TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
IMO, it is often a greater learning experience, more enjoyable at the moment, and more rewarding LATER, when you pass up a "nice" buck on a particular outing.Lot of years I wouldn't have hesitated but did decide to give him a pass. Hopefully next year. When I climbed down you could smell him at the base of my tree. . . . . Fun hunt this afternoon for sure. Just need something a little bigger.
About the ONLY actual hunting strategy you can "plan" and up your odds for getting a larger antlered buck is to NOT shoot a smaller antlered buck BEFORE either a larger antlered one comes along, or the one you pass can have another year to become what you're after more.
I've personally been amazed at how often I almost shot a particular borderline buck, but didn't, then a few minutes later that better one came along.
THAT, TOO!State of mind . . . . I asked myself if I wanted to stay out till midnight tracking, gutting, dragging and eventually hauling to a processor for a deer I've killed several times before. Plus, he's got tremendous potential I thought but needs one more year.
Also, I suspect the 2-buck limit has done much to lean many hunters thoughts towards letting more top-end young bucks walk?
When the limit was 3 or more, fewer hunters were as willing to let a "nice" buck walk (never mind they had a wall full of "nice" and similar ones)?
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