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Post by ripleyshooter on Dec 21, 2008 13:39:33 GMT -5
Up until last year I pretty well shot the first 2 1/2 year old buck that came by and since I hunt quite a bit my buck tag was usually filled about the second week of bow. Last year I decided I wouldn't shoot a buck unless I thought it was sporting a 130 inch rack and I was fortunate enough to score on one in mid Nov. This year I haven't been fortunate enough to get a bigboy yet. I have passed a couple that were in the 110 to 120 range and a deer that that was a shooter in my book but it had busted its rack up really bad on one side. I thought it would be really difficult to pass smaller bucks later in the season but I have developed a lot more willpower than I used to have. Being able to knock down a doe here and there helps out. The fun thing about it has been that everytime I hunt now it is just like opening morning of slug was when I was a teenager because you never know when the big boy will step out.
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Post by freedomhunter on Dec 21, 2008 15:26:01 GMT -5
Not many hunters make the transition to older age class bucks in Indiana. Lots of patience, persistence, and a good place to hunt are needed for our firearms pressured older deer. Killing management does and enjoying yourself help the pursuit. Good luck. You'll probably get a few "you can't eat antlers" comments. I'm on my third season in a row passing two year olds.
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Post by Sasquatch on Dec 21, 2008 18:34:14 GMT -5
Nothing wrong with setting goals. The thing to remember is it's your tag to use as you wish. If you want to wait on the biggun' then do so. I've generally taken the first few deer to come along---usually does---- because I need to get some meat. I passed a lot of small bucks the last four or five years, hoping to get that big one, but no luck. I remember two years recently that I passed one spike each year, and ended up with nothing. This year I took a small buck. With the wife being pregnant I have less time to mess around. With me, and most hunters, I think, it's not not what I take but how much of a blast I have doing it. I also like encouraging other hunters. I hope one comes in for you that's so big that he has to turn his horns sideways to pass between two trees four feet apart!  |
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Post by tickman1961 on Dec 22, 2008 15:00:59 GMT -5
Killing mature deer is a worthy goal........thoughts of small bucks with next years rack help keep up the spirit.
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Post by steiny on Dec 22, 2008 17:36:40 GMT -5
Good deal, wish more guys would do the same.
Nothing wrong with going home empty handed or eating a tag, so long as you had fun while you hunted.
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Post by HuntMeister on Dec 22, 2008 18:49:08 GMT -5
We all hunt for different reasons, as it should be.
Holding out for a big buck (at home here in Indiana) has been the norm for me for, well... a very long time. Just yesterday I saw a stack of old un-notched Indiana Deer tags from years gone by that I have kept. Guess I have ate lots of tag soup!
Only recently have I started to turn my thoughts toward shooting Does and have yet to do that, always thinking the big boy may be just behind the girls. Think I would have got it done this year too, but Dad got a buck & doe early and he split the meat with me.
Holding back on smaller bucks, I believe, gets easier with time.
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Post by GumLickBottoms on Dec 23, 2008 23:30:09 GMT -5
Very hard for beginner deer hunters for sure. Killed my first deer last year, small doe. Held out on all kinds of does early season this year waiting on the buck and finally scored a six pointer for my first ever buck. Sure was hard not to take a shot at all them does but next one I see with my bow in hand I'm going for my first ever bowkill.
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Post by indianahick on Dec 24, 2008 0:19:52 GMT -5
If you ever wonder if a buck is following a group of does just watch them they will stop and all will look back over their backs if a buck is following. If one is not then when they stop they will look all around but not all back at the same time.
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Post by Sleazy E on Dec 26, 2008 20:05:16 GMT -5
As I have learned over the last couple years.. when I made that transition... If you are going to hunt for the big boys.... you have to be ready and willing to eat tag soup... I still have not recovered a buck this year.... and I did not even shoot at a buck a few years ago...
But when I do manage to connect and recover a nice mature buck... it is well worth the heartache those other years... at least to me it is.
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