Defeating the urge to shoot.

[CC Hurl]

Sounds stupid perhaps, but is one that has been on my mind since I shot an eight point on the 29th. He is my personnal best with a Bow but no wall hanger. I am going to have a skull mount done with him. I have not hunted with a gun for many years now. Lets just say since I shot my first deer with a bow. Allot of this Bow hunting has been done on private land around here in East Central MN. For whatever reason I don't see wall hanger racks on the Bucks in the area. I am sure they are there but maybe just not many. I like to hunt this area to get meat in the freezer but no longer choose to shoot bucks here as I want a trophy some day and got tired of shooting plaque racks if you will.

For the last 8 years now I have been fortunate enough to hunt 80 acre's to myself in the SE bluff country and have seen some dandy's in the area and have them on camera. Passed on a number of smaller bucks over the years. Oh... and ate my heart out on only being able to watch much bigger ones out of range too.

Anyway, this year I shoot the eight point and it was very cool to say the least. He came to my can call, picked up on my scent line and gave me an awesome shot that I couldn't pass on. I know there are bigger and now sit and ponder if I should have waited longer. With that said, I wonder what others do to curve the urge to shoot at something that isn't quite there goal? I achieved my goal this year but want to up it to a wall hanger and stick with it. I would like to know what others have done to increase there patience in the woods for that shot that just might not happen on that given year.

On a side note, I shot the eight on the 29th of Oct. and sat with my camera in the same stand just last Saturday evening 10th of November. Got myself some video of just that wall hanger chasing a Doe. He is so nice and it was neat to at least get video of him. Can't hunt down there no more as my two tags are full so I sit and video with my 7 year old daughter. Need to get her out there and show her what it takes to get up close and personnel with a White tailed deer. She loves it and shoots well too. I am so lucky.

With that said,I have to ask myself... What if I would have just waited for something bigger? Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

[1eyeReD]

I whacked a half racked buck, my very first whitetail buck with a bow about a month ago... Then saw not one but two way bigger bucks (a 130"ish 8pt and a very tall 140"ish 10pt) between then and now while trying to fill a bonus antler-less permit. The 8pt came into a grunt call and teased me at 20 yds broadside). The 10pt came out every evening I was in the stand, but was on a trail 100 yds from where I sat and was consistent the few times I saw him in regards to his ETA and the trail he took.

My dad tells me perhaps I didn't realize at the beginning of this season that I am more experienced than in years past with scouting areas (new and old) and selecting tree stand locations..

Do I regret taking the smaller buck? No. But I'm quite sure if I held out, I would've probably had a shot at one of these two other bucks. My thinking is I could at least try to just bag a "decent" one for the sake of knowing I got one (especially after 3 seasons of tag soup) and I can hold out for a big on the following years. And luckily, I did just that. I mean, I really feel like I've finally lifted a curse now and can concentrate on a big buck LOL!

Now that you've got your 8pt under your belt, you can more comfortably wait for bigger ones next season. Way to go on getting that 8pt down man.

[Scoot]

I do two things that help me determine when I should or shouldn't pull the trigger, if given a chance. 1) I decide what I'll shoot and pass BEFORE I get in the stand. With my standards set, I don't waiver from them. 2) I carry a camera with me all the time when I'm in the field. This really, really helps me. I can "shoot" some bucks that I'd otherwise be tempted to run an arrow through. Some of the pics I've gotten of bucks are just as treasured as some of the bucks I've shot. It's a great way to get some good pics and it's also a good way to hone your bowhunting skills- getting pictures of deer on the hoof isn't easy and you can get busted just like you can when you have your bow in hand.

[Stratosman]

Like Scoot stated, set a goal and don't waiver... it ain't ever easy and you must be prepared to eat your tag, often for years in a row.... I ate my tag for 3 years, now have tagged 3 in a row. It makes you a better hunter by giving you more time in the stand to watch and observe, when you would otherwise be tagged out early in the season on a smaller buck... alot of it for me is not only wanting a mature deer, but being able to spend more time in the stand...it gets easier!

[sticknstring]

Yes sir, great advice above. Set goals and stick to them. Have realistic expectations though. I have to remind myself that the places I hunt aren't the same as the farms I dream about hunting. Most importantly, shoot what makes you happy and don't worry what anyone else thinks. Have fun!

