Do what you feel is right. If you want a bigger buck then I'd say wait for the rut to see what it brings you. Last thing you want to do is shoot a buck that your not sure you even want. Personally I'd shoot him if I could, but that's cause 120's are decent deer by me and not too many people get a shot at one. End of the day if you will be happy with him then go for it, if not don't do it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I agree with AT. Nothing wrong with getting your confidence up with a nice 100"-120" buck for your first archery buck. I've shot 3 now in the 110"-125" range in my first 8 years and have much more confidence. Unfortunately the only deer I've lost so far was a buck of a lifetime in 2012. I only had harvested a decent 8 prior to that one and I definitely made some mistakes in the shot and recovery as a result of my inexperience and excitement. I think I will keep it together more when I get a shot at a bigger buck next time. At least I'd like to think so! But you do you! Don't hunt for anyone else. No matter what you shoot, be proud of it. Any archery buck is an accomplishment!
For a first archery buck - I'd say anything that you ethically (and legally) kill is great. Our rule in PA is three points high on one side (not including brow tines) - I am not picky as I have yet to kill a buck, either. So the first legal one that gives me a perfect shot will be the one I get.
I also hunt in an area of NY that has the 3pt on one antler rule. I actually love that law. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It gets frustrating especially for a new hunter (like myself) - but I completely agree with it as it has allowed us to get some more mature bucks.
It seems there is a healthy handful of us in this group that have yet to take their first archery buck. (myself included) Going to be an interesting season. Hope we can help each other out enough to get the job done.
Im sure it does! I started hunting in that area so I had an exception my first 3 years since i was a junior hunter at the time. I wouldn't shoot a deer that i'm not happy with and that's well into legal.
Yes was with a bow all self filmed. When I get time I'll post the clip but until then. I got some cams to run and land to scout for deer.
Season starts here in WI next Saturday. Have a pretty busy weekend but hope to get out Sunday night for the first time. One of my friends wants to run a camera so hopefully we can get a doe kill on film. Won't make it out much in the first couple weeks other than maybe a few quick weeknight hunts. Really want to get a doe on the ground for myself and the team. Going to be doing a fair amount of musky fishing this fall as well. I wish I could be in three places at once sometimes!
If he's wide enough I think he'll be a shooter. Seem a super wide buck tonight close to where the pic was taken. Hope it was him
Life has been so hectic that we just made it to our main hunting spot. Sadly, sign was AWFUL. All the paths have weeds 7' high, hardly any sign of deer. It's 30-45 minutes from home and for what we saw, just not worth it right now. Put a camera out, just in case, to see if we find anything. Going to hunt our rifle spot mid-end October. It's an hour or so away, so won't do much checking before, but will go out next weekend. Until then, my spot will be down the road about 10 minutes. Have a few bucks and lots of doe on camera. May call our IL outfitter and see if he has any offers going on.
