How to Pass.

[NWBREW]

O.K., Here's a question I have asked  myself on more then one occasion So I would like to hear others answers (if there are any).I have killed a few nice bucks.....whitetail. All here in Washington. But I have yet to kill one that goes over 160". (yes...I would consider that big). I know others on here have on more than one occasion. HERE IT IS

How do you pass bucks that only score say around 140"? (yes I know 140" is good too).

My problem is I know what a 160" buck looks like and I know 140" is a nice buck......what do you do to get to that next level. You know?.......The 140" could be close to 160" in the next year but with a week only....how do you pass ( I like having venison for part of the year)? They are there.... I know it.

   alwine, bearpaw, carp, bone, millertime, huntnw and others....share your thoughts on this.....is this something you can do......pass....how? I'm not talking about getting the shot on camera or for a client or whatever if it's part of your job....(I don't do it for a living...although I would be good at it.  ). I'm talking about just you.      I need to be stronger to achieve this goal.

[carpsniperg2]

Well since me and you are the only ones up this late or early I will be the first one to hit it. A lot of it has to do with your personal goals. It takes very strong will power to pass the quality of deer that most hunter would shoot in a heartbeat. A lot of it has to do with the area's that I hunt. If I know I am going to have a chance at a bigger buck, there is no way in my mind that I could justify shooting just a decent buck. A lot of years I spot a buck that I want bad! Then its game on! I don't care what walks out! I want that deer and I will eat my tag before I shoot another buck. The last year was the first year that I got frustrated with the weather and shot a nice buck on the 2ND to the last day. It comes with hunting the late season. Sometimes the weather is good and other times it turns very bad and even getting out to my hunting spots becomes a huge challenge. I have to be a 100% honest and say if I just hunted 100% public ground and a great 140" came out, it would probably hit the dirt  I am blessed with good hunting ground. A lot of us have great areas to hunt and can be a little more picky. In my best year I passed 57 legal bucks in a hunting season. That was more then a few years ago now. It all comes with will power. I fully support anyone that shoots any deer from spike to 200"+ I just tend to like the bigger ones So it's just a matter of a mind set, if you have it in your head you will not settle for anything else but a certain type of deer. Then it makes passing other deer easy! Well kinda I put a lot of time in looking at deer in the area. If I know a lot of the deer in the area it can help me be more selective. If I don't know the deer in the area and a nice buck walks out it's a lot harder to pass. So my tip would be to try and learn if the area you are hunting holds those toads! If you know for a fact that they are there, it makes passing on good bucks easy, holding out for a giant!

[NWBREW]

I guess I should have added that I only hunt the late rut hunt and I hunt on public as well as private. I just have to think that if the 140"'s are there......the big ones have to be around somewhere, I just haven't seen them daylight hunting hours.

Although my neighbor has killed two really nice non-typs.  ( I hate that guy during hunting season.....he hunts the same area I do and both have walked right out in front of him  ) But he's a great neighbor. For him the big bucks walk out before the smaller ones do. 

[huntnnw]

I guess personally for me I have gradually worked my way up over the years (size) I would kill any buck in this state in the 150+ plus range if  I knew it was mature..I have scouted a few 150 3 1/2 yr old bucks over the years I did not hunt in hopes of hunting him the following year..never worked out..never saw them again winter,hunters or predators may have got them.  Its also alot easier to pass on smaller bucks when you have scouted a tank of buck in the summer and know hes around and to me that's the ticket...You simply cannot kill a 160 buck if it doesn't exist in the area you hunt...if you are limited to hunting one area and have scouted it with cams, binos or etc and all u have come up with is 140" buck being the biggest u either hunt the biggest available buck in your area or move on till u find what your looking for.

[rasbo]

dont pull the trigger on the smaller bucks..shed hunting is a great way to see whats in your area,and will tell you what size deer you might expect..But the number one reason not to get a larger buck is pulling the trigger,on them small ones..Where I lived in Idaho the mulies close to the river had nice wide and tall racks but thin beams,head away from the river towards the lava flows and the beams get really nice.

