not all Ohio bucks are trophies

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:31 pm

Got these on my feeder cam over the weekend.......
Would you shoot either one? (the limit here is 1 buck/year)

lscha · Post by **lscha** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:08 pm

The top one looks like our normal deer in my hunting area. The bottom one is really good for our area. Michigan has some nice bucks, just not in our area due to lack of nutrition, mast and management.

bojangles · Post by **bojangles** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:21 pm

I personaly would not shoot either one..3 years or older only for me...I could care less what the rack is as long as they are 3+ years old....

gogo · Post by **gogo** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:26 pm

We are allowed just one buck also, our season is oct 1 till the end of december. The bucks in the picture look on the small size, if a bigger one didn't come along they would be a December harvest.Still nice looking deer.

Grizzly Adam · Post by **Grizzly Adam** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:32 pm

I'd rather shoot a doe than either one of those bucks, Wabi!

Unless I'm looking at a really nice rack, it's all about the plate!

deerhunter430 · Post by **deerhunter430** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:59 pm

shoot a doe and let them grow!!!

sumner4991 · Post by **sumner4991** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 3:15 pm

Depends on the deer population in your area. There was a time in Virginia, I wouldn't shoot a doe for nothing . . .it was illegal to shoot one too. However, it's a different story now.

If you have plenty of deer, then I'd shoot a doe and let these go, maybe.

If it's been a long week of hunting and I've seen nothing, then I'd shoot either one or both.

raydaughety · Post by **raydaughety** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 3:43 pm

sumner4991 wrote:Depends on the deer population in your area. There was a time in Virginia, I wouldn't shoot a doe for nothing . . .it was illegal to shoot one too. However, it's a different story now.

If you have plenty of deer, then I'd shoot a doe and let these go, maybe. If it's been a long week of hunting and I've seen nothing, then I'd shoot either one or both.

X2, our doe population is through the roof. Now don't get me wrong, there was a time when I would have shot that cowhorn and rode his butt on the back of my truck all day long

. I've grown up a bit since then

huntone · Post by **huntone** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:06 pm

Wabi, some of us can't always hunt in a " target rich environment "
,
full of 4 and 5 year old bucks or that have great genes and are managed

well....Sure, you can let them walk if you want, or you can legally take

what you can.....Whatever you feel right about doing is what you should do.

curmudgeon · Post by **curmudgeon** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:02 pm

I probably would, broadside on the second one as my freezer is low and we are allowed three deer and I can't afford another trip to Jackson County, Ohio again this year anyway.
My retirement is a limited fixed income.

michiganman · Post by **michiganman** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:05 pm

i am also from michigan,and the little buck is like alot we have,the bigger one would be a good buck from my area.no farm fields,and very little acorns this year.baiting is illilegal.

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:57 pm

Actually I would probably let either one of those bucks walk unless the Excalibur goes on auto-pilot. It has done that a few times in the past.
I was just looking at the deer through my scope, and when it stopped and gave me a good shot opportunity the crossbow just seemed to go off on it's own. I don't remember flipping the safety off and pulling the trigger!

DuckHunt · Post by **DuckHunt** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:00 pm

I might let the first one walk. I at least hope I would. I would much rather take a doe and let the little buck walk. Now the second deer is a different story. He may be bigger next year, but I doubt he'll taste any better.

saxman · Post by **saxman** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:05 pm

In my area both deer are in trouble

vixenmaster · Post by **vixenmaster** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:32 pm

all i can say is get the canner ready to my mrs.