Do you take a fully mature deer during bow season that scores high teens or low twenty’s or wait until gun season to see if a better deer steps out? I’ve never killed a deer with my bow and am going to bow hunt next weekend. I have two fully mature deer (8&10 point) that are regulars at my bow stand. I guess the real question is do you have different standards for what you consider a good buck with a bow vs. a good buck with a gun? Both of the bucks are solid representatives of the deer on our lease.

Depends if I've seen better. I would find it hard to pass on a fully mature buck that gives me a good shot.

If I had never killed a buck with the bow and a mature buck comes by I will shoot him unless there is one much larger that is a regular on camera that I think there might be a good chance of getting. Any deer with a bow is a trophy IMO

To each his own and no faults in your decisions. Let me try to explain it this way. First of all I am not "rolling film" on any hunt. I don't even take pictures of the game I kill. I don't need to impress anyone, least of all me. When I am out with a bow I am HUNTING. When I am out with a rifle, I am SHOOTING. It's a fine line of distinction. I enjoy both very much but I am really hard pressed to pass up a kill shot with a bow. With a rifle, I can let a target walk no problem. It's YOUR call sir.

If he gets your heart going, shoot him. A bow buck is a hard earned buck, and something to be proud of. Good luck!

I killed my first good buck with a bow last year. 122" 8 pt. I can tell you that while that is a good buck in my area, I wouldn't have shot him with a rifle. Anything with a bow is a great trophy.

This is a decision you have to make. We all have different takes on what to do. It makes you feel good then go for it, this is not a competition.

fling an arrow.

If you would shoot him on the last weekend with a rifle, then take him with the bow the first opportunity you get. As others have said, any mature buck with a bow is a trophy in my book, but the first one is special.

I hate the term "bow buck", but I hear it alot from BOW HUNTERS. If they kill a small buck, they pass it off as a good "bow buck". I don't really get that. Since I bow hunt close to 100%, my standards are the same all the way through the season. I have killed enough bucks in my life that I am not out to shoot a 2-1/2 year old dear (even if "legal"). I am looking for a good 4-5 year old buck period. I do kill a doe and usually even a spike buck each season, but sometimes go 2-3 seasons between my "good" buck.

Now, if I had a rifle, I would have my "good" buck every season! I see mature bucks at least every season during the rut, but sometimes they are beyond my bow range. Nothing you can do about that.

The easiest hunting in my opinion is to just set up on a big wheat field with a good rifle during the rut and if you are comfortable with a 300 yard shot you can get you a great buck! I used to do that!