[slimngrizzly]

I was a serious shed hunter long before I was serious deer hunter. For me, I look at a buck and think about what its going to be... rather than what it is! When you see what some of these deer are capable of becoming, its far more rewarding letting them go than shooting them.

I want a mature buck. So like Stratosman said, im prepaired to eat tag soup. Ive got a good recipe, ive had it so much. Follow them, get pictures, find their sheds.... and then watch the neighbors shoot them! No... you should be happy with what you shoot! Figure out what that will take, and go for it!

Anyone can SHOOT a GOOD buck, it takes a dedicated trophy hunter NOT TOO!

[FISHINGURU]

#1 is to make sure you have enough meat in your freezer. It's tough holding out for a wall hanger when your freezer is also empty. Makes it much easier when you already have meat for the season and can just sit back and wait for the big guy.

My standards are I won't shoot a buck unless it is P&Y material, I always tell myself I'm holding out for a true beast 170-200 and I really wish I'd stick to that but sometimes I see a real nice 140-150 10 pointer and shoot.

Sometimes things are too sweet to pass up, happened to me this year on a 140ish 10 pt. I seen some deer at about 100 yards, next thing you know 5-6 does are trotting right past my shooting lanes at 20 yards and sure enough here he comes doing the tending grunt, he goes right past the thick bush I always envision my drawing so I draw, then I give out a quick grunt and stop him broadside at 20 in my shooting lane. Even though I initially was going to let him go it was just too sweet and how I had it all planned.

Then like clockwork I go through this phase of wishing I wouldn't of shot it because now I'm done for the year and there are bigger bucks out there. Then after that passes I'm thankful I have some more meat and I don't have to go freeze in the cold rain/snow with the northern howling winds anymore lol.

It's always the "what if", just like when I seen them does come right past then this nice 10, "what if" I would of let him go too was there even a bigger buck following?

Then at the end of the year when you don't get one you wish you would of took that nice easy 20 yard chip shot at that real nice 10 lol.

[bety0108]

I first take a look at my area/location. I want to hunt an area that I know has big bucks. When I find an area I will only focus my year on that one spot. I cant stand jumping from one spot to another. I also run several trail cameras. Some guys say that if you know they are in the area then why even use cameras but I am camera crazy. I run 10 cameras in two states. Nothing more exciting than a monster on camera. I however am smart, at least i think, about where I place them and how or when to check them. Keep them on fence lines or edges of woods. I wont penetrate my big woods or bedding areas. With that said I have a good idea of what buck live in my area. I know things like... this buck is on these three cameras but not these three so I need to focus over here and not there kind of stuff. Cameras tell me what stands to hunt in mornings vs evenings. Having a good idea of what roams my woods helps me pass up the 130/140s or even 150's (in iowa) I passed a 10 point 140 Oct 30. I knew I had much bigger bucks and bucks were not chasing yet. So it was an easy pass. I hope to see him again next year when hes +20 or so. anyways Nov 5 I was able to drop a 180+ it was very worth passing the 140 that will hopefully make it another year. The 180 was not my best buck on camera this year, but I dont think there are many guys out there that will pass a 180. Im sure are a few.... I apply for doe tags to get meat. Trail cameras made me a pyscho trophy hunter lol. If i dont get to tag a buck the thought that he could still be alive and be bigger the next year will never leave. I guess I would call myself an antler hunter. Hunting for trophy bucks is not a 3 month season. I Use all 12 months... hunting season, shed hunting , food plots, trail cameras. Scouting is key and hard would can be very rewarding if done right.

[bety0108]

Im also 26 and single....

[PropsterII]

CC, sounds like you may have the proper feelings and attitude about the sport to be able to do what you are describing. You have to decide if it's the hunting you like or the killing. If it's meat you want or a trophy, and trophy is in the eye of the beholder. If you are one of those who has to shoot something in order to feel worthy, either in your own eyes or your peers, then you will have some difficulty moving to the next step.

But I believe from your description you are ready. I've always gotten a kick out of those who proclaim its just about tradition and meat (usually gun hunters) who say they don't care and don't want anything to do with big antlers, yet if a doe or small buck and a "trophy" buck show up at the same time guess which one gets shot, and shown around town or pic submitted to local paper or put up on forums. Let's face it, most of us are fascinated or enthralled with big antlers, but to what extent one is willing to go to achieve success on mature bucks is different for all of us.

