Take em? or let him walk?

Okay boys/girls...Archery season is getting closer.

Herre is the deal, your sneaking through the brush on opening day when this buck stands up out of the oak at 50 yards ahead.

3 questions I have for you...

1. Do you take the shot at 50 yards?

2. Do you take the shot with the angle and and are confident you can sink one through the 'boiler room'?

3. Do you take the buck period, this is your first look and you can't see his horns good so you really aren't sure how big he is?

...you know you have to decide quick as you know he will be gone soon.

What say ye??

p.s. - my heavens I had a couple of good mornings looking for bucks! :-$

brett :thumb
7,172
Mark
Nope. I'm pretty confident at 50 yards, but he's looking at me and drawing back requires a lot of movement. And he's more than likely to jump the string on the shot.

Not only that, but there are trees in the way. I could be off by a few inches and the whole deal could go bad.

Besides, I haven't had a good look at him and it's the first day of the hunt.

I've got time, I've got patience, and I've got the discipline to let him walk.
0
killerbee
no i dont take the shot, knowing what can happen,i'm not quit confident at 50 yrds. i do however try and get closer so i can take a shot, from what i can see i'd be happy with him. if the yardage was under 40 then i would take the shot with that angle. by looking at the size of his big ol' pot belly i think it's an older / mature buck. oh and if i'm hunting in bretts spot , i know i have a 50/50 chance of it being a cactus buck so i'm shooting :)) j/k
0
Default Avatar
Nice buck, good angle too. If you're going to take him just don't stare at the little tree. Pick a spot on the animal or you may center that scrub oak! I'd probably wait. He doesn't look too spooked.
Mark
0
Default Avatar
I'd be punching my buck tag if that buck was standing in front of me. He'd be eating my carbon tech arrow tipped with a Nap Nitron broadhead
0
ABert
I would pass being as it was opening day, the trees and the yardage. Plus, really can't tell too much of the rack, providing that is what you are looking for. As mentioned before, he does look to be a mature buck with the big ol' belly he's carrying. I would hold off and hope I'd get a better look at him later on in the week.
0
DeadI
I would hold off and see if I could get a little closer, or at least see if he walks out from behind the brush. Being opening day here in Utah. You have a whole month of hunting infront of you. No reason to chance wounding a deer on a deflected arrow or a bad shot (having to cut it real close to the tree).

Thanks for the photo Brett.
0
Default Avatar
If you think that tree is in the way, don't shoot. That tree is nowhere near where you need to hit that buck. Don't look at the tree, look at the spot where you want to hit. I see a tuft of hair that is just calling my name! The body size sure does indicate he is a mature deer.
0
Default Avatar
Let him have it! I feel comfortable enough at that range for the shot so I say take him.
0
BOHNTR
For me, I say no to all three questions. Better bucks in the area.......better shot opportunites to come......the deer has you pegged, so the chances of him jumping at the shot are fairly good at that distance. JMO
0
one hunting fool
I say no the shot looks good but the buck is maybe a 2 point or three at least. I am hoping for better on Opening day
0
MuleyMadness
Some great replies guys! Thanks!

I personally do NOT take the shot myself under my conditions, but then again I have more info than you guys or that I'm sharing.

For those who said "TAKE HIM", according to the size of the deer I think you made a good choice he isn't really wide but has about everything else you'd want. Awesome front forks and will end up a 4x5 with about 2 1/2 " eyeguards.

Wanna see some better photos for you guys who "PASSED" the shot??

Yes he had me busted and so I agree with you guys that said he might jump the string.

Do I think I could have gotten closer? Nope I don't.
0
Default Avatar
Let him walk.
0
Default Avatar
I'd let him walk and yes I would love to see some pics, so I know what I just watched walk away.
0
Default Avatar
Let's see some more pics. I said shoot and would like to see what I am taking to the taxidermist. :)
0
killerbee
oh ya, i wanna see that pot bellied pig better
0
MuleyMadness
Okay 2 more shots of him, now for those that said I'd pass.

Would you regret the decision or would you like to change your mind now?

Still about 1 month left of growth.
0
Mark
Brett,

I wouldn't have regretted it at all. Too many reasons to pass, only 1 (his rack) to take the shot. He won't far. I could find him again.

No regrets from me...

Nice buck, by the way!
0
southwind
I like the post and it would be no no no for me. The angle was not bad but did not like the tree right there. The fact that he is staring me down at 50 is enough not to shoot. I have never shot a deer at that distance and prefer not to but the deer would have to have its head down or turned and very unsuspecting for me to consider it.

I shoot every day at 50 and practice out to 70 but always hope for -10 yard shots. I like it close!
0