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Picking a buck....

Ehunter

Ehunter

Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2024
Messages
89
Got out for the first time this season over the weekend. Saw two bucks that really peaked my interest, but can't decide between them. One is a 3 1/2-4 1/2 year old with a solid 140+ rack. The other is an OLD, gigantic bodied buck that is well past his antler growing days. Guessing 8-9 year old. Probably a 100 incher. He's got a good 75 pounds on the other buck. Looks like a steer walking through. I'm leaning towards the old man, but what would you do? Thanks in advance for the replies!
 
Assuming your aren't concerned about the other one being harvested by another hunter, I would focus on the old man. 3.5-4.5 year old deer are hard to kill by most woodsman's standards. Getting the drop on an 8+ year old animal who isn't sick, deaf or blind is likely a once in a lifetime accomplishment
 
We only get one buck tag here. Hunting a small private property that borders a 300-400 acre public land area that almost no one hunts. NOT bragging, but let them both walk by at under 15 yards this past weekend. The deer in this area tend to stick around. Who would have thought that public land would be a safe haven for them, but it's some of the nastiest stuff you can find. 5 yard visibility from the ground, 20-30 from a stand at best. All old reclaimed strip mining land. I let an 8+ year old buck walk years ago to shoot a bigger racked one in the same bachelor group, and have kinda regretted it ever since. Different property back then, but deer stayed on it as well. Never saw the old man again, so figured that was his last year....
 
Well, got my mind made up for me this morning. Always wanted a drop tine buck, and this one walked right up to me. 20 yard broadside. Younger than I wanted to take, but couldn't pass it up. Guessing 2 1/2 year old. First one I have ever seen out hunting. Double lung shot, ran about 15 yards, stopped for 20 seconds, then walked about another 60 yards and dropped. Sorry for the HUGE pics....I suck at computers.20241110_0917462.jpg20241110_0917461.jpg
 
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Thanks a lot guys! I wish all of you great success in your seasons as well! Still have 2-3 does to take for some friends that want the meat, but don't hunt, so season is not over for me yet. lol
 
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