My first sit this year was Oct 26, and ten minutes into that first sit I had a 140 class ten pt walk by with numerous shot opportunities from 10-30 yds. I am only hunting 2 states this year, and had the rest of that weekend plus 8 more days in Wisconsin. I simply was not ready to ruin a perfectly good hunt that early! If I had a better crystal ball though he'd probably be on the wall, as I simply did not see a buck of that caliber again. But those are the kind of decisions you must be prepared to make, as I gladly and happily did because I then was able to hunt those 9 additional days, including the last 4 with my daughter on her first bow hunt. Now if that first buck was a 180 that's a whole different story! And I do know a guy who has passed a 180, but only because he had already killed a couple in that class and knew what else was there, which is another aspect that plays into your decision making.

[CC Hurl]

Wow, thanks allot for the feed back. There is some great reading here and wisdom I will chew on for the remainder of my hunting day's. I really get the feeling this is something I need to go threw for that next step.

Lots of the things mentioned as far as staying in the woods year round I do. Love my time shed hunting down there with my Lab and a couple of the sheds we have found are awesome. I need to be more patient and get a pair of them attached yet.

Thanks again and I look forward to more feedback on this topic.

[CrewJones]

certain people take any prize and leave. People that want the grand prize will always go Double or nothing.

If your hunting a trophy deer you need to go double or nothing

[Bear55]

Good thread, I will just add that the more deer you pass the easier it gets. Hard not to question yourself the first couple of times but after that you get use to letting them walk. I don't really set specific standars but if I see a buck I like I will shoot him, if not I have no problem passing those younger to middle aged bucks.

I should also add it is important to know what kind of deer your area holds. If you are holding out for a 140 and there aren't any around its going to be a long season. Know what is out there and if you don't have what you want you might have to move. Of course that usually applies to early and late season, the rut can change everything.

[Musky Buck]

Some of my most successful deer seasons I never tagged a deer and that is success to me to be able to let small bucks walk every year, 29 years and I've seen at least 1 buck, generally more each season, it's helped me to learn more about deer behavior, deer body language, and then some, I also realize these yearlings are the future bucks that we'll be hoping to see after a winter or 2 or 3. Letting small bucks pass especially those following a doe is the reason I have 2 monsters on my wall, because they were 5 minutes or so behind the smaller buck or bucks, I have seen 5 bucks following 1 doe and the ability to let them walk is the only reason I got to see them, if I would've shot any of the small 1's chances are the gig is up and I would've never knew, but it depends on where you hunt, how many deer you already have taken, and other factors. I learn from the bucks I watch go by and my thinking is if he's here during season, some day he may return in the future during season, they're really homebodies in my area because they winter there also, year round they are in proximity to the swamp.

[96trigger]

I let a lot of little bucks walk and its easier now than it ever was. In fact, I think its in part, due to the fact that those little bucks are the dumbest deer in the woods. I honestly don't mean that to insult anybody that has shot one either, but if you hit the grunt tube and rattle the antlers, 9 out of 10 times its going to be an immature buck that comes running in ready to fight. If its that 1 out of 10 buck that you are looking for, shooting any of the others can not even be an option.

To be honest, I don't ever pull the gun up, or raise my bow to anything I am not going to shoot, you can change your mind and pull the trigger to fast. This year is a classic example for me, I had a nice buck come in opening morning, high tines, good main beams, looked at his body and for a split second thought hmmm, looks like a young deer. Put the scope on him and once again his rack looked very impressive, so I shot him. Guess what, on opening morning of firearm, after passing numerous deer, and having some very nice deer on camera, hunting in the heart of the 3rd year of an APR zone, I had just shot a 2.5 year old buck. Now, he is a great deer, and I am very happy with him, but I also knew what else was out there. I also know that if he was that impressive as a 2.5 year old, he would have been a stud at 4.5 and 5.5. I absolutely prevented that from happening. He did end up being the biggest deer I saw all fall, but I have eaten tags in the past, and I don't mind it. Once you pass a few, it gets easy and it becomes pretty enjoyable watching them. Its much easier to pass that 1.5 and 2.5 basket, than it is to pass those marginal 2.5-3.5 year olds. I thought I was ready to do it, guess not!

