Is he a shooter?

B&C Blacktails

Active Member
Mar 1, 2015
237
0
If I'm after meat absolutely, if it's a general unit probably, LE unit I'd keep him as a backup. Archery he's a shooter all day long. I'd guess he scores in the mid 170s.
 

RICMIC

Veteran member
Feb 21, 2012
2,014
1,793
Two Harbors, Minnesota
That's a good buck for sure. At this point in the twilight of my high mountain hunting career, I would still pass on him the first few days of the hunt, primarily because I don't want it all to end too soon. I have never really agreed with the "Don't pass up a critter on the first day that you would shoot on the last day." I passed on a 5x5 elk a couple years ago that I just didn't want to shoot on the first morning of a 7 day hunt. I ended up with a very good 6x6, but don't think I would have been sorry to have gone home empty handed because the next five days of trying were a glorious experience.
 

jtm307

Active Member
Jan 12, 2016
165
6
Wyoming
I wouldn't hesitate. Seeing a bigger deer after filling my tag would be better than not filling my tag. I shot a smaller deer this year an hour into my first day in a unit that I knew holds bigger deer.
 

Tim McCoy

Veteran member
Dec 15, 2014
1,855
4
Oregon
... I have never really agreed with the "Don't pass up a critter on the first day that you would shoot on the last day." I passed on a 5x5 elk a couple years ago that I just didn't want to shoot on the first morning of a 7 day hunt. I ended up with a very good 6x6, ...
I've taken several of my best bucks right at the last minute, and ate a few tags holding out. So I usually decide before the hunt, is this a hold out for X, or a take on first day what I'd take on the last type deal or a meat hunt taking first legal animal. In this case, that buck would walk if I had decided to look for a real big buck, and get shot otherwise. Then again I might just look at all that beautiful velvet, change the rules and shoot him. No wrong answer.
 

Jrod

Active Member
Jan 30, 2012
262
6
Livermore, CA
Pull the trigger. Good mass, good tine length, good main beams plus the cheater. Driver side front is a little weak but I think his mass would make up for that. One in the hand....

Everyones sitchiation is different too. I only get to do one hunt a year be it here or out of state. I don't need to kill a buck everytime but it sure makes the grief I get from my wife more bearable when I do.
 

Timberstalker

Veteran member
Feb 1, 2012
2,242
6
Bend, Or
Considering I've never seen a buck that big during any season I've ever had a tag, I would shoot it in a heartbeat. That being said I have never hunted Colorado...
 

kidoggy

Veteran member
Apr 23, 2016
9,855
10,861
58
idaho
That's a good buck for sure. At this point in the twilight of my high mountain hunting career, I would still pass on him the first few days of the hunt, primarily because I don't want it all to end too soon. I have never really agreed with the "Don't pass up a critter on the first day that you would shoot on the last day." I passed on a 5x5 elk a couple years ago that I just didn't want to shoot on the first morning of a 7 day hunt. I ended up with a very good 6x6, but don't think I would have been sorry to have gone home empty handed because the next five days of trying were a glorious experience.

perhaps it is better said never pass on the first day what you would regret passing on the last day.
 

Jrshuman

New Member
Jan 30, 2017
8
0
I have never shot a mule deer, so I would shoot him in a heartbeat. I will be going on my first mule deer hunt this year
 

ElkHunter2016

New Member
Mar 5, 2017
8
0
PA
Yes shoot him, remember always shoot any animal on day1 that your willing to shoot in the final hour of the last day. I shot my biggest elk on day 2 of a dream early season AZ hunt after only hunting about 5 hrs. Could I have done better, maybe, but this animal was one of the bulls the bow hunters chased for 2 weeks and it is very satisfying to know you harvested an animal the guide was trying to get and not just luck that you ran into one walking up the mountain. Bottom line is if he makes you happy shoot and never look back or doubt your decision.