I have goals & standards, but first and foremost I allow myself freedom to change those standards. Where I'm at, I'll be lucky to have one to three shot opportunities at a buck. I'm after a nice ten pointer, but if a good basket presents itself and I'm feeling it, good bye! I've changed to more vague goals. I can't really tell if it's a 120 or 130 buck on the fly anyway. And I'm not going to take the time to figure it out, especially when I may only have a few seconds to make it happen. I'd rather shoot a smaller buck that made my heart pump, than miss an opportunity on a bigger buck because I wasn't sure if he met some # threshold I'm guessing at anyway. I love stats & numbers as much as the next guy, but I think hunting is more of a art vs. science. Again, this works for me, my hunting style, and my hunting location.
Steve, I don't think most on this site, including me, can even come close to relating to your situation...I believe your section is still a 1 archery tag only correct? I think me and you are a like in that we love to bowhunt so much that there is no way you'd think about ending your season on a doe or small buck until nearly the end of season. If I was truly a one tag and done area - I would hold out for what I believe to be the top 1 or 2 bucks in my area - until the final two weeks in which I'd consider a doe - or any other buck that makes me happy for late season. I'm spoiled in an unlimited doe area - I can get all the shooting in I want - and I do still love to harvest any deer with a bow. We are also a 2 buck area (2 bucks for all weapons combined)...I still hold out way longer than I should - again, it just boils down to shoot what makes you happy. I will say my standards have come back down some...they were way to high after taking my best buck, and I had some of those days/seasons where I was getting frustrated over these big bucks...not anymore - it's all about a good time. They are just deer, life is too short, I'd rather take a buddy to my farm and watch him have fun shooting a 6pt, then to keep the place to myself and not share any of those memories. Good Luck Steve - how sweet will it be when that 140+ buck does step into recurve range?
One archery tag would be very tough. I would likely just shoot the first legal deer in range if I were limited to one tag.
Unfortunately Steve, this is a question that only you can answer. Personally, if the buck isn't big enough for getting the taxidermy done and hanging on the wall, it's not worth shooting. Does taste better anyway.
Said it many times first thing all hunters have to decide is "what type of hunter am I?", and then stick to it. If that means you're pure meat hunter who could care less about rack size, deal with others not being tickled pink by your little basket 4's and 6's. Likewise if you want a solid set of antlers, insert self chosen standards, then you got to be willing to go 0'fer sometimes and listen to others buck stories. Once you've decided that, you have to ask what can I do to make that happen. Obviously within legal parameters, but consider supplementing the deer forage with strategically small food plots throughout property, hinge cut and change the habitat to what the deer would want (not what we as hunters like...there are big differences), and you got to be willing to sacrifice stands on bad wind days and perhaps some stands all but a couple days due to affecting the deer's movements when hunted. My father and I personally only have 9 acres of "our" own (in parent's names) and I personally only have 24 acres to hunt when you add up all the property I have permission to hunt. Since 2002 I've harvested 6 bucks that all were 8-points and as wide as their ears (my rule is needs 8-points or as wide as ears)...3 of which are P&Y and one just shy...all with bow. We've done lots of work to the small acreage we have and hunt it strategically...and we've started seeing better and better deer every year (sadly so are the neighbors haha). Just wanted to share that to make you realize it can be done..a minimum standard can be set and it can be achieved, it may require some effort but it can be. I recommend everyone start a mineral lick though if you truly want to have a great impact on antler development, here in Indiana it's illegal to hunt over them ever but we still have a couple on 2 corners of our property we don't hunt=perfectly legal says DNR. Pick what you want to be, stick to it, and possibly put a little work in. Also I got corrected this year in believing I knew what bucks we had in our area. Over 25 bucks on trailcams from April to October 8th of this year and I just harvested saturday a 4x5 (14-points though overall) that we had no clue was even around...makes ya wonder what else is out there. Here's the unknown guy now ready to Euro mount:
Oh and I relate to the one buck rule...I love it though...bigger deer produced for sure since IN started it.
Big difference between having one buck tag vs. one archery tag, period. In Steve's area of Minnesota, he can shoot 1 deer in archery season. If he could shoot a doe or two, and still have a tag in his pocket, I'm guessing he wouldn't be wondering if he should hold out for a bigger buck or not.
Since I'm trying not to use the word "hate" these days, I will say I very, very, very, very, very much dislike this type of attitude among hunters.
