When Does a Buck Start to Look Impressive

[happy bowhunter]

150 class

[150class]

150class

Quit it..... You're making me blush...

[EW89]

A 130+ 8 is an accomplishment! Nice buck.

Thanks! This is my first buck worth scoring I wasn't really sure how to compare him to other 8 points.

[happy bowhunter]

Haha

[Fishndude]

When he has hams and back straps.

[Razrbk89]

In the area I hunt I'd say a 4.5, 200+ pounds, and ~130" buck is going to get either badly scared or dead if he gives me a shot.

Admittedly, I've killed a pile of 3 year olds in the 170-180 pound 110"-120" range that looked a LOT bigger running through the woods before I shot them, ha. Still nice deer (to me) and I'm always proud to hang a buck up in the barn regardless, especially a bow kill!

[wtb90]

On my side of town, 120 catches my attention stepping out of the woods. They dont necessarily get shot but they draw a look. We know there are some 140's lurking in the dark woods but we usually only see 3-4 bucks total in person total all season long. I typically shoot a buck every 3 years or so because I know what genetics are out there. It's just a matter of time.

[Kdog]

Some of you guys must hunt some pretty good places. Where I hunt in Texas anything over 100-110" will get my attention. As far as shooting, that is going to depend on the age of the buck and if he meets our criteria. What I have killed already might play into that a little bit. (I get 2 bucks and not necessarily going to take 2 cull bucks if I am holding out for a trophy.) Honestly though, anything I shoot gets me excited, even a doe.

That being said sometimes a buck that is even smaller can get me excited. Last year I hunted in Wisconsin off and on for 2 weeks. Only had one buck in bow range on the last hunt....it was a little 6 pointer. He is lucky he wasn't a little bit wider and a couple more points.....maybe a year older. (He was probably 1.5 years old.) He stayed at like 25 yards for 20 minutes. Anyway, he was just too small to shoot. But it seemed like my standards must have been dropping because I was really thinking about it! I saw an article on QDMA.com that said in Wisconsin 48% of the bucks killed in the state are yearlings. I guess I can understand why now. Last year up there I passed up what was probably a 130" deer (dumb!) In hindsight on that one I think I underestimated his rack when he walked by. Still kicking myself about that one!

[brrdnk]

Where I hunt 130 get my attention. But an old mature six or cull will get me very excited also. Love seeing a mature deer walk in. Something about their gait when they walk, its like I am the man around here.

[solocam_aggie]

They begin getting my attention at 140. 150 I'm in full freak out.

[Etxbuckman]

I'd say 130" for me. Where I hunt 140" is about as big as we've seen but a 130" buck is a very respectable animal. I too have reached the point where mature bucks, regardless of their rack size, get my blood pumping. I killed a 5.5, maybe 6.5 year, old 9-point 2 weeks ago that wouldn't go 100" but, man, he was a big bodied horse of a deer and I was so excited the guys at camp thought I was going to hyperventilate.

[8pointer]

I think for me it's a matter of perspective for the property I am on. My lease, 140" would be impressive. Other places I've been on it takes 170+.

Make no mistake, I still get excited when any buck steps out. The day that goes away, I will probably hang it up.

[Bowhuntamistad]

A nice straight 4X4 over 170, especially in a stalkable position......gets my blood pumping every time

[meathunter]

AfterI decide not to shoot and he turns and walks straight away with his head held high. They always look bigger when they do this.

[Christianhuff]

This gets me excited

When I'm in a tree in Kansas and I see a neck that looks like this!