Shoot or pass on mature half rack?

[BAMA BOW MERKER]

Saw an absolute stud Monday afternoon. Hunting a cut corn field on my own lease, I was faced with a tough decision. A very large and obviously mature buck gave me a great opportunity. I do not have any trail cam pics of this buck. Only thing wrong was he broke his main beam between his left brow tine and left G 2. He was well outside the ear on his right side with at least 5 on his right side. Looked very massive and tall as well. I've had a great year this season so far and have one tag left. I thought it would be a shame for me to shoot such a trophy broken off. Been thinking about a lot the last two days. I feel I made the right move and hope he makes it till next year. I am gonna put a camera in this area and can hopefully get a pic.

Would you shoot a mature half rack on your own private lease?

 

[Born and Raised]

Just my opinion but I would pass.

 

[TheLBLman]

Pass.

Largest antlered mature buck I've seen in the past 5 years had broken off a main beam, and I just had no desire to take him. Was totally satisfied just knowing "could have", and very hopeful he would present himself the next year. Never saw him again, but have no regrets over passing him.

 

[timberjack86]

Not trying to stir the pot or get a big argument going, But I thought it was about mature deer and not antlers???

 

[xtremedeerman]

Pass too

 

[TN Larry]

Very tough decision. I don't know if I could for sure until put in that situation. A lot would depend on how the year is going and where I was at. I have let a half rack walk before that was a shooter for me at the time but not as big as yours. It did pay off for me as I killed a big 9 pter later that morning. Hope you see him next yr.

 

[TheLBLman]

Not trying to stir the pot or get a big argument going, But I thought it was about mature deer and not antlers???

It's really about both.
The real one-on-one challenge is with a mature deer, of either sex.
But if I have an opportunity to take one with only one antler, I will usually give him a pass if he looks healthy and likely able to survive another year.

Just me personally, but I just have less desire to kill any buck that doesn't have larger or more unique antlers than what's already on the wall. Guess one could argue that a buck with 1 antler would make a unique mount. :) I'd just like him better next year with both.

 

[redblood]

pass, unless i was starving

 

[Model 1]

Depends on the mood at the moment. I've done both.

 

[Mike Belt]

I guess I'm greedy because I want it all. Broken antlers has saved quite a few mature bucks from one of my bullets.

 

[knightrider]

shoot

 

[doubledownranch]

Pass and see him next year

 

[Food Plot 101]

I've passed on a couple, including a busted up 160+ deer in IL. I don't regret my decision much,lol

 

[Boll Weevil]

Oldest (though far from biggest) deer I've seen on the hoof the last 2 seasons had just 4 points but stooopid mass on the left with a bunch of trash. The right though, was only a heavy main beam and a 4" brow tine. Complete total bully at the mineral block (from dozens of pics with ears laid back and other bucks scattering like pansies), worn nearly to his gums in the teeth department, and I'm happy to write...didn't do so well with a powerbelt in his innards.

One less mouth to feed, perhaps a friendlier "deer dynamic" in the neighborhood, and meat in the freezer. I'm after his 1st cousin between now and the end of season. :)

Age or bone...both is really a satisfying bonus.

 

[sure shot]

I think I would pass as long as I knew it was busted up,trail pics,close encounter etc...unless it looked like a no-neck 6.5-7.5 yr old that someone posted the other day :)

 

[Nealmeally]

Pass.. Always pass

 

[@fulldraw]

Always pass and hope he makes it for a chance next year.

 

[Florida Cracker 971]

IMO you made the correct decision. Good luck with him next year.

 

[Thicketmaster]

Pass!!!!!

 

[timberjack86]

Not trying to stir the pot or get a big argument going, But I thought it was about mature deer and not antlers???

It's really about both.
The real one-on-one challenge is with a mature deer, of either sex.
But if I have an opportunity to take one with only one antler, I will usually give him a pass if he looks healthy and likely able to survive another year.

Just me personally, but I just have less desire to kill any buck that doesn't have larger or more unique antlers than what's already on the wall. Guess one could argue that a buck with 1 antler would make a unique mount. :) I'd just like him better next year with both.

I gotcha. His steaks would look better on my plate this year than next. :grin:

 

[deerhunter10]

I guess I'm greedy because I want it all. Broken antlers has saved quite a few mature bucks from one of my bullets.

x2 does even tempt me any more to shoot once I see they are busted up.

 

[Solo Hunter]

I'd have to pass.

 

[catman529]

dude I would never pass a mature half rack, think of it this way, that's probably the last time you will ever get a shot at him so why wait for a 0.001% chance at killing him next year?

this was my first archery buck. no score, no regrets and the horn hangs on my wall on a plaque



but the real answer to your question in my opinion is shoot what makes you happy.

 

[BHC]

I would shoot! Chances are very slim you or your buddies will ever see him again. Mature bucks 4.5+ are to hard to come by to pass one....

 

[MUP]

Probably won't have to worry about seeing him again imo. ;) He probably won't show up again like that, or at least that's my experience with big mature bucks. One shot is all I've ever gotten at any particular big, mature buck, then never to be seen again.

 

[Viper (tp)]

I had a chance to kill one with a bow and passed, then I saw him 6 more times that year. I tell ya I have never passed on a buck that size, but I will say this he taught me alot.The way he moved thru the woods, the way he corraled a doe he was with, not letting her get 30 yards at a time away from him, how he ran anythang off that came into his core area. Its been a learning curve for me.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

Pass

 

[Headhunter]

pass, I have a couple times.

 

[Elmer]

Pass, without an afterthought

 

[tickweed]

pass