The Hunting Beast

When it comes to setting goals for how big of a buck you want to take, do you go for the biggest bucks on your land or in your area, or, do you set a goal, just say 140", and go wherever you need to go even if it's hours away until you find one that caliber? I'm not talking about out of state hunts, only in your state.

I usually have a target buck and most times more than one. Some years I get him some years I don't. This year I didn't.

Up till last year I always said anything under 130 Inches walks no matter the age. He could've been 10 years old and he would've gotten the pass. I've kind of changed my tune on that now. I still think I'll let a mid 120's 3.5 pass If that's the best buck I have on the land but If he's a 4.5 Instead he's getting an arrow If he's the biggest I've got around. More or less I'll take the best buck (4.5 and older) If I have one around.

Good question., I hunt all different types of properties here in WI so my standards tend to go up or down depending on where I am hunting. On public close to my house 120 inches. On public up north in the big woods 2.5 year 100 to 110 inch 8 pt would do. On private in the hill country 140 minimum. If I get the lease I'm working on close to home, 120 or so.

[ Post made via Android ]

western NY- fill every doe tag with precise kills
family farm 130 or 3.5 UNLESS I have a target buck from observation/cams/scouting

ohio public
3.5 unless i find bigger or sign that just gives me that feeling

I haven't set out a trail cam in 3yrs, now. I set my goal at any buck that makes my heart race.

This approach works best for me. I've got two known targets for 2012. They're both does....lol.

i put out cameras to take inventory....i go after the biggest buck on the land it may be 110 or it may be 160 , whatever the biggest buck is on that farm i hunt.....if there's not one im comfortable shooting then i move on to a differnt farm

In the past I used trail cam pics and would be happy with the top 3. My goal this year is to shoot a 2.5 year old or better off a bed.When I learn how to do that I'll set my goals higher.

I don't have a set goal, I know the buck when I see him. If he makes me say "holy " I am shooting.

[ Post made via Android ]

I have definate goals for 2012.

Rack score is not among them, but I dont shoot dinks..... .........not yet at least.....

Just to shoot a good buck for the area I am in. My drive is as strong as ever and I am continuously learning so hopefully better and better bucks will fall.

Here at home if youre waiting for a 150" deer, youll be waiting awhile. In 15 seasons with a bow, I have seen 3 that would go that big. My goal here is 3.5, 2.5 on some properties.

If I am traveling to another state, P&Y minimum.

Most of my local ground has good deer populations but never the age structure due to pressure. A 2.5 is going to bite the dust on them - because quite frankly, the large majority of bucks taken are 1.5. I have two properties that will hold a 3.5 or older and I've passed 2.5s there almost every year.

Ohio....3.5 and up. I only spend about one week there each season to hunt and I think it is a reasonable goal. Had a dandy 2.5 teasing me this past season and I just couldn't touch the release on it.

I do a lot of bowhunting in Wisconsin, and have always had a goal of 3.5+, although this year I passed on a buck that I believe was 3.5 - he just didn't do much for me. However this next year I will be doing a lot of my bowhunting in MI on public property (little baby on the way!), so the first 2.5 I see is probably going to get smacked. From what I've heard and read, a 2.5 is pretty good on MI public land....

I set different goals for each area I hunt based on whats available to hunt and how many tags I have.