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November 03, 2009
How Big Is Big Enough? - 21
by Doug Howlett
With the quality deer management philosophy so solidly ingrained in today’s hunter’s mind, the old “if it’s brown, it’s down” approach for more and more hunters is becoming a thing of the past. I make no judgment on whichever approach you choose to pursue or to what degree you make those decisions on your own land or lease. As for myself, I suppose I have shot enough deer and see enough in a season that I am more than content to let the “little ones walk” with the rightful hope that they will grow into bigger deer—the tagging of which is always a thrill to any hunter. A big set of antlers is truly one of nature’s most awe-inspiring works of art. But here’s the question: How big is big enough? And I don’t necessarily mean the minimum accepted size for where you hunt. Some places it’s a 125- or 130-inch buck, in others it’s a series of measurements that must be judged in the field, i.e., the rack must be bigger than 14 inches wide, 12 inches tall and have a base circumference measurement of at least 28 mm. That can be a lot to determine! I’m talking about if you have one buck tag in the area you hunt or if you are on a guided hunt where you are nearly always limited to a single buck and your hope is to take a really nice one, not just the minimum, how do you decide? That is the dilemma I’ve faced on a pair of hunts so far this season. Hunting with Hunter’s Specialties David Forbes on his place in northern Missouri earlier this season, I had a rare broadside shot at an 8-point that would have easily scored in the 140s. The shot was a few yards beyond my self-imposed limit, which certainly gave me pause. But what honestly weighed more heavily on my mind was that it was the first morning of a four-day hunt where 150-inch and bigger deer were a very real possibility to shoot. To be clear, I never get to hunt anyplace with realistic odds like that. It’s always a possibility, but a remote one at best. I let the buck walk. While I saw some bigger deer during the hunt including an incredible 170-inch buck (first I’ve ever seen on the hoof in my life), none of the bigger ones came close enough for a shot. A parade of smaller bucks presented shots, but that was it. I never drew an arrow on anything as big as the buck I passed on that first morning. I had had a choice, and in a way, I had chose incorrectly. Fast forward to my hunt with Rut-N-Strut Guide Service (www.rutnstrutguideservice.com) last week and the second day in, I was faced with watching a mid to high 120s 8-point feed 56 yards in front of my blind. I was sporting a Thompson/Center Triumph Bone Collector muzzleloader so the shot was imminently doable. While I would have been fine had I chosen to shoot, I knew outfitter Todd Rogers really preferred us to shoot a 3 ½-year-old hitting at least the 130s if possible. I sighed as my conscience and H.S. cameraman Jimmy Estes agreed it was the right choice. I was becoming a wildlife watcher. Back in camp, half of the hunters would be done by the end of the day, including H.S. pro staffer Rick White, who actually filled his tag the first day of the hunt. The next evening, same blind, virtually the same time and what I thought was the same buck came ambling along. But it wasn’t. This one was a 10-point. It had roughly the same frame as the buck of the day before, but two more points that meant extra inches. This one miiiggghttt scrape 130, but I was betting it would still come in a touch under. I went so far as to actually settle the crosshairs of the Cabela’s scope onto it’s shoulder (usually a sure inducement to pull the trigger), but in the end, simply watched it walk away. By the second to last morning, I wasn’t seeing much until a big boy strolled into a field about 400 yards from my hillside perch with a handful of other deer. We watched him for an hour as the other deer filtered back into some draws. The heavy-racked whitetail was with three does and a smaller buck. When the rest of his group began to follow a fenceline my direction and funnel through a ravine that brought each of the other four within 80 yards, I thought I was in the money. I was wrong. The big buck turned the other direction and disappeared into some trees far, far out of my reach. With a windy evening ahead and only one day to hunt after that, I was growing convinced that my choice to hold off once again was going to bite me. I’m interested in knowing what some of our BBZ hunters would have done in that situation. Would you have shot the 10-point (he was a very nice buck) or held out for something bigger knowing that possibility may never happen? Most outfitters will tell you, don’t shoot the first buck that comes along, but in light of my experiences this season, how much weight do you give that advice? Share your opinions below.
