Thoughts?

[Toke2]

So put my first trail cam up on Public Land - put it up at 7:30 ish last Saturday. We went back and checked it noon the next day, with no expectations really. Had no time to really scout.... did find two decent rubs so strapped it to tree and dropped down a mineral lick. Lo and behold, within a couple of hours, this fella was posing. After studying these not so good pics, I'm thinking he's a 9. Age I have no idea, maybe 2-3 range? Doesn't look too old, but the shot from rear to front shows this guys not missed many meals!! So would love to get the thoughts of more experienced folks - Age? and would you shoot this guy or pass? I was just happy to have buck on my cam the first night!

[00buck]

thats all up too you i would pass but i hunt private land and see alot of deer there

[Stonegod]

I'd shoot him......skin him.....and eat him!!!!........and hang the rack on the wall!

[ibppmd]

Probably 2.5, Toke. Good genetics...I see 5 points on his right and am assuming the same on the left. He'll blow up next year if he makes it. Less than 5% of hunters on public land will pass on that buck. So, no one can fault you for taking him. Best of luck, KB

[buckstalker17]

So put my first trail cam up on Public Land - put it up at 7:30 ish last Saturday. We went back and checked it noon the next day, with no expectations really. Had no time to really scout.... did find two decent rubs so strapped it to tree and dropped down a mineral lick. Lo and behold, within a couple of hours, this fella was posing. After studying these not so good pics, I'm thinking he's a 9. Age I have no idea, maybe 2-3 range? Doesn't look too old, but the shot from rear to front shows this guys not missed many meals!! So would love to get the thoughts of more experienced folks - Age? and would you shoot this guy or pass? I was just happy to have buck on my cam the first night! hes still young but its about what you think is a shooter . i just don't shoot a buck that i won't spend a few $ to have mounted just do what you feel is rt and don't worry what people think hes still a nice deer but you are on the rt track with the area.good luck to ya this season.. just remember dont pass on a deer on first day that you would shoot on the last day

[Toke2]

Probably 2.5, Toke. Good genetics...I see 5 points on his right and am assuming the same on the left. He'll blow up next year if he makes it. Less than 5% of hunters on public land will pass on that buck. So, no one can fault you for taking him. Best of luck, KB

That's the dilemma - if this were private land, I'd let him go for a year or two, but if I pass there's a better than average chance that someone takes him. I'll just have to call an audible. If I get the chance to see him live, I will make the call. In years past, I've seen some much more mature bucks with much better mass. Hopefully I'll run into this guys Daddy....

[00buck]

well if i hunt public land i would shoot it but hunting private land i would try to let it go for a year or two

[mrbb]

well I say 2+ on the age
as for shooting a buck
way I see it is if it makes you happy its size, then shoot it
BUT I hate hearing people say cause its on public lands Better shoot it or some one else will!!
thats a crappy reason to shoot a deer
and a HUGE reason why public lands are what they are
if its not the size you WANT, why shoot it??
and secondly, with this shoot it or someone else will
how do you expect better bucks to get there??
its like folks up here in PA that bitch there are no deer then shoot the deer they see, and still complain about there being no deer

if you feel this way STOP being part of the problem, and let them grow to the size you want
if it means eating a tag, so be it
want meat, shoot a doe!
there will never be BIG bucks if everyone has this idea!! private or public lands, its still YOU doing the shooting! OR NOT!!
and the saying goes, if you want a big buck and you shoot a small one, , never going to happen that way!

[So.OHsalesman]

Toke,

These guys all have good points and bad ones. I agree that the 'shoot it or someone else will" is probably not the best way to decide.. My advice, it's pretty early, take your time, see what's out there, then make your call. You are the one that will make that decision and you will be the one who either lays down at night either happy or thinking you should have waited. There is always going to be a buck that's bigger than the one you kill. So take your time, make sure it's what YOU want. Patience is key man!

[gonehunting 45]

So put my first trail cam up on Public Land - put it up at 7:30 ish last Saturday. We went back and checked it noon the next day, with no expectations really. Had no time to really scout.... did find two decent rubs so strapped it to tree and dropped down a mineral lick. Lo and behold, within a couple of hours, this fella was posing. After studying these not so good pics, I'm thinking he's a 9. Age I have no idea, maybe 2-3 range? Doesn't look too old, but the shot from rear to front shows this guys not missed many meals!! So would love to get the thoughts of more experienced folks - Age? and would you shoot this guy or pass? I was just happy to have buck on my cam the first night!

Heres what I'll say.
Age I'd say your right on 2-3.
score 120is

should you shoot or not is all up to you.Cant worry about what others would do.
I hunt public land and have for years. The one thing you cant think about is if I dont shoot him someone else will. I only have 3 bucks to my credit and I have never thought dang I should have let that guy walk. I'm not a great hunter or trophy hunter by any set of standards, but I have set goals and made my mind up as to what I think a shooter is. I can say I have let more bucks walk than I've killed and don't regret any of it. I have learned that tag soup tastes a little better with salt and pepper..lol
What I'm saying is your the hunter you decide what you will or will not shoot.