This is me. I entertain the thoughts of standards... but, when it comes down to it.... If I want to shoot it, I will. You all have seen the 7pnt I shot this year... I passed a deer bigger than that last year... It's all "In The Moment" for me... Now that I've shot that buck... I will be holding out for a wall hanger... (for me) So would a 1 buck tag be good for me... would I have shot that buck if I had only one buck tag? I think of that often... and honestly the answer would be no... I would have passed it... So I guess I'm a prime example of why 1 buck tag would be good. :D
And I 100% agree, but guys must be willing to be okay with that. Shoot one of my closest hunting buddies is like that. He's hunting for meat and any buck that he can tag..absolutely nothing wrong with that even in the slightest bit imo...you just have to have thick skin because not every hunter is gonna think that's okay was all I was saying.
I don't want to sidetrack Steve's thread, so I'll just say I don't like when hunters try to find unnecessary reasons to separate themselves. This post was brought to you by our friends at unitingallhunters.gov.
Very good question. Enjoyed hearing different peoples responses. I'm lucky to be able to get a seperate doe tag for archery along with buck tag. We can also get a buck tag for gun here in Iowa. I've already shot my first doe this year and I've had it in my head that I won't shoot an arrow unless it is bigger than previous two bucks I've shot with gun. One deer is a perfect 8 point which ended up only scoring 120 some inches. The buck I shot last year was older deer and scored in the 130's because of a little better mass. I still think the 8 point deer is a much better looking deer. I guess my point is we all have different ideas of what we like. Some like typical better than non-typical, etc, etc. I've never shot a deer over 140 with bow or gun. My goal now for bowhunting is 140 or I eat the buck tag which doesn't bother me b/c we will get plenty of venison. My father hasn't ever killed a 140 inch deer with a bow either. I bought a bottle of Makers 46 that will not be opened until my father or I kill a 140 inch deer with a bow. More than likely this won't happen immediately, but 140 inch deer in our area isn't a huge stretch. When this does happen the Makers is going to be a nice treat. Hopefully we like it since we have never had the 46 version of Makers. It will also bring back the days that were good or bad spent chasing this idea. IMO, if I stick to my goal this will allow me to spend lots of days in the woods. I'll probably become a better hunter. In no way am I against hunting for meat. This is what I have set up for my intentions of hunting this year. My intentions could very easily change with a 120-130's deer in bow range. Ha Good luck to everyone this season with their own personal goals. As stated earlier. As long as it is fun then don't change a thing.
Steve, I hold out for 4 year olds because I can. Simple as that. I have them around. Would I hold out for 4 year old bucks if I didnt have them around. Truthfully probably not or I would simply hunt somewhere else. With elk, I happen to hunt where the elk get the chit knocked out of them in rifle and rarely do I see an older bull. Every year, 3 and 4 and maybe sometimes I get to hunt a 5 year old bull.. because I am aware of what I "GET" to target I am not even as close to as picky as I am with my bucks... because, again, I can, because they are there. Hunt what's in your woods, Hunt for what is going to make you happy and that my change year to year based on your scouting. Don't let anyone else decide it for you...meaning all this stuff you hear about holding out or waiting for a monster...can only be done where the big boys exist. If you happen to have a stud around like you did a few years ago... GREAT.. hunt for him just like you did, but take an inventory each season and then make a gameplan accordingly. As far as age goes, personally.. I'd take a lower scoring 4 year old every time over a younger 3.5 that scores better, unless it was of course some genetic freak that was just out of this world huge and then I am sure I would smoke it.. but I almost always see a 10-20 inch jump from 3 to 4 year olds out here..so when I do see a very good potential 3.. I just can't wait to see what he'd be as a 4... does any of this make sense in how I think??? LOL ...anyway those are my feelings...I know my bucks have a fair to good chance to make it once they get that 3 year old experience under their belts ...again..it's because of where i hunt and how huge the cover is...Good luck brother.
Scarps and Shed, Your post's were exactly what I was looking for In responses. Thanks guys!! I think I made my mind up last night after I typed this thread up. I'll hold out for a 130 Inch buck as usual but come the last 2 to 3 weeks of our deer season here I'll do one of two things. There's two 4.5 year olds that frequent my woods allot. One of which has terrible genetics, he scores maybe 110 Inches. The other 4.5 year old Is In that 125 Inch range, nice long G2's and G3's but very short G1's. Either one will be a challenge.
