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Joined: Dec 2004
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,123 Likes: 1 |
They have the area were our deer camp is so shot out that if you want to shoot a buck then shoot the first one you see. He will most likely be the only one you see......if you do see any bucks at all. I prefer old cry does to eat, but they have them shot down pretty well too. With black bears, coyotes and bob cats around the fawns have quite a gauntlet to run. Last years buck was a 2 1/2 yr old and the chewiest I have ever taken. Hunt on!!!!
"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." Albert Einstein
At Khe Sanh a sign read "For those who fight for it, life has a flavor the protected never knew".
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,189 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
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I took a big bodied mature buck opening weekend, so that leaves me one buck. GDub, you did not tell us that tidbit! Yes. Drill the scrub!
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 32,206 Likes: 5
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 32,206 Likes: 5 |
That spike, if aged as you say, isn't ever likely to breed anyway - he's just eating food, with no effect on herd genetics either way. That said, I'd shoot either one giving me first chance, but that's just me. I like to eat. I like shooting culls, myself, regardless. If you have low densities and trying to build the herd, or improve antler quality, let the 8 walk.
Last edited by las; 11/14/23.
The only true cost of having a dog is its death.
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Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,341 Likes: 2
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,341 Likes: 2 |
It will have no effect on the genetics of the herd either way. Correct! But given a chance, if that spike was 2.5 he would go first.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,607
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Beware of any old man in a profession where one usually dies young.
Calm seas don't make sailors.
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Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 727 Likes: 10
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I don't own any land to hunt on. So if I'm on public land, then I generally shoot the first available deer since I normally don't get the opportunity to be selective with a lot of choices. I'm also lucky to have several good friends who are generous enough to invite me to hunt on either their property or lease every year. At those locations as the guest, I avoid taking the prize buck so I'm often culling some of the more readily available does just to put venison in the freezer. My natural instinct is to shoot the spike since I'm more interested in the meat than the trophy. I just like the camaraderie & being in the woods...
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 908
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 908 |
Half the genetics are in the does and they all look the same. Shooting spikes does little to alter the population genetics. Shoot whatever deer makes you happy but don't believe that you have an effect on the future gene pool.
Personally I would shoot neither and shoot a doe to eat.
FWIW
If you can't be a good example, may you at least serve as a dreadful warning
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,066 Likes: 11
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,066 Likes: 11 |
I would shoot the 3 year old spike. We can't do that here but I would if I could.
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Joined: Dec 2019
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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In your situation I would shoot the spike. On the lease that I hunt on, we are allowed to shoot one six point (and it has to be a nice one) and any other Buck has to be seven or better. No opportunity to shoot anything less than a six point. We are allowed to take one doe.
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 322
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 322 |
I'd shoot the spike too.
That study was interesting. I wonder if the results were impacted by the size. Not enough deer harvested to have an impact based upon that large an area.
State programs have lunker share programs so trophy bass can reproduce. Big ranches buy and release breeding stock from deer farms known for antler size. Cattle ranchers pay large premiums for perceived higher quality breeding stock.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,297 Likes: 17
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,297 Likes: 17 |
Just looking at the photos body wise they seem to be the about the same age, so I would shoot the spike and pass on the 8 point. Same here.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,689 Likes: 46
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24,689 Likes: 46 |
I’d book a ticket to Montana and shoot this buck…
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,177 Likes: 7
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I’d book a ticket to Montana and shoot this buck… We are proud of you.
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Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 596
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I’d book a ticket to Montana and shoot this buck… It looks as if only the doe is still kicking.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,683 Likes: 4
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
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I’d book a ticket to Montana and shoot this buck… what caliber is the nice SAko? Congrats on a nice Mule deer buck!
Figures don't lie, But Liars figure Assumption is the mother of mistakes
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
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Gedub, shoot the spike. wait on a bigger buck than that one if you can.
I will admit sometimes I can't. Ha HA
Figures don't lie, But Liars figure Assumption is the mother of mistakes
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