[piledup]

For me, I have to know that the big ones are in the area to hold out for them. I've shot my share of small bucks before so now it's easy for me to pass them up.
For these past couple of years, I've been passing up small ones and waiting for big ones or else just tag soup.
Getting some venison is not a problem for me because they're are a couple of hunters in my family that would never pass on the small bucks.
All you have to do is know that there are bigger ones in the area to be able to let the smaller one walk.
Good Hunting

[Bigshooter]

If you know a 160 buck is there and that is what you want to kill passing a 140 buck shouldn't be a problem.   I guess what it comes down to is are you a meat hunter or a horn hunter?  I have no problem passing small bucks holding out for a big buck.  And I don't care if I don't kill anything.  I'd rather hunt 10 days for a big buck and not get him, than shoot a small buck on opening day.  I have killed plenty of small bucks to last me the rest of my life.

[wapiti hunter2]

WILL POWER

[oldleclercrd]

I think it would be easier to kill a big boy on ALL the hunting ground you own then for the rest of us that hunt only public. If you own the property you say you do, a little manangement might go along way and you might even see more "160" class deer.

[huntnnw]

I dont think he has that much property to manage a herd of whiteys... you need alot of property to effectively manage some deer from other hunters.

[NWBREW]

Your right shane...I don't have nearly enough to do it how I'd like....less then 100 acres and I don't have the funds for it.....I'd like to Brent but my house, job and family keep me (and the money) over here    but I do think you know both (you too carp) exactly what I'm talking about. The fact is I am trying to get out is Passing on what I consider to be nice bucks to get to the bigger one. I usually tag out between the 5th or 7th day of a 9 day hunt. I only go deer hunting for that time....9 days and that's it. I have passed on many, many smaller ones to shoot a decent one but have to talk myself into it to go from decent to big.

rasbo, I do shed hunt....have for years and years. ...before it got popular but the places I hunt during the rut are not the same as when and where they shed. I hunt the white tail rut. I am completely addicted to it......there is nothing like it. I have hunted the same area for 20+ years and it took me the 1st 5 or 6 years to really start learning it and don't have a problem shooting "nice bucks". 

Here are a couple reference photo's (I consider these to be decent bucks). I gotta try and talk myself into letting these guys walk. Although the big 4 pt. (with eyeguards  ) I might have killed no matter what....he was a pig. How do you convince yourself to pass decent bucks like this or is it easy for you.....cause it's not easy for me.  something inside me tells me to shoot it.      The bottom one is the vampire buck. Let me know if you want to see the fangs. 

[oldleclercrd]

Im just giving you a hard time Devin. In all reality, im just jealous you can kill the kinds of bucks in those pictures on public ground! Im happy if I even see one!

[ironbuck]

  Brew you just need some new stands. So than i could sit on your old stands. Those subpar bucks are tasty!!!!!!!

[whacker1]

I think you need to set your sights in smaller increments.  Try to better your 140's with a high 140's to low 150's and then the next year try to hold out for a mid 150's to high 150's and make a little longer process out of it.  Maybe set a benchmark to hold out until the 8th day before you lower your standards instead of the 5th - 7th?   incremental goals.

By the way, my biggest whitetail is about 105-11o, so I am still working my way up the ladder myself.

[huntnnw]

u can set your goals all u want..but the bottom line is that size of buck has to exist where u are hunting. That's where scouting comes into play..u have to at least KNOW a buck of the caliber that your hunting lives in the area. 140 buck is pretty prevalent in most timbered areas..finding the genetically blessed bucks that reach 160 or better is tougher

[NWBREW]

These are the kind of replies that I was hoping to get because it starts to narrow down what to think about if I am ever going to really take it more seriously. It brings up questions to people that may have another opinion then what I may have.......and would appreciate it.