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Comments (21)
Years ago, I tried to take the stand of not shooting the first deer I saw, in hopes I would see a bigger one. Often times that would be the only deer I saw, so I went back to the house and an empty freezer.
I have no problem with people who hunt for trophies, but I know several who hunt just for trophies and don't even like to eat venison. I don't get that. If they offer me the meat, I will take it and I know they give it away to the local food kitchens to feed the homeless, etc.
But I would not hunt if it were just for trophies, I am one of those who grew up very poor and believe I should use what I hunt. I eat everything I shoot, if I shoot it, I know that at some time it will be on my table. Sometimes to the chagrin of my wife. In her defense she never ate anything that was not raised on a farm before she met me. That means she had never eaten a rabbit, squirrel, pheasant, you get the idea. I have changed all of that.
For me, I will always take the first legal deer I see, and all of the legal deer that I can take. For the guys that just want the trophies, they can go for that. I am just as happy eating that small spike who will taste better than that big 12 point. That is what is about for me. And this is not about me telling anyone what they should do, It is what I like for me.
Hailing back to a Jeff Foxworthy joke my philosophy is that if it doesn't have spots "knock its tail in the mud". I shoot the first deer I see every year. Sometimes I get a doe sometimes a small buck but I have also killed three deer over the 130 mark.
Hunting mostly public lands I take the first buck that presents me a shot, in the years I am lucky enough to get drawn for the antlerless deer tag, I hold out on harvesting a doe until the last 2 days of the hunt.
I'm in the same crowd as the above. I was reading the article wondering if everyone is that much luckier than I am. Particularly with 3 and 4 point to a side restrictions, the odds of getting a shooting opportunity on more than 1 legal buck on the public lands I hunt is a relative long shot. I passed on the first buck that presented itself to me 20 minutes into my first archery hunt years ago. Lot's of doe have come by since, but I still haven't had a shot at a buck. I think for a great majority of us, we love to hunt, but we want to fill our freezers too. I was admittedly happier with the 9 I shot last year than with the doe I'd previously shot, but they were each fulfilling..and filling.
well said fellow hunters.
The big racks may look nice on the wall, but they don't make good soup stock. Im with the rest of you ,first good sised deer that i can get a shot at goes down.
my philosophy is to eat and feed the family. racks don't do that. i hunt for food, but have been fortunate to take some great deer in the process. some over 150.
like my dad always tells me you cant eat antlers, ill let small doe walk passed and clearly small bucks during bow season, but shotgun and blackpowder almost nothing is safe. button bucks and small doe are thats it.
Here we get multiple tags in most areas, buck and doe or two. I only shoot a big buck if I think its bigger them my biggest or is irregular or has droptine. The young ones are better as others have stated and I can fill my tags almost any day I want so I wait til I have some help to dress etc. Some years I have had nice bucks in crosshairs and just took a pic but its still fun to rattle or call them in to see whats out there. abnormally warm this Nov so hopefully snows in week or so. Good luck to all.
Mr Howlett, you did the right thing by passing up the buck. If you are hunting someone's private property you should adhere to their wishes or rules that they have in place. Believe me, I saw a really big bodied deer in MS last year, but the horns didn't meet the club standards and I didn't want to shuck out $75 for killing an undersize deer. Just think, maybe some young hunter will get to plow his butt this year! I do try to take the first legal deer that happens by no matter where I am. After breaking the ice and putting some meat in the freezer, then I'll get picky on whatever else comes by.
Mr. Howlett i have hunted and fished with the same group of guys for 20 years, most of them i have taught to fish and introduced to hunting. The thing i think that i have taught them that has stayed with each and everyone is, enjoy the company and fellowship of the ones your with and if a Big Buck or that Lunker Bass happens it is just an added Bonus. You know what this makes every trip a winner.
In my opinion the dilemma you are faced with has a simple answer. If you are hunting where there are size restrictions then you are obligated to confirm to those standards. If not then the answer is will YOU be happy with the buck you are harvesting. Some hunters want to be the first to harvest a deer in camp or season and it makes them happy to do so. I on the other hand only harvest large racked mature bucks and have done so for over 30 years. I have many bucks on the wall and I have many unfilled tags. But I would not be happy with a buck taken just to fill that one tag I have each year. Before you pull the trigger or release the arrow just ask yourself will i really be happy with this deer. If so then there is your answer.
we have very few tags available in CO so your first goal should be to put meat in the freezer.
