Smash or Pass?

[Birdbuff]

Personally I’m a meat hunter. That deer on cam looks good for my freezer. I’m not overly picky. Saying that, I will avoid a small doe or fawn until very late in the season. Than, anything goes.

[js4fn]

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.

Twins and triplets something is clicking

But Let me put it this way a guy walks into butcher shop do you ask for steak from 14 month old beef or do you send butcher out back to find you one from a 5-7 year old steer

[GW11]

There aren't enough opportunities in the areas I hunt to pass on a deer if I want meat for the freezer so generally it's the first legal deer that presents a chance.

Like others have said, sometimes it depends on the circumstances and who I'm hunting with at the time. Hunting with the group during the first week of firearms season, we're trying to fill our tags. In the early and late season where I'm on my own or with maybe one other person, I don't have any hard rules, I just decide at the time.

I'd shoot the buck in the OP pick for sure.

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[walkinandsittin]

Pass for me.

I’m hunting mostly solo for two straight week.
I have additional antlerless tags that I hope to fill for the freezer.
I will only shoot a mature buck and don’t mind hanging tag in the Xmas tree if not successful.

10 days to go, good luck everyone.

Not trying to derail the conversation - obligatory response I would take that deer.

How are people getting multiple tags to the extent that you have so many you don't mind filling one?

[Deer Hunter]

Not trying to derail the conversation - obligatory response I would take that deer.

How are people getting multiple tags to the extent that you have so many you don't mind filling one?

Some WMU have draws for additional tags.

Yes that’s a beautiful Deer for sure, definitely nothing wrong with it. Maybe day 14 or 15 I would change my mind. Haha
But like I said if I have a doe or two on the ground I’m ok to wait for a bigger Buck. Good Luck with him.

[MihajloSimsic]

In archery you don't have the luxury of picking and choosing. Last year me and my family took 2 does and one button buck in a single day. This was mid October. We didn't see a single deer across many sits until Nov 28th. You can have dozens of deers on your property and you might only get a shot at two does during legal time. I aim for usually half unantlered and half antlered. Landing a mature buck or two every season. We shoot whatever we see so it usually works itself out like that.

[firedeptlt]

I will preface my answer by saying this…. I am a solo ( on foot ) archery hunter on heavily hunted public land. To have a deer in front of me is a rare occurrence. I’ve had bucks come in but hold up out of sight for some reason. I’ve had does come in before but I’ve never had a tag for them before this year ( still not sold on taking a doe ). I don’t need the meat ( but you can be damned sure I’ll use every bit of it ). I’ve only been hunting for a few years now and I’ve yet to harvest a deer. I hunt very hard every year and enjoy the journey. If I have a decent ( or better ) mature buck in front of me I won’t hesitate to let that arrow fly. Having said all of that I think that whatever animal you decide to take makes it a trophy for you regardless of what popular opinion says.

[Uncle Stevie]

I am in the woods for the biggest deer here but I will shoot the first One I see. Rut Daniels. Hahahah!! It’s a Smash!

[SongDog]

I am in the woods for the biggest deer here but I will shoot the first One I see. Rut Daniels. Hahahah!! It’s a Smash!

Shopping for a 1/2 ton but if a eco-diesel comes in spinning his tires, I'll deflate em lol

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[Fox]

Not trying to derail the conversation - obligatory response I would take that deer.

How are people getting multiple tags to the extent that you have so many you don't mind filling one?

Not in Eastern Ontario anymore but in SW Ontario there are still additional tags.

The plan here is that 1 doe can be shot for the gang of rifle, with my wife having the first shot. Then for the controlled hunt I plan to get down a couple days early, that way I can party hunt with the bow on my dads additional bow only tag for the weekend, if it is not filled yet. Then the controlled hunt is any deer, that tag is your original tag. If that is not used up I have a bow only property that I will try to fill my buck/doe tag back in 66A during the late season.

It all depends on who you hunt with, where you hunt and with what to determine how many deer you can be in on.