Getting too picky....

[passthrough76]

Can take its toll on a hunter and family. I passed up the third 8 pointer that I have seen this year scoring in the 120's, but I don't think I would have been happy if I had shot him. As I have become more selective, if I don't shoot one early during the year it really starts to wear on me. The colder hunts, more time alone in the woods away from family, seeing less deer, etc. When I do finally shoot a mature buck, it makes it all the more rewarding. However, it is a long hard walk to get there sometimes.

 

[ttf909]

its not too picky , just what makes us happy.

 

[Mike Belt]

The thing you have to keep in mind is realistic expectations for the area you hunt. We'd all like to nail bucks 140 or better but if the area you hunt doesn't hold a huntable population of them then you're going to have some long seasons with a bunch of unfilled tags. Otherwise, there's nothing wrong with your selectivity. You'll go buckless about 99% of the time but it doesn't make any sense to kill a buck just for the sake of killing a buck if you're not satisfied with killing him. For me that's the beauty of a liberal doe season. We eat alot of venison and taking a few does along the way provides freezer meat while somewhat satisfying the itchy trigger finger until the buck I want to shoot comes along.

 

[passthrough76]

The areas(Davidson and Williamson) I hunt have some good deer every year. During bow I saw a 150 class that was later shot a ridge over. I guess that is another reason I hunt the way I do, because I know that at any moment a big one could step out. Also, I currently don't have a 4 wheeler, so just shooting some does can be a difficult task to get out of the woods.

 

[BSK]

When I do finally shoot a mature buck, it makes it all the more rewarding.

As long as that continues to be true, and mature buck harvests occur frequently enough to satisfy you, then more power to you!

I just worry too many hunters are being influenced by peer pressure into thinking only mature bucks are "worthy" of shooting. That mindset will lead to a lot of unhappy hunters in the long run. And I say that because many areas don't have huntable numbers of mature bucks, and the majority of hunters don't have the skills necessary to kill mature bucks consistantly even where those bucks exist (and I include myself in that group).

 

[EastTNHunter]

When I do finally shoot a mature buck, it makes it all the more rewarding.

As long as that continues to be true, and mature buck harvests occur frequently enough to satisfy you, then more power to you!

I just worry too many hunters are being influenced by peer pressure into thinking only mature bucks are "worthy" of shooting. That mindset will lead to a lot of unhappy hunters in the long run. And I say that because many areas don't have huntable numbers of mature bucks, and the majority of hunters don't have the skills necessary to kill mature bucks consistantly even where those bucks exist (and I include myself in that group).

Yup! A lot of machismo is involved too often... i.e., mine is bigger than yours.

Kill what makes you happy, and only what makes you happy, not what makes you think makes others think higher of you... Jack!

 

[benellivol]

When I do finally shoot a mature buck, it makes it all the more rewarding.

As long as that continues to be true, and mature buck harvests occur frequently enough to satisfy you, then more power to you!

I just worry too many hunters are being influenced by peer pressure into thinking only mature bucks are "worthy" of shooting. That mindset will lead to a lot of unhappy hunters in the long run. And I say that because many areas don't have huntable numbers of mature bucks, and the majority of hunters don't have the skills necessary to kill mature bucks consistantly even where those bucks exist (and I include myself in that group).

I blame trail cameras. I was better off not knowing those 140 inch deer actually live on the properties I hunt lol

 

[Mike Belt]

bene---Has it really affected how often or what you squeeze the trigger on?

 

[deaddownwind]

Too picky? I don't believe thats what I would call it. Different ppl enjoy differnt things about the sport of hunting. Some ppl hunt for meat while others may strictly hunt for the biggest buck. All in all we all share a common passion. Thats the great experience we get from the outdoors. Personally I am perfectly fine with killing one nice buck every two or three years. I have a great place to hunt so I try to wait on a a nice mature buck. My favorite part of deer hunting is going out and just admiring all the wildlife and how they behave. I catch myself just smiling for no reason sometimes while I'm sitting in my stand. It's just fun to me. I also really enjoy running trail cameras. I guess that helps satisfy my need for killing bucks along with the fact of knowing I could have killed 10+ racks if I really wanted to. At the end of the season I do usally put about 5 doe in the freezer. So I would not really call it picky, Satifying your hunting goals.

