With late season here shed bucks are becoming a better possibility . Let's say a deer you have a lot of history with and is a regular to the area gives you a chance to kill him , but he only is carrying one side . Do ya pass him , or kill him and hope ya can enlist your buddies and find his shed side ?
Hypothetical scenario
- Thread starter Carpn
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Have to decide at that moment. If I had a shot at a one sided 180-200" deer. . . I think I'd shoot it and try my best to find the shed antler. Is it about the score? Is it about the hunt? To me, I could care less about the books. It would be a trophy to me so I'd probably shoot a monster. 120-140" deer? Pass all day.
I believe I would let him walk. For me, it would be a moral victory... I would know that I COULD have killed him, so that's a win. For the deer, it's a victory too... He outsmarted you just long enough to drop an antler, so he'll live and we can start the chess match all over next year.
Hortontoter
Senior Member
No doubt in my mind I'd let him walk. Been there, done that. I passed on a 170 class deer a few years ago because he had a broken brow.
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Fullbore
Senior Member
Dang Dick! You've got more restraint than I! I'd take a whack at one in that situation, but kudos to you TOO.
However, if my target buck was missing half his head gear. I'd let him live. As Jim said, a moral victory of sorts.
Buckmaster
Senior Member
Guess I am in the minority. Like I said, it would be a tree stand decision. Every year and every situation is different. If I needed the meat, ain't a doubt in my mind he dies. If I hadn't shot a buck in many many years, he'd probably die.
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A few years ago Mason was hunting a deer we called Popcorn in January. He came in finally, the day after he shed both sides. If he would have had one side, Mason would have shot him. I'm a horrible shed hunter, but I know a few good ones that would have helped us find it. He let him walk, obviously. It seems to me once a buck sheds, he becomes a lot easier to kill, or get a look at. I think their attitude changes, less cautious, just not the same deer you were hunting when he had antlers. Conversely, I think they change as soon as they shed velvet too. My buddy's pet buck is docile all summer. The day he peels velvet, he turns into an absolute prick.
It'd have to be in front of me to decide. I already passed on one mature buck this year and have kicked myself ever since.
That buck I passed on ended up dying with an arrow in his guts and was found weeks later... It was a real kick in the nuts to find him.
That buck I passed on ended up dying with an arrow in his guts and was found weeks later... It was a real kick in the nuts to find him.
I would probably yell obscenities at him and throw an arrow at him by hand. Then I'd go home and kick the dog for good measure
Bigcountry40
Member
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