Let 'em go- so they can grow.

[WAcoyotehunter]

...I'm not going to shoot a small buck because I want a big one...if my tag's on a dink there's one less potential trophy and I'm done for the year. 

As long as you practice what you preach I have no problem with you raising the idea.  What makes me nervous, in all honesty, is someone else telling everyone else not to shoot smaller bucks just to improve his or her odds.  Again, I have no way of knowing whether this is you or not, but I was a bit reserved at first.

I do practice that.  I did shoot a small deer a few years ago- I wanted to get my first deer in Washington and I shot a smallish buck on the last day of late season.   Actually, since I moved to Wa I've only killed three deer and two were does.  I just like to hunt and get outdoors.  Killing a small buck doesn't give me much satisfaction.  I grew up in Iowa watching small bucks turn into big ones, shooting a b&c buck is much more satisfying.  It also makes sense for the herd, which is more important.

My wife and I both got elk this year, so meat isn't an issue.  I doubt I'll deer hunt at all this year. 

[deaddog]

Im sorry wacoyotehunter, but I dont get it. read your first post then your last one. Im i missing something. no attack here just trying to understand when is it ok to harvest a small buck and when is it ok to harvest a large buck?

[huntnphool]

Im sorry wacoyotehunter, but I dont get it. read your first post then your last one. Im i missing something. no attack here just trying to understand when is it ok to harvest a small buck and when is it ok to harvest a large buck?

Bottom line deaddog, to each his own I say. If someone wants to harvest a small buck its entirely their decision, assuming they can shoot strait If someone has a tag and decides they want to pass on that 2 year old 3 point, then again its their choice. I don't think anyone has the right to criticise someone based on the size of the rack of an animal someone harvests. The state will decide when its okay and not okay to harvest whatever we are hunting and we all have to live with it, we should all worry about what we harvest ourselves and stop passing judgement on others based on rack size

[scoyoc5]

 

[deaddog]

I agree 110%! always have! and would never go out,shoot a small buck then come back here and suggest others that they should not! Im so done with this thread!

[WAcoyotehunter]

Im sorry wacoyotehunter, but I dont get it. read your first post then your last one. Im i missing something. no attack here just trying to understand when is it ok to harvest a small buck and when is it ok to harvest a large buck?

I'm not saying it's WRONG to kill a small buck- but it's not favorable to the health of the herd.  It's not up to me to tell anyone what they can and cannot (should/should not) shoot- instead the intent is to get poeple thinking about management when they hunt. 


Phool- you're right- it's up to the hunter. If someone wants to shoot a small buck, fine.  But to me, and some others, it's not particularly satisfying.  I would rather wait for a big one and possibly eat my tag.  So, the intent was to get people thinking about that when they're hunting... do they really want to kill an immature deer, or is it more satisfying to know that perhaps you just helped the health of the herd and have the potential to see that deer in the future?

not criticizing anyone- just asking people to consider it?  Is that so bad?

[boneaddict]

Well, I have let a ton of bulls walk that I was well within the ability to kill, even with a Tradbow this year.  Results, three unotched tags but a lot of good hunting memories.  Do you judge me for not killing any, NOPE, I doubt it.  I see pics of very happy hunters on here with bulls way smaller than I let walk, I am STILL very happy for them.  Its all about what is legal and what your standards are.  Next year though, some of you will be thanking me as that bull might be the one you get a chance at because I let him walk.  For instance, one bull I let walk in Montana, another man harvested it as his first.  Congrats to him. 

I also don't think this has turned ugly.  Its a great discussion.