OK ironbuck (AKA PECK), you have been up there many times, know the area, have seen the bucks up there....dead or alive  . Do you think there ARE 160" bucks around that general area? Serious question.  Oh.....and you have sat in my stands. That big whitetail you killed a few years back is the ugliest thing I have ever seen. (not out of my stand) 

Whacker1,   I am not sure if I could the inches very well between a 142 and a 147 in the field. I would have to believe he is bigger then previously taken deer......I think I can do that. What is a good way to take a quick look in the field and judge a 150 or 160?  I have a shed that scores 71+" so I think that will get it close.....4pts. (big) with eyeguards (big).  Advise?

huntnnw,  I believe they are in the areas....have seen a couple of BIG deer that I know were over 160 after last light. You bring up a good point that I did not give a whole lot of thought to. Age class vs antler size. I know there are bucks up there that never get shot and I think I may have put the two togehter when I should not. Those two bucks I posted are  what I believe to be a 5 1/2 year old for the top and 3 1/2 year old on the bottom. Body size was no compairison, the 5 1/2 yr old was huge compared to the other but the antlers not so far apart for 2 years. Can age make up for whats on top or do you need that special 160 gene?

[huntnnw]

I beleive it takes both age and genes,but u can get the truly giant bucks at 3 1/2 that have 150 or more inches..these are the bucks that have the potential to be hawgs at 5 1/2.  The european buck pic u have is an example of a buck that will never become a giant..he will most likely die a 4x4 or maybe pick up a cheater with age. Like the mule deer 2x2 whiteys have the 4x4 gene..they never get any more points.. a 2 1/2 yr old buck should be showing signs of atleast 5 on one side or some unique points at 3 1/2 and its a clean 4x4..he will most likely be that way forever.

I know the area u hunt very well..I have spent thousands of hours hunting that country since I was 10..bears and elk.

[WAcoyotehunter]

Letting a nice immature buck walk is a pleasure for me.  I would rather shoot a smart old buck with less antler than a 3.5 yr old with huge headgear.  That said- my biggest buck is a 3.5 yr old that scores 188+!  (iowa)

[ironbuck]

  yea brew we have seen some nice bucks maybe 160 class. There are two things that hurt us the most,we are wetsiders don't get enough time in country, and locale off season pressure this one kills me but i think its true. This weekend place your cams in some new areas. Brew enjoy what ya got up there the 160 is just an evening sit away and you know what my oldman would say.

[whacker1]

Whacker1,   I am not sure if I could the inches very well between a 142 and a 147 in the field. I would have to believe he is bigger then previously taken deer......I think I can do that. What is a good way to take a quick look in the field and judge a 150 or 160?  I have a shed that scores 71+" so I think that will get it close.....4pts. (big) with eyeguards (big).   Advise?

several people have told me what to look for, and the common answer for those that shoot 150+ whitetails are the following:
the simplist methods to hit 150+ is to look for 10 - 12 inch G2's, & 10-12 inch g3's, and 8+ inch G1's. 
Main beams should be in the 22+ range. 
and you should be looking for 5 & 6 points and trying to pass on the 4 points.  It takes a lot more for a big 4 to get to 150+.  It is amazing what an extra 4 inches for the 5th point and 3 inches on each side does for the 6th point.  It's just math, but your big 4point at 142 becomes 156 as a 6 point.  That is merely for illustration purposes.

G1 7 & 7
G2 11 & 11
G3 9 & 9
G4 6 & 6
G5 4 & 4
G6 3 & 3

subtotal 72
spread 15
main beams 21 & 21

h1  5 & 5
h2  5 & 5
h3  4.5 & 4.5
h4  3.5 & 3.5

Total 165

Summary look for a 5 or 6 to get the next benchmark.

[Pathfinder101]

I think it comes down to one question:  Are you willing to eat Tag Soup?

