BT spike - shoot or don't shoot?

[HntnFsh]

If spikes are allowed in that unit, that means the biologists have determined that killing spikes, and any other deer legal for that unit, will contribute to the overall health of the herd, sexual mix, and sustain the habitat. Boom!

Your sure giving those bios a lot of credit!

[bobcat]

If spikes are allowed in that unit, that means the biologists have determined that killing spikes, and any other deer legal for that unit, will contribute to the overall health of the herd, sexual mix, and sustain the habitat. Boom!

Your sure giving those bios a lot of credit!

I'm not sure the biologists have anything to do with the way the seasons are set up.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

I smell fresh back straps in your near future!  Yes this is my fortune cookie to you!

[Humptulips]

If spikes are allowed in that unit, that means the biologists have determined that killing spikes, and any other deer legal for that unit, will contribute to the overall health of the herd, sexual mix, and sustain the habitat. Boom!

Your sure giving those bios a lot of credit!

I'm not sure the biologists have anything to do with the way the seasons are set up.

My thoughts exactly!

[Thehowler]

Bios are yoyos, if legal, kill that stupid spike and enjoy the BBQ's!

[BOWHUNTER45]

KILL IT & GRILL IT !

[Twispriver]

Here's what I think

[Molon5labe]

The meat is more important to me than the headgear so I decided before the season started I would take the first legal deer I saw. Sure it would have been neat to have a giant rack to hang on my wall but I have meat in the freezer now and there's always next year.

[huntkah]

The whole weest side should be a 2 point zone.

Why do you think oregon blacktail hunting is so much better.

[luckyman]

People like to show off their big bucks and it's easy to start thinking there a big buck around ever tree.
Most of the deer taken are not that impressive in size and don't get bragged much.
 Take the spike if you want dinner.

[netcoyote]

The year after I got nice BT from an area that didn't seem to have a lot of pressure, I had a little spike appear out of nowhere. I froze and slowly raised my rifle. He wasn't spooked but started walking up to me. He looked at me and blinked his eyes like he was just interested in what I was. It was the first day of late season and I knew the area had some nice bucks and I had planned to hunt for a few days. I held my shot and never saw another buck that season.

Still question that non-shot and probably would take him if presented with a similar situation again. Everyone and every situation is different. Ultimately you are the one with the finger on the trigger.

[BABackcountryBwhntr]

Thanks guys.  I was leaning towards shooting the first legal deer I see, given the short, late season and the fact I didn't get one in the general. 

h20hunter: the spike I saw looks pretty much like the one in your buddies thread, glad to hear it could be a good eater (might also be the spike feeding on my in-laws apples, which would be cool).

In terms of Elk, a friend mentioned he wouldn't shoot anything less than a 5 pointer just to make sure there are always young bulls replacing the old ones.  His thought is to sort of micro manage the heard if you are hunting in a low pressure area, leave yourself bulls for the future.  I didn't think it held true for deer in quite the same way but thought I'd ask.

Only issue with that is the fact plenty of 4 pt bulls are as old or older then 5x5s.

[pianoman9701]

The whole weest side should be a 2 point zone.

Why do you think oregon blacktail hunting is so much better.

This is the opposite of setting antler restrictions based on biological study, and animal densities and ratios.

[bobcat]

The whole weest side should be a 2 point zone.

Why do you think oregon blacktail hunting is so much better.

This is the opposite of setting antler restrictions based on biological study, and animal densities and ratios.

Just like the 3 point minimum on mule deer.

[Tacbeav]

I grew up hunting in Oregon.  It is true that the blacktail areas there are 2 point or better, but I don't agree that the hunting for them "is so much better there".  I have killed spikes and also let some walk based on the time of the season and the size of the animal. There is a significant difference between a little 2 or 3 inch spike and one that is apparently a year older with longer spikes. The bigger ones often look like a two point when looking straight at you or away from you at first glance or a from a distance.  One argument against a 2 point regulation in Washington is that some of these would no doubt be killed by accident and left behind when the hunter realized the mistake.