[bigbucks]

I hear you 96trigger, it's very rare I pull up on something I don't want to shoot. At heart I like to pull the trigger too much & if it gets that far half the time it's going to get shot. I pass on lots of little bucks & fawns every year bow hunting. The yearling bucks basically don't tempt me at all anymore. After you pass on a couple & watch them you see how dumb they really are. They can't help it, they're just hormone driven teenagers basically.

[Double]

For me, this is right on par with controlling gambling urges. Have to make my plan before I hit the woods or the casino and stick to it. Otherwise it's way too easy to give in to impulse, both in the tree stand and at the craps table.

[slimngrizzly]

I couldn't agree more 96!! I dont even want to see those 120-125 2.5/3.5 deer! They are not what im looking for... yet they are likely the nicest deer a guy will see all season! Pass and you will probably eat tag soup... but shoot and ill spend the rest of the season wondering what if????

Like the saying goes... If you have to think about it, he's not big enough! So true!

[96trigger]

Funny how hard it is to follow your own advice

[mainbutter]

My thoughts on the matter are pretty simple:

There is nothing wrong with passing up on a new personal best and passing up on deer that don't measure up to your previous accomplishments. I bet you'll pass on a similar 8 in successive years, especially if you've been able to see bigger bucks.

My methodology is to take a new PB buck if given the chance, and take one antlerless every year.

[nbadger23]

It's definitely not an easy thing to do, especially if you grew up taking the first buck you saw and not thinking twice about it like I did. I didn't start passing deer up until about 5 years ago so I'm pretty new at it myself.

What's made it hard for me is that I made a very big jump in personal bests. I went from like a 90" deer to a 140" in 2010 and a 150" in 2011. It made for some tough decisions for me this year as I didn't think I'd see anything in that range and with only getting one doe tag this year I really needed to fill that buck tag to have enough meat. I saw that "bigger one that might be out there" the morning I shot my buck and I have no regrets at all.

My view is kind of like Trigger's, I don't even grab the bow unless I'm sure because the urge is too great. I also find it fun to watch the smaller ones and see what I can learn.

I guess I would put it this way, if you aren't sure don't even grab your bow, but you need to have already made peace with that decision ahead of time. If you find that you're kicking yourself and regretting decisions like that and it's bothering you then change your strategy. The type of deer you shoot needs to make YOU happy, whether it be for meat or for challenge, or for antler size. It doesn't need to meet anyone else's criteria, unless of course you're in an APR area :-)

[Stratosman]

Good thread...

I like the anticipation more than the kill. Wondering if the footsteps you hear coming, or the movement you see coming your way through the brush is THE one... heck, most of the time it isn't, but it sure gets the old ticker knocking pretty good! And that's part of the reason I like to hold out for a mature animal, antler size and body size is of course nice, but for me, the thrill I get from being in the stand to experience all the things nature has to offer keeps me wanting more and more. And once (or if) all the time and hard work pays off and you shoot the buck you are waiting for, it's all the sweeter and it's something you will never forget.

Before, like most, I was giddy as a schoolgirl with any buck that I shot with my bow, I hunted for probably 10 years this way, I slowy started to realize that I would never shoot a big buck if I shot the first small one that stumbled by me, and so the obsession was born!

Whatever your reason, I hope that your wishes are granted!

[CC Hurl]

Just wanted to say thanks again. You all have me just a chomping at the bit for next year. Going to be a long year, but that's just fine. At my mid 40's age I like to see time slow down. Think I just figured out how. Lol

Really though, thanks again for your time and thoughts as they have been beneficial for my attitude the last couple weeks.

Trying to think Ice fishing but just can't get there yet. Lol

[MattL]

I can totally agree and relate to what 96Trigger said above.

There is an article floating around online written by Charles Alsheimer titled "The 5 stages of the deer hunter". Google it. This would explain the feelings you are experiencing. It is a good read and interesting to see where you fall in place and how it relates to you. Obviously it won't apply to everyone because we all have different motives when it comes to hunting, but I feel it describes myself well and have a feeling many will relate. -and no, I don't consider myself a 5...

[RBuker]

You'll shoot more wall hangers if you let the "plaque racks" walk. The season is long. I hold out for a monster early bow season. The we hunt to fill the freezer for rifle season. If we have a tag open at the end, it's my tag and can then go out again. I typically won't shoot small bucks unless my cameras are showing a glut of bucks and few does. I'll gladly take a doe over any buck for the freezer as long as the population is strong. And, I like to hunt. So if I got well into December, I'm good with that!