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How many 3 year olds do you pass?

I've passed every 3.5 year old I've seen this year along with a couple 4.5s and a 5.5 year old.
 

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In my younger years almost never. Now I fall into that mindset of you can't kill them at 4 if you kill them at 3. I absolutely would still kill one depending on the deer and circumstances. Where I hunt we have gotten some deer to 4 but getting them to 5 is extremely tough.
 
Our goal is to let all 3.5 year olds walk...and yes we've got caught up in the moment before and killed one....it's deer hunting... enjoy the process.
For the other part of your question....yes we have let multiple bucks walk at 3.5 and killed them at 4.5 or 5.5....its absolutely possible to do so.....but we've also let plenty walk that were never seen again....it's all part of it.....but there is allot of satisfaction in seeing a nice buck and photographing or videoing him...knowing that you could have killed him...but chose not too....it's a great experience.
 
I've passed around 10 3.5 yo this season. Killed 1 5.5 yo last week. As I mature as a trophy hunter it's less and less tempting to shoot a 3.5 yo just because it doesn't line up with helping me to achieve my current goals. Have I killed them before….yes! Do I kill them now…no
 
If you are asking this then you need to start letting them walk and get a few more hunting days in during Muzz in the rut. Sure everyone shot young bucks when they started. Myself included. I think if you are asking this question then you know you are ready to raise the bar. Shoot a dry doe for meat and then Keep that bar high into December!! I pass multiple 3.5 and most 4.5 year old bucks now. A few years ago I killed a 7.5 year old 177 gross BC and a 6.5 year old low 150s the year before here in east TN. That helped with my patience. Hold out and get that big one it may take a couple years but that's ok. More reasons to keep hunting into December. Hard part for me is I love long brow tines. But usually that comes with age anyway.
 
I can look at pics and say "I'm gonna pass this deer but I'd shoot that one all day long" but what it comes down to is when I see a buck does it get my heart rate up. If so I'm killing him regardless of age. That said we do try to let them make it to at least 3.5 before killing them.
 
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