SuperMn106 Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Ok guys, This is the first year that I have made a consius effort to pass on younger/smaller bucks. Normally if it was a buck I was shooting. I have passed at least 10 different bucks and seen a couple more not in range. I am getting to the mood where if it has horns it dies. I hunt public land. I don't know why but it has been eating at me. I did have an oppurtunity at a nice 115-120 class 8 pt and blew it also. :bang: Does anyone else get feeling like this? I think it may be because I have only shot 4 bucks in 13 years of hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan Givan Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Yeah sometimes I get to feeling that way. I have never killed a good buck...i missed a dandy 2 years ago. I still pass little bucks. I just know that eventually it will pay off, so I just enjoy watching the little ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Talking about passing bucks in here is not a good topic. Most just don't understand...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 You are not alone, believe me. I used to basically shoot anything with antlers....then the last couple years I wanted to challenge myself by say shooting a 4 then the next year shooting a 5 or better and the next shooting a 6 or better...I actually passed a couple small ones this year, glad I did. When a buck comes in though, regardless of size, I am happy to put any buck on a tag...and sometimes I am like Hey, I like that rack...it's not so much size to me as maybe the uniqueness or just the thrill of putting a tag on a pair of antlers. I'd rather go home with a rack of any size than none at all...I don't like to waste my tags... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MK-M-GOBL Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Every year I feel that way. Most of the land I hunt is open to the public in the way you don't need permission. If it's not posted you can hunt it so there's a lot of property I can pick from and not have a ton of pressure from people. That is until someone spots your truck more than once in an area then they feel you must be hunting something good and they move in on you :no: I tend to park in crazy places to hide my truck and even will walk for a long way just to keep a spot low key. I personally would find it hard though to try practicing AR on public land if I were living back home or back in MD. I'd only be doing it if I had exclusive land where I know who's hunting it and what gets taken. Plus side of it all is that when you least expect it, a real monster will come walking into your kill zone and it will all be worth the wait. It does happen on public land more than most realize seeing most guys will shot the first set of horns they see. Be patient and good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 I pass on smaller bucks right up until the last week of the season. After that, it's fill the freezer time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC8point Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 I have just tried to upgrade every year last year i got my best so far a 117 inch eight point which is not a bad deer in NC but l hope to get even better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb11 Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 If there is even a chance of that small buck growing another year, I say watch and enjoy the moment. Maybe even go to full draw or imagine taking the shot for the practice and know that you could have taken him if you wanted. Shoot the doe and let him grow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Been trying to pass up the younger bucks here for a while. Passed up quite a few last year and ended up not killing a deer. We were getting pics of some pretty nice bucks here this year, thought it should pay off, activity on our property this year has been lousy since archery season started though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Andrus Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 I feel your pain!!! this year has been a very tough one for me Cant tell you how many Ive passed. Some I probably shouldnt have but it was my choice and was hoping on a bigger buck.. Years ago I used to shoot 1st buck I saw . Then I would sit and wish I was still hunting or see someone who had connected on a shooter buck. I held the record at our cabin 4 years in a row killing a buck on the opener of bow and gun on it opening day..Thats when I started passing on the smaller bucks.. Ive gone the last 8 years killing a buck over 130 and some years multiple bucks , but remember you cant shoot what you dont see and sometimes its not all about the size of the rack, but the hunt with family and friends. Its very easy to get caught up in this big buck craze and sometimes it takes away the fun..for the pressure you put on yourself. With me doing this Realtree gig I feel more pressure than most and when Im filming the hunt ..even more.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMn106 Posted December 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 I see what some of you are saying. I used to go by if it would be the biggest buck I have shot to date I would shoot it but this year I have passed on 5 bucks that are bigger than what I have shot before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeaveragehunter Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 It depends where you hunt, but rack size shouldn't matter. As long as you are pumped to shoot that deer, you should shoot it. If a six pointer gets your blood boiling, I get excited too. If nothing short of a 150" gets you going, you should pass on anything smaller. For me its P&Y or just a picture and a memory. I am happy hunting like that. If you have unrealistic expectations, then you should re-evaluate and put some fun back into hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 It gets easier with time!!! IMO LOTS of doe to fill the freezer with! I use to feel the same way and you do and would ask myself WHY am I passing all these bucks.....But each year as I see bigger and better bucks around I am thankful I did pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indianaboy Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 I dont get to that point. I will always pass on anything I would be disappointed with. I am to