TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
Ah, but if you really want to greatly increase your own odds at a much larger antlered buck, typically both immediately and for next year, just raise your "shooter buck standard" a tadHowever in a hunting situation if the body appears larger than a typical 2.5 yo buck, I immediately get ready to shoot the buck regardless of antlers. When hunting thick woods, there is often a short window of time to analyze and make decisions. If I wait I often miss out on the opportunity to kill the buck.
If you really want to increase your opportunity at more 4 1/2 & older bucks with top-end antlers, it's imperative to give a pass especially to those top-end 2 1/2's (as well as the 3 1/2's). Your current thoughts make it likely you'll will immediately shoot most top-end 2 1/2's, as they will often appear to be good 3 1/2's.
Although my "target" bucks are 5 1/2 or older, I'm not opposed to personally shoot a 4 1/2. And not opposed to someone else taking younger, UNLESS, they complain about why they don't see more better antlered 3 1/2 & older bucks. Last year, my #1 target buck was 7 1/2, and ended the 2021 season without taking a buck. But very happy about a couple I allowed to grow older. The 7 1/2 apparently died, unrecovered, after he was wounded (by another hunter). I spent days trying to find his carcass.
At the moment, I don't even have a "target" buck, even though there are at least a couple known 5 1/2 or older (below average antlered) ones roaming some areas I hunt. But am still hunting, hoping something interesting to me, range shifts, as is often the case post-rut.
Also, regarding passing a particular buck, if there is an older one around, he will nearly always be trailing the one you're about to shoot (and often not within your vision). Exception to this can be when bucks leave nighttime feeding areas to quickly move into daytime bedding areas, as older deer (not just bucks) typically leave first.
At THAT moment, on THAT day.There is often a short window of time to analyze and make decisions. If I wait I often miss out on the opportunity . . . . . to kill the buck.
On the other hand, you will often gain more of a different "opportunity" than you think you're losing. Quick decisions also often result in lasting regret.
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