I always think it's interesting when someone asks if it's a shooter. No one should make that decision but you.
I get and agree with those sentiments. If you're paying the taxes, shoot what ever you want that makes you happy. If you're happy, I'm happy!
So darn much so that I'm happy for a guy the shoots a spike and gets excited about it. If he's excited I'm excited!
The caveat comes in when and if you're in an area that produces lots of of 125 plus inch deer and you've killed them. (Please don't read this as snotty). It's not snotty, it's geography. I think North Mo's farm is close to my farm. I can kill a 130 inch deer every year. Not because I do anything special, just because of where I hunt.
So the next question is do I let every 125-149 inch buck walk in the hopes of killing a 150 class buck.
The first quick answer is sure let the little one grow. But it's not that easy. Some deer if given the chance to reach 6 or 7 won't even break the 150 mark while some 3 year olds have already broke it.
If you're ever lucky enough to hunt those places and start to understand what's around you it gets tough.
Do you shoot antlers or do you shoot years? If you pick antlers a 7 year old 8 point gets a pass while a 4 year old 12 gets killed.
I get it, really "I" get it. Boo hoo, you poor guy. You have to figure out what big deer to shoot. But it does get hard to pick out a 4 year old with potential to explode over a 6 year old 8 at the end of the road.
I don't think NorthMo is asking if it's OK to shoot this deer. He knows he can shoot what ever he wants and look like a champ on the Internet.
It's more of a ? of does he look old.
I try to not even look at antlers. "Try, but it doesn't always happen". I'm shooting for a 5+ year old dink this year. I'm trying to improve my game based on location.
I may tag a big 3 year old, if I do I'll celibate him but I'll know I screwed up.
Not snotty, just realizing where I hunt.