[Big_Holla]

Along the same lines as others above, I would say it's no more than a 2 1/2 year old though. Totally up to you on shooting him or not. One question for you.....have you ever shot one with a bow as big as him?? That is how I would judge whether I would shoot him or not, public or private.

[00buck]

what i meant by i would not shoot him on private land is that where i hunt the land owner will not let you shoot anything under 130 not that i would not shoot it. it is i cant on the private land i hunt if it were my land i probally would have to see it in person to decide

[Toke2]

Great feedback... As I mentioned, if I'm lucky enough to see him, I will judge at that point. I am still looking for my FIRST buck, so that will play into my decision more so than the public/private land. I do appreciate however, the thoughts about not shooting every deer and then complaining about the lack of them. In the area I hunt, the numbers are good... but I'd like it stay that way. Hopefully, I see the monster that crashed in behind me two years ago ( over my shooting shoulder) - made eye contact when I turned my head - snorted at me - and he was gone before I could even lift my weapon. Seeing him would make the decision very easy.

[buckstalker17]

That's how you look at it toke (judge )each deer and make a game day decision do I want him or not when you hunting trophy deer you will have to pass on a few that are nice. it might take all season to find him then agin you might not see another that's why the call it hunting good luck to ya.

[gonehunting 45]

Great feedback... As I mentioned, if I'm lucky enough to see him, I will judge at that point. I am still looking for my FIRST buck, so that will play into my decision more so than the public/private land. I do appreciate however, the thoughts about not shooting every deer and then complaining about the lack of them. In the area I hunt, the numbers are good... but I'd like it stay that way. Hopefully, I see the monster that crashed in behind me two years ago ( over my shooting shoulder) - made eye contact when I turned my head - snorted at me - and he was gone before I could even lift my weapon. Seeing him would make the decision very easy.

With that said. Shoot what ever you want. Good luck.. hope you put one on the ground

[smokin_aces]

definitely a 2.5yr old buck prolly around the 115" range, if it were me i would let him go another year or two, the only problem with that is you hunt public land so chances of someone letting him walk during gun season is extremely low, but in the end if your happy with him then go for it if not hold out for something bigger and hopefully he makes it through the season

[teej89]

I'd shoot him, I learned my lesson last year in gun season. Saw a monster of a ten in bow season and was hunting him hard and only had one chance at him but unfortunately he never presented a shot. Anyways I had a chance at a nice 9 but nowhere near the size on the 10 i saw and I passed on him at 5 yards, and I regret it ever since, never saw him again and went without a buck last year. Any whitetail buck taken with a bow is a great accomplishment, however I do draw the line at shooting small 6 points, I'll let them grow or let the kids shoot em.

[Bambislastbreath]

well I say 2+ on the age
as for shooting a buck
way I see it is if it makes you happy its size, then shoot it
BUT I hate hearing people say cause its on public lands Better shoot it or some one else will!!
thats a crappy reason to shoot a deer
and a HUGE reason why public lands are what they are
if its not the size you WANT, why shoot it??
and secondly, with this shoot it or someone else will
how do you expect better bucks to get there??
its like folks up here in PA that bitch there are no deer then shoot the deer they see, and still complain about there being no deer

if you feel this way STOP being part of the problem, and let them grow to the size you want
if it means eating a tag, so be it
want meat, shoot a doe!
there will never be BIG bucks if everyone has this idea!! private or public lands, its still YOU doing the shooting! OR NOT!!
and the saying goes, if you want a big buck and you shoot a small one, , never going to happen that way!

WOW i could not have said it any better!!!!!!

if hes not the size you want, why shoot it.......perfect words......

my 2 cents....if you shoot him, would you be happy with him or would you think about how you could have shot better?....thats the real question, if shooting him makes you happy and plants a big ole smile on your face for the rest of the season, then take him.... if shooting him is gonna make you regret taking him...pass and let someone else you would be thrilled to take such an animal

myself, i would be crapping my pants happy to take him, i know there are bigger bucks out there, but any chance to take a buck over year and half to me is special.....

i would say 2 1/2 years 120ish....he is a 9 for sure

[Bushman]

Nice big bodied deer. Id give the rack another year and take my chances. Maybe there are nicer ones about!

[tilelayer1]

I commend you on your patience if you haven't taken any bucks yet.I don't know your age but my first buck was certainly an exciting experience.Patience is something that normally takes a few years (and kills) to learn.You will get alot of opinions on here,sort them out,but its your decision what buck it worthy of its taking.Good luck!