Great looking TN buck, don't blame you a bit for letting him walk.
As I've aged I get satisfaction out of knowing I could have but didn't
As I've aged I get satisfaction out of knowing I could have but didn't
Let him walk
- Thread starter ZachMarkus
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double browtine
Well-Known Member
It would be hard to pass an 8 that size with a bow. But if he makes it through the season, he will be one to give you a little buck fever a year from now!!
bowhunterfanatic
Well-Known Member
I've had to force myself to totally stop hunting deer like this. I too am trying not to shoot anything younger than 4.5, but no chance I could make myself pass that much bone with a bow in my hand, regardless of his age. I just haven't killed enough deer that size yet to pass one.
Nothing wrong with that sentiment. Every hunter has his/her own journey unique to them. I've hunted antlers a long time and have always been careful to not set red line strict standards for myself. It's too circumstantial. Older bucks are my thing because they're challenging and they generally have the biggest racks. Where I'm hunting plays a huge role in what I hunt. If I'm hunting my place in southern Ohio that I own & manage for my ability to kill big bucks, then I am very selective. I know from history what lurks, what my odds are of encountering a big one, and I've only got one tag so I have to make it count. Unless I was comfortable that buck was 5+ I'd let him walk, even though a 130"+ 8pt is a stud anywhere regardless of age.
However, here in TN is a different story. I've lived & hunted here for 9yrs and have yet to see on hoof or cam a 130's class buck of any age. I've killed several 5yr+ bucks and the biggest one was low 120's. If I saw a 130's 8pt in bow range he'd be dead and I wouldn't be concerned about age because the deer is an anomoly that given my history with the area know there's a probability I'd never see one like it again. And with two tags it leaves the possibility that I may see an older buck I want to hunt. On a permission farm where I have no cotrol, the decision would be that much easier. Is it high grading if he's young? Of course it is. But it's my tag my decision and special circumstances call for special decisions. Normally I won't shoot a 3.5yr old. But in that buck's case given the circumstances I wouldn't hesitate. This year my target is a 5yr+ 10pt that even though is the biggest deer on the farm, I wouldn't be surprised if he falls short of 120". Perspective and situational awareness matter, IMO. It's for each hunter to decide for themselves.
. That's what I'm trying to do. I run cameras all the time and really study every deer before I shoot. Sometimes I take too long and they're gone, that's ok. The last 3 bucks I've killed were 5.5, 6.5, and 5.5.
You seen his bucks ??? He'll let go what I have on my wall but he kills " biggens" .Most of them boys would be shooters for me! Good job holding off if you weren't sure. Looks like some good genetics at ur spot.
Good luck and hope you see him again
Ok Zach…twist my arm and send me the address. When I'm done we'll pull his jaw bone and see how old he is. 
Nice deer but if you're not sure then you did the right thing. These things aren't like fish where we can practice catch and release.
Nice deer but if you're not sure then you did the right thing. These things aren't like fish where we can practice catch and release.
I ain't much of a thinker he'd been shot ....at
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I always feel wierd saying "great job" on passing a buck, because you definitely should have shot it IF you wanted and it would have been the right decision.
But great job on sticking to your management plans!
Do you have any other pics of him standing broadside? Good pics for aging.
TN Larry
Well-Known Member
Great buck and no bad answer on what you decided as it's your decision.
BSK
Well-Known Member
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
Makes sense.
There is no one size fits all, and
our views change over time.
For me, the only bucks I want to pursue are those at least 5 1/2 yrs old, and with a rack I'd likely find worthy of a shoulder mount.
So long as there is reasonable possibility of seeing such a buck where I'm hunting, I'm very happy with my personal standard, and am not imposing it on anyone else.
I no longer really care much when, like last year, I go "buck-less".
Totally content in the pursuit of what I'm after, and take plenty of doe for the venison.
I believe it is somewhat a paradigm shift in one's mind, as at some point, many hunters find they truly ENJOY passing up the best young, then the best middle-aged bucks. Maybe it's enjoying the hunting more than the killing.
Maybe I'm just getting lazy & tired of dragging deer out. But I truly do enjoy the hunting as much, or more, now as ever, including when I killed truck loads of deer annually. Today, two or three a year is enough, and they may all be does.
Enjoy the journey
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TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
Tough call for me on his age.
I can definitely say 3 1/2 or older,
but he's very likely 4 1/2.
But so what?
He wasn't exactly up to your standards, but he will be in another year.
In the meantime, pursue another and enjoy the journey.
I can definitely say 3 1/2 or older,
but he's very likely 4 1/2.
But so what?
He wasn't exactly up to your standards, but he will be in another year.
In the meantime, pursue another and enjoy the journey.
He's 4.5, IMO. Explains why he had the cautious, stand off ish demeanor in the other pics. He's plenty healthy so hopefully he'll be around when you're ready. Very pretty buck.
TN Larry
Well-Known Member
I also think he's likely 4.5 and somewhere between 130-135" based on the angles in the pics. Again, there's no right or wrong answer and probably the right one for you if you hesitated. For me in my area, I would have sent it. Lol…..
Well he could have been up to my standards but in the 30 seconds I had to judge him my first impression was 3.5 and smaller rack wise than what I originally thought and in that moment I had to either draw back and shoot him or let him go. Maybe I'll see him again and things will turn out differently, maybe not.
I really don't think he's 4.5 but a healthy 3.5 he don't have that sway back ..any . Could be wrong but a dandy of a buck.
