Would you or wouldn't you?

BAK · February 17, 2021, 11:57:39 AM

Let me preface this by saying there is no correct answer. I shot this heavy bodied buck last Oct. He boned out 109 pounds of meat. I consider him a trophy. The antler was not deformed, it was snapped off. The question is would you have taken him? Why or why not?

pdk25 · February 17, 2021, 12:08:26 PM

Heck yeah. Old buck with good mass gets shot if I have the opportunity.

SlowBowKing · February 17, 2021, 12:19:29 PM

If I had a good ethical shot, I would certainly have taken it! Everyone loves a good typical rack, but I've always been attracted to the funkier stuff myself.

Cool Springer · February 17, 2021, 12:21:54 PM

For me it would depend on the method of hunting. Trad bow or flintlock, YES. Rifle, no. JMO

Sojurn · February 17, 2021, 12:23:11 PM

I would have taken the first clean shot he presented me and never given it a second thought.

Rando · February 17, 2021, 12:24:08 PM

Given an ethical shot, in a heartbeat...
Congrats to you on a fine trophy!!!
Randy

BAK · February 17, 2021, 12:36:36 PM

Cool Springer, interesting qualification. I can see your point..

rastaman · February 17, 2021, 12:42:41 PM

Absolutely! I've got a couple of racks very similar to yours (not quite as big). They are very unique and beautiful in an odd sort of way.

Bisch · February 17, 2021, 12:52:32 PM

I probably would shoot him. I like weird or unusual stuff when it comes to antlers.

Bisch

durp · February 17, 2021, 12:59:10 PM

Of cores...I eat meat

Ben Corbett · February 17, 2021, 01:05:47 PM

In a word YES,when i hunt I'm shopping on the hoof. I've never seen a recipe for antlers?

Possum Head · February 17, 2021, 01:07:45 PM

I would have unless his back straps were missing! Nice kill congrats

Pat B · February 17, 2021, 01:10:15 PM

I would take any deer that gave me the opportunity.

supernaut · February 17, 2021, 01:41:16 PM

Yep.

Congrats on a great deer.

Yooper-traveler · February 17, 2021, 01:43:01 PM

I have, and will continue to do so. Great buck!

mnbwhtr · February 17, 2021, 02:22:25 PM

Since it was Oct. and it takes me 2-3 years to draw a tag I'd so no. When I hunt Iowa I'm looking for a good experience and seeing multiple bucks over 125" to shoot. If this one was in late season then I might but I doubt it.

Flingblade · February 17, 2021, 02:27:29 PM

Congrats on a great buck and I would consider him a trophy as well! That being said I probably would have tried to resist the urge to shoot and pass on him. In NE Iowa where you are only allowed one buck and you have the entire month of November to go that is bow only I would have tried to pass figuring I would probably see him again sometime during the rut. I love hunting Iowa during that third week of November. It gets crazy! Having a shot at a nice buck like that early in the season does present a dilemma. Do you shoot and end your season early or pass and take the chance you'll be kicking yourself at the end of the season with a smaller buck or an unfilled tag? But then again; shooting him frees up time to enjoy Iowa's pheasant season. Good call.

BAK · February 17, 2021, 03:08:53 PM

Well actually Flingblade, I had multiple tags. A state wide buck tag, a land owner tenant tag, and then doe tags. Had I only had the one tag however I think I'd still have taken the shot as having a perfect trophy is not my top priority. I respect those who do hold that position. For me I seldom ever will shoot a doe, and I do not like to shoot immature bucks under three years old. JMHO

As I said, I really see no correct answer, just how folks view their choice.

mnbwhtr · February 17, 2021, 03:16:42 PM

I've never left an Iowa doe tag unfilled, usually fill it in Oct. I have left buck tags unfilled.

Flingblade · February 17, 2021, 03:28:48 PM

With multiple tags I would have dropped the string for sure. I just hate to see the season end so I usually hold on to my last tag longer than I should. I shoot does as well though but my family really likes venison. We usually eat two or three deer per year. Just curious; was his left side broke off or did it grow that way?