Steve863

Like there aren't some "trophy hunters" who shoot bucks that don't quite measure up in score once the deer is on the ground and then tag it with someone elses tag so that they could continue to hunt for that true monster??? Greed in hunting does NOT only apply to meat hunters.

Sylvan

It seems to me that if you are going to shoot 1 deer per year and your goal is to increase the total number of buck in the woods then given the choice between a young buck or a doe you would be better severved to shoot the buck. When you let the buck pass, you've saved 1 buck. When you let the doe pass, you've saved many. When you take out the doe, you take out all the bucks she would have produced plus all the bucks her female offspring would have produced. It seems to me that shooting doe is a tactic to be used to control overall numbers. When the population is at or near capacity then we should kill doe to reduce or keep numbers in check. When the population is low, passing on doe will increase the numbers of both buck and doe. Once the population is at or near capacity and you still plan to to take only 1 deer then take the doe.

rybohunter

From what I've experienced most people in PA poach. Meat hunters & rack hunters, neither one has that market cornered.

But as for the original question, my intent is to hold to my rough shooter standard (120"+ and 3.5 yrs old) and be prepared to go buckless. I've never been tempted with a tweener though to know if I have the will power to hold out. Now I was prepared to shoot something smaller than normal, but still not too small this past gun season because I wanted to take a buck with my revolver. Also depending on my plans for the late season if I have my longbow in hand any decent sized buck will get an arrow sent his way as I'm still looking for my 1st kill with trad gear.

WNY Bowhunter

I never said that it did. The motive behind taking more game that your state laws legally allow you too is GREED...end of story. I just find it funny that there are guys who claim that antler size means nothing to them but they're willing to break laws (aka poach) in order to get a chance at a deer with bigger antlers when they could legally take a doe or two if more meat is all that they really wanted.

Dale/PA

Doesnt matter doe or buck I take the first legal deer that walks by me. Not going to sugar coat it I am out there to get a deer. Dont get mad if I dont but thats the main reason I go. To each his own is what I mean. What chafes me is the self proclaimed experts that put down others because they dont hunt they that the experts do.

Screamin Steel

Your self imposed standard is realistic, and at the same time, moderately challenging for our region. That's a good minimum for a "PA trophy." Just curious how long you've been following that standard and how successfulyou've been in attaining it.

rybohunter

SS

I’ve only been on that standard about 4 years. In PA I am 50% successful (both scoring in the 130” class) assuming I don’t get one in this late season. It took me a LONG time to shed the mentality to shoot the 1st buck I saw. Finally after so many 1-2 week long archery seasons I was ending my hunting much too early and slowly began raising my bar.

BTBowhunter

That is truly impressive Ryan!

A 50% success rate while sticking to that standard is surely good cause to be proud!

Western MA Hunter

If I would shoot it the last day, I will shoot it the first day...

bawanajim

How many buck tags do you get?

In PA you get one per year ,so some of us quite picky with how we use it.