Small Buck Shaming: Quit Making Excuses for Shooting a Small Buck

I have never scored any of my deer only time I would have was for the contest. But I shot a smaller one with my gun this year so I guess I will stick with not measuring until next contest if I get one.
I have 3 on my wall that probably go from 120 to mid to low 140s
I could measure them but it really wouldn't do much for me other than put a dumb number on them. I am perfectly fine with how they are with no number.

I tend to pass on smaller bucks up until after Halloween then its basically kill whatever is in my range to fill my freezer.

I like to tag out so I can pheasant hunt otherwise my dog gets mad at me.


With this strategy it seems like I shoot a 110+ deer every other year or so and I am perfectly happy with that.

 

I hate when I see a post and the first sentence is "he's not the biggest" or "he won't score well." Drives me nuts! If you kill a deer then OWN IT. There are a lot of shamers out there and it makes people think they need to shoot monster deer to get the respect of people online who they have never met or will ever meet. Who cares? You have to understand that Bob in Iowa is probably going to shoot bigger deer than John in Pennsylvania every year, so it is impossible to compare deer from different areas. So shoot what makes you happy and don't care about what others think.

 

Butch in Pennsylvania shoots small bucks and is glad to have them in the freezer.

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Hence why I may not engage inthe contest next year. I put to much pressure on myself. Passed a 5 and 8 I would have shot inyears past and was very happy with. But I didn't this year to get more points. Then the 130" came by today and I missed him at 40 yds. Should I even be taking that shot when I had an 80" 5 pt at 15yds earlier in the season. Think I will be alive from the stand guy with no team next year and just be happy with whatever presents a good ethical close quarters kill shot. I still probably won't shoot anything smaller then a 6pt or what should have been a true six, but I like shooting Bucks so I will probably start again.

 

What's interesting about this is that many ppl view bucks from the stand much larger then when they are right next to said harvested buck. I shot a 10pt that at the time was very nice. Ended up being about 20 inches less then what I had thought. Either way loved that buck but he looked massive from the stand.

 

I would say know your land and what it has to offer. Know what a top end buck in your area is (if that's what you hold out for). Just because you see photos and shows of dudes dropping monster bucks across the nation, doesn't mean you should hold out for the same. Be realistic. Above all else, if it gets the adrenaline going and you want to shoot it....... shoot it and be happy about it. That's the beautiful thing about hunting. It's entirely up to you what makes you happy. You don't have to report to anyone.

 

totally agree with your entire post....too many times in life ppl always compare themselves with others no matter what it is....weight lifting, how far you can hit a baseball...hunting, fishing, Golf.....takes the fun and excitement out of the pure joy of it all. When you (we) realize it's hard enough being ourselves it shows how almost impossible it is trying to be like someone else, when we all aren't on the same playing field anyhow.

 

Whether you are in the contest or not you still should just shoot what you want. No one is going to get mad if you shoot a spike even. It is for fun.

 

It's all about what gets your blood pumping

 

I get that but I put too much pressure on myself. My competitive side. I just have to try and excellwhen I'm in the contest. It's just how I am.

 

A few years ago I was hunting in Kansas for the very first time and killed a 159" buck on public land. I was fairly new to whitetail hunting having grown up hunting mule deer, elk and antelope in the west. I knew this deer was a beast and was very happy to have taken such a buck. The next year in the same area I killed a 76" 8pt in the same area. I called a friend who has family in the area and has hunted it for many years, and told him "I shot a little buck". He asked if I was happy with it and I said "Yes, I am". When he arrived and we walked to the deer I told him the first thing I said to myself when I walked up to the buck was "Wow, he's bigger than I thought he was." My buddy cracked up laughing and said "Congratulations, this deer's gonna taste great." A perfect response from a good friend who only shoots mature deer.

 

I hunt deer. Period.

I find my enjoyment in finding a trail and/or other sign and then setting up to see what passes by or calling and waiting to see what responds.

I don't bait or use food plots nor do I have a hit list of names. I like to hunt the deer on their terms, not trick them into bending to my terms.

Therefore, I view any deer I get the opportunity to take as a trophy. A set of antlers to display is simply a bonus.

I also find it interesting how many different views and styles there are within the sport of bowhunting.