Average Joe poll

[Edcyclopedia]

There are a couple of DOZEN Bonified Mature Big Buck Hunters on this site and I am purely envious...

You mature buck hunters can answer the poll if you would like too, [glow=red]however this poll is mainly for the average Joe (or Ed) that has yet to seal the deal on the Big Boy.[/glow]

~ I myself have gotten a few dozen deer consisitng of a few nice bucks around 100". The last two seasons I have passed alot of deer (for me) waiting/hoping I could connect with no avail.
Or I have chosen not to shoot with a poor shot opportunitity - I feel it is just a matter of tme and gave myself the "5-year plan".

[glow=red]My answer is -[/glow] I would take the 8-pointer without a doubt if provided a quality shot.



Chime in with some diolog if you so choose!
Lastly - Guess his score...

[Stanley]

Depends on where you are located. In the Midwest if you take out the 8 you eliminate any chance he will get bigger. Not all 8 pointer are always 8 pointers. I had an 8 pointer that was an 8 pointer for 5.5 years. The next year (6.5) he had 10 points and 3 stickers. You just never know unless you kill them. Then you do know.

[Indianahunter]

I agree with Stanley In that if you want a bigger one you can't kill one of those guys. However if you are happy to harvest one of those and can do it with a grateful heart then it is a trophy Lay the smack down my friend. Good Luck!

[BigHunt]

have you harvested any bucks yet with the bow? if not that would be a great buck to shoot

[kenn1320]

I dont see bucks that big, and have never shot one that big. I voted yes.

[virginiashadow]

I am an average joe hunter, and yes, I would arrow that buck. I have only ever arrowed one 3.5 year old buck as all the rest have been 2.5 year olds. KILL!

[keb]

I have shot many like that you have to start some where, very few people just starting killing big bucks from day one. Its a progreesion they will get bigger each year or you will start going to places where they are. I build every year, taken ten years to get where I want to be and have the time and patience to travel and hunt.

Don confuse the bucks you hunt with everyones elses, in some places thats as good as it gets.

[NatureBoy]

At this point in my hunting development, absolutely! I've yet to put the drop on one that big. I'm with you Ed. MA, NH are tough. Most guys around here would be proud to take that buck and most would have it mounted.

[muddy]

If I were in your shoes I'd shoot him. It wasn't that long ago that the largest buck I'd shot was a busted up 6 pointer and my only goal was to shoot one bigger.

[Stanley]

I have shot many like that you have to start some where, very few people just starting killing big bucks from day one. Its a progreesion they will get bigger each year or you will start going to places where they are. I build every year, taken ten years to get where I want to be and have the time and patience to travel and hunt.

Don confuse the bucks you hunt with everyones elses, in some places thats as good as it gets.

Great post.

[Mountain Man]

Depends on where you are located. In the Midwest if you take out the 8 you eliminate any chance he will get bigger. Not all 8 pointer are always 8 pointers. I had an 8 pointer that was an 8 pointer for 5.5 years. The next year (6.5) he had 10 points and 3 stickers. You just never know unless you kill them. Then you do know.

While that statement is true, then again many 8 pointers will always be nothing more than an 8 pointer.

Even in the midwest there are still a lot of bowhunters that will never shoot one (Ed's deer in the photo) that "big" for a variety of reasons.

If you've never shot one that "big" and you pass on this one, you still have never shot anything "big" according to your standards. Shoot whatever makes you happy.

For me that buck is what I would consider a decent buck and I would probably shoot him.

[goldtip5575]

Unless its going on the wall for you id pass on that buck.Id rather wack a doe for meat than a smaller buck.That buck is well past the ears but will look thin when it sheds.If its a trophy for you thats all that matters.You said you have let some like that go for 5 years now.Are they reaching a certain size and getting shot by others or leaveing the property?Or have you saw them as bigger 135-145 class deer but just havent got them close enough?Ill guess 120 on the high end on that wide 8pt.

[Southern Man]

I voted no....for me. I've killed some bigger than that.
I try to kill bigger than I have in the past and I have. But to do that I've gone some years without filling my tag. For me it doesn't fill the bill.

But for you, shoot what makes you happy. Not all of us have the kind of bucks available that we dream of. I do believe there are more big bucks out there, in all areas, than what most people think there is. If you take the lesser buck than what you reasonably want, or believe you have a chance at, you'll never get there.

But hey, that's a good buck. If you haven't taken one that big, hammer him. Go for bigger next year. Have fun along the way.

[adrenalin]

I'd shoot him for sure. The ONLY question you should be answering is, Would it make YOU happy if you shot him. That's your answer right their. Who gives a what everyone else does. People get way to caught up in thinking about what others think, and the fact of the matter is people hunt in different spots with way different size deer. If you truly love hunting you will work your way up at the pace you feel comfortable and enjoy it the whole way.

[BackWoodsHunter]

I dont see bucks that big, and have never shot one that big. I voted yes.

X2 he'd get the carbon shaft absolutely.