Contributors to this thread:
I live in Iowa (born raised in Ill). I've been bowhunting since 1956 & never a horn huter until about 10 years ago when I decide I didn't need to just kill a Deer, Doe or Buck using the "I want meat" reason. I have no problem with anyone else killing whatever they want.. I've just come to the conclusion that 40 or 50 does & as many Bucks has been a pretty successful journy in that number of years (mind you, my 1st 25 yrs you were allowed ONE DEER either sex PERIOD). Anyway, I have bowhunting friends all over the U.S. & I mean "bowhunters". In Ill. they are allowed 2 Bucks & the other states friends are it's ONE Buck. This DOES make a difference for these veteran bowhunters as the ones with 1 buck limit "try" to be more selective. My Illinois friends, sometimes weaken when a smallish buck taunts them. So, I'm going to run a string of photos from this year just to share. Nothing to prove. Mind you, none of these are dedicated horn hunters, they are bowhunters & only 1 I know of gun hunts.. 1st one 2 deer state + he has taken 1 Doe & hunts only public ground
#2 1 buck state & not know for many big racked Bucks.
#3 oops, my yard a couple years ago. Don't look.
#3 2 buck state. Private. Has 1 P&Y & a few other decent bucks. Took this one out as he thought older deer & poor rack developement. He's passed bigger already (2 8s I know of)
#4 Private 2 buck state. His 2nd Deer with a bow in 4 yrs hunting. 1st was a 6.
#5 2 buck state. Hunter has a few Deer under his belt but few Bucks. Hunts a small private (80 acres)
#6 1 buck state. Has also tagged 3 Does. In a state "not" known for big racks.
#7 2 buck state. Veteran & this is close to his best..
IF any of my friends tag & I get a pic I will add to this thread.. SO FAR no real biggies. Just saying, many of these hunters live in those states everyone says they want to hunt. I mean Ia & Ill non residents pay a big price just to get a tag.. It's not so easy fellas even when you "live" there. This is the biggest I have encountered in the woods in "Iowa". Easy pass Nov 2nd.
The only place it’s easy is Iowa. If T-roy can tag a monster in Iowa than they must be behind every tree. ;)
It may not be easy but you have to hunt where big deer are on their feet during the daylight in order to kill big deer.
Link, t-roy got two. So two behind every tree???
I'm not sure what the point of this thread is...?
One thing I'll say about bow hunting whitetail deer.... you have to be an optimist. Gotta be the sketchiest crap shoot around. You can do everything humanly possible, in the best areas, under the best conditions, and still strike out. My point is that all you can do is put yourself in a prime area, hunt smart, and hope for the best. Everyone is optimistic at the start, even though we know the deer is always at the advantage. That's why we do it.
I get the point of the post.... that even where there's a lot of big bucks, there ain't very many.
But, i think we all gladly accept we are at the disadvantage, and gladly get after it anyway.
I don’t know what the point was originally, but it’s making its way toward Troy is either a hellava deer hunter or he should be playing the lottery. I ain’t decided which it is yet, we might want to wait until 2021 just to be sure.........
Cheesy Mike x 2^^^^??
And I agree regarding Troy. He certainly is suspiciously , and perpectually...."lucky"
I'm not exactly sure what the point of this thread is, either.
On October 30th I stuck a really nice buck and posted his pic in the 2020 Meat Pole thread. A couple of days later, my brother and I were reviewing trail cam footage from one of his stands which was about half a mile from where I shot him. The deer I shot is the big one on the left but I wonder how many people would actually choose to lay off the smaller one on the right if given the opportunity? This isn't an ethical question at all. Everyone has a different idea about what a successful and satisfying hunt is.
Some people "just want to shoot a deer" and I have no problem with that.
I too thought this was just another one of T-Roy’s threads
I think the point is that you can live in a state like Iowa and kill some good bucks but you don't kill a giant every year. I just spent the last 2.5 weeks hunting Iowa and Nebraska public land. I killed 2 good bucks but by no means giants. I am very happy but in all honesty I was dreaming of bigger. Shawn
I'm pretty sure his point was -
I just started focusing on killing big bucks about ten years ago. I live in a big buck state, but so far haven't killed any boomers. Here's the 'best' I've done [insert photos]. Killing big bucks ain't that easy -
Or something like that.
Would a "Boomer" deer be born between 1946 and 1964 or are those Oklahoma deer that are fans of the University of Oklahoma? We normal call ourselves Sooners so I am going with born between 46-64. ;)
Why would a local settle for the pictured deer? Serious Iowa buck hunters I know just don't use their tag if he doesn't show.I did have a friend pending shoulder surgery "settle" for this one.
Sorry to have confused so many. As Shawn said-think the point is that you can live in a state like Iowa and kill some good bucks but you don't kill a giant every year. I just spent the last 2.5 weeks hunting Iowa and Nebraska public land. I killed 2 good bucks but by no means giants. Now, that being said, We as residents often "see" those biggies, just not in the right spot. A few I have passed in the last few years. Yes, I've had tag soup several times but I also have been blessed with a wide varity of Whitetails. Good Luck to all.
Sorry to have confused so many. As Shawn said-think the point is that you can live in a state like Iowa and kill some good bucks but you don't kill a giant every year. I just spent the last 2.5 weeks hunting Iowa and Nebraska public land. I killed 2 good bucks but by no means giants. Now, that being said, We as residents often "see" those biggies, just not in the right spot. A few I have passed in the last few years. Yes, I've had tag soup several times but I also have been blessed with a wide varity of Whitetails. Good Luck to all. I pased on the one in snow, was at full draw & let down at 15 yds
If a fella scores on a biggie every year there is some "reason" those Deer are allowed to grow old. Managed land, low pressure, a SAFE zone they can retreat to. Granted, a few have the knowledge to "find" the big ones but damn few compared to the number of hunters of today... Most don't have that type ground.
2 found last week not far from 2 of my Ill.friends area. No ones gonna get them.
No, I have not hunted with Shawn or any others on here for Whitetails.
Some ppl struggle to read and some others just seem to have their cheerios pissed in before they have breakfast. I follow what ur sayin, ahunter.
SIP, thanks, I know today you never know what comments will come your way on the "internet". I guess since I started in 1956 & killed my 1st in 1958 I've forgotten what real hunting can be. I'm just a blabbering ol man... But OH have I had a ride & a ton of Adventures.. I have some awesome "bowhunting" friends.. Good Luck to you in your quest this year.
I guess I missed your point.I agree with your point mol,people come to Florida and expect to catch 10# bass all day.But fishing is catch and release :)
Thanks for the clarification Ahunter...
And some guys just like to shoot and eat deer And could care less about waiting for a giant, even when they know the jumbos are there!
That’s one of the things I love about bow hunting! I’m there to make myself happy. No one else. My wife has made the same comment once or twice........
All the red meat that my family eats comes from my hunting success or failure....that being said....I never shy from shooting the for antlers ;-)
So fellas & gals, enjoy the world of Bowhunting & I totally agree, do what "you" want when out chasing those critters. My G-son arrowed one yesterday & filled one of his Antlerless tags.. Called me from the woods & said G-Pa, I just shot a Doe.. Dropped just a few yds away. I think I was more excited than he was... I'm fortunate to have 3 G-sons old enough to bowhunt now & love it just like G-Pa..
Only guy I know in Iowa is T-roy and he kills giants every year. So therefore 100% of the people I know in Iowa kill giants every year therefore everyone must kill giants in Iowa every year ;)
Or at least I tell everyone I know that I know T-roy. I think he gave me a fake number once