What would you do?

[Mao]

Like you, I am having a tough time deciding on an real nice 8 point that would probably score in the low 130's. I want to kill this buck because he is a great looking mature deer and has a rack with some great character. If he walks in front of me I dont know if I will be able to let him walk... I hope I can and here is why...

The big reason I plan to let him walk is that I know if I kill him, I will want to keep hunting and will wonder if I would of killed a better buck. I am not ready to hang my season up on him....

The second reason is that I have arrowed 3 other deer that are similar in size to this one.. One a little bigger, one a little smaller, and one about exactly that size. I am very proud of those deer and worked extremely hard to get them. However, if I am ever going to kill something bigger, I can not keep shooting deer of that same calibur.

My advice is to look at your situation. Have you killed bigger bucks than this one? If not and you are happy with him shoot him! If you have and you are wanting to try to go to that next level, let him walk. Also, ask yourself, are you ready to hang your season up on this buck and be done? Good luck whichever way you decide to go.

 

[buckstar25]

Thanks Mao, its nice to get different opinions on things. With the way out pre season went I was getting a little worried. He is a regular on the property and really one if the bigger bucks we have had on cams this year, here he is opening morning. Super close up!!

 

[finelyshedded]

Great pic! I'd pass TOO.

Here is something alittle weird that my bro and I have noticed over all our years shed and deer hunting. Every relatively mature buck we found a shed to or seen killed by another hunter that had brow tines higher up the mb's than normal were either already a booner or well on their way.

You just might have a special deer there, Goodluck.

 

[buckstar25]

Haha, it does make me wonder. His body size doesn't fit the bone that's for sure. He is huge this year, I was surprised to see the browtines this year since he didn't have any the last year and was at least 2 yr old. Hunting pressure is bad around us, hopefully he lasts through this year and we can get as many pictures as we did last year. He really does almost pose for the pictures.