Shoot or Pass?

[True Grit]

We enjoy deer, our property is almost a safe haven for them. Deer are very intelligent and people can make hunting and killing them very hard.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I don’t hunt for for anything but meat, he’s really all that’s been on my property. Him and a spike, and I figure he’s atleast older than the spike

From this reply it sounds like you are limited on the amount of game that comes on your property. I think he would make a fine harvest for your family.

 

[Galan]

When I was much younger, probably would have taken him...now pass. At 72, much more selective, especially if I'm alone.

 

[NWARvet]

When I was much younger, probably would have taken him...now pass. At 72, much more selective, especially if I'm alone.

my Dad is 73 and the same way, he says hes shot his fair share and only goes for the big boys now. that and he wont even go out if im not going out, he says its all fun and games until he shoots one and im not around to help him drag it out lol

 

[Rick Richard]

When I was much younger, probably would have taken him...now pass. At 72, much more selective, especially if I'm alone.

Yep, agree. I look for a mature deer, but more importantly at this age is can I drive the truck up to it if I shoot it. lol.

 

[shoot4fun]

After 35 years of hunting the same property and taking some nice bucks I packed my gear up and quit hunting at the end of the 2019 season. Now, all I do is feed them in my backyard.
This one is a very nice subdivision buck.

 

[timeout]

I with Mark W on this
personally I would pass even on the last day of the season
might be a tad bit hard to do but in seasons to come you will see why when he grows into those antlers

I would pass also, but only because I have a lot of good racks on the wall. I believe everyone should shoot what pleases them for whatever reasons they choose. In my area waiting to see what he looks like next year is a huge gamble due to the amount of hunting pressure in this area. So to each his own.

 

[shoot4fun]

It is still a thrill to see nice bucks. During my time hunting I never saw two bucks spar.
Not even in a trail camera picture. Then this showed up in, again, my backyard not more than 75 feet from my back door.

 

[steve210]

I hunted for meat mainly when I hunted, I shot mostly does. This area is lousy with deer, did my part in controlling the population. I don't hunt now, too trifling to do anything with them. When you pull the trigger the work starts! LOL!

 

[jds holler]

I live out here in the "wild west" and I'm getting jealous of y'all back east. Seems like you've got plenty of deer, liberal seasons, buck AND doe tags, and can be picky about what ya kill.

Out here, (I"m in eastern Oregon) we've got tons of public land, relatively sparse deer herds, and incredibly restrictive deer tags.
Our game commission doesn't seem to manage wildlife, they manage tag applications and license fees.

If I apply for a tag in the units close to where I live, I'll get one about every three to five years. If I apply for a unit in a more desirable area, it will take ten or twelve years of unsuccessful applications before I'll get a tag. Consequently a lot of us have pretty much given up on deer hunting. jd

 

[AWS]

If you have property or a lease, a large deer population, liberal season and multiple tags, it is easy to pass on a deer. Hunting public land with just a 9 day season and a freezer to fill you don't hold a tag until you have the perfect deer.

 

[Coonman300]

I’d definitely pass. In my opinion, that’s big rack on a small deer….great potential. Everyone has a different situation. I haven’t killed a buck in years unless it’s a big nasty cull. But, I have the opportunity to shoot a pile of does so I do that.

 

[Clancy]

Pass

 

[std7mag]

I tend to agree with Randy Newberg from Fresh Tracks.
"Never pass up on the first day, what you would shoot on the last day".

Hunting public game lands in PA where we do have antler restrictions, I have to say, yeah. I'd shoot that.

 

[Lefty2506]

Personally I would pass. If you shot that on the main farm that I hunt, we would be disappointed but it happens. However, if you shot that on a couple of the smaller farms that I hunt, it would be a decent deer. If its bigger than anything you've killed so far, by all means take it. If you're putting meat in the freezer, restricted to public land, and don't have many opportunities come along, take him. He'll eat just fine.

 

[NWARvet]

I live out here in the "wild west" and I'm getting jealous of y'all back east. Seems like you've got plenty of deer, liberal seasons, buck AND doe tags, and can be picky about what ya kill.

Out here, (I"m in eastern Oregon) we've got tons of public land, relatively sparse deer herds, and incredibly restrictive deer tags.
Our game commission doesn't seem to manage wildlife, they manage tag applications and license fees.

If I apply for a tag in the units close to where I live, I'll get one about every three to five years. If I apply for a unit in a more desirable area, it will take ten or twelve years of unsuccessful applications before I'll get a tag. Consequently a lot of us have pretty much given up on deer hunting. jd

Well there’s were it’s messed up, you live in Oregon

 

[Tommie]

@NWARvet NWA has been over-run with white tails for years. Has something changed recently?

 

[Larry Koch]

Deer can be trained to eat out of your hand.

 

[danny]

View attachment 1727315Hes not real big. Shoot or Pass?

Pass: small horns.

Danny

 

[Shooter13]

How much longer have ya got to hunt? jd

^^^ This, last day of season he's going home with me!