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How do you know when to shoot?
#5917441
09/08/15 01:40 AM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 90
Stickman11b
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 90 |
I was looking at some postings of hunter's deer pictures, and came across a thought. How do you know when a spread is legal? I know that 13 inches is the legal spread and, I know this is a noob (novice/rookie) question, but if your not good with precise measurements, what do you do? I've looked at the TPWD youtube videos but it's still kind of blank on how you would know. There are so many pictures of nice bucks with good racks, but when you are face to face with that "legal spread" situation during an opportunity to take a shot, what tips or experience do you use to know? please share if you are willing.
There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.
-ERNEST HEMINGWAY
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5917483
09/08/15 01:53 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,537
rickym
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,537 |
If your hunting on your own property or a place you have leased. Put a few 13 1/2 inch strips of wood in different place in your area so you have something to compare to
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5917503
09/08/15 02:02 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,537
rickym
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,537 |
And if your leasing be sure to ask permission from the landowner before you put a nail into a tree!
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: rickym]
#5917508
09/08/15 02:03 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,891
txshntr
T-Rex Arms
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T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,891 |
If your hunting on your own property or a place you have leased. Put a few 13 1/2 inch strips of wood in different place in your area so you have something to compare to Have a buddy that uses PVC so he can see it better. IMO, it is tough for new hunters to try to judge a spread. Once you have killed a few, you start to get a better idea. Basically, if it is close, don't shoot. Running trail cams will help with judging and getting opinions from people that are familiar with deer in your area and from folks with more experience. Good luck
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5917509
09/08/15 02:03 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,572
TexFlip
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,572 |
If you're not sure, don't pull the trigger. If it looks close, it's probably not 13".
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5917514
09/08/15 02:06 AM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 90
Stickman11b
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Outdoorsman
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 90 |
lol.. That is a very good tip. I am planning on leasing from a guy I know. The property is in Olney there are not many trees around but I know what you mean by hanging the wood up. Maybe if I carry one around with me I'll get the hang of it as well, or even around my house. My wife my not like but she'll get used to it.
Well that is my one question about the spread. The lease I am planning on getting, the owner, only wants a spread of 4 inches on down to be shot and I think 7 inches on up to be shot. I recollect that's what I was told. I will get further clarification and update this post but from what I remember that's what he said. I just don't wanna upset him or lose out on shooting a buck because I'm doing a math quiz in my head on if it's okay or not.
Last edited by Stickman11b; 09/08/15 02:12 AM.
There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.
-ERNEST HEMINGWAY
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5917532
09/08/15 02:16 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,515
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,515 |
Never try to determine spread if the deer is facing away from you, they always look bigger from the back. Like said above use a stick, attach one to the feeder would not hurt.
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5917563
09/08/15 02:24 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
rifleman
Sparkly Pants
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Sparkly Pants
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461 |
I have predetermined spread estimates.
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5917573
09/08/15 02:32 AM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 90
Stickman11b
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 90 |
Do you think I would benefit from using a board and putting measurement marks on it?
There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.
-ERNEST HEMINGWAY
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5917661
09/08/15 03:14 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
Do you think I would benefit from using a board and putting measurement marks on it? Yes I did something similar 24 yrs ago now with white duct tape and black tape to make a ruler on the side of a feeder. When a buck would stand looking at the camera under it you could measure his spread and tine length.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5917721
09/08/15 04:23 AM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 90
Stickman11b
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 90 |
I will try that then. Thanks for the advice!
There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.
-ERNEST HEMINGWAY
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5917733
09/08/15 04:45 AM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 176
png
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 176 |
Good question and great tips.
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5917922
09/08/15 01:17 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 195
DH 1
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 195 |
I shoot when the crosshairs are just behind the front leg and centered between his back and his belly.
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5918647
09/08/15 08:51 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,867
PMK
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,867 |
lol.. That is a very good tip. I am planning on leasing from a guy I know. The property is in Olney there are not many trees around but I know what you mean by hanging the wood up. Maybe if I carry one around with me I'll get the hang of it as well, or even around my house. My wife my not like but she'll get used to it.
