they will come from. When the herd size is dozens upon dozens, you never know what Does he wants at that moment. The good thing though is I know they are there.:)

Have you ever seen over a dozen bucks from 140 to even a button buck chasing Does all through the woods below you? Pre Rut last year I watched that many for an hour. They never fought over any Doe. There was more then enough to chase around.

This spot is on the edge of residential area however most of my places are in the middle of residential areas.

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

120":D...that would be the absolutely minimum i would harvest with a bow, only because it would be my first. in iowa, i ALWAYS see at least 4 140" or better bucks per year. last year i was fortunate enough to see a 180-190" buck at 200 yards, but missed the shot, as i was using a shotgun. here on our 135 acres behind the house, we had a couple 120" bucks running around. this year, i think we're gonna have 4 or 5 and maybe a 150" buck. In iowa though, im holding out this year for a B&C buck until the last day. Minimum to put on the wall for me with a gun is 150", miniumum for bow would be 130". we're not the kind of people to spend 400 dollars getting 100" or 120" bucks shoulder mounted.

slayer

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

We are!;)



:eek:118":)

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

I usually see some real nice ones in the summer or early fall. I have yet to shoot anything over 110, but there are some real big deer in the area. Last fall a 194 typical was shot about 15-20 miles away from where I hunt. The deer have a lot of cover and there is enough agricultural land in the area to provide a large variety of food sources. So while there are quite a few big ones, they are tough to get.

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

In the area we mostly hunt, there are atleast 3 120+ bucks. Compared to 8-10 sub 100" bucks. Last year, I passed on 3 smaller bucks because I knew there were bigger ones around. Hopefully, I'll be able to pass on them this year too, but score one of the bigger ones in the end.

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

Where I hunt(3 different tracts of land)there are alot of deer and not uncommon to see many bucks in the 120 class or bigger.There are a few monsters around but getting a shot at them is a different story:)

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

All I have to say is some of you guys should thank your lucky stars to have places that hold those sizes of bucks. I shot one of the biggest bucks in my area last year and it didn't even make 110. There were a few that were bigger, but they were a little bit away from my core hunting area. It is a real rarity to get a buck in that 120" range, but I am hoping that changes now with our antler restriction policy.

RE: Existance of big bucks
 

So are we, Mantis! Different strokes for different... errr... locations! :D