 

[passthrough76]

When I do finally shoot a mature buck, it makes it all the more rewarding.

As long as that continues to be true, and mature buck harvests occur frequently enough to satisfy you, then more power to you!

I just worry too many hunters are being influenced by peer pressure into thinking only mature bucks are "worthy" of shooting. That mindset will lead to a lot of unhappy hunters in the long run. And I say that because many areas don't have huntable numbers of mature bucks, and the majority of hunters don't have the skills necessary to kill mature bucks consistantly even where those bucks exist (and I include myself in that group).

BSK, please don't mistake me for one that only goes after a big rack. Sure that is nice, but I'm just as happy to shoot an old gnarly buck. The last deer I took was a nine point that scored around 130, but he was an old mature buck. I have come to the conclusion that the most important asset to a mature buck hunter is time. I went on a run between 2003-2008 where I shot a mature buck every year, but since then I have only shot one other buck and that was last year. The only difference is how much time I have been in the woods. I'm still hunting the same spots, I'm still hunting the same way, but just not near as much as I used to. Of course there is also lady luck that may not have been with me either. Like I said previously, that 150 class buck came up to me at 30 yards but never presented a shot. The guy with the adjacent land actually got two cracks at him. He shot him once in the neck during the first weekend of gun, but didn't kill him. He then shot him later on November 30th. I hunted quite a few times during that strectch on the other side of the ridge(300 yards away) and never saw that buck again.

 

[passthrough76]

Yup! A lot of machismo is involved too often... i.e., mine is bigger than yours.

But mine is bigger!

 

[BSK]

[Kill what makes you happy, and only what makes you happy, not what makes you think makes others think higher of you

Well said. Keep the fun in hunting and kill what makes you happy.

 

[BSK]

I blame trail cameras. I was better off not knowing those 140 inch deer actually live on the properties I hunt lol

There are days I absolutely agree with you!

Although, to be honest, knowing those big guys are really out there does keep me in my stand more often and longer. So I guess the positives equal the negatives.

 

[passthrough76]

I made a post about this a few years back regarding trail cameras, but it was more about how it may eventually down grade the rack size of bucks.

 

[102]

When I do finally shoot a mature buck, it makes it all the more rewarding.

As long as that continues to be true, and mature buck harvests occur frequently enough to satisfy you, then more power to you!

I just worry too many hunters are being influenced by peer pressure into thinking only mature bucks are "worthy" of shooting. That mindset will lead to a lot of unhappy hunters in the long run. And I say that because many areas don't have huntable numbers of mature bucks, and the majority of hunters don't have the skills necessary to kill mature bucks consistantly even where those bucks exist (and I include myself in that group).

AWESOME post Bryan. Spot on!!!

 

[JeepKuntry]

You have to make the call on when to pull the trigger. If you have a good setup and want a mature buck, then you did well in passing. I would pull the trigger in a heartbeat. This late in the year when it's colder, I tend to get cold quicker and hunt less. I give it up when I get bored.

 

[Football Hunter]

Never been sorry I passed a buck myself

 

[W.Seay]

Never been sorry I passed a buck myself

X2

 

[pjridge]

When I do finally shoot a mature buck, it makes it all the more rewarding.

As long as that continues to be true, and mature buck harvests occur frequently enough to satisfy you, then more power to you!

I just worry too many hunters are being influenced by peer pressure into thinking only mature bucks are "worthy" of shooting. That mindset will lead to a lot of unhappy hunters in the long run. And I say that because many areas don't have huntable numbers of mature bucks, and the majority of hunters don't have the skills necessary to kill mature bucks consistantly even where those bucks exist (and I include myself in that group).

Good post BSK and I agree. It is so very hard to kill mature bucks consistently in these hills and hollows of Tennessee. You could bring some of the best mid-western hunters to Middle and East Tn and I would bet good money they'd have hell to kill a mature buck with a few years to do so. I'm a firm believer It's just harder hunting here.

 

[Winchester]

When I do finally shoot a mature buck, it makes it all the more rewarding.

As long as that continues to be true, and mature buck harvests occur frequently enough to satisfy you, then more power to you!

