I had a beautiful ten point a few years back that would have been my biggest buck ever but I thought too "One more year". Anyways the last weekend of season the neighbors son kills it, 21 inches wide and they had it mounted. I don't have regrets BUT if it had double drops and scored 160 it would have been removed, can't have those bad drop tine genetics running around our place.

You could always try and shoot off the antlers.

He may get bigger.
But he may not ever be another doubledrop for the rest of his life.

Who's to say if you'll live another year?

Ever think of it that way?

If you have a shot, shoot, if it feels like you should wait, then wait, the last thing you want is a reminder on the wall asking yourself everyday why didn't you wait one more year.

d

Im shooting it. Too much chance of someone else getting it.

Hope.

Hope he gets bigger.
Hope no one else shoots him.
Hope he comes back.
Hope I see him again.


Obama had hope too.

How'd that work for you?

I hope everyone passes on big ones around me.

Me to Vernon, more the merrier.

Your decision and you have to live with which ever one of the scenarios you choose. You laid out the negatives and only one postive it seems to me.

I would have taken him

I can understand you want to see him grow, but if you have a small piece of land what are the chances he won't by shot by someone else, run over, killed by natural causes, etc.

I respect you for taking a chance, but I'm not sure I could have done the same.

Ol double drop comes from an awesome hunting background and has quite a resume deer and deer hunting. He's trained by the only guide school in the nation (COAGS) and is no stranger to letting a biggun get big. He let this deer walk Friday morning after thanksgiving (still can't believe you didn't take your camera that day).

even better said!!

I agree with - If he walks out and I immediately think "shooter" he is done! Period. Letting them walk to get age and antler size is a very bad gamble...the odds are stacked against you by a long shot, even on large ranches. Now, if he is an average buck, let him go and "grow"...if he is exceptional and gets your heart racing - then shoot him! It's called hunting, and the reason we(well most of us) do it because we enjoy the outdoors, the fresh meat, commraderie, the excitement and quick heart beat we feel when a big'un walks out, etc --- but, if you are only in it for the size of bone on a deer's head I think you are totally missing the point!

Should have shot

Your next post will be about a headless deer you found or a neighbor next door shooting him

You could've spooked the deer if you were going to let him walk. That way he goes on alert (or hopefully nocturnal) for sometime, thus helping to ensure the neighbors dont see him.

If any of your neigboring ranches come up for lease please let me know. i would love to hunt next to someone who doesn't know when to pull the trigger! just plain greed right there.....if you'll pass up a 160 in hopes that he might get to 170 and then worry about it enough to put a post on here......greedy.

Im still waiting on pictures. I passes a 170 yesterday too... I want to see pics!!!!!

I dont know you or where you hunt, but score on trail cam pics is in the eye of the beholder, lets see some pictures!

Again

matt

I let the 163 inch 8 that I shot last year walk for two years...sometimes the wait makes it all the sweeter. Is it a risk? Sure...but sometimes it's worth it to see just what will happen.

I hope he passes in front of my stand!!!!
theres my hope!

good deal.... if you want to pass him, he didn't do it for you. I have passed several deer in the 140's and 150's, and one in the 160's this year. chances are if you shoot the first 140 or 150 that you see, you will never get a 170 or 180.

Deer are gettin bigger in Texas, at least in my area, and it's because of people like you. (and ARs) Some folks set age restrictions, not score restrictions, on themselves and stick to them. Sounds like your in that group. Thanks for the effort! I hope it pays off.

I think it basically comes down to...EACH HIS OWN! If I saw a 160+ buck and had a shot the only reason it would not be at the Taxi the next morning would be because I got buck fever a missed. Now that being said I had never harvested a 10 before this season and told anyone who would listen that the first ten I saw I was going to drop...and then I saw a ten and let him walk...thankfully! Two days later I was rewarded with the best buck I have ever harvested.

That's tough especially out in west Texas, where antler size depends a lot on rain between now and next season. I had a buddy pass on a deer one year because he was 3.5 and the next year he was actually smaller because they didn't get much rain. They hunted out south of Stanton just north of Garden City hwy.