deer standards
 

this last year i finally got a pretty nice first buck..it was only about a year and a half old. this coming deer season should i set my standards higher and try to get one older or should i still kill the first buck that i see (not a spike)

RE: deer standards
 

It's all up to you and what you want out of a deer.

RE: deer standards
 

I try to move my standards up each year,according to what I believe is in the area. I go without a buck some years but the time comes back around.

RE: deer standards
 

If the antlers mean more to you than the venison hold out for a bigger one. If you want meat in the freezer shoot the first one that comes by.

RE: deer standards
 

It is completely up to you, if your not going to be proud of a deer, don't shoot it.

RE: deer standards
 

raise your standards my first year hunt my minimum was a 130 and i shot a 144 gross.

RE: deer standards
 

Try for the bigger one if your lenght of season & days off from work alow it. You can always lower your standards as the season narrows down.

RE: deer standards
 

well i just started hunting 2 years ago im only 20 and i still havent got a buck becuase ive only seen six pointers the bigger ones werent in close enough so i started off with high standards and thats just the way i think it should be lol

RE: deer standards
 

It depends on what you want. I would proubably just shoot one that i would be happy with. Basically one with a reasonable size to it.

RE: deer standards
 

Just depends buddy does your state have a 2 buck bag limit or one. If its two and you really want to kill a buck shot the first one and then wait it out on a good one. If its one go with your gut. when i first started hunting if it was brown with onehorn 3 inches longit was down. Since then I've taken several deer and wait on a good one. But then again what is a good one to me might be a scrub to others. Do what makes you happy go with your gut.

RE: deer standards
 

Just like pickin up women, lower your standards raise your average.:D

RE: deer standards
 

Guess your right. Never thought of it like that.

RE: deer standards
 

If you shoot the small ones, you'll never see any big ones. The law of averages comes in at some point. We didn't shoot any bucks on our place for 4 years. Since then our rack size has more than doubled and we see alot more mature deer on place than we ever saw before.

RE: deer standards
 

Thats great if you have the acreage or you can get you neighbors involved. We also have been letting the little ones go and have had good success.

RE: deer standards
 

It really is up to your preference and any regulations your state may have governing the taking of a legal buck. I think that the length of your season or chances to hunt can have sway on this as well. Personally, I will not take an immature buck, and wait. I hunt bow, rifle and ML, so have a longer season, and can only take one buck for the year, so want to make it count on a good one anyways. Plus I can always get some satisfaction from taking a few does as well.

RE: deer standards
 

Really, the only day that I hold out is the first day. After that I mostly just shoot anything other than a spike. However this will be the last year I get to do that because next year I'll have a point restriction.

RE: deer standards
 

I set my standards for deer usually before the season, and I usually set them pretty low:

1. Rack buck
2. Mature Doe

Then as the season/days progress I may up or lower my standards depending on the days I have to hunt, where I'm hunting, the activity or lack thereof -etc.

But, I will not never go below my original standard.

FH

RE: deer standards
 

three and half and older is the way to go. I'm not saying all the bucks I shoot are that old but thats what i try for. the longer youwait the better your chances are for a good buck.I was talking to a guy who hunts one street over from where I do. He said that there aren't any big deer there but he shoots the first buck that comes along. I also think trail cameras help you wait for a better buck because if you get some good pics it will raise your standers.