To kill or not to kill

gtodave · Nov 9, 2021

...that is the question.

Not that it's a given that I'll have a chance, but in case I do, what do you think? I haven't gotten a daytime picture of him yet and he isn't coming around often, but he seems to be staying in the area. I get pictures of him about once every week or two.

Two things come to mind. One was a phrase that I heard a few years ago that stuck with me: If you only kill big bucks, you'll never kill giant bucks. The second thing is: I don't have a 200 or even a 20 acre farm, and I have no control over anyone else's hunting. This guy would be dead if he walked in front of 19 out of 20 hunter's stand.

So, do I kill him (given the chance), or try to let him get REAL big?

wilcam47 · Nov 9, 2021

The question i ask, will someone else shoot him? If answer is yes then shoot him first. Since theres no control/restriction whos to say the next guy wont shoot?

teratos · Nov 9, 2021

I'd rather put a yearling in the freezer. I'll pass on a big buck every time.

Doctor_M · Nov 9, 2021

I tend to put one in the freezer (as soon as I can) every year for meat and then I'm done... just don't have the time to get in the woods like I used to... so, yep, put a fork in him.

gtodave · Nov 9, 2021

teratos said:
I'd rather put a yearling in the freezer. I'll pass on a big buck every time.

Not saying I won't do that too, but I like chasing a specific buck for a season. It makes it much more fun for me. Also, I like big horns in my hands.

OneGunTex · Nov 9, 2021

I'd age him at 3 1/2. Got a big rack on him but body doesn't scream "mature".
Our family is pretty strict about taking immature bucks, and we have been rewarded with very healthy stock over the last decade. But then again, in Texas we measure in sections not acres.
The more people we teach about healthy herd management - shooting does for meat, letting the young bucks walk - the better our collective hunting gets.
He'll be a proud mature 4 1/2 next year; you (and/or your neighbors) will be glad you waited.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

outrider58 · Nov 9, 2021

OneGunTex said:
I'd age him at 3 1/2. Got a big rack on him but body doesn't scream "mature".
Our family is pretty strict about taking immature bucks, and we have been rewarded with very healthy stock over the last decade. But then again, in Texas we measure in sections not acres.
The more people we teach about healthy herd management - shooting does for meat, letting the young bucks walk - the better our collective hunting gets.
He'll be a proud mature 4 1/2 next year; you (and/or your neighbors) will be glad you waited.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

I actually have him at 4(.5) now.

Going by the OP, I'm letting him walk for now and keep going after the target buck. That's not to say, come end of the season and I haven't laid eyes on my target buck yet, he wouldn't make a bad consolation prize. BTDT.

gtodave · Nov 9, 2021

outrider58 said:
I actually have him at 4(.5) now.

Going by the OP, I'm letting him walk for now and keep going after the target buck. That's not to say, come end of the season and I haven't laid eyes on my target buck yet, he wouldn't make a bad consolation prize. BTDT.

He does have the roman nose and a saggy chest...maybe he is 4. I hadn't really looked at anything other than the antlers yet.

I don't have a target buck yet this year. If I chose to shoot this guy, he'd definitely be it. I really need to get cameras back up at my other spots though. I'm sure I'm missing out on knowing what's there.

I'm a sucker for tall tines that curve back in a little at the tips, so this guy is really tickling my fancy :innocent0

thomfantomas · Nov 9, 2021

Murder for your taste buds? No thanks.

davsco · Nov 9, 2021

i'd be super happy with him. if you don't shoot him, another hunter, or worse, a car, will kill him. that said i'd be fine with a nice big doe.

730waters · Nov 9, 2021

Have you ever shot anything bigger than this ? If not, I would take him. If you have shot several bucks in the 155" to 170" then I would pass on him. If he is a trophy in your eyes, then he should be hanging on your wall if you get the chance.

Bboarder · Nov 9, 2021

730waters said:
Have you ever shot anything bigger than this ? If not, I would take him. If you have shot several bucks in the 155" to 170" then I would pass on him. If he is a trophy in your eyes, then he should be hanging on your wall if you get the chance.

I agree with this.

If he's bigger than your biggest, shoot him. If he's just typical, let him walk and someone else who see's him as moby dick will pull the trigger and if that doesn't happen he's got great form and he'll breed and be bigger next season.

camo556 · Nov 9, 2021

kill, lol.

GutPile · Nov 9, 2021

Deer range for a typical road kill doe is what 1 square mile? Bucks go much further during the rut. Up to you. I guarantee you if i see him I'm letting an arrow fly.

ChannelCat · Nov 9, 2021

I would if I was out of deer bologna.

MeatGrinder · Nov 9, 2021

Pop him!

Batt816 · Nov 9, 2021

If you dont, someone else will.

gtodave · Nov 9, 2021

730waters said:
Have you ever shot anything bigger than this ? If not, I would take him. If you have shot several bucks in the 155" to 170" then I would pass on him. If he is a trophy in your eyes, then he should be hanging on your wall if you get the chance.

I've got three mounts on my wall, plus a couple of euro mounts. The full mounts are ~138", ~142", and 168". I would guess that this guy is around 140-145. So yes, I have shot bigger, but not a lot of them. He'd fit right in with my pack.

willtill · Nov 9, 2021

teratos said:
I'd rather put a yearling in the freezer. I'll pass on a big buck every time.

Haven’t hunted in three years now but…

I’m feel the same way. They’re easier to get out of the woods and the venison afforded by them is better.

Horns are a plus but I don’t hunt deer primarily for horns. I do it for the flesh.

Let the bucks exist for procreation.

aquaman · Nov 9, 2021

Let him spread his genetics, there will be plenty more in the future.

Make your property the place to be. Feed and good habitat.

To kill or not to kill

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