Cougar Mag

I have tags for both antlered and antlerless and have not filled any yet this season. Passed up small/young bucks and small/young does so far, although I know at least 2 big boys are in the area of the main property I hunt . I can bowhunt until mid-January except for 4 days of the 2nd firearms season. So.................would you fill the tags or antlerless tag only and keep on waiting for a shot at a big buck? Mind you the weather will get nastier, rut is winding down, and deer changing their patterns due to pressure and food.

I already know what I am doing, just curious as to other's responses.

rybohunter

I'd be shooting does for sure. and then wait on a buck of your choosing, and personal standards.

Pa Trophy Man

I'll second that. I have a self-imposed earn a buck program, so i'm always taking out a doe first.

cardeer

Get some doe burger ,before it is to late

uphunter15

Lucky for me I can take a doe with my regular combo licences too. Here in Michigan you can shoot an antlerless with the bow, during archery season. You can only take a doe with an antlerless permit during the gun season. Works out great for me so I can get a couple of deer reguardless of the sex.

I will be shooting a doe with my antlerless permit during the gun season here and probably another with my regular licence during the second bow season unless the big guy walks by!!!

HNTNWHTTAIL4LF

Hey Cougar,

You can legally bowhunt conservtion areas that are closed to gun hunting.. (IL)My bro and i are from IL and bowhunt during gun season at a conservation area..Between the two of us we have 6 deer out of there..But we also are pretty much just meat hunters..But like i say if you want to still bowhunt you can..

Huntnsinme

I know this is a little late for this thread but...... I have been bowhunting for 4 seasons now, so I feel pretty confident (most of the time) about what and where I am hunting. I usually try to go out on a sunday where it is illegal to hunt in North Carolina, and scout and actually try to get a picture of the deer I want to kill, if I cant get a picture then an imprinted picture in my mind works fine. I am not a professional bowhunter by any means, but I have had several deer standing right underneath me every time I hunt. So what I am saying is I like to go after big racks for the first part of season, then fill tags after gun season has started and the deer are spooked more.

Mike from Texas

Shoot a doe first so you don't ensd theseason empty handed and it helps your deer herd. You can always hold out for the big buck until the last minute. If you do your homework through the season, you should be able to change your hunting strategy right along with the deer's changing patterns.

adams

I'd be putting a bit of meat in my freezer with the doe tag. IMO if you've got it, use it. As for the buck tag, I personally am commited to taking mature animals. I've passed a few smaller bucks this season and have seen two nice IMO shooters that just haven't given me an opportunity at a shot. This works for me but may not be what you have in mind. If you're content shooting any buck or your standards say 6 point or 8 point or better then tag the buck you're happy with.

If I were on your property and new of two monsters roaming the area I'd be looking forward to some late season hunting. IMO late season is a great time to score. Hunt the food scorces and get the deer as they settle down from rifle or shotgun season. Bucks this time of year will have two things on their minds. Food and second esterous does with a emphasis on food.

Lady Forge

I would also if the freezer was running low on deer meat, then I would take a doe and help to balance your buck to doe ratio , if it is outta balance.
But I am holding out for any one of the 3 great shooter bucks that I have seen on the property I am hunting, I had a shot at a massive buck , shot him for 40 yards..... . turns out he was 47 yards and I watched my arrow whiz by just under his belly hairs So much for my yardage estimation judgeing[:@]