Deer hunt scenario

[Skyvalhunter]

Lets say you are Deer hunting(mule deer) in an area where the buck population is low or on the verge of non existent. You see a small 2x3 barely legal. Do you shoot it because you want to fill your tag? Do you feel guilty if you did shoot it knowing you shot one of the few bucks in the area to breed. Or do you just watch him enjoying the fact you are in the outdoors?

[buglebuster]

Kill him. If you’re trying to fill a tag in Washington it’s best to not be picky. Especially in an area like you mentioned.

[Karl Blanchard]

This scenario is exactly why I haven't hunted mule deer in WA state for years.  We are well into "unsustainable " territory in this state with no end in sight.

[vandeman17]

In most wa md units I would pass because I have plenty of other places to put game meat in my freezer.

[Buckmark]

Counter question, why if you are trying to fill a tag in Washington would you waste time in an area/unit that has low to non existent numbers?

[blackveltbowhunter]

Is time to hunt an issue? Empty freezer? Do I have an itchy trigger finger? Familiar with the area? If so do I have target animals I am looking for? I hate unfilled tags, I also hate not hunting.  Question 2 is out for me. I wont ever feel guilty for taking an animal clean regardless of size. Learned that lesson the hard way. Question 3. If in the woods Im enjoying it.

   So that leaves filling a tag....Personally, I would not be in a low density area unless I knew the area well and believed there was good odds of finding a nice buck. Barring extenuating circumstances, this guy gets a pass.

[duckmen1]

The only ones that should feel guilty are wdfw in that scenario. Hunters go out to hunt and obey laws harvesting within legal guidelines set up within management goals. If those guidelines are presented to a hunter he should feel no regret in harvesting a legal animal. That is what we pay our department for. To manage our herds. It's there responsibility to manage those herds and set seasons and regulations accordingly.

[Skyvalhunter]

Well I was texting with another member who hunts an area I know. He said he would feel guilty to shoot a barely legal buck because of low population of bucks. Also does in that area won't get bred or very few might. Well I agreed with that and said that's exactly why I don't hunt that area anymore. I guess I feel if we keep killing bucks there the population will never come back.

[Seabass]

Lots of factors go into why you hunt where you hunt...time, money, logistics and a million other's.

For me....this is only me....I'm not hunting in an area like the one you describe. I would hunt somewhere that I don't have to make those considerations.

[Skyvalhunter]

I understand that. Some do because to tradition, know the area, etc. Just curious what some peoples thoughts are that do.

[Platensek-po]

Well I was texting with another member who hunts an area I know. He said he would feel guilty to shoot a barely legal buck because of low population of bucks. Also does in that area won't get bred or very few might. Well I agreed with that and said that's exactly why I don't hunt that area anymore. I guess I feel if we keep killing bucks there the population will never come back.

Just curious but why would
Killing a buck affect the population??? Does can breed with any buck and it only takes one buck to breed multiple does... never heard of removing males having an affect on population size.

[Buckhunter24]

If the doe to buck ratio is out of whack there will be unbred does.

[ctwiggs1]

This scenario is exactly why I haven't hunted mule deer in WA state for years.  We are well into "unsustainable " territory in this state with no end in sight.

  I didn't believe this until.... I did the high buck this year and saw 4-5 legal bucks over 5 days.  That was a great WA OTC hunt for me.  I'd have shot any of them if I was able to close the gap better. 

I then drove to another state and saw 4-5 legal bucks per morning or afternoon glassing session while I was there.

I'm done mule deer hunting here.