What would you do?
 

Anyone who has been reading my posts knows that I bow hunt for the sport. I've passed on bigger bucks then I have shot. I want something to put on the wall. In the past several years I have consistently seen 150's and up. It comes down to whether one gets with in bow range or not. It's more limited by time in the woods then anything else. I hunt only spots I know huge is in there.

This year I've been out twice. The first day uneventful for anything huge. That was the first for this spot. Hunted this place now about 12 times and evry trip something huge has run through. The last hunt last week, saw 3 deer that were solid 150s. Would have shot any of them if I had the chance. 10 mins. later an even bigger buck came in the same area, solid 170 class possibly 180. My friend swears it could push state record. He would know his 10 point was 162 and top fifty in the state for typical. He sees his everyday on his wall and said this one was way bigger.

Would you pass on one of the 150s to get a chance at the big boy?

RE: What would you do?
 

heck no!! i would be satisfied with a 150 anytime but then again here in illinois we can shoot to bucks so after i would shoot that 150" id be hunting the big boy for sure:D

RE: What would you do?
 

Not no but he)) no!. A 150 classs deer is hard enough to get much less anything bigger. Unless you know for fact that there is a bigger deer there and you can kill him I'd take a 150 in a heart beat.

RE: What would you do?
 

You cant shoot big ones by shooting small ones.

Myself I would wait but the closer it got to our gun season the less choosey I would be.

RE: What would you do?
 

Same thing you should do , reach over and turn off the alarm clock and get out of bed , you gotta be dreaming!

RE: What would you do?
 

You pass bucks up like this? What do you figure this buck scores? just curious...

RE: What would you do?
 

There you go my point exactlly. He is huge. His mass tells me he's on the wall. I would have shot any of the first 3 deer had I had the chance.

For your deer, he would be dead as well. His mass is huge. I can't tell his spread. His tines could be bigger. If I had to guess, he's a 150 class.

Since I didn't get a shot, a bigger one came along. The area I'm hunting is very exclusive. I'm not too worried about any other hunters nor am I worried him leaving the area. I am worried about getting him in range.

RE: What would you do?
 

Field,

When you say exclusive your referring to private land right? ...and I hope not a fenced preserves, which I doubt, so dont take that wrong, but am am curious as to where a guy can hunt and see that many quality bucks in an evening 150s and bigger ... in all respect, I look over 40 bucks sometimes in the summer before I find a 150 class or better to start patterning, So I am definately curious to hear more about your hunting area. My good friend in Alberta doesn't even tell me he sees bucks like your seeing and hes taken some hawgs. 190 class being his largest grossing deer.

Thanks
Shed

RE: What would you do?
 

I would take the first big buck that blessed me with the shot. Then you can hunt the other. If your state only allows you one buck then scout that monster out and hunt him next year.

RE: What would you do?
 

IMO it depends. Do you have a game plan to get an arrow into Mr. Huge? If not I wouldn't wait. From what it sounds like you know he's there and are just waiting for him to give you a shot. If this is the case I'd take the first buck you'd hang on you wall that presents a shot. If you've done your homework and have a game plan to get a crack at Mr. Huge then I say stick to the plan and try to get your shot.

Have you tried mock scrapes or rattleing? If you're seeing deer of this calibre and haven't tried to rattle them in, that would be my plan of attack to try and get a crack at them.

RE: What would you do?
 

At this point I'd wait for the big guy. If you settle for anything less you'll be left thinking about the "one that got away" for a long time.

RE: What would you do?
 

Thanks Jeramy now you went and screwed up my decision. If I pass up a 150 class for him and didn't get a chance at him I would blame myself for being greedy. I think I will pop the first one I get a chance at. I would hope that he could make my choice easy for me but you know thats not likely.

The area I'm hunting and seeing animals like this, Residential. This place is on the edge of town with a huge state park beside it. They drive the state park twice a year and chase the deer over to this property. The place is so over run with deer it's crazy. Don't over look residential properties.

RE: What would you do?
 

Well I hope you get the big one. I couldn't even imagine hunting a place like that. If I saw a 150 in my life where I hunt, that would probably be a once in a lifetime experience.

BTW, I'm curious, what state are you in? Man that sounds like an incredible place to hunt. I'm GREEN with envy ;) Good luck!

RE: What would you do?
 

I would shoot at the 150. I say "shoot at" because I would be shaking so much there is no way I could hit it. Where I am at if I ever get a chance at a 130 I would call it a once in a life time. I sure wouldn't mind having to make that decision though. Good luck to you.

RE: What would you do?
 

To pass up a 150 class buck would be a mistake. On the latest Monster buck video series, I beleive it was, Greg Miller himself who said "I would never pass up a 150 class buck with the bow, those encounters are just to rare!". Now to see as many 150 class bucks as you have claimed to see, that might turn the tables a little. I just can't beleive there are that many quality bucks in one area like that, even if it is a state park. I don't think the "big daddy" of the bucks would tolerate the presence of the others, especially once the rut gets going! Again, what state are you in?

RE: What would you do?
 

This place is in Md. Your right about seeing them at once but the rut hasn't begun. Though last year during the rut I did see the 8 and 10 together as they came up from the lower field. I'm pretty sure the 8 and 10 I saw this year we're the same ones. The big daddy wasn't seen last year.

This place is so over run with deer I don't think it matters too much. Last year I watched 6 bucks chasing does through the woods all around me. We're talking back and forth each on their own deer. They we're 6 and 8 pointers medium size racks. They would cross each others tracks not waivering from their own target.

I'm convinced to take one of the 150's if I get the chance. I won't take two if offered. I do want big daddy. It would be nice if he made it easy on me.

RE: What would you do?
 

150 is hella good for me haha;)

RE: What would you do?
 

Where, Potomac? Arn't you in the Cheverly area and asked about somewhere to hunt a while ago. I think it was you that I told about ARC over in Greenbelt wasn't it?

RE: What would you do?
 

No, not me. I saw the post though. I think I did reply to that post. I have access in Potomac area. Thats where my Pie Bald came from. That place is incredible. It is a close second to this new honey hole. If you've seen my post about the yard I could hunt because the husband wants all deer dead and the wife hates hunters. I've lost touch with that spot but in the 3 years I hunted it the wife never knew I was ever there.:)

RE: What would you do?
 

Yea, I saw that post, Just remember "Have bow will travel" LOL. Good luck over there. I knew someone a while back that hunted behind a Monastery or something like that in Potomac that bordered to a park. I have a pic somewhere of a monster he took there.

RE: What would you do?
 

I unfortunately can assure you, I'm not in that photo. :( I know the monastary and where it is. I've hunted around the corner but have yet to leverage my contacts for the yards over there.

RE: What would you do?
 

Fieldmouse- I'm envious, for sure. [:o] Especially from a guy who hunts in Maryland! Just a thought... if you take a 150 class buck, all you have to do is take two more does before you can again, hunt "Mr. Big". What's the problem with that?!?!
BTW, you gotta watch hunting in people's backyards. If you hit their swingsets it could shatter your carbon arrows!

RE: What would you do?
 

You need to drive towards Baltimore. I have a yard surrounded by neighborhoods in Towson. Great deer there.

Here is a question about the rules, yes two doe are required for a second buck with a bow. What if I hunt the second one during black powder or gun. Do I need to shoot two does?

RE: What would you do?
 

FM- I'm pretty sure that the different seasons (bow, muzzleloader, gun) are treated individually. If this is true, you could kill a buck during bow season, a buck during muzzleloader, and a buck during gun season without taking a doe.
DON'T QUOTE ME ON THAT THOUGH! ;)