I bought my first archery deer license 47 years ago. As time went on I met many of my deer hunting goals including some that I hadn't given much thought. A few of them are: Every number of points from 1-12 and a 14. I don't have a 13 pointer. I wanted a P&Y, check. 12 inch tines, a 200 lb dressed out buck, a 20" spread, a drop tine buck, check. My best buck has 190"+ of bone on his head. The only goal I've yet to meet is getting a clean 10 pointer. A 5x5, no stickers. I can't believe that it hasn't happened. This has been my number one goal since I was a kid. This goal isn't about size to me. It's about shape or form. Although it has to be 120" or better. My hunting purposes have changed since owning my own land. To see what effects I've made with the deer (all wildlife) from the improvements to my land is the most fun and rewarding experience I've ever had. There is a realistic chance of getting this goal as I usually have a couple of clean 10's running my property each year. I'm not going to lie, I've lost some of the fire to do what it takes to take mature bucks. It's has become quite easy for me to wimp out on cold and windy days and just stay in my warm cabin in the woods and enjoy myself.
I know a few people who don't care about antler size and only care about how old a buck is. I think that is a really good answer.
I also fit into the Mature buck category. We have a 5.5 year old minimum on the properties I manage so hitting that mark is a must to take a buck but I'm happy it's that way. As for antlers, I have a stupid number of incredible deer on the wall and on the shelf. I've really exhausted all my self set goals except for taking a legitimate Booner like Frenchbritt said on page one. I've had several near misses both in harvested deer and one that definitely would have made it but a mechanical effed that up. I think a legitimate booner may be the toughest goal in North American hunting for a single animal, considering deer populations.
I've got several goals... Antler size: 1. A net typical Booner. 2. A 200"+ non-typical Antler Attributes: (my current #1 hitlister has 1. and 2.) 1. Split brow buck 2. Drop tine buck 3. Double main beam buck
Well, here on Long Island we get to harvest 2 bucks with our bows. I shot a 80-90 inch for my first buck.( Last year I harvested a funky little 3 point). So for my 2nd buck tag this year I`m hoping for a buck at least 120 or bigger. Heres the pic from my buck this year.
I have a couple myself. I really want to shoot a good velvet buck and I would also like to shoot a net Booner like a couple others have said. My ultimate goal of shooting one specific deer I believe is over because I have not seen him or got a picture in two years
I don't care about the score necessarily, I would just like to shoot a really nice typical 8 or 10 point that is as wide as his ears with nice long tines.
I was always looking for a 150" deer and/or a deer that was over 5 1/2. Last year I achieved that goal. I killled a 174 1/8 deer that was 6 1/2. Now I have to aim for a bigger goal. I have set a minimum on myself of at least 150". I have sheds from the one I killed last year. It is really cool to see how much mass they can put on in just one year. To me, in my opinion, it is worth letting those 130's walk.
Do you have any idea what ever happened to that buck? That thing was such a great deer, you think you would've heard if somebody had killed it.
I've read this thread several times, and honestly trying to figure out my answer. I think for me right now, 125-130 and/or a perfect 8 would my current goal. My goal that I really have not for me personally, but I really want to see my son kill a deer.
I guess being old and doing it for many years my goals and drive have changed. My largest deer was 303 lbs on the hoof out of a friend of mine's property in Kansas. Haven in 40 years of hunting Kentucky seen a 300 pounder and have no plans on driving to Kansas so I guess that will not be beat. Got a 202" gross non typ and that was the biggest deer I have ever seen in Kentucky. I doubt that will be beat. Trying to keep it over 140".
I just wanna beat my best.. the 9 I killed this year. I havnt scored him so I dont know what that would take number wise. Nothing smaller will get my 2nd tag this year unless I take one of the funky non typical deer that are running around where I hunt or I miss judge!
This! And I believe it will happen someday (net typical booner). It will be taken with my recurve. 4 years ago I was close.
My #1 goal is to consistently get on solid bucks on public land. Something about killing a big buck everyone has access to. Other than that just keep learning and becoming more and more consistant at killing mature deer.
My ultimate goal is to become a great bowhunter. Since I didn't grow up hunting and picked up this sport only a few years back, I still have lots to learn. It took me a couple years to figure things out, and I ate tag soup those years. Once the ice finally broke, I feel like I have been pretty successful. I've killed a buck with a bow 5 out of the last 6 season. I want to keep up that streak and continue to grow as a hunter. As for specifics, ultimately I'd like to take a 200" plus buck. Not much chance of that happening on my property, but hey if your going to set a goal, you might as well shoot for the stars
Mostly to have fun. I like shed hunting and scouting for big bucks and generally find one or two every year. Once I find them... they become my goal for the year. Usually they are 150 or better. I would shoot any a buck that is 150 or better if he got in bow range but for the most part I like going after certain bucks I scouted. I eat a lot of bow tags but it gives me the most satisfaction when I do kill the buck I am after. I love the plotting and planning of each hunt. It is almost heart wrenching when you get them in bow range and then can't get a shot at them which usually happens. Course it keeps the fuel fired for the next encounter. I guess if it was easy... it wouldn't be very fun for me. I like a challenge !! Tim
Simple answer 130+ is what I head into looking to shoot. Never shot a non-typical .. that would be cool. As many my hunting goals have changed a little bit year to year. I've found myself over the last bunch of years becoming obsessed with a particular buck that I have an encounter with, see or scout. I find myself wanting HIM and him alone. I'll spend the rest of a season racking my brain trying to seal the deal on him whatever that takes. Almost abandoning some of my land not caring what is going on with it or oblivious to other bucks. I'll be mobile if I have to, aggressive, ground hunt, etc... Probably to a fault and greatly limits potential to shoot other bucks. But... it's for some reason what makes me tick and enjoy the chess game of finding and killing a particular buck.
I would like to get some meat in the freazer not realy wanting any thing special. I want to get enough so I can give some to the homeless clinic here. I work at the VA in Providence RI and would like to help our vets.
