I gave up trying to be cute the third time my mother slapped me.

I think I was 48 hours old at the time!

My lease partner shot this deer.

Thought it was this deer.

Kickin himself in the arse for not having more patience.

Holy crap, I did NOT mean to stir up quite the controversy! My question was, would "you" have shot? Simple. No ulterior motive, I simply wondered what others on here would have done. I asked the same thing of my lease buddies on my past bucks. Just asking opinions, know what I mean? And, the guy on my lease "giving me grief" gives everyone grief about everything, LOL.

I'm quite happy with my harvest, and he's going to make a nice European mount. I'd probably have done a shoulder mount (look at the neck on him) but I'm just outta room in the "dead room", and I can't keep spending $600 each year on mounts in addition to all the other costs I have when it comes to hunting.

300 Win Mag: He was 4.5 years old. And, so you know, I didn't come on here for any "sugar coating".

As we all know, if they're 8 points at 4.5, the chance of them being any better is pretty darn slim. Look at the nose, look at the rings/white/grey pattern around the eyes. He was well rounded, and had a nice belly on him as well. Sorry, I didn't get pictures of the teeth, but he was most definately 4.5 years old. Given the wet weather we've had the last 12 months, he *might* be 5.5 since the forage has been so soft and the tooth wear may not be "normal".

I took him with a .270 WSM 150 grain at about 60 yards.

Thanks for everyone's responses.

I showed the picture to a buddy, and asked him. His response to me was "Chuck, do you realize how few deer hunters are ever going to take a buck with a 16" inside spead and 4" bases"? And you know what, he's right. Those of us fortunate enough to hunt ranches with the right genetics or management programs quickly forget just how lucky we are, and just how quickly we lose perspective.

Ya'll have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Some of this fella's backstrap will be on the table for sure. As someone in this post said, "you can't eat horns". Yup. But some sauteed backstrap ssssuuuurrrreeee is good!

Chucky-B

oh ya, Ida sent an arrow through it

Just my thoughts, if you feel apologetic then, maybe you need to ask yourself again, do I take it. If you are asking for our permission then you have it.

Nice deer for where you are are, don't let anybody limit your success. It's up to you.

Yeah, just look at how many of us poor misguided souls used your post as an excuse to keep our Blood Pressure medicine working overtime.

To everyone that has been chiming in on this one, Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Randall & Lora

Back to you, bubba

holiday hunter-
if you lease partner shot the top deer mistaking it for the lower one then i would stay the hell away from his area because he might mistake you for something else. probably was a good thing to cull that buck though.

Chuckybrown,
Your buddy is exactly right very few hunters will ever get the chance to harvest an animal like that or even see one in the field. I would have shot him or atleast tried to shoot I would probably have been hyper-ventilating just watching him through the scope. Great job dude!!!

I would have shoot him two. I have let some 3.5 year old deer walk that would have scored in the 170 class. but i manage deer. in high and low fence. With the great year we had. I am culling 8 point that are 4.5 to5.5 year out.

That's a nice deer and heck yes I would have shot him! I estimate I have set in the stand about 41 times since the week before bow season and I am itching to kill something even remotely that good. 4.5 is plenty good for age in most parts of Texas when properties are not huge.
As for sropping the picture...heck no, atleast not for me. That exit wound is awesome and just lets me know you knocked him down with authority!
Great kill and good luck to your hunting buddies on the 9 pointer.

I have watched plenty of good bucks come and go while sitting in the stand, but everytime I drive back to camp, I look for a big one hiding in the brush. And Ive come to understand that there is a time to pull the trigger, let the dust clear, and see whats on the ground. If I have a good feeling when I see a deer, and dont get a real good look at it, Ill shoot it. It may turn out to be a lesser deer but it might be the best deer ever taken on that ranch. Either way you paid for your three or four deer of that place and that counts as one, Id be happy that you left the big one for me. Just my opinion.

That deer is plenty mature. Coming out of a wet year, "growing up" has already been done. You shot a great deer that should taste mighty fine!

Quote:

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"Peace, Love, and Good Thoughts" is the motto of this board....

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Well, if you prefer berating, belittling, sarcasm, rude and obnoxious people, I'm sure those forums are available. Just don't do it here.

Your choice?

Cant win...Get in trouble for being nice and giving solid advice...

BANG!!

I would have not shot that buck, but it is all relevant to where and who you are hunting with. A trophy is in the eye of the person taking the animal. So if your happy, Congrats!

thats a BS responce 300_win_mag hes no milk sucker, he's no muy grande, but hes a good east texas deer, some of us dont get doe tags or hunt counties that allow antlerless kills, nothing to be ashamed of here

holiday hunter-
if you lease partner shot the top deer mistaking it for the lower one then i would stay the hell away from his area because he might mistake you for something else. probably was a good thing to cull that buck though.
It was definitely a good buck to cull. He saw that buck raking some trees behind his feeder, probably got excited and pulled the trigger. He was terribly upset. One thing about it: You can't shoot and release deer!