I passed a pretty good one this year, but I don't think I'd have passed him 
Let a really good one go today...
- Thread starter redblood
- Start date
kkh325
Well-Known Member
That is a nice looking buck, congratulations on being able to let him pass and holding off on the ones you have picked out !
Tom Collins
Well-Known Member
Lol sheesh
Congrats
That is what hunting is about
Personal happiness
Glad you had the opportunity to watch such a great deer
That is what hunting is about
Personal happiness
Glad you had the opportunity to watch such a great deer
Holy cow you got some great deer to hunt. Enjoy the dream. Hopefully you can appreciate how blessed you are.
No disrespect but if I ever get to that point I would probably quit hunting. I understand different circumstances than most but I like to hunt deer in general with a possibility for a buck like that one day. I still get excited shooting a doe. Also I'm for whatever makes you happy!
I agree with everything you said except i think this deer of this caliber can and do exist in most areas. Maybe not in high numbers, but are there. It certainly helps if people are willing to pass them, but some survive everywhere
I have certainly learned more about deer since i started passing older age class bucks. Years back i would get my gun up as soon as i saw them and shoot them in the 1st opening. But now i can truely marvel at them as they glide through.
I just try to keep in mind the finality of my decision to shoot and remember how amazing he could be next yr. although this isnt a buck that i had alot of experience with. But he is definitely in my area now. Hunted a different farm this morning and got cell cam photos of him all morning
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I think there's potential in a lot more areas, but potential and reality don't often coincide. I'd say anywhere with good cover, ample food, and low enough pressure to allow a higher age class, can have deer like that. The problem is that its incredibly rare to have that set of criteria. Most hunters will never experience anything like that, nor can they.
There's only so much land, and its not divided equally among everybody. You are fortunate to not only have a chunk, but to also have like minded neighbors. Most folks with land have to deal with less than ideal neighboring conditions.
You are lucky to be able to let a buck that size walk. We let smaller bucks walk hoping they will make it. Idiots were I live are not like a lot of us. We let 2 eights walk that have good racks but are only about 11/2 years old. Chance of them making it are about 50%.
Great buck. I admire you for making that personal decision. I was just having a convo with my brother last week that I could kill a decent buck every year and while the thrill would be there when the deer walked out and when I shot it would be shortly over because I've killed bigger and have personal goals set for myself. I just can't make myself kill a buck just to burn a tag or because I haven't killed one in a while.
Although I wouldn't have passed up that caliber of a buck right now I hope to get to that point I can one day. I don't get into the hunting shows at all but one thing I heard Waddell say once that has stuck is you can't killed a great buck by always killing a good buck.
Although I wouldn't have passed up that caliber of a buck right now I hope to get to that point I can one day. I don't get into the hunting shows at all but one thing I heard Waddell say once that has stuck is you can't killed a great buck by always killing a good buck.
I am not a big waddell fan but i love that statement!
FLTENNHUNTER1
Well-Known Member
This...
Boone25/06
Well-Known Member
I figured an update to this post was coming soon. If I'm not mistaken on another post it was mentioned that the neighbor killed this buck after red blood let it go. Sorry to hear that. Would like to see some kill pics if the neighbor sent any.
I will need to make sure its ok if i post them, but he died on thanksgiving morning
Tom Collins
Well-Known Member
He should buy you a steak dinner ha
I use to hunt a farm on the Moore/Lincoln county line. Those pictures make me miss it.
I like steak lol
Boy these are some toads brother , really great bucks .
