These backyard Deer...

[bowriter]

I gave considerable thought to whether or not I should even write this. In the end, since it is just my opinion, I thought it might clarify some things re shooting back yard deer. Remember, this is just my opinion-my feelings on the matter. I don�t care what other people do so long as it is legal.

I doubt if there are many if any people who have more backyard deer than I. I could easily kill 20-30 a year. But I shoot them only with my cameras. To me, that would not be hunting and I would feel quite ashamed to kill one. It would require no hunting skill, no woodsmanship, no knowledge of deer or deer habits or any skill other than being able to shoot 30-yards with a bow.

Were I starving, I would shoot one in a heartbeat. But none of us are that hungry. I cannot fathom anything other than starvation that would move me to kill one. That is all it would be-killing. There would be no sense of accomplishment, no pride in doing so. Conversely, it would be a totally shameful act, one I would not care to mention, let alone have any pride in.

Just my opinion and feeling on the matter. Although I hunt small woodlots and thickets, the deer I hunt roam over sizable tracts and at the very least, require some knowledge and skill to correctly place stands. However, I am quick to admit, they are not nearly as wary as deer found on Cheatham WMA or in any large timber tract. But they are a far cry from shooting the ones in my backyard.

 

[knightrider]

so your just shooting some one elses back yard deer! makes perfect sense lol

 

[Dbllunger]

Well stated and agree. Backyard deer aren't for me but if legal I don't begrudge (sp?) anyone for it. If it makes them happy then sling an arrow and enjoy the backstraps.

 

[Spurhunter]

Well said bowriter. Some of us are hunters and sportsmen. Some of us are just killers.

 

[barkscaler]

so your just shooting some one elses back yard deer! makes perfect sense lol

x2

 

[deerhunter10]

Well said bowriter. Some of us are hunters and sportsmen. Some of us are just killers.

x2

 

[infoman jr.]

That brings up an interesting question. What is "too easy"?

Is it crossbows, optics, centerfire rifles? Everyone has their own definition.

 

[TNReb]

I have a friend who hunts out of the attic at his house (not in TN). He'll wake up in the morning, and just go sit up there in his boxers and wait for one to show up at the feeder near the side of the yard. :crazy:

 

[Urban_Hunter]

Well said bowriter. Some of us are hunters and sportsmen. Some of us are just killers.

Just killers? I would say some of us are opportunists. If I was behind on filling my freezer I wouldn't think twice about improving my odds. My uncle has some back yard dandies and won't let me at them. Had a typical 12pt that I begged to get after. I assured him someone would get him if I didn't... two weeks later it was in a picture at the bait shop, killed a street over.

 

[jb3]

I lived in Kingston Springs and had 7 acres behind me. I had deer 3-4 times a week come within bow range of my deck. Most of the time it was only does, but once a week a buck would be with them. They would graze on my lawn. If I opened the back door, they bolted. But if I was outside already and being still, they would not notice. I never once had an itch to hunt them. They were way too predictable. Biggest buck was an 8 point that would only come out about dark. He had a rack that would push 130". It was a beautiful deer to watch.

 

[TNGunsmoke]

My wife says back yard deer are off limits if they are in the yard. If they are in the woods 300 yards away from the house, they are fair game.

 

[bigtex]

I live on the land I hunt, my yard is probably less that 1/8 acre and the rest is surrounded by woods. It's not unusual to see deer in my "back yard" just about any morning or evening. That said, I consider anything within 200 yards of the house as a "safety zone" and is off limits to hunting.
Looked out the back window yesterday evening and had five does feeding on acorns. I didn't even contemplate shooting one. Not saying that if I ever get hungry of see a 145" plus deer I wouldn't shoot but the chances of that happening are next to zero.
To each his-her own but I enjoy watching them more than killing.

 

[hcdeerman]

Like bigtex mentioned above, the term "backyard deer" can differ. If by definition you mean subdivided neighborhood safety zone deer who eat out of feeders in the yard for people's pleasure, then I would definitely consider those deer off limits (unless it was removing some for conservation). However for those of us who live life off the city streets, a deer that happens to be around my house is guaranteed to be as wild any other deer you can find. They may have learned to navigate houses and highways, but are far from pets or "gimmes" in most instances. I have never baited deer to be shot from my house, but will admit to a few management kills if the opportunity provided itself to ensure we get at least one good picking of purple hull peas from the garden in the summertime. Having said all that, it solves nothing because opinions will still vary from hunter to hunter. One thing though is for sure. If I happen to stick a particular tall-racked 8 point that I have been getting pics of all summer out of a stand that might wind up being less than 500 yards from my back door, you can sure bet I'll be proud of him and will hopefully have pics to share with you all.

 

[Gravey]

I agree with bw but again if its legal and you want to kill one go for it. Last week I was throwing batting practice to my son and he said "look dad". Turned around to see this about 75 yards away. Also when referring to backyard deer I'm all for hunting them if its truly a hunt. Opening the door or window when you see one is something totally different to me. Its legal so if that's your cup of tea drink up. Just not my choice.

 

[DntBrnDPig]

Didn't you brag about hunting for 15 minutes and killing a deer? That's more challenging or rewarding than someone shooting a deer on their property?