I eat all deer but most time I'm out trophey hunting.When I need some meat I'm lucky enuff to have the freedom to shoot one anytime of the year without any tags.
how do you shoot deer withot tags? and anytime of the year?
In the right areas of WI there is no limit on deer except 2 bucks per hunter per year. So the freezer is filled with meat and I let the bucks grow until .....
i'm moving to WI.
jamesti, I live on a reservation in Montana & also a member of the tribe we can hunt year around when it comes to deer & Elk but the does & Cows go out of season when they have the bun in the oven.
Hey guys. Great bunch of comments. Thanks for weighing in. Check out my next post Monday for what played out.
Thank you hunter1464 for the intelligent answer. You first need to understand the restrictions of the area your hunting and then ask yourself if this deer will make you happy. To the hunters who say I will shoot the first deer I see because I want to put meat in the freezer, and can't eat the horns you are an idiot. Thats true you can't eat the horns but don't shoot a little buck or a button buck because you want the meat, how frickin hard is it to shoot a doe and let the little buck walk. Why wouldn't you want to shoot a big buck, just seeing does and little bucks gets boring let the little bucks grow, because the most special time in the woods is when your seeing good bucks. The shooting of button bucks is the shooting of a fawn, a half-year old. The buck to doe ratio is already out of whack this doesn't help. Foxworthy's hilarious but they all don't have spots in the fall that you can see before you shoot. Don't shoot a small buck for the meat, shoot a doe, its simple.
mr.HUbb love your last comment my dad and gramps would tan my behind with a 2x4 lol if me or one of my brothers even thought of shooting anything less the a nice 8 unless it was are first deer. My dad says you wont a doe even that has to be a nice mature one at that lol. witch am gratful for and has led to many big bucks to come off the family farm
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)
Years ago, I tried to take the stand of not shooting the first deer I saw, in hopes I would see a bigger one. Often times that would be the only deer I saw, so I went back to the house and an empty freezer.
I have no problem with people who hunt for trophies, but I know several who hunt just for trophies and don't even like to eat venison. I don't get that. If they offer me the meat, I will take it and I know they give it away to the local food kitchens to feed the homeless, etc.
But I would not hunt if it were just for trophies, I am one of those who grew up very poor and believe I should use what I hunt. I eat everything I shoot, if I shoot it, I know that at some time it will be on my table. Sometimes to the chagrin of my wife. In her defense she never ate anything that was not raised on a farm before she met me. That means she had never eaten a rabbit, squirrel, pheasant, you get the idea. I have changed all of that.
For me, I will always take the first legal deer I see, and all of the legal deer that I can take. For the guys that just want the trophies, they can go for that. I am just as happy eating that small spike who will taste better than that big 12 point. That is what is about for me. And this is not about me telling anyone what they should do, It is what I like for me.
my philosophy is to eat and feed the family. racks don't do that. i hunt for food, but have been fortunate to take some great deer in the process. some over 150.
Hailing back to a Jeff Foxworthy joke my philosophy is that if it doesn't have spots "knock its tail in the mud". I shoot the first deer I see every year. Sometimes I get a doe sometimes a small buck but I have also killed three deer over the 130 mark.
The big racks may look nice on the wall, but they don't make good soup stock. Im with the rest of you ,first good sised deer that i can get a shot at goes down.
Here we get multiple tags in most areas, buck and doe or two. I only shoot a big buck if I think its bigger them my biggest or is irregular or has droptine. The young ones are better as others have stated and I can fill my tags almost any day I want so I wait til I have some help to dress etc. Some years I have had nice bucks in crosshairs and just took a pic but its still fun to rattle or call them in to see whats out there. abnormally warm this Nov so hopefully snows in week or so. Good luck to all.
Hunting mostly public lands I take the first buck that presents me a shot, in the years I am lucky enough to get drawn for the antlerless deer tag, I hold out on harvesting a doe until the last 2 days of the hunt.
