Backyard buck?

[tides56]

My Dad and I have been chatting back and forth about taking a buck that has been eating ours and neighbors garden. It would be 100% legal ( archery ) but we are having a hard decision if he should. We both understand it would be killing not hunting because the deer is used to humans and would not spook. It would be for meat because we likes it better than beef and cheaper overall. What do you think? I have always had mixed feelings. Thanks. 

[jackmaster]

if he is hurtn for meat then whack it, if he isnt i would let him live, they are fun to look at and then when they are gone it kinda sucks 

[h20hunter]

If you need (or simply want) the meat I'd whack it. I would suggest checking with the neighbors and feel them out if you think retrieval may be an issue.

[bobcat]

Put him in the freezer. No point in burning up a bunch of fuel and spending time trying to kill one out in the wild when you have one in the backyard. Use the time and money you save to go out and whack a bunch of coyotes.

And don't worry, another buck will replace him soon enough.

[C-Money]

 

[robescc]

Like bobcat said. Why waste the money in fuel and your time when there is one in your backyard. I wouldn't think twice. It is no different than people hunting their own farmland.

[Marcoramius]

If I were you I would check to make sure that hunting within your city limits is legal. Don't assume that just because you plan on harvesting that deer with a bow and not a gun that it would be legal.

I seem to remember somebody in Anacortes trying that a few years back and getting busted.

I just dont want you to run into any issues and get stuck with a big fine and/or loss of your hunting priviliges. If its all good, then go for it!!

[Jonathan_S]

Put him down and post pics. Then go hunting for something else. I believe in taking what you're provided with. Don't waste time and money searching for a dumb spike in the woods. Let THAT one grow.

[MP123]

Better read all 16 pages of the Octopus thread first and then decide.

Someone has probably named the damned thing....

[buckcanyonlodge]

You might check with your neighbors. Having the neighborhood pet deer die in your neighbors yard could be hazardous to your health!! if you need the meat that bad go check with the Salvation Army. They do a great job of helping families in need.

[Boss .300 winmag]

find a youth that needs to burn their tag.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

    

[preacherman]

I grew up on a farm and have a hard time driving to hunt, or even hunting. I grew up in such a way that in deer season we simply shot our deer and in elk season we shot our elk. So if you have made sure you are in your legal rights, go ahead, fatten him up for the next few weeks, and send me a fat steak!

I would feel your neighbors out if their is any chance of it piling up in their yard, be sure that it won't get you strung up.

[Craig]

I have had 4 different bucks in my backyard this year ( couple big ones ) no way I would shoot one of them. The kids like looking at them and they are cool to have around. That's my opinion. If you want to shoot one that's up to you.

[Selkirk]

Since it is a hard decision, I say let him go.  If you were hard up for food, the decision would be easy.

[tides56]

Thanks guys, I will let you know what we're gonna do!

[Wildsau]

The worst thing, for a wild animal, is for it to become domestic.  If this deer is tearing up both yours and ayour neighbot's gardens, you are not within any "city limits", an dit is legal, put him in the freezer.  If the neighbor says anything, invite them to a dinnerof venison steak; all will be good.   

First the deer, then a preditor, looking for that deer, then big problems for you, with the gamies, for feeding the preditors.  Just stop a headache, before it happens, put him in your freezer.  

[Fishstiq]

Better read all 16 pages of the Octopus thread first and then decide.

Someone has probably named the damned thing....

  , but true!


I have actually been wondering the same thing as the OP.  I just moved and now have deer in my yard sometimes.  While I have zero problem knocking one over there, I'm curious what the consensus is. 

My initial thought is to feel out the neighbors to be sure it won't start a crapstorm, and if all is well there, then let 'er rip!

[IBspoiled]

RIP "Bucky"  our deer friend.  This actually happened to us this year.  We have a local deer herd that comes around every few days.  "Bucky" was actually a bottle raised deer that was turned back to the wild.  (not raised by us, but a neighbor that was licensed to raise fawn's who had lost their mom's to roadside kills etc.)  He was a small 2x3 this year and most of us in our area have enjoyed him coming around and feeding him crackers.  While he wouldn't let you get right up and pet him, he would come within about 5' and eat what you threw him.  A few of us, all hunters had an unwritten rule that "Bucky" was off-limits for hunting.  Well one neighbor didn't have the unwritten rule and he was taken on opening weekend just off our property.    It's sad to know he is gone, but hunting is hunting, we just wouldn't do it right in our backyard.  It is also sad because we now have 6 doe's running around that would have been bred by "Bucky".  Hopefully another buck in the area gets the job done. 

Wife

[lokidog]

Some we've bumped off and some we have let go a few years until we bumped them off (Tall Boy last year).    

Seriously though, if I lived in a more human and less deer populated area, I would probably not shoot him as I do like to see them.  While typing this, I went out and threw some apples to the 1X2 out behind the yard fence.  This one behind the house is fair game though as he is an older deer but has crappy antlers, and he was in my garden one too many times....

We have usually only taken out one of several bucks so have always had more the next year.

The hunt is not a challenge, but the meat still tastes great, and the price is right.

[Chesapeake]

Its not hunting unless you drive a few hours to someone elses back yard!

If your legal, your legal. I havent shot the deer in the yard since I was a kid. Back then it was fine. Now days it dont seem right. But thats purely my personal opinion.

We used to have a big 4x4 that hung around for years. We all watched him grow up. Neighbor down the road rented his place to a younger couple, friends of my wife. The guy shot the buck out from under the apple tree in the yard with his bow.  It was legal. Kinda miss seeing that buck though.

[whack em]

Like it was said earlier, he'll be replaced soon enough, there's plenty of deer here in our area that'll step right up.  I'f you need a hand, let me know .

[deadwoodbuck]

i cannot tell you how many urban bucks 3x3, 4x4, spikes and every combo that wander through our place.  just the other day I had 8 deer feeding on my place...in the orchard, flower gardens and field.  but granola town frowns heavily upon culling the herd.  a bow in the right place and we are one deer short for the others to fill in the gap. these urban deer spread deer blight on so many plants that...if it were legal...people here could eat venison all the time.  i say if it is legal where you are...fill the freezer.  either that or capture and release him out in the "wild" where he belongs.  i can hunt all season long and not see crap till i come home and have to stop to let the deer cross my driveway.  put em down.