Passing up bucks...


Ravin R10 man

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Re: Passing up bucks...

Last year I passed on 8 smaller bucks, before I shot my 10 point in Ohio. This year in Ohio I passed up about the same number and didn't take a buck. Around here in NC, if it walks out with antlers, it's getting one slung at it. There a big difference between the areas I hunt. This can be a loaded question from state to state, due to Regulations.

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Re: Passing up bucks...

Passed on 2 spikes and a wide 6 point all inthe 3 days it took to see the 8 point I shot, the 6 point almost got shot but with the antler restrictions I had to let him pass and it payed off.

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Re: Passing up bucks...

I passed up 22 different bucks and 7 more opportunities at the same bucks during bow season alone. All of these opportunities were at 30 yards or less. The bucks ranged from forkies up to a 120's 8 pointer. One of the bucks I passed up was a 2 1/2 year old double drop tine. He'll be amazing next year or the year after, assuming he made it.

Then when gun season opened, I passed up my 9 pointer on opening day (I wanted him closer, but he just would not commit). I took him the next night using my muzzleloader.

I love passing up smaller bucks. I always feel like I got away with something being that close to them and letting them walk. I believe that passing up deer makes you a better hunter. The more deer you have close encounters with just makes you that much better of a hunter when Mr. Big drops in.

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Re: Passing up bucks...

I passed up plenty too.

I came really close to getting the one my buddy 3legs got, and I came really close to getting a shot at an even bigger one over on another piece of property I hunt. But, when the season is winding down and the pressure's on, I took the second one down on one of the properties.

I'm happy, and I'm really looking forward to next season.

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Re: Passing up bucks...

I have passed up on 5 bucks that i can remember... 2 of those were shooters in my book, but the shot wasnt right so i opted not to shoot. If we were considering button bucks as bucks, i would say i passed on 15 total... The bad thing about this is, im still holding my tag, but i haev a couple more weeks to hunt so we'll see what happens. Very Nice buck by the way there

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Re: Passing up bucks...

Been a terrible year here this year. Have only seen I think 4 young bucks this year and passed on them all, have not shot a buck this year. Did see one I thought was a shooter with the rifle, but never had a shot on him.

Last fall I had passed on probably a dozen younger bucks and took a 3 1/2 year old on the opening afternoon of our muzzleloader season, then also killed a mature buck with the rifle after passing on several of the same younger bucks I had seen more than once already.

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Re: Passing up bucks...

bowderick..I love passing up smaller bucks. I always feel like I got away with something being that close to them and letting them walk. I believe that passing up deer makes you a better hunter. The more deer you have close encounters with just makes you that much better of a hunter when Mr. Big drops in.

well said, I think it does help alot too. I know in my case, seeing this one come in didnt rattle me , I just wanted to let the air outta him!! Then after I saw him drop I got excited!! Now you guy's who shoot the first buck you see...thats fine with me too Im not going to look dowm my nose at you.A trophy is in the eyes of the beholder. This just happens to be where Im at in this time with bowhunting, and wanted to hear from like minded bowhunters. Thanks for all the replies smile.gif

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Re: Passing up bucks...

if button bucks count, probably in the neighborhood of 15 to 20. seems to me i can remember 2 or 3 borderline 8's, one or two 6's, 2 spikes, 2 forks and at least 5 or 6 buttons.

i took a shot on a dandy 140 class 10 back in November and didn't connect, but i have a month of archery left, so who knows

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Re: Passing up bucks...

i passed on over 40 bucks this year ... they ranged from spikes to a 130 class 10 point... here in iowa if you want to shoot a whopper , you must go the whole season passing up bucks that most everybody else would shoot .

i have 2 nice bucks mounted and i just cant see shooting another 130 class buck....i always tag a doe for meat and then game on...

it does get frustrating to pass on a nice buck hoping he will make it to next year .. but the way i look at it is if half of the bucks i saw made it to next year theres going to be some serious shooters in my area...

oh by the way i only bow hunt ....

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Guest KSNimrod

Re: Passing up bucks...

I passed on 11 bucks this year. Funny thing is that I passed on the buck I ended up shooting two nights before I killed him. I was starting to draw my bow and saw a bigger buck 60 yards away so I let down. The bigger deer didn't come my way and I spent the next two days questioning my choice. Two nights later here came the deer I had passed on and there was no second guessing!!

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Re: Passing up bucks...

This year I only passed up a half dozen good buck opportunities that I can think of, before shooting one. I was busy with other activities during the early bow season and then spent a week moose hunting up north; both of these diversions reduced my deer hunting time considerably. Other years I have typically passed on 10 to 20.

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Re: Passing up bucks...

Well here is my 02. I am in the military so I only get home to PA for a limited time during hunting season so therefore my few days in PA every year are precious. I never usually pass up on a buck even if it is a spike because I am a meat hunter and not a trophey hunter. I am also exempt from the antler restrictions that PA has put in place. NOW, WITH THAT SAID...the last 3 years, I have killed a legal buck even if I had to abide by the restrictions. I got a seven pointer in 02-03 and an even bigger buck this year. But I have to be honest, if I had seen a spike, I probably would have shot it. I eat the meat, not the horns. Now after I retire from the Marine Corps and get back home and have time to scout out the farm or whatever land I will be hunting, then I will probably lean more towards bigger buck rather than the 2yr old 6 or 8 pointer. But for right now, all I have time for is to drive home and hop right into my treestand and go off the previous years spots. So no, I havn't passed up any bucks...just seems like the last few years, I have had decent bucks be the first ones to walk in front of me.

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