I just worry too many hunters are being influenced by peer pressure into thinking only mature bucks are "worthy" of shooting. That mindset will lead to a lot of unhappy hunters in the long run. And I say that because many areas don't have huntable numbers of mature bucks, and the majority of hunters don't have the skills necessary to kill mature bucks consistantly even where those bucks exist (and I include myself in that group).

There you have it! Trophy hunting definitely isnt for everyone and will actually turn many hunters away from hunting. Killing only mature bucks will make hunting for many people miserable, as they simply dont want to learn the skills required, and invest the time and work required, to be succesful on a consistent basis!! Its not easy for most!

 

[Crosshairy]

Winchester, I definitely agree.

I count myself among the group of people that have enough head knowledge to make a run at a big buck, but I lack the motivation and time. I'd rather spend time in the woods and drag any ole deer out a few times a year with a variety of weapons than spend an entire year on a passing chance at the best buck on the property (which might not actually even be a trophy, in my case!).

I guess it's a combination of expectations and priorities. If I had the extra time (if I was single, no kids, and fewer commitments), then I'd probably decide to start hunting antlers on the best properties I have to hunt. I'd also join a QDMA-minded lease for that purpose, I guess.

Instead, I love being able to go hunting once a week and have a decent shot at putting venison on the table, with the extra bonus of being able to share some with friends.

If my son and/or daughter gets eaten up with hunting like their daddy is, then who knows what my situation will look like in 5 years or so...

 

[BSK]

I count myself among the group of people that have enough head knowledge to make a run at a big buck, but I lack the motivation and time. I'd rather spend time in the woods and drag any ole deer out a few times a year with a variety of weapons than spend an entire year on a passing chance at the best buck on the property (which might not actually even be a trophy, in my case!).

I guess it's a combination of expectations and priorities.

Extremely well said Crosshairy. Mature buck hunting isn't for everybody, even if they have the skills necessary. I'm lucky to hunt in an area with huntable numbers of mature bucks, but I no longer have the desire. I'll gladly shoot one if I see one, but I no longer have the motivation/drive to do what is necessary to kill them consistantly. I've simply gotten to the age/experience-level where I want hunting to be relaxing and fun. I now shoot whatever buck catches my fancy at the time, within reasonable management goals.

 

[Good time Charlie]

Bryan ,I think we have ended up in the same boat, I really want to learn about deer ,to me they are the least studied mammal on earth.
I could ask a hundred questions but I know I would get a hundred different answers .So ,I try to do my own research,Just like this year...No acorns = No Rubs and scrapes,to the average hunter to look at the property ...they would say that it has no BUCKS.But I have trailcam confirmation of at least 13 different bucks that have at least been on the property... some several times.Just how smart is a whitetail,If you give him time he will be smarter then you...I believe most GIANT deer are killed accidentally,you will never hear it ...always some big dramatic story drummed up by the person or hunter.
Another example I would like to use ,I started down to the river one day ..and I noticed the sun shining off an antler ,I did not want to make direct eye contact so I waited for a tree to come into play ,Only 30 yards away not one but 2 6 point bucks never blinking an eye,they let me pass and I am sure went on their way but,It made me wonder How many times has this happened ???

 

[Slaughter-06]

The thing you have to keep in mind is realistic expectations for the area you hunt. We'd all like to nail bucks 140 or better but if the area you hunt doesn't hold a huntable population of them then you're going to have some long seasons with a bunch of unfilled tags. Otherwise, there's nothing wrong with your selectivity. You'll go buckless about 99% of the time but it doesn't make any sense to kill a buck just for the sake of killing a buck if you're not satisfied with killing him. For me that's the beauty of a liberal doe season. We eat alot of venison and taking a few does along the way provides freezer meat while somewhat satisfying the itchy trigger finger until the buck I want to shoot comes along.

X2

sure there are a very few Buckes that will hit 140, 150 maybe even a 180" will be killed in your area but they are by no means the norm. A 120" eight point is a very respectable buck for 90% of the Tennessee woods!

 

[BSK]

it doesn't make any sense to kill a buck just for the sake of killing a buck if you're not satisfied with killing him.

I do agree with that Mike. I just want hunters going into a "big buck or nothing" strategy with their eyes wide open. You wouldn't believe how many times I talk to clients about their management plan, and every one of the hunters in the group agrees wholeheartedly that they're willing to go a couple of years between buck kills as long as the one the do eventually kill is a good one. And then they experience that and reality sets in. Amazing what a few buckless years will do to hunters' goals!

