What is the largest buck you will let pass you on opening day?
10-29-2007, 10:18 AM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Howell, Michigan
Posts: 245
What is the largest buck you will let pass you on opening day?
I hunt private land, we practice QDM and allow the smaller bucks to go, however if it is the last day of the season and all I am seeing is small ones (and was not fortunate enough to get a doe tag) and need venison I have taken a 3 or 4-point from time to time...typically I have passed on many 3 and 4-pointers, and I judge a 6-pointer (body size and action) before taking a shot.....
10-29-2007, 10:56 AM
#2
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Southwest Ohio
Posts: 10,277
RE: What is the largest buck you will let pass you on opening day?
I would prefer a tender young doe and leave the bucks for my neighbors who are after big racks, so I generally pass on all bucks anyway.
10-29-2007, 11:13 AM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Posts: 1,401
RE: What is the largest buck you will let pass you on opening day?
I would think I would pass up anything under 130" or 2 1/2 years old on opening day. I now own my own land so I'm not going to shoot a young buck on the last day of the season just to put some meat in the freezer, if I need the meat in my freezer I'll shoot a doe.
I think a lot of it has to do with whether you have shot a decent buckor not. If I had never shot a buckit would be hard pressed to passupanything close to decent.
I think in this day and age with trail cameras you have a pretty decent idea of the deer that are likely to be seen on your property and what to expect you might see. I've seen 2 bucks on my camera that I would shoot if I saw them during daylight hours during the season.
I think a lot of it has to do with whether you have shot a decent buckor not. If I had never shot a buckit would be hard pressed to passupanything close to decent.
I think in this day and age with trail cameras you have a pretty decent idea of the deer that are likely to be seen on your property and what to expect you might see. I've seen 2 bucks on my camera that I would shoot if I saw them during daylight hours during the season.
10-29-2007, 11:20 AM
#4
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Howell, Michigan
Posts: 245
RE: What is the largest buck you will let pass you on opening day?
RE: npaden
I agree I would take a doe for venison first as well, if I have the tag, to do so over a young buck. I just stated the above, because I was curious about bucks...we have our own property adjoining land locked federal land, but some years I have been unable to get a doe tag...I typically pass up most basket racks my rule of thumb is 6-7-pointer and 12" spread (if I have the time to judge the spread)
I agree about the "never shot a buck theory"
I agree I would take a doe for venison first as well, if I have the tag, to do so over a young buck. I just stated the above, because I was curious about bucks...we have our own property adjoining land locked federal land, but some years I have been unable to get a doe tag...I typically pass up most basket racks my rule of thumb is 6-7-pointer and 12" spread (if I have the time to judge the spread)
I agree about the "never shot a buck theory"
10-29-2007, 11:23 AM
#5
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location:
Posts: 98
RE: What is the largest buck you will let pass you on opening day?
I hunt in a QDM county where we have to have 4 points on one side. So because of that I'd have to say a 6 pointer would be the biggest I'd pass up. But I would much rather have a fat doe.
10-29-2007, 11:23 AM
#6
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 71
RE: What is the largest buck you will let pass you on opening day?
Got to follow the old saying "never pass up anything on the first day that you would shoot on the last day". Hate to get to the end of the season and regret letting anything pass.
10-29-2007, 12:08 PM
#7
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: WI
Posts: 338
RE: What is the largest buck you will let pass you on opening day?
The largest buck that I would pass up on opening day would be a very small fawn. I'm in it for the venison, and will basically take anything that presents a safe, high percentage shot.
10-29-2007, 02:01 PM
#8
Spike
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MN - hunt Wisconsin
Posts: 88
RE: What is the largest buck you will let pass you on opening day?
ORIGINAL: npaden
I would think I would pass up anything under 130" or 2 1/2 years old on opening day. I now own my own land so I'm not going to shoot a young buck on the last day of the season just to put some meat in the freezer, if I need the meat in my freezer I'll shoot a doe.
I think a lot of it has to do with whether you have shot a decent buckor not. If I had never shot a buckit would be hard pressed to passupanything close to decent.
I think in this day and age with trail cameras you have a pretty decent idea of the deer that are likely to be seen on your property and what to expect you might see. I've seen 2 bucks on my camera that I would shoot if I saw them during daylight hours during the season.
I would think I would pass up anything under 130" or 2 1/2 years old on opening day. I now own my own land so I'm not going to shoot a young buck on the last day of the season just to put some meat in the freezer, if I need the meat in my freezer I'll shoot a doe.
I think a lot of it has to do with whether you have shot a decent buckor not. If I had never shot a buckit would be hard pressed to passupanything close to decent.
I think in this day and age with trail cameras you have a pretty decent idea of the deer that are likely to be seen on your property and what to expect you might see. I've seen 2 bucks on my camera that I would shoot if I saw them during daylight hours during the season.
I passed up on two 2 1/2 year olds. Waiting for a P&Y to pass by. I am fortunate in that I have a reasonable chance to get one. Now...if my hunt was limited, or I needed the meat, I may choose a different path.
10-29-2007, 06:55 PM
#9
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location:
Posts: 17
RE: What is the largest buck you will let pass you on opening day?
seeing as i aint been fortunate enough to shoot a buck yet, if a whitetail passes me with a set of any size antlers, im after him, dont get me wrong, if a big buck walks in, ill shoot him before i would the small one lol..but once i get the first buck stage down, ill prolly start lookin for the nice ones
