I got my self back into bow hunting last fall and shot my first deer she only went 30 yards and fell dead. shot through the heart. now hears my question. How big on avg to the bucks get around here? (saratoga area) i dont want to pass up something and wish i had taken in later. And I know thats hunting. are there some 2.5 to 3 years olds out there?
It honestly depends on where you are and food sources, also if they're capable and able to hit their full potential or if everyone on your property or in your area are shooting anything that walks by IMO. Do some scouting and see whats out there to make your assessment on what you would consider a "shooter" is...then shoot whatever makes you happy...Good luck!!!
In my opinion if you just got back into the sport have fun for a few years not worrying about antler size. Learn as much as you can, some things take killing to learn, then progress into passing buck if that's a desire.
If you get the itch scratch it.. Bow hunting is hard enough without handicapping yourself to a certain size buck by someone else's standards. Every deer taken with a bow is a trophy.. Some have bigger bones than others, but they are all special... Have fun and enjoy the gifts as they come...
Very well stated! I hunt mostly in NY's Steuben County. DEC says most deer shot around here average 1.5 years old. Brown and Down mentality - if you don't shoot it = your neighbor will.
Ya i know me and will more than likely shoot the first thing I see lol. I dont own any trail cams but i might be able to get one from a friend? Got a couple fields i might be able to see some a night. with ny changing the distance you can hunt with a bow it open a spot for meat my uncles. he had a nice 8 pt in his back yard. just got to see if he is still around. so thanks for the advice guys.
Like stated above and perfectly by Bone Head Hunter....shoot what makes YOU happy because any deer taken with a bow is 100% a trophy!!! Best of luck this season from a fellow New Yorker!!!!
I hunt Eastern NY... very close to MA line.. I run cameras in a few different spots each year... very rarely do I get any pics of anything better than 2.5 year old bucks