Now that doesn't mean some hunters can't live with that situation. Some absolutely can. But it all comes down to how badly you want something and what you're willing to give up to get it. In fact, that's exactly what I ask my clients to realistically assess: What are they willing to give up to get? That can actually be tough question to honestly answer once you've gone buckless for a couple of years in a row.

 

[BSK]

...I believe most GIANT deer are killed accidentally,you will never hear it ...always some big dramatic story drummed up by the person or hunter.

Although I do think many big bucks are killed by shear accident (the hunter has no idea that caliber buck was in the area), I do think some big buck hunters have learned enough about the habits of older bucks that they up their odds by choosing good locations on the right days. It still comes down to being in the right stand on the right day, but the smart older buck hunter has that happen more frequently because they make very wise stand location choices. I see this all the time in club situations. Even though all of the hunters are puting in about the same number of treestands hours, just a couple of hunters account for every big buck ever killed on the property. They are the ones who understand big buck habits best and make the wisest stand choices.

I did not want to make direct eye contact so I waited for a tree to come into play ,Only 30 yards away not one but 2 6 point bucks never blinking an eye,they let me pass and I am sure went on their way but,It made me wonder How many times has this happened ???

It happens all the time. In fact, that's one of the species' main defense mechanisms--to stand stock still and just let danger pass, much like a rabbit will. In fact, there was a study done with radio-collared bucks in TX. They wanted to test how close a human had to get to the buck before the buck would run away. Interestingly, they found that the younger a buck was, the sooner he would run as a person approached. The older a buck was, the closer the person would have to be before the buck would bolt. In fact, the really old bucks did not run at all, with some having to be kicked up out of the grass and brush by a person actually stepping on them before they would run. Those really old bucks had learned to lay low and not move as a person walked by.

 

[Boone 58]

Can take its toll on a hunter and family. I passed up the third 8 pointer that I have seen this year scoring in the 120's, but I don't think I would have been happy if I had shot him. As I have become more selective, if I don't shoot one early during the year it really starts to wear on me. The colder hunts, more time alone in the woods away from family, seeing less deer, etc. When I do finally shoot a mature buck, it makes it all the more rewarding. However, it is a long hard walk to get there sometimes.

I dont pass on 120's because they are what is "reasonable expectation" for a good buck in our area. I am happy to shoot them and as long as i am i will. I would be frustrated passing them because the larger ones are a much longer journey to success. I hunt the entire season to kill one that large....and that is long enough for me. Congrats on your patience!!

 

[102]

Some great posts here.

True story:
Last season I was reaching a milestone in my bowhunting career. By November of 2011, I was about to arrow my 200th bow killed deer.

The vast majority of these kills were taken on public land. I had accumulated several P/Y bucks and had decided to make my 200th bow kill something special.

I passed on several really good eight points, a few in the 110 to 120 range. I really wanted my 200th kill to be P/Y.

The "monkey on my back" slowly but surely evolved into that 200 number as the season drew to a close for me. Inches of antler became insignificant and by November 30th, I was ready to shoot a spike. This after having passed MANY good representative bucks for the areas I had hunted.

I ended up settling on a 2.5 year old 6 point. I got the hunt and kill on video.

In retrospect I learned several things:
That 6 point was VERY rewarding even though I had begun the season with higher expectations. I think fondly of that morning every time I see the mount on my wall.

Also, I will never again pass on a good, solid eight point with my bow again.

This season, I killed two good bucks. One a tall racked 7 and the other a good Illinois eight point. Both good shots and quick deaths from well placed arrows. And both were VERY satisfying.

I tried the trophy hunting thing for a while. Had some good success and found it to be way too serious, lonely, and just not fun.

I still participate in chasing big old bucks for about 2-3 weeks per season in Illinois, but that is it.

Funny thing is that I seem to do better now than before at seeing and killing "good" bucks.

 

[redblood]

selective is a better term than picky

 

[BSK]

I tried the trophy hunting thing for a while. Had some good success and found it to be way too serious, lonely, and just not fun.

A critical point 102. Some will find the dedication and patience necessary to be successful at that endeavor to be worth it. But most won't. Been there, done that, and it wasn't that much fun.