I'll be honest, I am not.  I strive for the biggest buck I can find, but I am not willing to pass up a decent buck and go with an empty freezer.  I like venison, and that's what my family eats, so I do count on killing a deer every year (at least one between PathfinderJR and myself). 

So, if you are willing to eat tag soup, and you are hunting someplace where you can get out in the summer and hang some trail cams, see what shows up on them, set a goal, and stick with it.  It is my belief that to consistantly harvest 160 class whitetails, you have to be willing to eat the tag.

[Machias]

One thing that can help is to hunt another state.  That way you can put meat in the freezer and then you have much less personal pressure and can hold out for the big boys.  You won't mind eating tag soup near as much if you have meat in the freezer.   

[NWBREW]

One thing that can help is to hunt another state.  That way you can put meat in the freezer and then you have much less personal pressure and can hold out for the big boys.  You won't mind eating tag soup near as much if you have meat in the freezer.   

That is a valid point. I have to shoot another elk this year.  It may be easier to let them walk.

[boneaddict]

Its as simple as don't shoot.   There are more 140s out there than 160s.  Wait  until you find the 160. 

[Alchase]

Physically impossible!!!
I would have to take my boots off to count that high 

[millertime89]

haha well first of all i'm surprised you put me in that list of names  I have yet to shoot a 160 buck, although I've been a few locations where I knew they were around and/or one of my buddies shot a 160+ deer out of that same location within days of me being there. Being able to hunt either private or previously scouted out land quite a bit is definitely a good motivator to pass on some younger bucks. When you have the trail cam pics to prove there are some whoppers, its easier to let the smaller ones walk since you know the potential for a really big one is there. Although thats left me shooting a mature doe, or eating tag soup once or twice 
But what I considered a "shooter" has a lot to do with where I happen to be hunting and the circumstances as well. Beginning of the trip or end? Great video footage leading up to a shot opportunity? Private or Public land? etc.....

[mazama]

Its easy,after having shot a small buck and then seeing a big one jump up i said never again,also i hunt areas i dont want to shoot one in so it has to be a trophy before i will drag it out,in bad terrain i am happy to get out with no broken bones.

[sakoshooter]

Deer hunting is my big game passion. Specically mule deer. Even more specifically, spot and stalk.
After killing my share over the years in my home state and in other states, I'd venture to say it's a hunting maturatiy thing. I've got a lot of respect for all the animals out there but when it comes to actually pulling the trigger, it has to meet my mental standards - that is; It has to get me real excited looking at it threw the scope. If this excitement quickly passes while I'm looking at a buck, it's not the one.
A little hunting game I play w/myself is to make the stalk, remove the shell from the chamber and make the shot - with an empty chamber of course. I've punched my imaginary tag many times in this fashon. After a good spot/stalk on an average 3 or 4 pt, i quitely remove the shell,making darn sure the bolt doesn't pick up another from the magazine, get a solid rest and "click"! I do take some satisfaction in this fake kill but also in the fact that I allowed another buck to mature even more. My partner of many years also passes up many semi mature bucks each year. When you're looking for a good buck, stick to your game plan even if it means not tagging out. I take serious satisfaction in the hunt. The kill is simply the culmination to the hunt. Enjoy your self in the woods. That's the main thing.

[alwinearcher]

I didn't read everyone elses posts yet, but I will get around to it..

For me, I need to know what deer are in the area before I even think of passing on a 140 type buck.
If I have pictures of a 160-170" buck then passing up on a 140" is easy.
If a 140" is the biggest Im getting on camera and it comes in im gonna shoot him.
That being said I shot a 146" buck last season even though I had multiple 160+ type bucks on camera.
Season was winding down, I hadn't seen a good buck in 7 days and the buck was to good for me to pass up.

I will say this though, if I only had a week to hunt and didnt have pictures of a 160+ type buck on camera, I dont think I could pass on a 140"...
I havent come that far yet!