#1998312 - 07/18/10 12:58 PM
Re: Honest choice?
[Re: ghosthunter]
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birddog
12 Point
Registered: 02/21/02
Posts: 6072
Loc: Seymour, TN
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thats an easy one, 165". never understood the whole age thing except for letting them grow up to get big. who cares how old they are. a big buck is a big buck.
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#1998394 - 07/18/10 02:23 PM
Re: Honest choice?
[Re: Wes Parrish]
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Football Hunter
18 Point
Registered: 10/22/07
Posts: 24550
Loc: Wilson Co/Perry Co
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A 160"+ buck at 3.5 in Tennessee, might not be as far fetched as
you might think. And no, it doesn't have to be on selected land. I totally agree, as I regularly see them, and many are in fact seen on public hunting areas. The problem is, I'm seeing most of them dead, when they're a 120-plus-class 2 1/2, that was killed a year or two before they became a relatively HUGE antlered buck. When a buck sports a 140-plus rack as a 3 1/2, just what do you think he had as a 2 1/2 ??? IMO, the biggest reason we're not seeing a lot more 140-class bucks in TN has little to do with soil, and nearly everything to do with us collectively as hunters mainly being so focused on antler scores that we rarely allow a top-end 2 1/2 to survive (at least in most areas being hunted). When we shift more of our focus to AGE over antlers, there will be an amazing increase in larger antlered older bucks. In the meantime, it is mostly the smaller-than-average-antlered younger bucks that are surviving to 3 1/2 or older in Tennessee.
Edited by Football Hunter (07/18/10 02:24 PM)
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#1998401 - 07/18/10 02:27 PM
Re: Honest choice?
[Re: tickweed]
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Football Hunter
18 Point
Registered: 10/22/07
Posts: 24550
Loc: Wilson Co/Perry Co
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165 dead,under any legal circumstance
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#1998420 - 07/18/10 02:49 PM
Re: Honest choice?
[Re: tickweed]
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Wes Parrish
16 Point
Registered: 06/12/02
Posts: 16952
Loc: Knoxville-Dover-Union City, TN
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Wes, I respect all of your post, but you would pass a 165 inch deer late in the season in Tenn? Seriously?
Would totally depend on the circumstances.
The original question stated that this particular 165 was known to be only 3 1/2 years of age.
While I'm focused on harvesting 4 1/2-yr-old and older bucks, I'm not totally ruling out a 3 1/2, especially one with antlers scoring over 160. But my honest answer remains it would depend on the circumstances.
If I should be so fortunate to see a 165 that was only 3 1/2 yrs old, I would realize he's a great contender to become a 180-class buck at 4 1/2. But that can only happen if he survives to another year.
Would you rather have a 165-class 3 1/2 or a 180-class 4 1/2?
If this were truly a cut & dry choice, who wouldn't pass up that 165-inch buck?
But would I be willing to pass up a sure kill on a 165 for a fair chance at a 180?
Some hunters do this routinely in other states, so why is it such a stretch to think some hunters might see doing this in TN under the same circumstance they might do it in Illinois?
I'm just stating there are circumstances, yes, here in TN, where I would actually prefer passing that buck over quickly killing him JUST BECAUSE he had a 165-in rack.
If I saw a buck I was near certain was only 3 1/2, yet had a monster rack in the 160's, I'm near certain I would kill him in most of the places I hunt, when I hunt most, which is pre-rut and rut. But make that opportunity near the season's close, and I'm near certain I would more greatly enjoy letting him walk, then spend most of my post-season time planning the best strategy to take him next year when he becomes a 180-plus instead of a 165.
You see, I love large antlers every bit as much, possibly even more, than everyone who stated they would immediately kill ANY 165" buck regardless of that buck's age.
Just saying if I KNEW he was only 3 1/2 (or imagine if he was only 2 1/2!!!), I KNOW there is usually a HUGE gain in antler if they live just one more year.
