First Buck Advice

[godores]

So this is my fourth season hunting and I've gotten a doe every season so far. Never saw a buck until this season. Then I bought some land in Maury county this spring and have been hunting it. Tons of nice bucks on the cameras, mostly 6 and 8 pointers. So here is my question to you all - I passed on a spike and a 3 point with a broken tine last weekend while hunting. Clear shots within 20 yards on each of them. Decided to film them instead based on advice from this site, which was a fantastic idea. My driving thought is that I want my first buck to be a wall hanger.

Did anyone else wait for "the perfect deer"? Was it worth it? Or should I just go ahead and take one and stop being so sentimental about it? Four years in I am starting to wonder if I am being unrealistic with my expectations.

 

[TRIGGER]

Wait until you see one that YOU will be greatful for. You have your mind made up already......stick with it. Kill does to keep it interesting if you have to. JMO

 

[mike243]

First deer I ever shot was a scrubby 5pt,I am as proud as that 1 as any I have ever shot ,It's all about what you want and nobody else. I went 4 years without shooting any deer trying for a Big Buck,went every chance I could. Changed my mind on year 5 and have been happy with what ever nature has provided . some years it's a spike other years a 9pt you just never know and I don't care to know whats out there and I'm not jealous of any body elses deer. I don't read deer magazines any more any rarely see a hunting show on purpose. good luck at what ever way you decide to go :tu:

 

[megalomaniac]

My 13 y/o daughter has been hunting for the past 4 years... she's shot several does, and passed up around 25 bucks in that time. She wants her first buck to be at least 3.5 and worthy of the wall. My son would have been happy just killing anything that walked. He got lucky when he was 7 and killed a giant for our local area in MS for his first deer. He's also passed up a bunch of other bucks, although he occasionally gets the urge to pull the trigger on something small. Since I've had a self imposed 1 buck rule on my farms for the past 4 years, I remind him that he will be done buck hunting once he pulls the trigger, but if he's happy with it, then I'm happy with it.

The best way to kill a wallhanger is to NOT shoot the little bucks. If you want a wallhanger, keep doing just what you're doing... it will pay off, although it may take 3-4 years.

 

[csi-tech]

When I started, a small 6 point was a wall hanger. I killed a few small bucks. If I want meat I may kill one later this year but there is still plenty of time to wait for a big one.

 

[Dbllunger]

First deer I ever shot was a scrubby 5pt,I am as proud as that 1 as any I have ever shot ,It's all about what you want and nobody else. I went 4 years without shooting any deer trying for a Big Buck,went every chance I could. Changed my mind on year 5 and have been happy with what ever nature has provided . some years it's a spike other years a 9pt you just never know and I don't care to know whats out there and I'm not jealous of any body elses deer. I don't read deer magazines any more any rarely see a hunting show on purpose. good luck at what ever way you decide to go :tu:

x2

 

[DaveB]

First buck I ever killed was a big forkie California Mule deer. I found a seep that was showing a lot of tracks and I sat up a fair piece away. He came out, drank his last drink. I have him mounted.

 

[WRbowhunter]

Kill what makes you happy. If you want to wait for that perfect buck that's great. Just don't put a lot of pressure on yourself with all these folks killing these monster bucks. Everyone started out shooting smaller bucks.

 

[Dean A]

I was in your situation last year. I had hunted for two years and wanted my first buck to be a mature one. I kept passing smaller bucks and even some really young 8 points with tons of potential. I kept telling meyself that my patience would be rewarded. Finally it was.

Then this year it got even better. I know it doesn't always work out like it did for me but just keep your head up and if the deer makes you happy take it. When you finally kill what you have been waiting on it is a great feeling.

 

[Mike Belt]

The small bucks you kill now might could have been the bucks you're looking for in the future. If you're happy taking them shoot away. If it's worth it to you holding off for one that really fires you up let them walk. Only you know how you feel.

 

[jard]

I have passed small bucks on my lewisburg farm for 3 years now. This year, I finally killed a nice 8 pter. not the biggest buck I've killed but I am thrilled as its the first one I feel like I have grown myself. I have seen 9 different bucks on stand this year. All young and I'll continue to watch them. Should payoff in the long run. I am perfectly fine with only killing 1 buck per year and then taking a few does for the table. Its your place, you can turn it into anything you want.