What would you do?

[whitetail_joe]

Here is a question I asked a buddy, and of course we disagreed. A property you deer hunt all the time has a monster buck running around. You have been watching this particular buck for 4 years now. The first year he was distinguishable he was 140, the next he was 160, the next 180, and now this year he is closing in on 200 non typical inches. The problem is that you get to see him only during preseason, night time trail photos,and no matter how well you think you have him patterned or how hard you hunt you have never laid eyes on him during legal hunting hours.
Now to the question..... It's January 20 and you are sitting over some standing corn and you are hoping to just see a doe, but you still have your buck tag. All of a sudden, there he is in easy bow range, but he has already dropped one horn. This is the first and only time you have ever seen him while hunting. What do you do?
Shoot, and then search like crazy for the missing side.
Don't shoot, he might be bigger next year and hope to find his sheds.

[buckster]

I just dont think I could shoot if only had 1 antler,but that's just me.

[M.Magis]

What's your definition of a trophy? To some it's age/maturity. To others, it's just antlers. I'll admit, I prefer both. :D

[whitetail_joe]

Since I posted this question, my answer is that I would shoot him. I would then search like crazy for the other side. I would have him mounted no matter what, even if I didn't find the other side. And if I was lucky enough to find the match I would have him mounted pedestal style like he is bedded, with the match laying on the ground.

[deerhunt45]

Chances are if one side has already dropped, the shock of taking an arrow and then the attempted escape will cause the other to fall.

Considering the scenario given, I wouldn't shoot. There's a big chance you won't find the other side.

[jackalope]

Chances are if one side has already dropped, the shock of taking an arrow and then the attempted escape will cause the other to fall.

Considering the scenario given, I wouldn't shoot. There's a big chance you won't find the other side.


Have you found his sheds in the past 4 years? If you have consistently found his sheds over the past 4 years, then stick his butt..... But if you haven't found any in the past you're not going to find that one.

[Matt D]

To me true 200 inch deer are way to rare to shoot with only one antler. If he has made your land his stomping grounds the last few years then there is a decent chance he will be there next year also. Even if he goes down hill some next year he will still be a trophy.

I would reflect on how you have been hunting him the past 4 years and make sure you try some different things to connect next year.

Matt D

[Thunderflight]

He'd get a pass from me.

[cjd3]

(True Story)I hunted a BIG local deer for several years and like your story, only saw him pre and post season. Maby a flash once or twice over the years in bow. each year I got closer. The last year (4)I was shocked to grunt him into 20ish yards but for the trees. No shot but WOW... never saw him again that season.

The following year I was really pumped to go after him. It was personal...

A couple weeks before bow he was hit and killed by a car just down the road. What a loss.
I never had a "good" shot so I don't feel bad about not taking the shot that day. I do have a matched pair of sheds from year 3 of my chase and a single from the last year to remember him by.