Shooter or no ???

[walk it out]

I shot this 8 this morning and i been kicking myself in the butt ever since! This is a heavily hunted area, last year opening day of muzzleloader i heard 18 shots within a mile ruffly. Pretty sure this guy would not have made it through rifle season but i still cant convince myself it was a good decision to harvest this deer with hopes he would have made it till next year. Any opinions?

 

[shirtshirt]

Filled the freezer. Nothing wrong with that in my book.

 

[gatodoc]

Decent deer. If you like it display it.....I'm not going to shoot any buck I'm not going to mount regular or euro but that's just my choice...

 

[THE DUKE]

Looks like a 3.5-4.5 yr old plenty mature enough, what ever makes you happy is what's right.

 

[backyardtndeer]

With that much pressure around, I would say that is a really good deer. Congratulations.

 

[walk it out]

Well embarrassing to admit, i got a little buck fever when i shot him. It made me happy at the time but they always look bigger through a scope lol im not much of a horn hunter but i do try to harvest half way mature deer. I mostly just hunt to fill the freezer, jus cant help to wonder what might have been if he would have made it another year. Thanks for the congrats

 

[philsanchez76]

ITs so subjective. That there deer would easily be the best ever for me! So from my perspective, be proud of that shooter!

 

[Snake]

Once you pull the trigger and the deer is down never regret your decision , the deer lost his life . I've shot some that if the time was different I probably would have let them walk , I don't have the same standards each time I enter my hunting grounds . Not much on shooting does especially on my place and I've let several walk plus some small bucks even one I had shot at . That's an example pulled the trigger on a buck I couldn't tell much about antler wise , missed had a more clearer shot at him minutes later decided to let him pass . He better not keep tempting me though tell you that . Don't let yourself or anyone else judge what you decide to shoot just don't shoot them and leave them because they wasn't what you thought they was (not saying you would brother).

 

[walk it out]

ITs so subjective. That there deer would easily be the best ever for me! So from my perspective, be proud of that shooter!

I agree 100%, i pray that the Lord blesses you this year with your best yet!

 

[walk it out]

Thank you all, u all have made me feel better about my decision. I agree he is a decent buck just not my best to date. I always try to do better than my previous best, guess i just set my standards a little too high.

 

[Deer Assassin]

I have shot way bigger I have shot way smaller......
This year as a matter of fact

To each their own
It is legal and if you are happy we all should be for you

I see nothing wrong with that buck
I guarantee there are several people looking at that pic saying

"I'd love to kill one like that"

 

[Pat Henry hunter]

The bullet can't come back now. Might as well love the decision and make the most of it. I struggled with the same issue today.

 

[tnanh]

Shoot what makes you happy.

 

[timberghost35]

What I told a buddy.
"If it made your heart race when you saw him and had him in the scope, it was worth pulling the trigger."

My buddy has let some walk that I would have shot, I have let some walk that my Dad would have shot. So on and so on...

It's your deer and if it makes you happy, I'm happy for ya bud!!

 

[Hunter 257W]

I think you need a butt kicking for having any doubts about that being a good buck! All this competitiveness and measuring of antler size ruins the fun of deer hunting. Especially if you operate under the restriction of never shooting a buck unless it's larger than what you've shot before. If you hunt that way and have good success early on, then you will rarely ever get to shoot a deer. I refuse to let peer pressure mess up the enjoyment of deer hunting for me. I say be thrilled with that buck and don't apologize to anybody for shooting him.

 

[TN Larry]

Only you can answer that question..............if he got you excited then you should have no regrets at all no matter what anyone else has said. If he didn't, then learn from what would only be considered a personal mistake and be more patient the next time. One thing that I have never understood though is only killing one bigger than you've already killed. What if you kill the biggest deer that you may ever kill this year? Will you never shoot another buck or have regret because you were "lucky" this year to kill a larger than normal deer? Set your goals based on your personal experience and the area you hunt..................I killed what could be the biggest deer that I will ever kill 3 years ago at 36 years old especially in the state of TN. I knew it when I killed it. I didn't up my standard to that deer, however, my standards do reflect my past success, what is attainable for a good deer in my area, and what makes ME happy. On the flip side, I have killed a few deer that just weren't what I thought they were during a quick decision and was a little unhappy with my choice. I have tried to learn from those to be more patient, however, that is still influenced by my own personal standards.

 

[Rakkin6]

He is a good buck and if you are hunting public land he is a really good buck. Nothing wrong with him and you out meat in the freezer to feed you and your family. You can't eat the antlers

 

[DoubleRidge]

Beutiful buck!....but only you can answer in your heart if he meets your expectations.....but I think he'd make a beutiful euro mount that you can enjoy.

To me it depends where a person is in their deer hunting journey and what they want to get out of the experience. For the younger hunter it may be to kill as many as possible, then for others it may be some meat in the freezer, then for others it may be about chasing mature bucks that have above average antlers for the area.....there is no right or wrong approach.....as it has been said "to each their own"

For me, having hunted 35+ years and being blessed to kill many deer, I enjoy the process of chasing mature deer. And while it's not "all about the inches" I do enjoy setting goals for myself...and make no appology for it.....but everyone's goals are different. As far as competition....the only competition I have is with the buck himself....don't worry with what others think....hunt hard and hunt your way and enjoy the process.

Now if your goal is to kill bigger deer you can bet some years you'll eat a tag....but you will also hit those streaks where you kill some deer that meet your goals.....then you'll get to listen to those around your circle talk about "how lucky you are".....lucky? Yeah....maybe sometimes you can catch a break....but hunting hard, hunting smart and being patient pays off....enjoy the process....and enjoy your buck.....I've been where you are....but again, only you can answer the question....good luck meeting your goals....hope you kill a giant!!

 

[MUP]

Well embarrassing to admit, i got a little buck fever when i shot him. It made me happy at the time but they always look bigger through a scope lol im not much of a horn hunter but i do try to harvest half way mature deer. I mostly just hunt to fill the freezer, jus cant help to wonder what might have been if he would have made it another year. Thanks for the congrats

Stop doubting yourself, you killed what made you happy, and excited to boot, that's what it's all about. Congrats on a dandy buck!

 

[MUP]

Thank you all, u all have made me feel better about my decision. I agree he is a decent buck just not my best to date. I always try to do better than my previous best, guess i just set my standards a little too high.

My personal goal is to shoot a "good" buck when I get the chance first, then I can hunt for a monster.