I think I might be an idiot!

Diamondhitch

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For the 1st time in as long as I can remember, I regret passing up a buck. Living in Alberta we are spoiled with the ever Immanent possibility at a 180-190 class buck and I save my tag for this class of buck, hence not shooting a buck in several years. Today I passed on a 4x4 buck that would have scored in the mid 150s, normally no big deal however every circumference on this buck would have been over 6", a very impressive deer. I was on the edge of my trigger, elected to pass, and shortly after that a sense of "DOH" what an idiot set in!!! Too late.

Now I am targeting a buck that I let walk and really feeling like a moron. LOL The rut is really winding up here right now and the weather forecast looks great for deer movement so hopefully I can fix my mistake.
 
you'll get him tomorrow diamondhitch
 
Never pass on a buck on day 1 that you would shoot on day 5! :)
 
Every year I hold out for a 160+ class buck until dark on the last day of the season. I haven't shot a buck this millennium. (I don't even know if I can be called a deer hunter anymore with that record) Your 180's are probably our 160's.

If you really want a 180+ you have to pass on a lot of deer. (The 180 you get next year may be the 150 you passed on last year) If you shoot a 150 on the first day of the season you assure yourself of not getting a 190. By waiting you will probably get that 190 this year. All the best.
 
I am not trying to dismiss a mid 150. I have never shot one that large. The way you describe his mass on a 4x4 frame he is a true trophy. All the best.
 
You, we get pretty snotty up here about big deer.

Here's hoping that ridge of high pressure with the snow has them moving tomorrow.

Good luck!

ps. Passed on three myself waiting for the less experienced folks to get some success.

Of course that Elk meat helps you be picky! :)
 
For the 1st time in as long as I can remember, I regret passing up a buck. Living in Alberta we are spoiled with the ever Immanent possibility at a 180-190 class buck and I save my tag for this class of buck, hence not shooting a buck in several years. Today I passed on a 4x4 buck that would have scored in the mid 150s, normally no big deal however every circumference on this buck would have been over 6", a very impressive deer. I was on the edge of my trigger, elected to pass, and shortly after that a sense of "DOH" what an idiot set in!!! Too late.

Now I am targeting a buck that I let walk and really feeling like a moron. LOL The rut is really winding up here right now and the weather forecast looks great for deer movement so hopefully I can fix my mistake.

If it will make you feel better...next year I'll come hunting with you and shoot that pathetic little 150 class deer, let you have the meat, I'll take those puny little horns home so as not to let you be embarrassed and you can hold out for Mr. Big.

Deal? :wink2: :meyou:
 
you'll get him tomorrow diamondhitch

Thanks Bluey but tomorrow my wife will get him (hopefully) She has the day off and I would be tickled if I could find him for her.
 
that's would be cool .put you in the running for husband of the year ....:kissy:
best he spread some genes tonight ,it may well be his last
 
Never pass on a buck on day 1 that you would shoot on day 5! :)

x2 but I am like Wheels, normally I would not shoot a buck in the 150s in the last minute of season, gotta let em grow plus there is my biggest reason, once you shoot a buck you have to stop hunting them and that is a bit depressing LOL. I am not trying to sound like a deer snob, we are just very spoiled to live in such a great place to hunt, 150 are big deer no doubt.
 
Every year I hold out for a 160+ class buck until dark on the last day of the season. I haven't shot a buck this millennium. (I don't even know if I can be called a deer hunter anymore with that record) Your 180's are probably our 160's.

If you really want a 180+ you have to pass on a lot of deer. (The 180 you get next year may be the 150 you passed on last year) If you shoot a 150 on the first day of the season you assure yourself of not getting a 190. By waiting you will probably get that 190 this year. All the best.

You have captured my sentiments exactly. I am not sure what it takes to get a 160" where you live but here a 180" is very big, as it is anywhere, we seldom see them but we do see them now and again. Out of my 4 hunting buddies we have killed a 183" 4x4 and a 196" 6x6, I have never taken one despite a couple close calls, which I would not have had if I shot the first mature buck I saw, that is the sacrifice that needs to be made if you truly want a giant, the big ones and even the really big ones need to be passed on.

I would say a resident who is serious about it and hunts 2 weeks of the rut should have no problem killing a 150"+ buck every year and most he should be able to find a 160"+ with a couple 170"ers thrown in over the years. 180" is a big step up and a huge accomplishment for those fortunate and dedicated enough to take one. One of these years...
 
