GWal86 Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 I recently just purchased my first home which came with 9.4 acres. Not an abundance of land, but the parcel is situated in a nice area. There are quite a few corn fields on one side of the property, and the other side has nice hard woods with a hunting club. I finally captured a video of a small spike horn on my trail cam yesterday morning. Personally I would like to see this buck grow into something much larger, but I sort of have a dilemma on my hands. I have heard that the farmers next to me shoot any bucks that come in sight, and then I also am worried about the hunting camp on my other side. If I happen to have this buck in my sights; should I pass it up and hope all other hunters do the same, or should I take advantage of the fact that this deer is in my sights? Any feedback would be appreciated. [ATTACH=CONFIG]12709[/ATTACH] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 sounds a lot like my house, acreage and everything. i've chosen not to shoot any buck behind my house that wasn't older than a 2.5 yr old buck. people shoot everything at the club and in the area. chances are there's others bigger in the area. maybe not much but still bigger. it's hard but don't let your neighbors dictate what you shoot and opposed to your own standards. it has a chance to live even with your neighbors, but if you shoot it that chance of living is now zero. everything said and done, assuming it's legal to take, it's your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWal86 Posted October 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 Thanks for the reply and good points you brought up. I think the hardest part will be not letting my neighbors get to me. The other day I heard that someone spotted a large rack buck less than a mile from my house. Hopefully my location is appealing enough and I will spot this buck for myself. Best of luck this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flintlock1776 Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 Let them tag out on the small stuff. When the rut kicks in I think the big boys may go to your land to hole up. Too bad there is no antler restrictions. PA went to one some years back and I believe hunters have benefited from letting the small guys walk Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisSeb53 Posted October 20, 2012 Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 Let them tag out on the small stuff. When the rut kicks in I think the big boys may go to your land to hole up. Too bad there is no antler restrictions. PA went to one some years back and I believe hunters have benefited from letting the small guys walk Good luck I'm from PA and I have seen first hand that antler restrictions are a GOOD thing IMO. I may be seeing less deer in total than I have in years past, but the deer I am seeing (not only bucks) are larger and healthier than they have ever been! With that being said, all you can do is hope that your neighbors choose to pass on this deer. You can always shoot a doe if you want to fill your freezer. I agree with Flint. I would pass on this deer in hope that a bigger buck will cruise onto my property during the rut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 20, 2012 Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 Welcome to the forums. You have to make the decision whether or not you want to kill the deer or let it go, granted you see it. That can be tough if you do not have an idea what might be around. What the neighbors are doing can be a bit frustrating. Good luck with your season and seeing better deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 I'm from PA and I have seen first hand that antler restrictions are a GOOD thing IMO. I may be seeing less deer in total than I have in years past, but the deer I am seeing (not only bucks) are larger and healthier than they have ever been! With that being said, all you can do is hope that your neighbors choose to pass on this deer. You can always shoot a doe if you want to fill your freezer. I agree with Flint. I would pass on this deer in hope that a bigger buck will cruise onto my property during the rut. wished they'd move to have AR's of 4 points on one side or minimum of 110+ inches here. we'd get more deer live to be 3.5+ yrs old. more bucks to get does bred in their first cycle and all the benefits to go with that.... etc etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 I think it's really a personal choice. If you want the deer, shoot it. If you want to see how big it will get, don't shoot it and take your chances on it slipping by the neighbors. Unfortunately, 9 acres isn't going to hold 1 particular deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpdaly85 Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 Hunting Tip Needed Have you thought about trying a management program? I've never hinted up north, I will actually be doing it for the first time in Hartford county Maryland during my thanksgiving break. I've hunted Texas all my life, and on the las place we had, we were shooting deer in the 140's low 150's range. Well we started to feed protein year around and worked with our surrounding neighbors to let everything walk that wasn't 5 and a half or older, scored in at least the 150's or wasn't a management buck (anything over four that was disfigured or not goin to meet scoring potential). I shot a 146 10pt the year we started, two years later my brother shot a 168 net 16 point. I know every place is different, but if everyone is willing to cooperate then it works. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 Have you thought about trying a management program? I've never hinted up north, I will actually be doing it for the first time in Hartford county Maryland during my thanksgiving break. I've hunted Texas all my life, and on the las place we had, we were shooting deer in the 140's low 150's range. Well we started to feed protein year around and worked with our surrounding neighbors to let everything walk that wasn't 5 and a half or older, scored in at least the 150's or wasn't a management buck (anything over four that was disfigured or not goin to meet scoring potential). I shot a 146 10pt the year we started, two years later my brother shot a 168 net 16 point. I know every place is different, but if everyone is willing to cooperate then it works. Good luck! that's awesome! sounds like it was a good spot to begin with before you started. no doubt it only helps. unfortunately with 10 acres he doesn't have much pull with the neighbors. definitely can't keep the deer on the property. management plan isn't very feasible unless the neighbors are willing. welcome to the forums too! Good luck this season! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 I like to eat deer meat more than I like to look at horns. But that's me. In the end, the call is yours to make. Hope you have a great season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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