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What would you do?

Andy S. said:
My advice to you is do what makes YOU happy, regardless of what WE think, or anyone else for that matter. Not being a horses rear by any means, just wanting to retain as many hunters in the state as possible, thus I want hunters like yourself to do what makes him or her happy and enjoy the hunt along the way.
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Andy S. said:
My advice to you is do what makes YOU happy, regardless of what WE think, or anyone else for that matter. Not being a horses rear by any means, just wanting to retain as many hunters in the state as possible, thus I want hunters like yourself to do what makes him or her happy and enjoy the hunt along the way.
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Exactly!
 
As others have said, who cares what others think. Do what makes you happy.

But if you are thinking that is a young buck that just needs another year or two to grow a great rack, you would be wrong. That buck has some age on him. He's at least 3 1/2 and might be older. He just "doesn't have it" antler-wise. He would probably get a little bigger in another year, but he isn't going to ever be a large-antlered buck.
 
BSK said:
But if you are thinking that is a young buck that just needs another year or two to grow a great rack, you would be wrong. That buck has some age on him.
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While I agree, there are still other considerations.

There is also the issue of not just what this particular buck may or may not become, but perhaps as much the issue of what you set yourself up for in a totally different buck that might be trailing this one (same day), and/or that survives another year in large part should you pass up this particular one.

What I'm saying is that when bucks are moving, usually the older ones will follow less old ones. And when you pass up, even a 3 1/2-yr-old or older one, then someone else shoots him, that other hunter may simply be shooting that one instead of a different buck, meaning you can improve buck age structure and your odds of taking a buck you prefer more ANYTIME you pass up a particular buck that's a little younger or less than what you value a little more.

Often, the particular buck you pass will be killed by another hunter.
Also, often, a totally different buck ends up surviving because a hunter killed "a" buck and quit hunting.

So even when another hunter kills the one you passed, it may mean 1 buck out of the herd instead of two, since had you killed one, the other hunter may have continued hunting until he also killed one, i.e. 2 bucks removed instead of one.

And if you're willing to think a little farther about this, anytime we pass a buck, we've made a decision that improves buck:doe ratios. The greater the buck:doe ratio, the greater the daytime older buck movement (more competition for females). Passing up a particular buck is often the best way to take a different buck.
 
Thanks for the aging BSK. and to Wes, that is great advise. This deer was always last in my pics following 2 other bucks that were smaller. some of the pics i got were of this one running does and fawns out of the way.
 

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