Problem is most people in wi have to small of parcels to really control and manage a heard. Hunt what ever makes you happy. Congrats on that buck. It's scores a lot by the smile on his face.

The guys that say "you can't eat those antlers" will always shoot the buck if presented the opportunity with a buck and a doe standing side by side. Why is that???

I think I know why.....

Most of the guys I know who hunt deer and have big bucks on camera always say they're holding out for the big one. The month-long season wears on and they wind up shooting whatever presents itself.

I'd say 160 also, I've seen 150's 8s and that certainly looks bigger

If Bass 1 does not post a score soon he should be banned for one year from Trapperman!

Agree...

Seems just the opposite up here. Most people would prefer the doe

Wall-hanger for sure, Congratulations!

If we’re gonna get scientific, the least detrimental deer to take out of the herd no matter where you are is a button buck. Providing its mother is alive that button will be run off as a yearling.

If you’re wanting population growth, shoot yearling does.

If you’re overpopulated, shoot mature does.

Taking a mature buck is only detrimental if you have a very low population. Not sure if most realize it or not, but not every buck is going to produce a “trophy” rack. In our area, almost county wide, we’ll let bucks grow to their potential. Yeah, some won’t ever produce a “trophy” rack and call us “trophy” hunters if you want, but we’ll take management bucks and let those 3.5-4.5 130-150” deer walk. Who doesn’t want those antlers that you can’t eat anyways.

We will shoot does and not think twice. We generally get two herd counts done. One after season and one before. Less deer means more food for those left. More food means better weight and health, and yes, also bigger antlers. More weight means more meat, although those yearling does just seem to taste the best to me.

I don’t look down on anyone for shooting anything they want. In some areas of our State, a 130” buck is about as big as they get. Some areas of our State don’t have the numbers of deer the rest of the State has. My area (County) not only has a high population, but some serious antler growth as well. I know of several 160”+ killed already. You won’t see these bucks in big buck contests, on the cover of magazines, or even in the record books. The saying, “Loose lips, sink ships” is true. I share stuff here only because not a lot of GA trappers and no one here gives a rip.

As far as scoring deer here, I always give my numbers and why, not just a guess. If the score is posted I always ask to see the sheet, not because I don’t believe anyone, because I want to get better at guessing based on pics. I missed a deer my son’s friend killed by 6” and I had the main beams pegged and the mass, but really missed on the tine length. I like when folks ask, I also like when they eventually tell us, hint hint!!

I don’t mean any disrespect to anyone and not saying our management practices are THE way. It’s just what we’ve observed in our personal observations over the years through cameras and over 320 days a year in the woods. Do we want to kill bucks with record book antlers? YES SIR! Will we take older management deer over those younger record book deer? YES we will. Have we noticed an increase in higher scoring bucks? YES we have. Do we do our best to keep a balanced herd? Again, yes sir!! Will we shoot does, notice I said shoot and not hunt…yes sir! Almost to the point it’s not fun, but it has to be done. Just like predators need managed, so do deer.

Well… He finally had it green scored, 148 2/8”. I’ve text him a few times for him to get it scored, finally got it scored. This spring or summer there should be a gun show here in Syracuse. They usually have someone there to score buck, I told him to take it and get the net score.



Dandy buck!

Thank you

Jbird u missed by almost 20 inches

138

Its the reality of the situation, unless you fence your land so deer can't get in or out the deer are moving in and out of your land along with your neighbors. No matter if you have 5 acres or 5000.
That being said that makes it all the more important that hunters work to manage the herd and not just think of themselves, to do so is the definition of selfish.
So in farmland where I live shoot them does first and foremost, its whats best for the herd. If you have a chance at big buck shoot it, I have no issue with that. Where I start having issues is when legal does are passed up and one waits for the trophy buck that never comes and the tags go without anything shot.

And guess what, if more does are shot and the population is more in balance with the land you might not see as many deer but a higher percent will be bucks and larger ones at that.

Almost sounds like QDM doesn't it.

Here comes a " yeah but"...

No yeah buts . I won’t be off far after deductions. Be patient B and B . You might notice I did mention it will have more deductions than you think . G -3 alone plus I admitted the main beam and circumference measurements I might be waaaay off ! I’ll stand by my score guessing if put on a paper scored with cable and folding rule . Seen too many officially scored

Oh come on........ NOBODY was guessing the net score with their score. U missed by 19 inches on a 148 inch deer straight up. Own it.

You even basically gave a score sheet. Zero. I mean zero about deductions

I bet u shot 5 shot groups then measure the 3 closest too

Never said it wasn’t a great deer !
Read my post “ said I’d love to see a score sheet . Depends on who scored them. But like several said hard to tell from a pic . I’ll stand by my score . . Bucks and bra at least I did guess you drew up and chickened out on the challenge

But I can enjoy looking at them for the rest of my life.

.. I love this place lol