First Trip, First Day. Would you?

[Bluemoon]

Your first out of state hunting trip to Montana, your first day. Everything is legal you have permission on the land. Would you pull the trigger on this dude?

[robodad]

Is this a trick question ?

[ffhoofer]

No, unless I was leaving the next day.

[Bluemoon]

Nope not at all. Just curious.

[huntnfmly]

BANG!!!

[Mfowl]

Archery yeah, rifle no.

[idaho guy]

No. that looks like the average buck for Montana too me. I usually end up shooting The average buck but I would definitely pass and look around a bit. We have gotten down to having usually 2 days on our Montana hunts so I can’t be super choosey but no

[Dan-o]

Yes

1st minute of opening day.

[Stein]

Only if one of my kids didn't have a tag.

[dvolmer]

NOPE!!!

[DWBMontana]

Please don't. I live here in NE Montana, this buck is probably only 2.5 yrs old, pretty common to see these running around in these parts. Mule deer, especially plains mule deer need some time to grow up. The population in mule deer quality would be so much better if people would harvest a doe, most ranchers and farmers I know here, would readily let folks harvest whitetail does.

[Rainier10]

Nope

[meatwhack]

Those tags are way to expensive to shoot that buck on the first day.

[jeffro]

Boom
Headed home, butchering, scouting for elk, etc.
If I were paying for a guide and lodge type package, different story

[Bill W]

I've got a big 3x4 and they are a disappointment when scoring them.

[Buckhunter24]

I would probably shoot, its always good for morale to have one hanging in camp early and thats a solid buck.

[Alchase]

Bang,
Flop!

[sagerat]

Please don't. I live here in NE Montana, this buck is probably only 2.5 yrs old, pretty common to see these running around in these parts. Mule deer, especially plains mule deer need some time to grow up. The population in mule deer quality would be so much better if people would harvest a doe, most ranchers and farmers I know here, would readily let folks harvest whitetail does.

  let him grow

[andrew_in_idaho]

I would probably shoot, its always good for morale to have one hanging in camp early and thats a solid buck.

Maybe if somebody else shot it, my morale would not be good after spending $700 to shoot an average 3 point


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[buckfvr]

Not a chance, those walk no matter where/when.

[boneaddict]

Nope, probably not even last hour.

[teanawayslayer]

Negative. Not even a last day buck.

[follow maggie]

Yep. I don’t pass on the first day what I’d shoot on the last day. That’s a really nic buck for me, so I’d be tickled to get that one.

[Jonathan_S]

$600 tag? Nope!

[Bango skank]

Yep. I don’t pass on the first day what I’d shoot on the last day. >>>>> That’s a really nice buck for me

Cause and effect 

[BULLBLASTER]

Not a chance id shoot that on day 1. If i had plenty of meat already i wouldnt shoot it last day either.

I definitely dont prescribe to the “dont pass the first day what youd take the last day”

[Jonathan_S]

I don't know what a first day buck is, but he's not it for me. Likewise when it comes to last day bucks, I know them when I see them.

[MADMAX]

I don't know what a first day buck is, but he's not it for me. Likewise when it comes to last day bucks, I know them when I see them.

I’m with ya there
If I go oh sheet dandy
I’m shooting
Last 2 years have been fun in Montana
A whole lot different than here

[RB]

IF, you are asking the "average" Washington Deer hunter, I believe the answer would be yes. Most that have replied, and a lot on this blog, are not average when it comes to Deer hunting. A guy that has hunted a few years here in Washington, and you guys know how the Deer numbers are here, and spends the time and money to go out of state and this is the first good looking Buck he has seen then the he will most likely shoot it. He will be well within his rights to do so and will be happy to come home with a Buck and a sense of accomplishment.

Those that live in this Mule Deer country I get it in the off season many more quality Bucks are seen and this is small to average for the most part, and if a guy wants a real wall hanger he has to let ones like this walk. The problem with letting this Buck walk is the "average" Deer hunter shoots the first legal Deer seen, especially here in Washington.

Just my two cents  :two cents:

[actionshooter]

 Archery--yes
Rifle-- Nope

[Itsintheblood]

No. Not even a last day buck. Not in that country

[Bigshooter]

No

[huntnphool]

 

Negative. Not even a last day buck.

+1, no

[Tbob]

Please don't. I live here in NE Montana, this buck is probably only 2.5 yrs old, pretty common to see these running around in these parts. Mule deer, especially plains mule deer need some time to grow up. The population in mule deer quality would be so much better if people would harvest a doe, most ranchers and farmers I know here, would readily let folks harvest whitetail does.

I did miss a nice size buck last year, but I came home with 2 does and some delish eats!

[jackelope]

I'm not shooting.

I wouldn't shoot on the last day.  He's a youngster.

[Buckhunter24]

Would have been interesting to have a poll. Its definitely not the buck I would go into the hunt looking to shoot but I am pretty certain I'd take him. Would that size mulie be comparable to a basket rack type whitetail?

[Karl Blanchard]

All depends on the level of my freezer. If I had no meat I'd shoot him but not on the first day of a hunt. That caliber of deer can be killed every hour of every day where I hunt in MT. So at the bitter end of my trip I'd take him home if I needed him.

Edit: guess I strayed from the parameters of the OP's question. Looking back on my first trip to MT (not out of state) I'd still say no. Plenty of "MT specials" running around to shoot that one that soon into a trip

[Fletch]

 

[nwwanderer]

Heed DWB, if we all stepped up point rules could disappear and this would be a non shooter in WA.  It is very possible to have a population that would support does for meat harvest and leave bucks to mature and breed all of those does, it is a process.  If we only harvested mature bucks, I know, you do not eat the horns, selection could improve antler size for all those in search of B&C, P&Y bonanzas.

[huntandjeep]

Nope ,  passed alot of those size Deer my first year back there . Looks young .
But judging the Deer  the Washington guys that stay at the same Hotel as me , everyone one of them would shoot a Deer like that any day of the season . As would alot of other out of staters .