Shooter's Remorse

[Goshawk]

I tagged out today. I started very early and after passing a spike and a forkey, this 3x3 came into view around 1600.  I really try and practice what I preach. If you want a big buck, the stop tagging out on little bucks.  The rain was coming down in sheets, and of course there's not always much time hunting in the thick woods of Vail to properly look over your target for size; my bad.  Anyways, I put him down and headed over to where he lay.  The closer I got I just kept thinking "This would have been impressive in another three years had I not been so dang fast to shoot. Once dressed I thought "He was too easy to toss into the truck". More like a southern WT than a Cascade BT.  Once home, hanging, and skinning, the whole picture came together.  No fat at all, Skinny muscles, and the absolutely worse tick infestation I've ever seen!  His brisket area was like a sheet of ticks of all sizes imbedded into his hide.  It was nauseating to finish off, and of course I ITCHED all over.  I sprayed the hide down with Raid, rolled it up in a plastic bag and tossed it into the freezer. Tomorrow, It's in the garbage for pickup.  I'm always amazed under what conditions nature can still survive. This poor guy had literally thousands of ticks, yet was following a doe trail.   As for the buck, I'll steak the backstraps and pressure can the rest. Most likely he would not have developed into the full beam buck he was destine for with that load of parasites, but I do wish I'd have noticed that before taking him.   

[bb76]

What's wrong with the deer?

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[Sandberm]

Good grief

[Martinhunter]

Other than the ticks, what the heck is wrong with that buck?? Congrats, great late season B.T!

[lewy]

Interesting post, solid buck tho

[Pudelguy]

Since I doubt he would have let you inspect him for ticks, I don’t see the issue. You probably did him a favor TBH.  Congrats on punching your tag! 

[Big6bull]

Maybe take up golfing 

[Ridgeratt]

With the amount of ticks you saw do you feel it was infected with Lyme  disease?

[craigapphunt]

If it makes you feel any better I'd shoot that buck 10 out of 10 times.

[freshgrease]

I don't understand

You're hunting the end of the rut when they start pushing their limits on fat reserves and ticks are pretty normal with the lack of freezing weather around here

You don't need to worry though. Our western deer tick doesn't really like humans all that much for whatever reason.

IMO that's a super nice blacktail you took! 

[buglebuster]

I see no problem. Looks perfectly healthy for a rutting western WA blacktail

[Bullkllr]

I agree that level of tick infestation sounds distressing. Can't second guess your decision based on something you could have no idea about. Other than that he's a great buck and a solid shooter by most hunters I'm sure.

[blackpowderhunter]

that's a nice BT, i dont think id have any remorse on that.
to be honest, that buck would probably be most peoples personal best BT

[link]

Thats a nice buck. Just because you let something keep getting older, doesn't mean its going to get bigger antlers, or even a bigger body. That may have been the biggest that buck ever got. Not all bucks get big because they live to 5,6,7 years old.

[jrebel]

I’ve lived in Washington my entire life and have never killed a blacktail.   It’s on my bucket list….anf I would have shot that deer first minute of the first day.   Very nice buck in my opinion.

[Encore 280]

I'm with goshawk. That's a short bed truck, a normal blacktail with that rack would fill an 8' bed. Seeing those antlers you'd expect and big bodied critter.

[yakimanoob]

Remarkably small body for the rack, no doubt, but I'm with the others that would take that buck every time. Most people hunt and get nothing, so it's a bit off-putting to post a photo of what most tried and failed to get, and complain about it.

That said, I'd be in an off-putting mood after dealing with that many ticks too.

[chukardogs]

 I killed a Whitetail years ago from about 60 in the 204 that was just crawling with ticks about two minutes after he hit the ground. Ticks suck! I think I heard early this year that it was supposed to be a bad tick year. If each of those ticks was sucking off of the deers blood supply, I believe the deer would have had a hard time putting on weight. In fact, with a lack of blood flow, he'd probably be tired all the time making it hard to rise each day and get enough feed to sustain his body weight let alone put on fat. If he was entirely covered by ticks, I think you may have done that dandy a solid by putting him out of his misery.

[elkboy]

I killed a Whitetail years ago from about 60 in the 204 that was just crawling with ticks about two minutes after he hit the ground. Ticks suck! I think I heard early this year that it was supposed to be a bad tick year. If each of those ticks was sucking off of the deers blood supply, I believe the deer would have had a hard time putting on weight. In fact, with a lack of blood flow, he'd probably be tired all the time making it hard to rise each day and get enough feed to sustain his body weight let alone put on fat. If he was entirely covered by ticks, I think you may have done that dandy a solid by putting him out of his misery.

I agree.  You harvesting that deer (and yes, it is a very nice buck, one to be appreciated, even if small in body) means that some healthier buck off in the brush, with a stronger parasite immune response and overall greater vigor, is going to pass on his genes.  From the standpoint of herd health, a good outcome, I think.  Enjoy the venison! 

[Twispriver]

It just looks like a young deer to me. Besides the small body it has a little head, thin antlers and small antler bases. I'd keep hunting that spot because the mature bucks might be real mashers.