Any regrets on letting a deer walk?
01-15-2010, 10:10 AM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 3,406
Any regrets on letting a deer walk?
This can cause questions especially if that hunter fails to punch his tag. I will admit, many years ago, when I first started letting smaller bucks and does walk early in the season, I had that gut feeling I should have taken that deer and yes, I regretted it. Also, knowing I was hunting in areas with a small deer population (less than 10 deer/sq mile) didn't help. I know hunters that will never let a legal deer walk because we hunt places where you can go days without seeing a deer. I never, ever have a problem with anyone's decision.
Later I felt it was a decision I made and not only accepted it but also was was very happy with the decision. This past year it also happened. I let a doe walk during the last weekend of doe season and never filled my tag. No regrets whatsoever.
It's a special feeling when you walk up to a beautiful deer you just shot. Iit's also a special feeling watching that deer walk away when you know it's life was in your hands.
Your thoughts? Would you let a deer walk if you knew it may be your only opportunity to tag a deer?
Later I felt it was a decision I made and not only accepted it but also was was very happy with the decision. This past year it also happened. I let a doe walk during the last weekend of doe season and never filled my tag. No regrets whatsoever.
It's a special feeling when you walk up to a beautiful deer you just shot. Iit's also a special feeling watching that deer walk away when you know it's life was in your hands.
Your thoughts? Would you let a deer walk if you knew it may be your only opportunity to tag a deer?
01-15-2010, 10:26 AM
#2
Fork Horn
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: MN
Posts: 254
I let 4 does walk this muzzleloader season on 3 different occasions knowing full well I may not get another opportunity. It doesn't bother me at all. I let smaller bucks walk every year waiting for a trophy, sometimes it happens other times not. I just tell myself, better luck next year.
01-15-2010, 10:28 AM
#3
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 182
I have let deer walk before, hoping for others to show up, and then turned up empty handed. I once was out one morning, and probably let 40 go (as well as a couple of gorgeous grey foxes) hoping for a shot on a trophy 10 pointer we had photos of, but he never showed up and it ended up being the last day I got out that season. So that hurt.
But other times I've been out and let them go with no regret. Heck, I went out a couple of days this year and after thinking about it, just simply let them go cause I was too lazy to process them afterward and I'd rather let them live for another day.
But other times I've been out and let them go with no regret. Heck, I went out a couple of days this year and after thinking about it, just simply let them go cause I was too lazy to process them afterward and I'd rather let them live for another day.
01-15-2010, 10:39 AM
#5
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 595
I justify it to myself with the feeling of success. I had that deer in range, dead to rights. I am now successfull this year, I just don't have to tag, gut, drag and cut up meat. When it happens, I always leave the woods happier than when i went in.
01-15-2010, 01:10 PM
#7
Spike
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: grand rapids, MI
Posts: 64
if it was the only deer i had a chance at i would never let it walk, it could be a 40# fawn and it gonna die because i eat meat and thats why i hunt. I live in an area with many deer so i pass some up because i can,but bottom line is if its between a "lesser" deer and eating my tag its bang bang!