What's 15% more than 165?
That's approximately how much antler gain I'd expect a 4 1/2 to gain over a 3 1/2.
Some see an opportunity at a 165-inch buck;
I see the opportunity of a lifetime at a 180-plus buck.
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#1998421 - 07/18/10 02:50 PM
Re: Honest choice?
[Re: Football Hunter]
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Wes Parrish
16 Point
Registered: 06/12/02
Posts: 16952
Loc: Knoxville-Dover-Union City, TN
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Come on Wes,you "regulary" see 160s?
Absolutely not.
But I do "regularly" see some 2 1/2 and 3 1/2-yr-old bucks that are good candidates to become 160-class bucks should they be so fortunate to live to 4 1/2 or older. Just think it's unfortunate that those larger antlered younger bucks are the least likely to live another year.
A 3 1/2-yr-old buck scoring in the 160's is exceptionally rare anywhere and everywhere. Part of the confusion and perhaps disbelief began with a question that was almost beyond reality.
A better question would have been one closer to a reality most hunters might experience.
A more common choice I've actually made many times has been in passing up a larger-antlered younger buck in favor of a smaller antlered older buck. As more hunters see the advantages of doing this, we may all have yet more to look forward, along with, a lot more larger antlers.
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#1998422 - 07/18/10 02:52 PM
Re: Honest choice?
[Re: Wes Parrish]
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Football Hunter
18 Point
Registered: 10/22/07
Posts: 24550
Loc: Wilson Co/Perry Co
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Come on Wes,you "regulary" see 160s? Absolutely not.
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#1998428 - 07/18/10 03:01 PM
Re: Honest choice?
[Re: ghosthunter]
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bigasports
6 Point
Registered: 10/25/08
Posts: 750
Loc: Marshall County
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The bigger one!
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nor the arrow for its swiftness,
nor the warrior for his glory.
I love only that which they defend.
-J.R.R. Tolkien
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#1998430 - 07/18/10 03:03 PM
Re: Honest choice?
[Re: bigasports]
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102
10 Point
Registered: 08/01/02
Posts: 3650
Loc: Tennessee
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TOO FUNNY!
102
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God, Family, Job, Bowhunting
Luck is where Opportunity and Preparation MEET!
When in doubt...back out!
SCAPAS.stay calm and pick a spot.
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#1998437 - 07/18/10 03:14 PM
Re: Honest choice?
[Re: tickweed]
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102
10 Point
Registered: 08/01/02
Posts: 3650
Loc: Tennessee
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Also, to clear things up. My TWO entries are P/Y NOT B/C. Although ONE of my entries does GROSS close to B/C.
A 165 inch buck in Tn. is a FREAK IMO. But I think it is a MONSTER anywhere.
And with a bow...WHO would pass it up on PUBLIC land. (or a gun for that matter)
But back to the original question.
165, or 125 with a bow...
Does it really matter if you want it and are going to mount it? Shoot what makes you LEGALLY happy!
102
_________________________
God, Family, Job, Bowhunting
Luck is where Opportunity and Preparation MEET!
When in doubt...back out!
SCAPAS.stay calm and pick a spot.
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#1998440 - 07/18/10 03:16 PM
Re: Honest choice?
[Re: 102]
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Tomahawk
6 Point
Registered: 07/11/10
Posts: 762
Loc: east & west tn
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Also, to clear things up. My TWO entries are P/Y NOT B/C. Although ONE of my entries does GROSS close to B/C.
A 165 inch buck in Tn. is a FREAK IMO. But I think it is a MONSTER anywhere.
And with a bow...WHO would pass it up on PUBLIC land. (or a gun for that matter)
But back to the original question.
165, or 125 with a bow...
Does it really matter if you want it and are going to mount it? Shoot what makes you LEGALLY happy!
102
Edited by Tomahawk (07/18/10 03:17 PM)
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