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Getting past the “what if” phase

lazy_turtle

lazy_turtle

Member
This thought has plagued me for a long time.

Current example: I’m hunting a deer right now that I believe to be 5 years old. Roughly 175-180”. Close to my biggest deer ever, I have two 170s.

I don’t really have a reason to pass him, he meets my goals, but then the what if creeps in:

“what if he’d be 200 next year”
“Should I start passing deer until 6-7”
“Should I hunt hard until rifle is over and then pass?” (I’m in Missouri, so lots of rifle)

Pretty much every time I get a deer with great genetics, I feel like I can’t land on how old to let him go.

If I was the only hunter alive, I don’t think I’d have trouble passing a lot those situations. But, how much do you let the reality of neighbor hunting affect the goals that you have.

Alright. Done rambling.
 
Cancel out all the noise and do what makes you happy. You don’t have to punch a tag every year to be successful. I’d get more satisfaction passing that deer and hoping to find his sheds and meeting him again next year. If the neighbor gets him so be it. Shake his hand and crack a beer and help him celebrate. Maybe he’ll decide next year to raise the bar as well and that would make the hunting better for both of you.
 
Great post!!!! Everyone goes through this - whether it’s their first time at a 2.5 year old on up. Love that dudes still find ways to climb the ladder & find new challenges.
No right or wrong obviously. IMO- how u expressed it…. If u did shoot him, it probably would be “another great one” but it would almost insure u pass the same type of buck next time. No right or wrong but I can feel your progression.
If u didn’t do it…. U could be bummed if he winds up dead but u also would have one heck of a season next year if he made it.
I like passing em. But…. I’m OLD, soft & willing to gamble. Me 10 years ago- no way would I pass. Me now- sure. I lose the gamble sometimes. Also win sometimes as well. I’m ok with that. Dudes that do pass have to be able to get over finding em dead or having em die. Over years of 5.5 year olds passed - most make it though no matter where. MOST (like 51%++). They just get so smart vs 3 or 4. So, I bet on the deer. & sometimes I lose.
The obvious other outlook only you know “I’d be frigin stoked to get him” - pretty obvious do it! The other side for some hunters “he just wouldn’t make me go crazy & maybe feel guilty”…. Then I wouldn’t.
This is me personally…. I’ve NEVER shot a deer I didn’t really want to because “if I don’t - the neighbor might”. I personally would rather let that neighbor kill em as I won’t do it. If it’s a buck that doesn’t meet xyz criteria (say a bomber 4 year old, NEVER!!!!!!). But that’s just me.
No right or wrong but 1) your gut is deep down telling u the answer & 2) if u do pass- u have to accept it could end in failure. Kinda like George in back to the future “I just don’t know if I can handle that kind of rejection?!?!?” Same as “if I pass him & he winds up dead, I don’t know if I can handle that!?!?” It takes balls! & that’s not for everyone.
 
Skip lined it out really well! Yep someone else might get him and if you are OK with that then may be a reason to pass. Sounds like you have decent deer around so there will be others. IF he makes it sounds like he could be a slammer. If not, there will be others, deer are a renewable resource. IF you harvest him, no chance he gets bigger/older. Good luck with your decision, let us know if you have the opportunity to shoot him. People around me say “… well you should have let your kids shoot that one.” Or someone else, I wish it was that easy to say yep little Johnny or nephew Billy will be guaranteed to have a shot at this or that 5yo.
 
Thanks everyone, this all great feedback! I’ll just respond to a few things.

> You don’t have to punch a tag every year to be successful

This usually isn’t a problem for me. Back before cell cameras and tracking deer year to year effectively, I went 6 years without killing a buck because I was so caught up on accidentally killing a young one.

That kind of took the joy out of it, so I don’t want to go down that route again. Also this, is the first farm that I personally bought and managed myself. I bought it 3 years ago and this deer was the oldest (2 y/o.) and the biggest at the time. So killing this deer would be an amazing accomplishment for me in that aspect.


> leveling up

I do feel like this is myself wanting to level up a bit. But on the other hand, idk if I’m really accomplished enough at this level to take another level. Am I gonna go down an unattainable path? I’ve killed a quite a few 5.5+ deer. But only 2 that were 170. And only one of those was with was with a bow.


In my area a 170+ is very rare. So just trying to balance that aspect, the fact that rifles are out for 4 out the next 5 weekends, and the fact that I always wonder what they “could be”
 
lazy_turtle said:
Thanks everyone, this all great feedback! I’ll just respond to a few things.

> You don’t have to punch a tag every year to be successful

This usually isn’t a problem for me. Back before cell cameras and tracking deer year to year effectively, I went 6 years without killing a buck because I was so caught up on accidentally killing a young one.

That kind of took the joy out of it, so I don’t want to go down that route again. Also this, is the first farm that I personally bought and managed myself. I bought it 3 years ago and this deer was the oldest (2 y/o.) and the biggest at the time. So killing this deer would be an amazing accomplishment for me in that aspect.


> leveling up

I do feel like this is myself wanting to level up a bit. But on the other hand, idk if I’m really accomplished enough at this level to take another level. Am I gonna go down an unattainable path? I’ve killed a quite a few 5.5+ deer. But only 2 that were 170. And only one of those was with was with a bow.


In my area a 170+ is very rare. So just trying to balance that aspect, the fact that rifles are out for 4 out the next 5 weekends, and the fact that I always wonder what they “could be”
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I was thinking as I started to read your reply, hey this guy is in MO so a 170 there is kind of a big deal. Putting pressure on oneself to shoot X score of deer and “leveling up” to where you eventually have unachievable goals takes a lot of the fun out but getting the opportunity at a 200 is crazy. Good luck!
 
Tough call. I’m envious of your situation. So tough for deer to get to 5 where I am. I really believe in my locale harvesting quality deer is 5% hunting skill, 15% habitat management, 80% having neighbors that don’t shoot 3-4 year olds. Sorry to high jack your thread a bit, I just get pissy this time of year if I don’t have anything worthwhile to hunt.
 
Call me crazy, but passing on a deer can be as big of a rush as killing it. I'm talking actually having it in a killable situation and watching him walk away. If you are fortunate enough to get him in a year or two, it certainly makes the achievement sweeter.
A 170s at 5 1/2 could go either way. With a couple already on the wall, I'd be gambling.
But, having said that, it's up to you, and I'd be happy for you if you're successful. And remember, it's hunting, so even if you decide to hunt him this year, there's still a good chance that you might get to hunt him next year too...
 
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