I'm in the same crowd as the above. I was reading the article wondering if everyone is that much luckier than I am. Particularly with 3 and 4 point to a side restrictions, the odds of getting a shooting opportunity on more than 1 legal buck on the public lands I hunt is a relative long shot. I passed on the first buck that presented itself to me 20 minutes into my first archery hunt years ago. Lot's of doe have come by since, but I still haven't had a shot at a buck. I think for a great majority of us, we love to hunt, but we want to fill our freezers too. I was admittedly happier with the 9 I shot last year than with the doe I'd previously shot, but they were each fulfilling..and filling.
well said fellow hunters.
like my dad always tells me you cant eat antlers, ill let small doe walk passed and clearly small bucks during bow season, but shotgun and blackpowder almost nothing is safe. button bucks and small doe are thats it.
Mr. Howlett i have hunted and fished with the same group of guys for 20 years, most of them i have taught to fish and introduced to hunting. The thing i think that i have taught them that has stayed with each and everyone is, enjoy the company and fellowship of the ones your with and if a Big Buck or that Lunker Bass happens it is just an added Bonus. You know what this makes every trip a winner.
In my opinion the dilemma you are faced with has a simple answer. If you are hunting where there are size restrictions then you are obligated to confirm to those standards. If not then the answer is will YOU be happy with the buck you are harvesting. Some hunters want to be the first to harvest a deer in camp or season and it makes them happy to do so. I on the other hand only harvest large racked mature bucks and have done so for over 30 years. I have many bucks on the wall and I have many unfilled tags. But I would not be happy with a buck taken just to fill that one tag I have each year. Before you pull the trigger or release the arrow just ask yourself will i really be happy with this deer. If so then there is your answer.
we have very few tags available in CO so your first goal should be to put meat in the freezer.
Mr Howlett, you did the right thing by passing up the buck. If you are hunting someone's private property you should adhere to their wishes or rules that they have in place. Believe me, I saw a really big bodied deer in MS last year, but the horns didn't meet the club standards and I didn't want to shuck out $75 for killing an undersize deer. Just think, maybe some young hunter will get to plow his butt this year! I do try to take the first legal deer that happens by no matter where I am. After breaking the ice and putting some meat in the freezer, then I'll get picky on whatever else comes by.
I eat all deer but most time I'm out trophey hunting.When I need some meat I'm lucky enuff to have the freedom to shoot one anytime of the year without any tags.
In the right areas of WI there is no limit on deer except 2 bucks per hunter per year. So the freezer is filled with meat and I let the bucks grow until .....
i'm moving to WI.
how do you shoot deer withot tags? and anytime of the year?
jamesti, I live on a reservation in Montana & also a member of the tribe we can hunt year around when it comes to deer & Elk but the does & Cows go out of season when they have the bun in the oven.
Hey guys. Great bunch of comments. Thanks for weighing in. Check out my next post Monday for what played out.
Thank you hunter1464 for the intelligent answer. You first need to understand the restrictions of the area your hunting and then ask yourself if this deer will make you happy. To the hunters who say I will shoot the first deer I see because I want to put meat in the freezer, and can't eat the horns you are an idiot. Thats true you can't eat the horns but don't shoot a little buck or a button buck because you want the meat, how frickin hard is it to shoot a doe and let the little buck walk. Why wouldn't you want to shoot a big buck, just seeing does and little bucks gets boring let the little bucks grow, because the most special time in the woods is when your seeing good bucks. The shooting of button bucks is the shooting of a fawn, a half-year old. The buck to doe ratio is already out of whack this doesn't help. Foxworthy's hilarious but they all don't have spots in the fall that you can see before you shoot. Don't shoot a small buck for the meat, shoot a doe, its simple.
mr.HUbb love your last comment my dad and gramps would tan my behind with a 2x4 lol if me or one of my brothers even thought of shooting anything less the a nice 8 unless it was are first deer. My dad says you wont a doe even that has to be a nice mature one at that lol. witch am gratful for and has led to many big bucks to come off the family farm
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)