You, we get pretty snotty up here about big deer.

Here's hoping that ridge of high pressure with the snow has them moving tomorrow.

Good luck!

ps. Passed on three myself waiting for the less experienced folks to get some success.

Of course that Elk meat helps you be picky! :)

Ya they were moving good today despite the high temps. Tomorrow with all the snow and cold (-15) temps should be really hot. I saw 3 bucks today as well, the other 2 were yearlings. That heavy buck is only the second mature buck I have seen, the other was also a 150". Other than a couple 130-140" 3yr olds everything has been small.

I am really rooting for Christine this year, she is the only newbie that I am taking out (or have time to take out) I will enjoy her getting a buck as much or more than I would getting one myself.
 
If it will make you feel better...next year I'll come hunting with you and shoot that pathetic little 150 class deer, let you have the meat, I'll take those puny little horns home so as not to let you be embarrassed and you can hold out for Mr. Big.

Deal? :wink2: :meyou:

LOL I didn't mean to downplay 150"s. They are big and true trophies, most are 4yr and older bucks. I have several that I am quite proud of on the wall but when you live in an area that a true giant is a legitimate possibility and world records are roaming it is hard not to progress to that "go hard or go home" stage and commit to an all or nothing approach to deer hunting. Plus I am not a big deer meat fan anyway so I guess passing on them is a bit easier anyway LOL. If you ever did come it would be under an agreement that you take the meat with you as well!!!
 
I hear u guys, i got lucky last yr and connected on a +190 gross WT, just happened to be at the right place at the right time... Havent seen as much this year, all CWD hunting and last yrs winter, it could be a tough year for deer at least where i live.... Any ways here is a field pic of him, should be getting him from the taxidermist in a few weeks!!! A 160 is a good deer, but i try to hold to that 170 or better and to say the least, i havent shot much for deer the last while...
 

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LOL I didn't mean to downplay 150"s. They are big and true trophies, most are 4yr and older bucks. I have several that I am quite proud of on the wall but when you live in an area that a true giant is a legitimate possibility and world records are roaming it is hard not to progress to that "go hard or go home" stage and commit to an all or nothing approach to deer hunting. Plus I am not a big deer meat fan anyway so I guess passing on them is a bit easier anyway LOL. If you ever did come it would be under an agreement that you take the meat with you as well!!!

They charge pretty big money in Texas for even a 150 class buck. I do get your point though. We have elk in Arizona that are truly huge. The last one I killed a few years a go was just average here, perhaps even a bit below. Friends I have in Idaho would have taken him quite quickly and be happy to do it.

If you do ever have an opening in your deer camp...I'm there. I started my hunting in Virginia and actually miss sitting in a stand bored and cold for hours waiting for those few exciting moments when a deer ventures in completely unaware of your presence. Best of luck to you or your wife, hope one of you gets a monster.
 
I hear u guys, i got lucky last yr and connected on a +190 gross WT, just happened to be at the right place at the right time... Havent seen as much this year, all CWD hunting and last yrs winter, it could be a tough year for deer at least where i live.... Any ways here is a field pic of him, should be getting him from the taxidermist in a few weeks!!! A 160 is a good deer, but i try to hold to that 170 or better and to say the least, i havent shot much for deer the last while...

Great deer Gary!
 
You have captured my sentiments exactly..... 180" is a big step up and a huge accomplishment for those fortunate and dedicated enough to take one. One of these years...

I may never get that 160+ but will always keep trying. There is a place on my wall waiting for it. Hopefully it will be filled one day, but if not that is okay too. The journey is a reward into itself.

I hope you slay a dragon tomorrow! For me the quest starts next weekend.
 
I hear u guys, i got lucky last yr and connected on a +190 gross WT, just happened to be at the right place at the right time... Havent seen as much this year, all CWD hunting and last yrs winter, it could be a tough year for deer at least where i live.... Any ways here is a field pic of him, should be getting him from the taxidermist in a few weeks!!! A 160 is a good deer, but i try to hold to that 170 or better and to say the least, i havent shot much for deer the last while...

Gary, great buck. Love the mass and dark sap stain.
 
Great looking buck Gary!

Even if I love to see deer with big racks, I am more focused on how mature they are.
If I ever get the chance to hunt Whitetails, I hope to shoot a mature buck with a very thick neck, built like a tank and nothing broken off.
I don't care about how much he would score.

I hope your wife will get a great mature buck this year Diamondhitch.
 

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