To kill or not to kill

[KB88]

So on my new property in key pen I've got 3-4 bucks continuously on camera. Mainly Young bucks with one being a two point with a third point starting.

Now I've never shot a blacktail or any game with a bow. So should I hold out and let these youngings get big, or harvest the oldest one while I can? I mean they are blackeys and in archery there's no gauarantees.

Any experiences you guys have had on watching unpressured deer returning next year?

[7mmfan]

In general, lowland blacktail have extremely small home ranges, so the chances of them going very far are pretty small. That being said, as they mature, they may "disappear". Not leave, just disappear. They become extremely reclusive and find their safe spaces and rarely leave them other than during the rut. So there could be some big bucks around, but you might not know they're there until the peak of the rut.

Should you shoot them or let them grow? If you shoot one, then 2 or 3 will get another year to grow. My guess is it wouldn't hurt your future chances as long as you don't spend a ton of time in there and push them around a bunch.

[h20hunter]

You should not. I should. Point out the most annoying flower eater and I'll do the rest.

Me, I say pop one. 

[Stein]

Shoot one.

[KB88]

I really look forward to getting my wife and kids on them in a couple years...but don't want any decent blackys getting hit or predation in the mean time

[hawks33]

If you're wanting meat, the young ones are always great to eat. You can always choose one of the deer with less potential to harvest and you'll still have several deer to mature. I see new BT bucks on our property every year, but the big ones, they can be like ghosts. You may have 3-4 small deer now, but you also may have a big one hanging that will show in the next couple months during rut

[buglebuster]

If you don’t shoot one someone else will

[fishnfur]

 

Often, they disappear because some other hunter shot the deer you were giving another year.

[JakeLand]

Let-em grow

[BULLBLASTER]

If you really want to let them grow older and bigger your only option is to let them.
If you kill one it is 100% guaranteed that he will not show back up bigger next year. 

I’ve had it go both ways. I’ve killed bucks I let go in previous years and also had them disappear and have seen them turn up that someone else killed. Just how it goes.

If you just want a deer and are happy with what they are then by all means shoot one!

[Alchase]

If you kill one it is 100% guaranteed that he will not show back up bigger next year. 

I laughed at out loud at the simple truth in this statement.

Now, knowing this is Hunting Washington, I am waiting for someone to come in and argue this point!

 

[BULLBLASTER]

If you kill one it is 100% guaranteed that he will not show back up bigger next year. 

I laughed at out loud at the simple truth in this statement.

Now, knowing this is Hunting Washington, I am waiting for someone to come in and argue this point!

 

maybe I could even argue agains my own point

[DOUBLELUNG]

Unless you control their habitat from August through December, it is really hard to stockpile bucks.  Even then, bumpers, predators and disease can throw a wrench into the most well planned quality management plan.  Good luck with whatever you decide, I like game meat and a deer in the freezer to me is worth 10 in the field

[Old Man Yager]

If you can get a decent BT first time with a bow, I woulnt hesitate. Decent BT bucks are hard to come by. Like others have posted though, if you pass on one, no gaurantee it'll be there again next year. 

[Stein]

Did the previous property owner hunt?  If not, you are already looking at what leaving them alone results.  In many places, deer just don't get old enough to get big.