Best available buck chance, or best buck period?

[Edcyclopedia]

Well my threshold is less than the example so both work for my equation

[exojam]

Until I get some deer under my belt, the best one around will have to do.

[Lastoneout]

Kill the 130" an I still got 3 buck tags left over :)

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[Czabs]

I picked target buck...It all depends on a lot of different situations though. Usually I'm after specific deer but sometimes those deer are only huntable certain times of the year. I'm not going to not hunt, just so I can target a specific deer. Also if i'm targeting a specific deer I will hold out unless something bigger and better steps out! . If I was really after a certain deer though I think I woud do a lot of passing to achieve my goal. It would be pretty cool to pass a 130 incher on public, on film, If I was after something bigger

[PK_]

I'd kill for a 130"

Literally.

[BigHills BuckHunter]

If a buck of similar caliber comes in or a little smaller he gets an arrow.

For Me personally I hunt for an age class anyways. However every year I have several picked out that are higher caliber and older.

I have 3 I have been seeing that are my top priority.

To be honest some of my public land beds I'm not sure how big the buck is that lives there. I go off of the sign left from the year before when I spring scout that tells me an older buck uses that bed. Got lucky this spring and found a good shed stuck up in a tree from a buck rub. I have not hit this spot yet.

[Jay]

Best available. I've not reached the point where I could pass up a nice buck. Especially with a bow.

[ Post made via iPhone ]

[Buckfever]

I've done both but haven't killed one in a while, so I can't promise you anything.

[BassBoysLLP]

It would be pretty cool to pass a 130 incher on public....If I was after something bigger

Perhaps I should be killing these 130 inch bucks on public. I've passed at least 3 each of the last three years on public in Southern WI. At the same time, I've had several encounters with 150-180" targets. Many of my spots are far back. To be honest, I don't want to drag a 130 inch buck out of there. If it was close to the truck (rare), I'd consider shooting.

This is where I'm at in my pursuit and I'm completely happy with it.

To lay it on film is a dream. I give you a lot of credit. And all those that take the camera to the woods.

[Rubline]

Example; you have your target/minimum goal buck picked out a nice 10 point (145). Low and behold a nice 9 point (130) gives you that perfect 15 yard cinchy shot. Do you take the 9 or pass and hope for a shot at the 10. I think we all understand the chances you get are very limited each year.

This sums up my 2012 season to a T, except I let the "nice 8 (130)" walk 3 times.
Got a chance at the bigger target buck, but it didn't pan out...so I would have to
say target buck for me, but if something bigger comes along, plans can be improvised.

I will say this, when in your mind you have decided to give a particular deer a free pass,
it is much easier "nerves" wise to let them come in and go by....

[Czabs]

Bassboy, that my friend is impressive! I got catching up to do!

[ Post made via Android ]

[Stanley]

Well my threshold is less than the example so both work for my equation

I'm marking you down as best available then Ed.

[Stanley]

Bassboy, that my friend is impressive! I got catching up to do!

[ Post made via Android ]

I agree, In our local archery club there isn't one guy that would pass a 130 incher.

[Schultzy]

Usually If there's one particular buck I'm after nothing smaller will get shot at. Countless times I've passed decent bucks (125 to 130 Inchers) which are great bucks for my area. However if something bigger shows its go time. . My standards have usually been anything under 130 Inches walks no matter what is around. I will say though my standards are too high for the area I hunt in. The last couple years I've told myself countless times it's time to start shooting the best buck that I know that's on the land as long as he's 4 years old no matter the inches. I'm having a hard time doing this though. One never knows what can show up.

[phade]

Interesting discussion.

Me and my hunting partner locked on to a handful of bucks that would qualify as targets (generally 3.5 and up). Three of them have distanced themselves from the pack growth-wise, with a rather good gap between Buck #3 and Buck #2; however, the gap between Buck #2 and Buck #1 is astounding for our area. Buck #2 is 140 inches and will net out very cleanly and we have some history with him, including complete sheds from this past year. Both bucks are likely lifetime bucks for most hunters, but Buck #1 is a lifetime buck for most all hunters in all states and is exceptionally rare for our area.

I don't think either one of us knows what will happen as Buck #2 has given us confidence he is killable pretty early on. Buck #1 is just elite. It's going to be tough to pass a 140, but may need to be done to have a chance at the other. Then again, both would enjoy shooting that 140.

I never thought I'd face such a quandry in hunting.

I can't vote because I don't know.