White tale guys

[Preacher shaner]

I have two nice two year olds on my place. Now i only have 10 arcs. One is a solid 125 8pt. The other is at lest close to 120s maybe 125 at best. There are hunters all around me. Now if they get one more year they would be good and two years great bucks. But do i chance letting the guys grand kids killing them the frist day of gun season. Dont know what to do

 

[blue devil]

I leave them alone, even though the chance of it surviving is small with other hunters not letting them go. Weather, disease and predators also play a part in survival, but you never know it could survive? The chance you take by letting it walk. You will never harvest a larger deer unless you let them walk when they are smaller.

 

[brushcreek]

that's a question only you can answer. would you be happy taking the deer this year? if so go right ahead. If not take the gamble and give them a year or two.

 

[Rzrbck918]

My guess is either the deer you have are older than you think or smaller than you think. A 125" whitetail at 2 1/2 would be unlikely. Most are sub 100 at that age. Id let them walk and hope one of the two survives until next year. Either way, age or size, they will be better next year. Have you talked to other landowners about management?

 

[pabearhunter]

When the rut starts they will be in the next county. Good luck.

 

[WildWill]

My guess is either the deer you have are older than you think or smaller than you think. A 125" whitetail at 2 1/2 would be unlikely. Most are sub 100 at that age. Id let them walk and hope one of the two survives until next year. Either way, age or size, they will be better next year. Have you talked to other landowners about management?

What he said. The only thing I'll add is I wouldn't worry to much about what the neighbors will do hell he could get hit by a car the day before season not gonna stop driving right. If you're happy with the deer kill him if not don't but don't shoot something you'll regret just cause the next guy might get him.

 

[bcar]

A 125" whitetail at 2 1/2 would be unlikely.

Happens a lot Up here in big deer country

 

[Bowhuntrben]

let them walk. I regularly pass up bucks knowing there is a good possibility they will get shot by somebody else. Only chance for them to get as big as you hope is by at least you letting them go

 

[NEWHunter]

For me it would depend on my history with the property. If you’ve hunted it for 5-10 years and have never had a 3.5 year old in your sights, or have never gotten a photo of a 3.5, I’d let one of them have it - especially if you want to take one home.

 

[madtom]

If you shoot them, they definitely won’t make it to next year.

 

[Buffs35]

How full is your freezer? That's always my biggest concern.

 

[Rzrbck918]

Happens a lot Up here in big deer country

I hear ya. Here is definitely not there.

 

[Rzrbck918]

I have two nice two year olds on my place. Now i only have 10 arcs. One is a solid 125 8pt. The other is at lest close to 120s maybe 125 at best. There are hunters all around me. Now if they get one more year they would be good and two years great bucks. But do i chance letting the guys grand kids killing them the frist day of gun season. Dont know what to do

Do you have any pictures?

 

[mplane72]

If you shoot them, they definitely won’t make it to next year.

This.

If shooting one now would make you happy try and make it happen.

 

[Preacher shaner]

Yea they are two year olds. I am in OH and we grow tbem just as big as any big deer state.

 

[MO Betta]

I'd pass on them and fill some doe tags if nothing mature happened along.

 

[Preacher shaner]

No.

 

[stealthy_bowman]

Simple. If either of the two make you happy, shoot. If not, let them go. Just because someone else may shoot one and be happy with it shouldn't be the deciding factor for whether or not you shoot.

 

[WATERMAG]

If you shoot them only because "the next guy is going to shoot it" you are the next guy...

 

[NYyotekiller]

I would pass on them until they were more mature, but I pass on 100 times more deer than I actually shoot. All my friends think I'm crazy because the majority of the deer that I pass go on and get shot by the neighbors. I look at it as that if I were to shoot them, they definitely won't get to be big and mature. If you let them walk, there is a small chance.

Kind of like applying for a tag when you have a very small chance of drawing.