Would You Shoot This Deer?

SwampCat

5 year old buck +
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Two buck state
 
Absolutely, I would shoot him in PA where it’s a one buck state. Antlers are cool but I get more excited about body weight, and he looks like he will fill out nicely in another 1-2 months.
 
For certain. That would be 50% of a huge rack where I hunt and a unique trophy after the meat's all gone. 😁
 
I would definitely consider it. What an interesting buck.
 
Probably not. I think the blob will break off when the velvet comes off. Might be cooler next year. If it's there maybe. You won't see that ever again.
 
No, I have one just like him. He grows what he grows.

Edit - If the horn was impacting his ability to eat or his health, would consider shooting him.
 
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I'd take a pass on him. Hope he overcomes what is going on here by next year. Also.....looks like he is hanging with some better prospects.
 
I'd take a pass on him. Hope he overcomes what is going on here by next year. Also.....looks like he is hanging with some better prospects.
There are plenty bigger - none bigger than what I have killed in the past - dont know if I will kill one of them or not - if I get the chance
 
If he was on our place and 5 or older he’s getting shot. With that being said I wouldn’t specifically target him but if he’s broadside at 20…


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Yes.
 
With 0 regrets, he's gonna taste good grilled with morels and onions
 
I wouldn't shoot. I think he could have a normal rack next year and to me he looks young.
 
He'd be a pass for me. Haven't shot 2 bucks in 1 season since 2000. Although, the prevailing thought seems to be using a tag on older, inferior buck who are just taking up space. So with that, maybe I would burn a tag on him if you thought he was relatively mature for your location. Would any of your granddaughters be happy taking him? My kids can shoot whatever they want, but the rule is, they have to be happy. Haha
 
He'd be a pass for me. Haven't shot 2 bucks in 1 season since 2000. Although, the prevailing thought seems to be using a tag on older, inferior buck who are just taking up space. So with that, maybe I would burn a tag on him if you thought he was relatively mature for your location. Would any of your granddaughters be happy taking him? My kids can shoot whatever they want, but the rule is, they have to be happy. Haha
I have one seven yr old and one eight yr old grand daughter which will be attempting to take their first deer this year - a great deer for them. Two teen grand daughters would be hunting something bigger.

I still havent convinced myself not to shoot😉
 
By the way, I would guess this deer as a 3.5 yr old. Normally, at 3.5 here, you can tell if they have potential or not. Never seen a poor quality 3.5 yr old blossom into something you would want to put on the wall. However, this one may be the exception - or not
 
Any idea what he looked like last year? If it's just an injury, he could be entirely bounced back as a 4.5
 
I'm not sure what causes this or if they ever bounce back. Regardless probably will never be a monster.
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Any idea what he looked like last year? If it's just an injury, he could be entirely bounced back as a 4.5
No idea from last year. Probably just one of the many basket racked 8 pts
 
My kids mostly go thru the trail cam cards now, so the pics are sometimes zoomed in a little more than maybe I'd do. Here's a yearling with a messed up beam. Wonder if he'll be recognizable in future years.

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Yes! Well no. I don't know. I guess my curiosity is bigger than my desire to shoot an "embarrassed" buck. I can kinda' relate to that. My rational (?) curious thought would be to let him ride into another year to see what he becomes. That's being hopeful, maybe a little too hopeful, that he survives for another year. He's not doing anything any harm. I'm assuming the rack is what it is because of an injury.

But, given all the pressures around here to kill anything that moves be it by arrow, bullet, or vehicle....or a bigger buck (also embarrassed by having this guy around) I might shoot at it. As all of this is going thru my mind while I am standing up a tree the buck will make the decision for me. The white flag waves at me from a distance.
 
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