Would you rather...

[shootstraight]

shoot a deer that came up on you just before last shooting light. You were not typically trophy hunting but you wanted to shoot a buck. You didn't see him until he was just there, you had no time to think but you saw horns and he was close so you filled a buck tag. When you got down to recover him you realized to your surprise that he was a P&Y deer :eek:

Or, you planned your hunt extremely well, you parked extra far away and hiked in further than you normally do. You have been hunting this buck since summer when you got a pic of him on the trail cam. There's a light rain that morning and you get to you stand very quietly, you used your flashlight only minimally. You got in your stand without spooking any deer and you settle down to a crisp morning 45 minutes before first light. At first light you immediately here movement and a nice 8 point about 14 inch wide follows along the ridge your hunting and mills around eating red acorns until he's had his fill. You had numerous shots but he's not the one your hunting so you let him pass. This goes on for 2 hours, you see numerous doe and small bucks. Then you here a noise to you left and there materializing out of nowhere is the buck you are hunting. He's 30 yards but behind some brush and you have no open shot. After what seems an eternity he finally steps into the open at 28 yards. You steadily draw and take aim, your shot is true and after going only 70 yards the double lung shot is very effective. When you get you buck and take a picture your proud of a great hunt and a great buck, he scores 121 3/8's.

Which would you choose and why?

[TEXAS 10PT]

Is this a trick question;). I'm not that concerned about P&Y entries and truthfully I would be happy with either one. Don't get me wrong because I did post in the dream hunt about getting a giant midwest non typical or giant mountain mulie which I think everyone would want but realistically speaking where I hunt in west Texas I'm very happy with one that scores 121 and to get one that would qualify for P&Y would be icing on the cake.

TEXAS

[shootstraight]

I guess the question was, do you hunt for the experience of the hunt as in the second example or to hunt to get the deer as in the first. We've all had days where we've not seen a buck but still had a great hunt for one reason or another.

[Michael]

I would shoot the does! Why you may ask, 1. I am not a trophy hunter. I love to hunt and enjoy the outdoors. 2. Somebody has to thin out the doe population, so the big bucks will have to compete for does during the rut. This will allow better hunting chances for the big ones.

Don't get me wrong, if a buck makes a mistake and gives me a shot, he will be dinner, but I don't go out looking for only trophy white tails. I can take 6 deer in my location this year, and only one of those can be a buck, so we obviously have a population control issue that needs to be corrected, and I am a man on a mission.

[shootstraight]

I would shoot the does!

Sorry that wasn't an option :p

[TEXAS 10PT]

Well in that case I'm in it for the experience. The kill is only part of the whole experience. If it was just about the kill I would have already tagged out. Instead I only have one doe since Sept 29. I haven't used all five of my tags in a season in some years now. I usually pass on more deer than shoot because I enjoy watching their mannerisms at close range. I am allowed to take two bucks in my county every year but have only taken one in each of the last three seasons. I have noticed as I get older, the experience has far outweighed the kills....but I still enjoy placing a good shot on a nice buck when the opportunity presents itself.

TEXAS

[Maybee-R]

Experience Of the Hunt. what ever the out come its memories for a life time.

[L-train]

I would prefer the 2nd, be happy with either.
Why? I enjoy scouting, plotting, planning, obsessing, reobsessing about hunting. I imagine scenarios of how it SHOULD happen(never does really) and try to maximize my chances. And the rewards of all the hard work are hard to beat.
Its funny I tell my wife hunting season is from mid Aug thru novemberish, she has pointed out it actually starts as soon as the snow clears in the mountain and ends when turkey or bear tags are filled in april/may;):D

[Ultramax]

I dont get enough chances at the big boys so whatever the order of events before I get the chance just as long as I get it.

[Michael]

Sorry that wasn't an option :p

Has somebody been hangin' around another popular archery forum too much??:rolleyes:

[shootstraight]

Has somebody been hangin' around another popular archery forum too much??:rolleyes:

Oh, that hurts. No that's okay we'll let you stick to your original answer even though it was a bit evasive. ;) Does are our friends

[TEXAS 10PT]

Has somebody been hangin' around another popular archery forum too much??:rolleyes:

Uh Oh:eek:

TEXAS

[Archer 1]

I'm not really a trophy hunter but for around the last 10 years or so,I more or less go after a certain buck.I pretty much lnow whats out there where I hunt and which buck or bucks I will take.I get as much satisfaction having deer right under me and not knowing I'm there night after night than I do taking one.

[shootinfast]

we only get one deer a year here so either would be fine with me if its a legal deer in range I have no problem loosin an arrow givin my schedule and time commitments with coaching football the second option is not likelly so first setup would make me satisfied besides imagine your suprise to find a trophy as you walk up to the deer.

[Jerry/NJ]

Neither, I'd shoot the 300" bull :p :D

[shootstraight]

Neither, I'd shoot the 300" bull :p :D

Dang I didn't even see that one, must have been off to my right. :o