This year several of us in the hunting group decided to pass on bucks less than 2.5 years old. It was a difficult decision because not everyone is "in" - but we decided to leaqd by example. At the very least - if 3 or 4 of us didn't take two 1.5 year old bucks - than theoretically - that could be several more that might make it into the next year class.
After passing several young bucks the first week - John struck 1st on the second weekend of bow - with the "ripped ear 7 point" We knew this deer well - had many many pictures of him He has junk on the left base instead of a brow tine. We had talked about passing him - and decided in the end that he met our goals as a 2.5 year old. He weighed 160 lbs dressed out.
Several of us passed several more bucks the second week - and on November 4th I shot my best buck to date - 184 lbs dressed out - 10 point! This buck we did not have any photos of that we kow of. He was a real hog of a deer and I couldn't have been happier.
A couple days later I took a nice Doe with my bow from the same stand.
Then Rifle season arrived - and we knew some young deer were going to be taken - and still some of us held out. I was very happy for my son who is 15, he took his second buck ever on opening morning with me from his Pipeline shooting shack.
My Dad also took a 4 point, my cousin a 7 point, and my uncle a Spikehorn. I was able to take a nice doe on the second day.
A couple more does were taken by the other hunters - and I was able to finish the season with a last weekend Blackpowder doe coming to eat the beans. For me, a mature 10 point and 3 does was a perfect season.
Usually I don't look for sheds until after Jan 1st - even then most deer are still carrying their antlers at this time. This year we had over 70 inches of snow starting early in December - and we heard about several people taking bucks mistaking them for does or having the antlers come off after shooting them towards the end of the season. So I took a hike on December 26th - and found a couple sheds - one a real great 5 point side with mass. I'll spend some time trying to match it up over the next 2 months!
