What do you guys shoot?

[kd350]

Both, age and then horns

This past weekend I had a nice tall 8 we had on camera come in to bow range twice and could have easily killed him with a rifle. But the more I looked at him and seen he is only a 3 year old, and not all that big I just can't bring myself to kill him. Even though he would be my biggest bow kill. I just can't kill him because he has good potential

[Felix40]

I shoot the first legal animals I can. I'm out there to kill something and I don't hunt in target rich areas.

[4dog]

Anything and everything .....legal

[Saltyag15]

I hunt trophy deer, and let the young ones with potential grow up. I can't say I'm not a horn hunter. With that being said, I haven't shot a wall hanger in 10-12 years. I've shot does and trash bucks for meat and for fun. I just like being out there.

[stickbow]

shooting criteria

have been fortunate enough to manage 5000 acres under high fence for last 15 to 20 years in 2 different counties. we started with nothing and developed deer in the 170s and 150s routinely. WE try to keep 1:1 ratio. shoot all 2 year old bucks 5 points are less. leave 1 1/2 yr olds alone. We shoot all 3 1/2 year or older deer that are 8 points are less unless we see really big good looking eight that might make 150 at some point. We try to not shoot trophy deer till at least 6 and sometimes older. This and feeding protein has really helped our herd. sometimes we kill deer over 9 points if they have weak characteristics even at 3 1/2. If you want more of them let him walk if not drop the string. liking our results thus far. we have no breeder pens or such.

[Jmsck12]

have been fortunate enough to manage 5000 acres under high fence for last 15 to 20 years in 2 different counties. we started with nothing and developed deer in the 170s and 150s routinely. WE try to keep 1:1 ratio. shoot all 2 year old bucks 5 points are less. leave 1 1/2 yr olds alone. We shoot all 3 1/2 year or older deer that are 8 points are less unless we see really big good looking eight that might make 150 at some point. We try to not shoot trophy deer till at least 6 and sometimes older. This and feeding protein has really helped our herd. sometimes we kill deer over 9 points if they have weak characteristics even at 3 1/2. If you want more of them let him walk if not drop the string. liking our results thus far. we have no breeder pens or such.

Man that's a great setup you have going there.


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[randal]

I like to shoot for score..

[jerp]

The place I have hunted the last few years does not have a very big deer herd. I'm sure there is a nice mature buck or two around somewhere but we don't see them except vary occasionally on camera. I would rather shoot a doe than a buck I'm not going to mount.

[Zen Archery]

How much meat is on their bones

[Smart]

#1 mature...5.5 or older....no young bucks ever unless its a mercy killing. I like finding/chasing an older wiser deer and killing him versus shooting some young decent buck that could grow up to be another older wiser target.....but that's just my own personal thing. We have plenty of does to kill for meat

#2 antlers....has to be over our lease trophy minimum or qualify as a mgmt deer/cull....but age is must before this.

#3 meat...contrary to popular belief from the "can't eat them horns" mafia, our deer with better horns come with meat too and there is more of it on the mature deer... ....plus see the doe comment above too.

at 47....I don't have the drive anymore to "limit out" on anything but dove. I don't have to kill to have a successful hunt or fill all my tags to have a successful season.....so the need to shoot anything is just not there for me. I can be picky and be successful with does for sausage and jerky.....but again...that's my own preference..

Forgot to mention this is on 2400 acres of low fence property with boomstick happy neighbors so letting a deer pass doesn't mean he will be back. However because we are 95% archery the place does act as kind of a sanctuary...

[systemnt]

If they flick their tails while looking at you...that's deerspeak for **** you... I don't take that kind of language from anything that poops pellets.

[Dillakilla]

Like to get a doe, this yr a spike, early. Once thats in the freezer basically I wait on whichever is the biggest buck I have on camera. Ill have to say tho that most times this results in a doe in the freezer and thats it.

[Ten Ring]

To be honest with you guys....I don't know. I think I have lost my way a little bit. Between trying to let some real nice deer grow and wanting to shoot a deer with a different rifle or better yet my bow, to just wanting to have my wife shoot one or having my son with me when one of us shoots a deer. I have no idea what will make me shoot a deer this season other then I need two or three deer for meat to make it through the year, but I don't know how I will find the motivation to do that.

[dustoffer]

#1--what is legal
#2--backstraps
#3--sausage
#4--jerky