the point now if its not 4 1/2 yrs old I am not going to shoot it. If I have a itchy trigger finger then I whack a doe. Makes me feel a little better. I have no problem with eating tag soup. I am lucky enough to be able to take off nearly a month to pretty much devote to deer and even the days I dont have off I can hunt mornings after work. I have no problem with people that shoot young deer if you are happy with them. Its the people that say "man I wish I wouldnt have shot him" that bother me. If you are happy then I am happy for you. It is also a really cool feeling when you get a few years of history with a deer before you harvest him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 I have passed on many bucks looking for something bigger than what I have on the wall. The trouble is that not being in control of the land I hunt a lot of those I pass get shot. Being realistic the bigger deer are just not here in copious amounts. Sure there are some nice bucks running around, but there are far more skippers. Every year I hope to see this years crop of scrubs mature a little. It doesn't happen as you might think it does. Either they get shot in the previous year or disperse to other areas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloodtrails Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 :bang::hammer1::chair::hammer2::poke::death: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Talking about passing bucks in here is not a good topic. Most just don't understand...... LOL--Yep! At the risk of getting hammered by more than a couple members here, the advice I would pass on is to set your own goals, don't worry about what others will say or do and shoot what you want. I have over 20 years experience of hunting deer. As I look back, seems to me my goals change from year to year, and sometimes my goals change on a daily basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 I set out at the beginning of season with the goal of trying to shoot a "shooter". That usually lasts for about a month and then I'll shoot anything that passes the antler restrictions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNcrittergittr Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 It's a lot easier to see the results of passing on deer and watching them grow into their full potential on private land than on public land. My family and I pass a lot of deer each seaon. But I don't need to shoot the biggest buck in the woods to have a great season. My hunting and the deer I shoot mean more to me than what the antlers score. It can be really tough to do this on public land, especially if it is heavily hunted or pressured. I do hunt one particular area that happens to be public, but lucky for me it is only accessable by boat and very secluded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sskybnd Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 i realy cant pass on a buck where we hunt, we have a 3 point rule, and our lease borders 3 other lease's so when you see a shooter if you dont take it, it will be shot when it crosses to anothers lease, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NBomb500 Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 I hear you Mike. Although since about my third year of hunting when my Dad and I would be out looking for bucks, if we saw one I would always ask him "would you shoot it"? He got me hooked on big bucks and I have only shot 1 buck I think...ever...that is in my 12 years of hunting, but the one I got I am really proud of. Personally my Dad and I only go after 150 inch bucks and bigger, but I think the key is to be happy with whatever you get! We love just hanging out together and looking for big bucks! It is fun as well to see a buck from the year before that survived!:clown: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungry hunter Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 If ya define a shooter, some folks won't take a secone look at a 130" deer. If all ya got is public land to hunt then ya hunt. Some part of this coounty will not grow anything bigger then 100" buck and that is considered a monster. I hunt public land and any buck is a trophy. I have always said there is too much emphasis on the horns and braggin rights. To all those who have scored P&Y and B&C congrats. I would like to also one day get one of those thick chocolate horned monsters. But for now I fill my freezer first. So don't beat yourself up for passing a buck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 I agree with Todd. It does get easier over time. I can remember when everyone hunted by state game laws (which 25 years ago was any horns visible above natural hairline). Now I try to take mature bucks, not all wallhangers but I generally am able to pick and choose some decent deer. That being said, it's obvious Mike that you're maybe not in as good a position to do that on public land, judging by the number of deer you say you've taken in recent years. Enjoy your time out, and dont feel guilty to pull the trigger to take a legal buck and put some meat in the freezer and have a good time, you'll find some better racks soon I hope. john Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted December 5, 2009 Report Share Posted December 5, 2009 LOL--Yep! At the risk of getting hammered by more than a couple members here, the advice I would pass on is to set your own goals, don't worry about what others will say or do and shoot what you want. I have over 20 years experience of hunting deer. As I look back, seems to me my goals change from year to year, and sometimes my goals change on a daily basis. Good advice Chris........ ..... and you know we're just yanking your chain I killed an 8pt last year with my bow and sawed his horns off (I knew the others would want to see the "evidence"). They slid under my toolbox where I couldnt see them, and a week later when one of the guys asked to see them, I swear I thought they had blown out of the back of the truck!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad dryden Posted December 6, 2009 Report Share Posted December 6, 2009 What helps is knowing their is always a bigger one out their. I hunt private land and if its somthing I wont mount I wont shoot it has to be at least a 135 or better and it has paid off for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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