I passed up a 10 yard broadside shot at a spike tonight. He came in early like 4:30. He gave me so many chances to draw on him, but I couldn't do it. I don't hunt in a trophy area but like to think that passing him up now will let him get bigger for next year. I'd rather shoot a big doe. Then after about 20 mins he ate enough acorns and left. Then I got thinking--he had a decent size body, 14-16" spikes--probably 2.5 yrs old-is that all he'll ever be- a spike--is he just going to p [no swearing please] on his bad genetics in a few more weeks? Should I have taken him?[confused][confused]
Shoot a spike or not?
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leithal1
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I passed up a 10 yard broadside shot at a spike tonight. He came in early like 4:30. He gave me so many chances to draw on him, but I couldn't do it. I don't hunt in a trophy area but like to think that passing him up now will let him get bigger for next year. I'd rather shoot a big doe. Then after about 20 mins he ate enough acorns and left. Then I got thinking--he had a decent size body, 14-16" spikes--probably 2.5 yrs old-is that all he'll ever be- a spike--is he just going to p [no swearing please] on his bad genetics in a few more weeks? Should I have taken him?[confused][confused]
G
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·I missed a spike tonite (jakes landing)
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1,110 Posts
With spikes that size, there is a good chance that all he ever will be is a spike. If he has good body size and "looks" like a 2.5 year old deer, i probably would have taken him. I always let the spikes and forks walk, but you could tell when there are young deer and have the potentional to get bigger.
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If I went out 4 or 5 times and the only buck I see is a legal spike, I would take it. I am not a trophy hunter, but sometimes I feel like I am because I hunt in zones with 3pts on one side. I have seen really nice spikes and 4 pointers this year but couldn't take them. If I was in your shoes, I would have taken him.
G
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·Just before it in the tall pines.
The mosquitos are relentless and remember they found west nile virous back there a few weeks ago. So be careful if you hunt up that way[up]
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I passed a 4 a six and a few spikes earlier in the season and haven't seen a buck since. Let me see a spike now and it's down.
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My area isn't known for trophy bucks--zone 34--although there are some big ones shot here--I've been lucky enough to shoot 3 very nice deer here. The motto seems to be if you don't shoot it someone else will. I take my chances and hope they make it to the next year and become bigger more mature bucks.
All depends on what you fell like, nothing else. Want meat? Like his spikes? Pear pressure? Want to fill a buck tag. To many variables see what I mean. Should I or should I not. If you haven't shot many deer I recommend do it because you don't know how mother nature will take him out.Vehicle,another hunter,coyote or will he grow to rip age of trophy status ? See what I mean your choice no one Else's.[hihi][hihi]Good luck if you see him again.
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if its your private land then yes let him grow,,,,if its state land shoot it, cause if u dont the next guy will
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