What's Your Buck Criteria?

[Mitchellfarmer1982]

Only reason to post that was to point out that all mature deer are not "giants" and lots are just barely "average" if all you consider is antler score.

The deer I killed this year grossed 135 1/8 ( I thought would go more) but was aged at 8.5 that's mind blowing to me that he survived 8.5 years on public and I got him. At that point score didnt matter lol.

 

[DB4x4]

Some interesting responses here. Sounds like a handful of guys would have let it fly on Mr. Basket Rack, while others would not have even considered it.

Last year, I was presented with an easy 15 yard broadside shot on a basket 7 and I took it. It met my requirements of being obviously legal with the naked eye, and I was not sure how much time I had left in the woods. Five min after I shot and heard the deer crash, an enormous 10 point came in on the same trail, stopped at the same spot...

...all I could do was sit, watch, and sob internally. One buck state. I think that memory definitely played a role in my decision to pass on Day 1 this year. Perhaps my criteria is evolving, hmm...

 

[MIPublic]

Rule 1 - Legal (Michigan has antler restrictions in some spots but not where I do 95% of my hunting.

Rule 2 - This varies by location. On my grandparent's farm this generally means a "beyond the ears" buck which, where we're at means few 2.5-year-olds, but mostly 3.5 and up. This is also where I do most of my gun hunting. On public where I do 85% of my bowhunting, it could be a small 6.

Rule 3 - I need to be excited - Last year before I had my full saddle setup in I was hunting in a makeshift ground blind on a spot of public close to my house. I had a doe and 2 fawns at 25 yards and I was shaking like a leaf. The moment had me excited, that's what I'm chasing every time I go out.

At the end of the day, this is a hobby for us. Yeah, I'd love a rack on the wall and meat in the freezer, but man am I chasing that high. One of the main reasons I never picked up cigs or tried any drugs growing up. I know my personality and I'd be HOOKED.

 

[katiesmom]

8 points or better.

 

[Jmiller]

Anything past basket rack is going down.

 

[kyvaaoh]

In VA we get two bucks. First one is any size, second has to be >4 1” pts on one side. Then we get an automatic 3 or 4 antlerless, depending on the part of the state, plus unlimited bonus tags on private.

This year, no baby deer. Holding out for a big buck for the first one. If I have a buck tag left in January, I’ll kill a spike with ML. The private properties I hunt want deer numbers down, and I eat a lot of venison.

 

[Coachschaller]

Before the rifle hunt in the UP I am going to go with filling a doe tag, or a buck that is 4+ on one side. That way I can keep my unrestricted license for the UP hunt which requires 3+ on one side. After rifle, I will fill the tag however.

 

[EJohnson]

I live and hunt in Mid TN on public and hunt archery only.
The past 9 years or so I won't shoot any buck that isn't P&Y and feel my freezer with does. I haven't killed a buck in 2 seasons, but my freezer is full.

This season I've dumped the compound and went strictly to hunting with my recurve. I don't have any kills with the recurve and my max shot distance went to 15 yards. I've passed several does this season due to the heat, but that will change once it cools off. I had one of my shooters stand under one tree and feed for 30 minutes last week.

 

[SoILslocker]

In Illinois you can kill 2 bucks. No size restriction. Personally, I try to kill mature deer. Preferably 5 years old sometimes 4. Where I'm at, it's really hard for a buck to get any older than that because of the hunting pressure & neighbors that have lower standards. Inches wise, usually looking for at least 130" or so. We have the habitat to grow & hold big bucks & I know that if I can pass on the younger, smaller bucks I usually get a chance at a good one.

 

[arkfan]

I usually try to shoot an 8 point or so but I dont hold out for P & Y or anything like that. Just a decent one especially with a bow which is what I generally hunt with.

 

[Jay_Disarray]

Mn doesn't have rack requirements, one buck tag. If he looks tasty, he drops

 

[Deerkins]

In NJ there are no antler restrictions in most of the state (certain zones it's 3 points on one side). You can shoot up to 6 antlered bucks a year. Not to mention all the button bucks that get shot because they're usually first to a bait pile, and all the shed bucks that get shot in February. Most hunters mentality, especially on public land, is to shoot any buck they see before someone else does. Baiting is legal even on public land, which makes for sloppy hunters and conditioned deer. When I've hunted out of state I've noticed that the "average" hunter is a better hunter than in NJ. They have to be since they can't rely on bait bringing the deer to them.

My goal posts move all the time depending on what my scouting is telling me. Some years, like last year, that means not settling for any less than a mature P&Y buck. This year I had 3 mature bucks (4.5+ yr old) located, with one pushing 150" as an 8 point. I found 2 of them dead from EHD on opening week and haven't seen the other since late July. Looking for another big one, but now I'll shoot the first solid 3.5 year old that gives me a good shot. Won't shoot a 2.5 in NJ anymore. It's a long season and I can hunt just about every day, so I can afford to be picky around home. Earlier this season I had a nice 2.5 old 9 point inside 10 yards on an out-of-state hunt. I wish I would have shot him. He would have been my first out-of-state buck and I would have been proud. Had a similar buck in bow range in NJ the other day and didn't even think about reaching for the bow, so I guess it's all situational.

northern jersey? Too bad about EHD I’m in Orange County NY , it’s been terrible last 2 years...giant deer in jersey, especially urban areas