It doesn’t matter to me but if I had to pick I’d be quick versus drawn out. The negative to quick though is that it can lead to ground shrinkage.
Which Do You Prefer???
- Thread starter Fletch
- Start date
Some of my most memorable experiences and best hunts were mature bucks I watched from a distance. Just about every one of them gave me time. None of them came home with me. If you get an opportunity to observe a mature buck slowly work his way thru the woods it is amazing to watch. You learn why they get that big. Very deliberate in every single step. I've had 3 experiences where they got 50-100yds away, no shot, bow in hand. If they got into bow range it would have been difficult.
On the flip side, the biggest buck I killed offered me less than 3 sec to decide. I got down, checked a camera card and waited because the camera pics looked much smaller. I was sick. I thought what I saw from the stand was huge. The pics looked otherwise. In person there was no shrinkage. He might have grown in fact. 3-5 more seconds might have helped. I rushed the shot and made a terrible hit. Fortunate to have recovered him.
On the flip side, the biggest buck I killed offered me less than 3 sec to decide. I got down, checked a camera card and waited because the camera pics looked much smaller. I was sick. I thought what I saw from the stand was huge. The pics looked otherwise. In person there was no shrinkage. He might have grown in fact. 3-5 more seconds might have helped. I rushed the shot and made a terrible hit. Fortunate to have recovered him.
Ground shrinkage is an excellent point. Been there done that. But I too will take it anyway I can get it
All of the "bigger" deer that I have killed have either snuck up on me or came running in out of nowhere. I don't care how they get in front of my arrow, as long as they do. I only hope that I can keep my shit together enough to do my part.
Of the 5 bucks hanging in the man cave, 4 were the result of "oh shit, there he is" and the whole thing was over quickly. My biggest buck is the exception. I watched him stroll majestically through an overgrown field for 300 yards. Thankfully, it was the 3rd time I'd seen him in 24 hours and that morning, we'd played a 10 minute game of cat and mouse that shook the jitters out for the day. By the time he made it to 8 steps that evening, I was ready to rock.
Prefer to see em coming but will take em either way, many a deer has had ground shrinkage after guys have shot them when they sneak in and only give em aquick decision on whether it is a buck you want if you are being picky.
If not picky i guess it doesn't matter.
If not picky i guess it doesn't matter.
I killed a buck in 2010 that I shouldn't have shot. From the time I saw him, to the time he was dead, was 20-30 seconds max. One of those beautiful 2.5 year olds that you need time to analyze if you're goals are older age class bucks. Learned my lesson that day!
I guess I’m just hungry...I don’t have that regret some of you speak of. I let some bucks walk, but I generally kill according to how long I hang a deer. Hi-5’s all day around me with a spike!!! Every one is the biggest little guy you’ve ever seen...and we celebrate like it’s a 200” bruiser.