Whidbey Island buck

[chevysquid]

This fellow has been hanging out at my house.  What do you think?  Take him or go up to Winthrop area as I had planned?

[C-Money]

Looks like a nice buck! Dose your wife hunt?? I'd let my wife shoot it and then go to Winthrop!

[jagermiester]

whats the fun of shooting a deer at your own house have your wife shoot a doe for the meet if you can get a doe tag next year and at least you will have something cool to look at on your trail cam.

[chevysquid]

No she doesn't.  In fact, If she wasn't going to be gone that opening weekend I wouldn't even have the option.  She's kind of protective of "her" deer.  I know there's a few more around too.  A few nights ago there were 2 pairs battling in the yard.  It was too dark to see them well though and they weren't near my camera.  Hoping there might be a bigger guy around too.  I'm thinking maybe take one at home, save my vaction days and money for the late elk rifle season.

[chevysquid]

You're right it wouldn't be much fun, half the fun is hunting and camping.  I'll probably go to Winthrop and let him get bigger.  I've eaten tag soup other years while watching deer in the front yard!

[Dmanmastertracker]

 He looks like a dandy two, if there's little chance someone else will shoot him, I'd leave him until next year, he'll be a monster.

[Bob33]

"A buck in the yard is worth two in the Methow"?

[patton1]

Nice island buck.  I would love to get off the island to hunt this year, but my 9 year old son just passed hunter safety and I'm trying to ease him into it.  My buddy introduced me to a guy who is letting me and my son hunt on his property up off Crescent Harbor Rd.  I just put my trail cam out there today so hopefully I'll have some pics next week.  It looks promising and should be a good spot to start my son off.  Let us know what you decide and Good Luck!

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Let him grow,  go to the Methow and shoot a big one.  Not sure but he looks to be only 3 1/2 maybe?  Give him another year or two and he will be a bruiser.  Here on the Island I will shoot a doe for meat,  and let the smaller bucks go to grow... then if I get the chance at a big one...    Patton1 took a nice buck last year probably 5 1/2 years old...  send me the GPS location and my kids will help  the buck to doe ratio for you...

Patton1 - I live about a mile from Crescent Harbor,  lots of nice deer wander between there and my side (Silver Lake)...

[Buckmark]

Stick with the Methow plan for opening weekend and if you still have a tag in your pocket use it on him come the late hunt in Nov.
I would get some "Deer stay on my property" things just to make sure he sticks around..

[chevysquid]

Yeah, they have been finding some apples at night.

[coachcw]

biologic x two years equals monster !!!!!

[Gringo31]

I'd leave him.

[patton1]

NWWABOWHNTR-I've heard there are some nice bucks around there.  I'm not so worried about me, I'm just hoping my son can get something.  Even a doe would would be great.  It looks like it could be a pretty good spot.  Muzzleloading season for him, late archery for me. 

[sagerat]

Kill him or someone else will, unless you don't really care if you fill the tag.

[smitty8202]

No she doesn't.  In fact, If she wasn't going to be gone that opening weekend I wouldn't even have the option.  She's kind of protective of "her" deer.  I know there's a few more around too.  A few nights ago there were 2 pairs battling in the yard.  It was too dark to see them well though and they weren't near my camera.  Hoping there might be a bigger guy around too.  I'm thinking maybe take one at home, save my vaction days and money for the late elk rifle season.

can i come shoot him when u go to winthrop???

[highside74]

Man I think I would have to hold off until next year if you think he will make it throught the season without a neighbor killing him. He stands a chance of being a monster of a 2 point in the next year or 2. He has a great start.

[Chewack Slayer]

I'd say shoot him, he looks decent. Besides Winthrop is always so crowded. Why not shoot one in your backyard and save money on traveling?

[Ripper]

I'd go to Winthrop and if I came home empty handed, then I pop him! As has been already stated One in hand is better than two in the field!

[chevysquid]

I'd go to Winthrop and if I came home empty handed, then I pop him! As has been already stated One in hand is better than two in the field!

That I think is pretty much the plan right now.  Come November if I haven't filled my tag I will see if he, or someone else, is still around.

Plus, I stopped by the casino on my way back last night and made off with nearly $200 of the rez's money.  This hunting trip is proudly sponsored by the Swinomish Tribe!

[pods8]

I'm meat minded so personally I'd pop one in my yard and then get focused on elk since I've got limited vacation time to work with.

I'm in Everett, just shoot me a message if you want something harvested off the islands... 

[Ripper]

"Plus, I stopped by the casino on my way back last night and made off with nearly $200 of the rez's money.  This hunting trip is proudly sponsored by the Swinomish Tribe"

         

That right there makes me happy as hell!

[steen]

I'm an eastern wa and mulie fan.  I ALWAYS hunt there first even if I see a nice buck here.  I have one scoped out but he may not last til I get back.  A buck in camp is alot more rewarding (even the two hour drag down the mountain) than one you can drive to with your truck.  I'd save those for  when you can't walk or for a handicap person.  That's just my opinion, depends how bad you need the meat.

[chevysquid]

I'm still going to do my normal mule deer hunt.  I'm not a trophy hunter by any means and hardly a meat hunter either.  I mostly just like to be in the mountains hunting and camping.  So, I've got the whole 10 days off for the season and we will just see what happens.  If I come back empty handed I will rethink taking him during the late hunt.  Hell, he may have moved on by then.  Who knows.

[Skyvalhunter]

Then u best tie him up!!!

[BlackRidge]

Yeah, they have been finding some apples at night.

A nice mineral block or bail of hay probably couldnt hurt either. Make your yard 'the' place to be

Good luck in Winthrop this year!

[h2ofowlr]

That's a nice one.  Why drive 3+ hours to look at orange all day and work your a$$ off. You have a nice trophy in your back yard.   

[7mm short mag]

Yeah, they have been finding some apples at night.

A nice mineral block or bail of hay probably couldnt hurt either. Make your yard 'the' place to be

Good luck in Winthrop this year!

mineral block and apples yes but don't waste your money on a bail of hay. my experiance with hay is that they would rather step over it to eat leafs. the last bad winter i tried to halp out some deer but they wouldn't eat it, instead one starved to death.

[h2ofowlr]

They will munch on apples and alfalfa, but won't touch the hay from my experience.   

[Rickyrebar]

Kill'm & Grill'm!