I always field judge before I shoot even though we don't have any restrictions where I live I would rather shoot a doe than a small buck that could get bigger in years to come. In the last 13yrs of hunting neither me or my father have taken a buck smaller than 140 class and the largest being 170 class so we try to judge by that. but to each his own.

10-4 deerslayer. I am down here in southern berks

I jumped the 'gun' this year (in this case my beloved 243) and shot a buck that I thought was a good one. I did not however have time to judge him correctly. he was downwind, and down hill. he was looking in my direction and I thought, man, look at those g2s! I was sure he was a really nice six or eight and would be my biggest deer to date, but I was wrong. I pulled off a great 60 yd freehand shot from about 25'. after a short tracking job, I was, not disappointed, but let down. he was a six alright, but had nothing more than short tines. I misjudged his g2s for his main beams. I'll do my best next time to take a bit more time through the scope.

If it's bucks only here in NH or Maine , it only has to have one antler 3" tall. I just verify that it's a legal deer. Once I have done that, I wait for that pefect. I keep my eyes offs those antlers and focus on the vitals. The "horns" on a big deer can be a distraction. And that's something I want to avoid. I'll have plenty of time to admire his headgear after I punchmy tag.

I hunt in Montgomery COunty Pa.. We have a 3 point AR here.

I usually look and count 1-2-3 and once i hit 3 its dead

I give a quick score estimate. Usually he is either a shooter or not a shooter. Points are not as important as mass, spread and length of tines.

I, like many of you twisted men, check the rack before I decide to take a shot at it. If the rack isn't big enough I don't want to waste my time.

You cant eat the rack.

I look and try to judge whether the buck is a shooter or not to me. point don't really matter other than I fall under AR's, but anything that don't meet those, i wouldn't shoot anyways.

I can't eat the rack but I can stir my stew with it.. now only if I liked stew.