 

[Bone Collector]

Didn't you brag about hunting for 15 minutes and killing a deer? That's more challenging or rewarding than someone shooting a deer on their property?

I think he is talking about what Gravey mentioned in his post about opening a window or door and shooting a deer in the backyard.

But if you want some freezer meat and there are too many around, why not manage the herd some and shoot a couple of does. Yeah there is no sport in it, but they will eat good, and you are probably doing yourself, the deer herd, and your neighbors a favor.

Too many people want to watch deer in the backyard and it is those deer that run out in the road and get hit. I know my wife and I have each hit on in the last year.

I don't know how I feel about it honestly. Some folks have a big field in there back yard and could sit on porch or deck and shoot deer 2-300 yds away. IMO this is no different than sitting in a shooting house and shooting 2-300 yds across a food plot.

I do feel though that in that area that you mow, whether that be 1/4-1 acre of land, if deer are out there eating grass, or acorns under the oak tree right behind your backdoor, and you shoot one that you should expect any congratulations, especially when you shoot a big buck. Sorry there is a difference between shooting one in the woods, where you have scouted or just happen to be hunting (plain getting lucky), and seeing one feeding nightly in your backyard, or at least time to time, so you shoot him.

 

[catman529]

I had the 5 deer come thru my yard again while I was butchering in the garage. I could have shot one but didn't want to butcher 2. I might shoot one soon, but just so I can kill another one right behind the house. I know there is no woodsmanship or hunting skills involved, except maybe blood tracking. I wouldn't do it to be a great hunter, I'd do it because I wanted to kill a deer in the backyard. And after killing one I'd probably be satisfied for the rest of the year. Heck I may end up not even shooting one in the backyard this year, just depends on how many I kill when I am actually hunting.

 

[Lost Lake]

If a person hunts within a half mile or so from a sub division there is a good chance he or she is shooting someone's "back yard deer." Doesn't matter if its a 200 acre farm or a tiny wood lot near a sub division if its where people are feeding them for their viewing pleasure.

 

[bowriter]

so your just shooting some one elses back yard deer! makes perfect sense lol

x2

Where do you get that from? I guess technicaly, you could say we all hunt backyard deer. I suppose at some point everywhere is a backyard. This goes back to a post in another thread. You would have to have seen that to understand. The term "backyard" is not important, it is just a term, not a boundary. As I said, you would have had to have seen the other post.

 

[Ladys man]

Bw would you shoot a buck ? When I moved into my house last yr we had a group of 5 does come in 3-4 nites a week but ever since February haven't seen them there's 23 acres behind my house I can hunt but really never even scouted it. Last November I put a camera back there and got a nice 8 pt even walked up there caught him trying to breed a doe but still haven't hunted for him or her yet . I figure I pay $ for my lease put in time and money up there I should get my use of it. But now if freezer isn't full by November and there back that might be a different story.

 

[BSK]

This guy has been hanging around my house in Nashville for years. In the first picture, he is 2. In the second picture, he's 4 1/2. I've chased him around my yard at night trying to kick him in the butt (to keep him out of my roses). He's almost killed one of my ornamental maple trees by rubbing it to death. I guess I could shoot him, but my neighbors probably wouldn't appreciate the noise!

 

[BSK]

Here's my brother's (who lives in New Mexico) backyard deer. He stood on his back deck and took these pictures without a zoom lens:

 

[catman529]

This guy has been hanging around my house in Nashville for years. In the first picture, he is 2. In the second picture, he's 4 1/2. I've chased him around my yard at night trying to kick him in the butt (to keep him out of my roses). He's almost killed one of my ornamental maple trees by rubbing it to death. I guess I could shoot him, but my neighbors probably wouldn't appreciate the noise!

learn to be a man, shoot a bow.

 

[BSK]

learn to be a man, shoot a bow.

Noooooo...! Being a wuss is so much more fun!

 

[RUGER]

LOL anyone that shot the muzzleloader you used to shoot can't be a wuss dude.

 

[BSK]

LOL anyone that shot the muzzleloader you used to shoot can't be a wuss dude.

Stop! I'm crying just thinking about touching off Thor's Hammers...

 

[7wsm]

i have woods all around my house with a creek right behind the house and neighbors fields 100 yrds away they hunt the fields right behind my house so if a shooter buck comes through the woods behind my house on my property he will most likely get lead poison but only a shooter not doe's either .they get a pass .but we see 10-20 deer every single day.

 

[bowriter]

Would I shoot a buck? No, I could have this one just about any day. I saw him yesterday at about 30-yards. I can walk within 30-35-yards of him just about any morning or afternoon. What's the thrill in that.

I am not talking about woods behind the house. I am talking about deer in the freakin backyard where the grass gets mowed and you can shoot off you deck or patio.



Where is the skill involved in killing pets?

 

[jmlost]

I have a group of does that live on the land around my house year round. No bucks just does and fawns. They seem to use it like a nursery. But they alway bring in some nice boyfriends during rut. I would not and have not shot any does. But bucks during rut are fair game. I am talking 30 acres not subdivision and will only shoot a buck from stand.

 

[Winchester]

From reading these posts it seems that Antlers change the rules for many people? The sex and size of the deer should have NO impact on whether or not you think its hunting or just shooting!