Tough one to pass

[catman529]

I jumped a nice buck yesterday with at least a couple of does mid day. I then found another doe bedded down and shot her.

Came back this morning with a perfect wind hoping to see that buck again. Well, he showed up about 60 yards out, but was skylined, so I hit the grunt tube and he came straight to me.

Obviously I got a good look at him, and decided he wasn't the mature deer I am hoping to fill my last tag on.

I am thinking he could go 2.5 or 3.5, not really sure, but I knew he was a younger deer. What are yalls thoughts? I can't post the video here right now, so these are an attempt at some screen grabs from my camcorder.

 

[JeepKuntry]

The potential is there. I doubt many hitting public land will pass him so the odds are against him till mid January.

 

[REM7]

Young one. Definitely got potential but have my doubts he get a pass on public land.

 

[Shanman]

Pass.....you made the right call.

 

[Lincoln Co Archer]

Very tough! Don't think I would end my season him either.

 

[Winchester]

Good call to end your buck hunting especially, looks to be a 2yr old with that long skinny neck.

 

[catman529]

The potential is there. I doubt many hitting public land will pass him so the odds are against him till mid January.

Knowing the area the odds are in his favor.

 

[Volbuck777]

I believe you done the right thing by passing him, I say that because I would have done the same. It's still early yet and there's a lot of hunting left to do. Good luck and I hope it pays off

 

[catman529]

I believe you done the right thing by passing him, I say that because I would have done the same. It's still early yet and there's a lot of hunting left to do. Good luck and I hope it pays off

Thanks. I got all week off to hunt and some good deer on cam and some good spots I want to sit.

 

[bwgarrett3]

It would have been tough if it was the first buck of the season...but since it would end your season I'd say you made a great decision.

 

[Ski]

Good call. Even if you don't find a bigger one, you won't regret passing him. He's young.

 

[Deer Assassin]

end of the day it depends on what YOU want

first buck tag I would
second no unless it was after Christmas then yes for me

 

[rem270]

Good job on passing him! You'll be rewarded for it.

 

[redblood]

Great pass. Those are kind that must be passed, a super-high end 2.5

 

[megalomaniac]

Agreed, top end 2.5yo with the potential to be eye popping if he makes it to 4.5.

 

[cbhunter]

agree with the 2.5 or 3.5. I, for one, was leaning towards 3.5 based on the head on pic. My thoughts are backed up by much other than he has a certain "look" to me. Can't exactly explain it and can certainly be wrong

 

[catman529]

It would have been tough if it was the first buck of the season...but since it would end your season I'd say you made a great decision.

If it was my first buck of the season, I would be sitting at home right now drinking cold beer watching that deers head cook in a stock pot

 

[DRSJ35]

Wouldn't end my season unless it was way later in the season on him. To much good hunting and possibilities ahead. Not to say he's not a great buck. You know what I'm saying. Lol

 

[DoubleRidge]

Good call....allot of great hunting ahead.....and he's full of potential.

 

[bwgarrett3]

If it was my first buck of the season, I would be sitting at home right now drinking cold beer watching that deers head cook in a stock pot

So is this a new recipe or a euro mount???

 

[catman529]

So is this a new recipe or a euro mount???

All you need is beer and a pot of water

 

[reloadxx]

Good call cat hope you get a chance this week and a good one that you can't let walk.

 

[double browtine]

He looks like a really good 2.5 yr old to me. If I only had one tag left, he would definitely get a pass from me too.

 

[catman529]

Well that wasn't the end of the day...I had two bucks chase a doe right to me this evening. The bigger one was mad at the yearling, but I could see in his eyes the yearling wanted the doe just as bad as the bigger buck. Bigger buck had some neck on him, I'm wondering if he wasn't a 3 year old, but regardless he had crap for a rack so I just filmed. Heck of a day in the woods

 

[Snake]

On wanting to kill mature bucks then right choice but I would have shot at him , that's me .

 

[Specializedjon]

Where did you see him Catman? I'll go out and make sure no one shoots him.

 

[catman529]

Where did you see him Catman? I'll go out and make sure no one shoots him.

Where the sweetgum is next to the big pine tree

 

[bwgarrett3]

Well that wasn't the end of the day...I had two bucks chase a doe right to me this evening. The bigger one was mad at the yearling, but I could see in his eyes the yearling wanted the doe just as bad as the bigger buck. Bigger buck had some neck on him, I'm wondering if he wasn't a 3 year old, but regardless he had crap for a rack so I just filmed. Heck of a day in the woods

Definitely looks like you are in a good area! Hopefully a big one will step out and present an opportunity soon.

 

[Southern Sportsman]

This is not to express an opinion for or against it as I haven't even made up my own mind. But this is a prime example of the 2 buck limit at work.

I hope you kill a stud with that last tag and I hope you catch up to this one again in a year or two.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

This is not to express an opinion for or against it as I haven't even made up my on mind. But this is a prime example of the 2 buck limit at work.

I hope you kill a stud with that last tag and I hope you catch up to this one again in a year or two.

Yes it is. I have been in catman's shoes 4 times where I let really nice bucks walk and not filled that second tag (ones I would have shot as my first buck). Totally ok with that too