So do you take this deer or not
 

This past weekend I was bow hunting when i had two small bucks approxiamtely 15 yards away. I have been bowhunting for 4 years now and have never even taken a shot so let me tell you that I was still very tempted. These deer both had only one side of their racks and both only had two maybe three small points. Should these deer be harvested anyway because they may have bead genetics of could they grow to maybe even a typical six or eight pointer next season. Let me know the facts and you opinions. Thanks

RE: So do you take this deer or not
 

Well I would shoot one just b/c Ive never killed anything over a button. I would then start passing up the small ones and wait for the big one.

RE: So do you take this deer or not
 

I would guess they are yearling deer. Probably brothers hanging out and sparring maybe they broke a side sparring. I would take them if you would be happy with them. If you want something bigger then hold off if you can take it. You will never get a chance at that big one if you shoot small ones. Right?

RE: So do you take this deer or not
 

No, I wouldn't take that shot. And this is coming from someone in pretty much the same position, no shots in many hunts. I mean, take a look at my name on here. Keep working on your rattling and grunting, and wait for that big sucker to come to you. It will be worth it. But then again, that's just my opinion. ;)

RE: So do you take this deer or not
 

Not yet

RE: So do you take this deer or not
 

cpsniper i went 3 years till i killed my first buck with a bow, i say go ahead and break the ice, it will get easier to kill deer, and it is easier to pass on smaller deer, once your used to shooting a few. here i use bow season primarely for thinning out the does, i mean big bucks don't just walk right by my stand all the time, i have killed 3 "mounters" in 20 years of bow hunting, while i agree you wont kill big deer if you kill all the small ones, for whatever the reason, once you "break the ice" it becomes more natural to you, and just seeing those 2 young bucks will be satisfying enough, now i try to kill 3-7 does a season and if a buck comes by thats great, i will hunt a buck hard if i'm in a prime spot, with some activity, i get just as big a kick out of watchin the deer. if your hunting an area where big deer are the norm you may want to hold out, but i am just as proud of the first buck i killed (very small basket racked 6pt'er) with my bow as i was the day i killed him, you will forget a lot of things in your lifetime, but your first deer with a bow won't be one of them...

if you plan on hunting your whole lifetime, there will be plenty that you can let walk;)


HEY DEERARESAFE!!!!! Welcome to the forums, good luck to you this season also

RE: So do you take this deer or not
 

Remember hunting is not only about the big buck you take. Hunting is harvesting what you wish to fill your frezzer trophies are just an added bonus. Don't get me wrong I trophy hunt, but I want meat for the freezer as well. It's all in what you want personally, if you would have taken one of those young bucks you would not be wrong in doing so. Do not get wrapped up in thinking a trophy is all you should kill. That thinking will probably make you wait a few more years before getting a shot. JMHO!

RE: So do you take this deer or not
 

We all set our own limits in terms of what we want to shoot or don't want to shoot...within legal limits ofcourse. Had I been in your situation I probably would have shot one of them for both the meat and to get a deer under my belt..provided that theyoffered a good shot.

RE: So do you take this deer or not
 

If your happy with them then shoot them. If you would rather wait untill they grow up a little bit then hold off, it is all up to you.

RE: So do you take this deer or not
 

I firmly believe a 1st timer should shoot pretty much anything. Small buck, small doe, doens't matter. Then if you want to get picky, that's fine. Deer under your belt will do wonders for confidence and learning.