Which would you send an arrow at?

[slicingholes]

Here's 3 bucks I could shoot this year. Just curious which y'all would choose. I'm really new to bowhunting, started last year and got a decent 8 pt.

First two deer are on a family farm that I know like the back of my hand.

Buck #1 10 pointer, young: I know exactly where he'll be. Could shoot him tomorrow morning if I wanted.


Buck #2 8 pointer, 4.5-5 maybe?: He would be tougher because I don't really know his pattern yet, but he's also on the family farm.


Buck #3 Public land. Huge 10 pointer. Old old old buck. Always nocturnal so far, don't really have a pattern on him at all. Long shot.



Obviously the last one is what I want, but just looking to see if other people think I should take the sure bet.

[red]

yes

[slicktricker]

Public land... any that present an opportunity. Good luck

[MUZZYSLINGR]

Take the older 8 pointer if he screws up & gives you a shot.


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[westtexducks]

If you want to kill big deer you have to not shoot them when they are small/young deer. So basically do you want big deer or not is the question ? If yes then chase the old boy on public and let your teenagers grow. If no then they will all eat good.

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[Buckslayertx]

Public is a bruiser. The other two are at most 4.5 and need a couple more years. Leave them since you know where they are. Let em get big.

[Pineywoods]

Public land grandpa. It will be really tough to get him but imagine how rewarding it'll be if you do. You will never kill one you really want if you settle. You have to take a chance and pass ok deer to get a chance at a big one in my opinion. It took me a while to start hunting that way because I wanted the instant gratification of a buck on the ground asap.

[slicingholes]

Public land grandpa. It will be really tough to get him but imagine how rewarding it'll be if you do. You will never kill one you really want if you settle. You have to take a chance and pass ok deer to get a chance at a big one in my opinion. It took me a while to start hunting that way because I wanted the instant gratification of a buck on the ground asap.

That's definitely what my gut says, but I'm so in love with this sport and I really want another deer this year. Haha self control is a battle sometimes...

[brokeno]

Shoot the oldest deer

[Pineywoods]

That's definitely what my gut says, but I'm so in love with this sport and I really want another deer this year. Haha self control is a battle sometimes...

I completely understand and was the same way when I first started bowhunting. It was years before I finally got a buck with my bow and it wasn't from a lack of effort. Bowhunting can be an extremely frustrating but extremely rewarding sport. After 15 years of using a bow, I am still constantly learning things to make me a better hunter. I recommend reading one of the most informative threads on TBH in my opinion about hunting mature deer when they are pressured. You will find it helpful if you go after the public land buck. I have learned a lot from it and Steve has helped me harvest some big mature bucks with my bow through his thread.

https://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=471775&highlight=easy+pattern

[brokeno]

Or. Shot a doe and let the Bucks walk another year

[AntlerCollector]

You laid it all out pretty well OP.

I say go for the public land one first. Give it your best shot. If you can't find him then hunt the 2nd one. If all else fails go shoot the first one.

[eastxhunter]

Or. Shot a doe and let the Bucks walk another year

Word let em all walk and get a guided hunt for a real buck.

[Hoss163]

Wait it out for the old buck . Are shoot the 8 who knows if you wait it out a little longer another older buck may show up on your family place.

[flywise]

Pub buck
And any other big fellas that end up on the family.darm once the rut starts.