The out of state dilemma

[Tennhunter3]

I would let the decent walk to try to kill the monster. Decent bucks are in most areas monsters are few and far between.

[jporcello]

i set a certain goal for myself last year and let a P&Y walk last season, i did eat my tag but i learned a lot. would i be happy shooting a 150" vs a 180" absolutely but that just me.

[elk yinzer]

I would shoot whichever mature buck gave me a shot.

[Abishai]

Since most deer operate on a 3 day rotation type schedule, I'm shooting the next nice buck--especially on a 4-day hunt.

If I had all season and 1 buck tag I might hold out. But not in this instance.

[justdirtyfun]

I'm thinking this through a little. Even the state in question will be thrown into the decision. Iowa comes to mind.
Since you are in Iowa staring at a nice buck, remember that you won't be back for a few years. I would shoot him.
In most other states where it's available every year, I might wait for the slob.

[Josh_S]

The first shooter that offers me a shot I feel confident in gets an arrow. I'm not yet the caliber of hunter to let shooters walk. Maybe someday, but probably not anytime soon. I've got a lot more learning and growing to do as hunter before I'm at that point.

[tim]

That’s a tough question only cause I don’t care about score. It can have a huge frame and score crappy and I’m all about it over a perfectly symmetrical spindly younger Deer with a big score. So tough one to answer. Last year I was told about a big deer on a farm I hunt and that I’d have a hard time passing cause it was a very wide triple beam buck scoring around 170 but only 3 years old. I seen it and I did pass. He was a younger Deer . He did make it through gun season.... I’m glad he’s not out of state

[Ashreve93]

What a great question!

Most people say they are bummed when their season ends early. That's because they make it end early. We all know the best scouting for next year is during this year's hunting season. So, i wouldn't be upset one bit about shooting the second buck. BUT, it depends on where the buck is walking to, and where it came from. If it's very unlikely he will smell me, I'm making plans to jump on him the next day.

If he will most likely smell me, I'm shooting the second buck and using that time to scout for the next year.

But let's be honest, who knows what'll actually Happen when you're in the tree. I may pass the second cause I'm too excited about seeing a monster to shot a smaller buck.

[oldrank]

I'm weird with personal size standards.. it really is up to how I feel that day.

[Hawthorne]

I heard a saying once, don’t pass on a buck the first day that you would shoot the last day. Last year out of state I passed a small 7 and a small 8 point and I still wouldn’t of shot them the last day. It’s an individual thing imo.

[Jonny]

I heard a saying once, don’t pass on a buck the first day that you would shoot the last day. Last year out of state I passed a small 7 and a small 8 point and I still wouldn’t of shot them the last day. It’s an individual thing imo.

Exactly how I think.

You are out hunting. The money is already spent whether you are there 4 days or 1 day. Id hate to spend 4 years looking at a blank spot on the wall cause I passed a buck the first day I would be happy to shoot.

To each their own. Shoot what you are happy with, and pass what you wouldn’t be happy with. You will get a congrats from me if it’s a spike or a booner.

[Mike32]

I more than likely won't pass the second one

[Missionshooter]

I'm shooting the 2nd buck. Shoot what makes you happy. It would have to be a 200" deer for me to pass #2

[PK_]

I’m shooting both because I chose a 2 buck state.

[muddy]

Depends on what you define as a "monster". If I see something in that realm I'm going to hold out till the bitter end. Shooters come and go but those "monsters" do not.