Smash or Pass?

[old outdoorsman]

I would shoot the deer in the picture. My goal is meat. I will take the first deer of reasonable size that comes into range.

This also.

[js4fn]

Since my hunting ground is my own property and mainly doe’s any monster buck I close my eyes. I want his genetics more than couple hundred pounds of burger
Young bucks. Get dropped

[Whalen]

Since my hunting ground is my own property and mainly doe’s any monster buck I close my eyes. I want his genetics more than couple hundred pounds of burger
Young bucks. Get dropped

Thanks for your response J! As for the pic in my OP, would you consider that either a young buck or a monster buck? I would consider it neither but I know everyone’s idea of a ‘Monster’ or a ‘young’ buck is different. Even how much the opinion of the age of any given buck seems to vary quite a bit from what I’ve seen.

[punkrockerpj]

for me, every animal i take is considered a trophy. its not so much if its brown its down, but one that looks like this i would count, brag about and exaggerate around the dinner table.

[Whalen]

for me, every animal i take is considered a trophy. its not so much if its brown its down, but one that looks like this i would count, brag about and exaggerate around the dinner table.

Hahahaha! Me too! Awesome response, thanks so much, that comment made my day!

[js4fn]

Thanks for your response J! As for the pic in my OP, would you consider that either a young buck or a monster buck? I would consider it neither but I know everyone’s idea of a ‘Monster’ or a ‘young’ buck is different. Even how much the opinion of the age of any given buck seems to vary quite a bit from what I’ve seen.

In my general area there are no real monsters. There’s nice 8 point big body deer go 15-20 miles there’s big racks. Is that all from what’s in the soil? Crops are the same bush is bush. Has to be minerals in the soil or it’s just genetics that’s in that area
Some of my guys go absolutely Gogo over big rack I see a lot of burger but that’s just me
18 month old or 2.6 year olds
I take doe as quick as a young buck but not when twins and triples are still suckling

Like anything great big old Tom turkey been there done that young one taste better
As long as it’s used I won’t judge

[Whalen]

In my general area there are no real monsters. There’s nice 8 point big body deer go 15-20 miles there’s big racks. Is that all from what’s in the soil? Crops are the same bush is bush. Has to be minerals in the soil or it’s just genetics that’s in that area
Some of my guys go absolutely Gogo over big rack I see a lot of burger but that’s just me
18 month old or 2.6 year olds
I take doe as quick as a young buck but not when twins and triples are still suckling

Like anything great big old Tom turkey been there done that young one taste better
As long as it’s used I won’t judge

From my understanding I would say it’s genetics but above all, I would say protein in the diet. I think it’s a common misconception that salt licks or minerals are the main contributor to big racks. To me it makes sense that the protein needs to be there for maximum growth. Either way, I’m like you, I like the venison. I got a big body 8 point last year that field dressed out to 211 pounds and 125 of tasty boneless meat. That was the best of both worlds!

[fratri]

It would depend on the hunting area and who I was hunting with (their criteria)… For my control hunt it starts off with a big buck then the criteria gets less and less as the season begins...
so in short, big guy at the beginning and anything brown at the end.

[Whalen]

It would depend on the hunting area and who I was hunting with (their criteria)… For my control hunt it starts off with a big buck then the criteria gets less and less as the season begins...
so in short, big guy at the beginning and anything brown at the end.

Right on, thanks for your response Frank! I’ve also followed a lot of your stories and pictures on here so thanks also for the entertainment and beneficial information over the years!

[werner.reiche]

Since my hunting ground is my own property and mainly doe’s any monster buck I close my eyes. I want his genetics more than couple hundred pounds of burger
Young bucks. Get dropped

You do realise that the young bucks have the same genetics as the big old monster.
If they don't, your plan to have the big old monster propagate his genetics isn't working.