passed on the first legal blacktail i've seen this season tonight

[huntingbaldguy]

I've put in about 20+ hours so far wandering about, looking for blacktail.  Had yet to see anything shootable.  Tonight my buddy and i decided to hit the evening hunt.  It was kind of wet, but we were prepared.  On the way up, around 330pm, we saw a shootable fork about 10 yards off the road.  Too close, not sure what was on the other side of the woods, but it was one dumb deer.  It just stood there as we got out and watched it from 40 yards.  We both said it's just not an ethical shoot. 

So onward to the hunting grounds, we slowly crept back a couple miles where we came upon a deer crossing the gated logging road we were walking around 5:15pm.  We didn't get a look at it's head, but it looked like a big bodied buck all alone.  It bounded off over a ridge pretty quick.  I suspected that it would circle back, so i told my buddy, lets continue on to our destination, and on the way back give it enough shooting light to try and get this guy if it's legal.  So on the way back, we are creeping.  All of a sudden we hear the telltale pounding of the ground a blacktail makes upon attempting an escape, in the same area we saw the first deer.  I saw it bound away, and already had my scope covers off and safety off with my crosshairs following him until he stopped, which i knew he would.  As i thought, he stopped behind some brush right in a window between a couple saplings, completely broadside.  Looked at his head and saw a pair of 2-3 inch spikes.  Debated with myself for the next 5 seconds on whether to pull or not, and i decided not to.  Week and a half left in the season, getting into rut activity, let the little guy grow. 

That was the first legal buck i've seen that i felt would have been an ethical shot, in this any buck unit.  I've kind of been kicking myself at times, and others i've been telling myself it's all good, i'll see more.  Hope i'm right.  Thanks for reading.

[Jonathan_S]

Passing like that is an interesting feeling isn't it?

It makes you feel good and very in control.

[jtw]

I passed on a fork horn this year also. I didn't have a shot I was comfortable with but since then my mind has been messing with me. I believe I could've made the shot on that deer now but at the time I was doubting myself. It's been driving me crazy ever since.

[huntingbaldguy]

It's been messing with my head honestly.  I feel ok with my decision but the evil guy on my shoulder is like, "what if you don't see anything the rest of the season?" 

[coachcw]

I passed on a almost friendly two point once up by skykomish , he was about to mount me ! I went back in there in the late season and found a freash gut pile right in that area . kinda made me feel bad for the lil feller..

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

I shot a smaller forked horn within 30 mins of legal light sept 1st.  Then a few days later I shot a cow right after working a five point for over an hour.  This is after many years with the bow and no meat.  So my chest freezer is stuffed but no trophy for the wall.  But I'm as content as could be.  As long as you continue to see the oppurtunitys as the present them self, you'll kill a good one.  The last week will be the best.   

[_TONY_]

I passed on a 2x3 Mule deer about a week ago.... Drew on him at 20yds twice just for practice 

[deerhunter_98520]

I've passed on 4 spikes...waiting for the rut to kick in...seen 32 deer yesterday and 4 toe heads...the big boys should be coming out soon..starting to see does without yearlings but some still with them...just a matter of time before they start cruising

[sirmissalot]

Unless it's your first deer a spike isn't worth shooting anyways. You made the right decision. We've seen countless spikes, they're not very smart critters. The bucks will start moving any day now.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

I've been looking for a spike for my son.  Seen lots of slick heads and a few button nubs.  But maybe it was a blessing in disguise cause he can only hunt the nights for the last week so maybe his first buck will be a good one.

[Old Man Yager]

I've passed up quite a few spikes over the years. I'm not a trophy hunter, My goal is to always kill a decent buck and let the little ones grow. Lately I've hunted the Mashel unit, so it don't matter if I see a spike anyways.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Don't spend too much time or energy dwelling on your decision not to shoot. You made what was the right decision for you at that moment.

Today, tomorrow, next week, if you decide to pull the trigger on a spike or a 4x4, it will be because that was the right decision for you at that moment.

Enjoy the process and time spend out chasing and enjoying the critters.  Count every blacktail that you could have tagged as a victory. 

[mfswallace]

Everyone has there own set of values on whether to shoot a 1-3 year old buck, those of us that work hard year round to ensure the best chance at success still need a little luck as well but can pass on bucks that should be passed on because we know with hard work we will find the mature ones. Only you can make the decision of whether your efforts put forth are equal to shooting the first legal buck you see or letting the young ones grow and hopefully reproduce to increase deer numbers.

[floatinghat]

I passed a 3x1 and didn't bother to check for brow tines on a 2x2 last week.  Neither animal did much for me and it was nice to just watch them for a few minutes.

[huntingbaldguy]

Yeah, i'm no "trophy hunter" in the way most people use it, but any blacktail is a trophy to me.  I didn't really pass to best my spike from last year (big for a spike).  I think spikes are worth the effort.  Mine from last year just tasted amazing.  This year i dedicated a lot more scouting time, and put it upon myself to put a bit more meat in the freezer this time.  I don't have a real self imposed limit, but i'd like a good size fork or better.  I would have shot the fork we saw on the way in if it was in the hunting area.  If i just see spikes near the end of next week and i haven't put a deer down yet, i will shoot one.

I've seen a lot of yearlings with does though.  I've seen quite a few does when in my hunting area.  It's just the bigger bucks haven't started to really move around in the open.  We plan to set up shop on a ridge and watch Friday for a large portion of the day.

[jtw]

It's been messing with my head honestly.  I feel ok with my decision but the evil guy on my shoulder is like, "what if you don't see anything the rest of the season?"

That thought has creeped into my head I don't know how many times. But, I've also had the idea creep in that I may still get a shot on something better. Between the two I'd say I'm slightly manic-depressive about the issue.
Still better than some years when I've gone the whole early season without seeing any bucks.

[huntingbaldguy]

It's been messing with my head honestly.  I feel ok with my decision but the evil guy on my shoulder is like, "what if you don't see anything the rest of the season?"

That thought has creeped into my head I don't know how many times. But, I've also had the idea creep in that I may still get a shot on something better. Between the two I'd say I'm slightly manic-depressive about the issue.
Still better than some years when I've gone the whole early season without seeing any bucks.

I hear that.  Last year was the same for us after i shot my spike.  Didn't see another deer, let alone a buck in a hunting area in daylight.