Well that is my one question about the spread. The lease I am planning on getting, the owner, only wants a spread of 4 inches on down to be shot and I think 7 inches on up to be shot. I recollect that's what I was told. I will get further clarification and update this post but from what I remember that's what he said. I just don't wanna upset him or lose out on shooting a buck because I'm doing a math quiz in my head on if it's okay or not. spread <4 and >7??? ... just don't shoot 4-7 inch spreads?
"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."
~PMK~
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5918657
09/08/15 08:57 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,856
REALKILLER
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,856 |
Oh man, just hope a good ol wide one comes out, like my ol huntin buddy used to say.
Recently got a gym membership, strange folks! I like to show up the roid zombies with my full motion curls with the 55lb. bells. Not their cheater short stroked light weights. It's holarious.
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5919507
09/09/15 06:48 AM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 90
Stickman11b
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 90 |
I am not good at eyeing measurements PMK. That's why I was asking, but I get the logic of what you are saying.
There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.
-ERNEST HEMINGWAY
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5921231
09/10/15 02:53 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 10,496
Halfadozen
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 10,496 |
You'll know when a buck is well outside his ears. Just have to get a good frontal view. Don't mind the AR myself. A quick grunt or whistle will get his ear alert for a quick look. If fortunate ate enough to have multiple,pics of the buck, you will recognize him in the field for a better decision. If in doubt just pass. You'll be fine when you take a bit of time to evaluate on hoof.
Freedom is a fragile thing ...Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again. -- Ronald Reagan
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5921655
09/10/15 12:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498
Erathkid
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498 |
I NEVER hunt without my binocs. They should be standard equipment.
Life is too short, as is. Don't chance it. Don't text and drive.
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5921991
09/10/15 04:27 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 968
dogdown23
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 968 |
If you don't know when to shoot, then you probably don't need to shoot.
Dogdown
The only thing that'll stop a bad man with a gun, is a good man with a gun.
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: txshntr]
#5922365
09/10/15 08:22 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271
SniperRAB
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21,271 |
If your hunting on your own property or a place you have leased. Put a few 13 1/2 inch strips of wood in different place in your area so you have something to compare to Have a buddy that uses PVC so he can see it better. IMO, it is tough for new hunters to try to judge a spread. Once you have killed a few, you start to get a better idea. Basically, if it is close, don't shoot. Running trail cams will help with judging and getting opinions from people that are familiar with deer in your area and from folks with more experience. Good luck Actually a good idea, so glad I don't have to do that ...be tough on my eyes
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5925432
09/12/15 06:52 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,380
redfred
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,380 |
The rule of thumb we use on our lease is that when you look at the rack and say, "Mmmm, looks like it's legal", then pass. If you look and think, "Holy Cow! Look at that!", then fire away.
Alcohol,Tobacco, and Firearms. Should not be a government bureau. Should be a department store.
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: redfred]
#5925586
09/12/15 09:46 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,806
MathMan
Pro Tracker
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The rule of thumb we use on our lease is that when you look at the rack and say, "Mmmm, looks like it's legal", then pass. If you look and think, "Holy Cow! Look at that!", then fire away. I like that rule. It could go either way. Holy cow look at that! he needs to go...or holy cow!!! Look at that! Hes awesome!
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Stickman11b]
#5925780
09/13/15 01:22 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,550
rtp
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,550 |
Let'em grow old
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: rtp]
#5925792
09/13/15 01:28 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,916
Simple Searcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,916 |
"Man is still a hunter, still a simple searcher after meat..." Robert C. Ruark
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Re: How do you know when to shoot?
[Re: Simple Searcher]
#5925832
09/13/15 01:53 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287
scalebuster
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287 |
That's how I thought you were supposed to judge a "RAM" on a high fence "HUNT."
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