Who got a pass?

[TBark]

Anyone give a pass to a deer and maybe now have second thoughts?

I let this buck pass 3 times throughout November. He’s a 4x4 frame but missing a brow tine.
He will be a nice buck in 2024 for sure.

I did take a different buck between my sightings of him.

TBark

[elkhunter11]

I always pass multiple bucks, I have no issue not filling a tag, if I don't see the right buck.

[Smoky buck]

Only had 4 days on stand so didn’t pass on too many bucks but I did pass on one first morning that I kinda like. He has good mass but nothing too special otherwise and weak brows. I don’t regret passing on him because I got one of my main target bucks in the end. He is nothing too special but I kinda like him

I hope to see him next year and curious on what his 2024 rack will be




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[Curtsyneil]

I passed up a mature 5x4 my guess a gross 150 buck probably a 4 year old. Also passed up a really nice 4x4 with great potential just spindly tines and a young deer that will be a giant if he gets some years on him. All in all a great season just didn’t cross paths with what I was looking for. Iam also a hunter that gets to hang his tag on the Christmas tree. I never regret passing on deer that have the potential to be something special. Just gotta hope to see them a few years from now and make it count.

[Rhino81]

Originally Posted by Smoky buck

Only had 4 days on stand so didn’t pass on too many bucks but I did pass on one first morning that I kinda like. He has good mass but nothing too special otherwise and weak brows. I don’t regret passing on him because I got one of my main target bucks in the end. He is nothing too special but I kinda like him

I hope to see him next year and curious on what his 2024 rack will be




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That deer ain’t getting any bigger. Should have let the air out of him

[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by Rhino81

That deer ain’t getting any bigger. Should have let the air out of him

I took a much larger drop tine buck and the other deer I was targeting were much larger bucks too. I had lots of good options scouted this is just one I past on

I passed on him mostly do to my other options not that I thought this buck would become much bigger. Honestly just want to see if he gains more mass as I doubt he will become much taller if at all

[whitetail Junkie]

Originally Posted by TBark

Anyone give a pass to a deer and maybe now have second thoughts?

I let this buck pass 3 times throughout November. He’s a 4x4 frame but missing a brow tine.
He will be a nice buck in 2024 for sure.

I did take a different buck between my sightings of him.

TBark

Did you end up with a good one?

I shot a low 160" buck on my 2nd day this year and regret it abit as he was'nt maxed out but after 3 years of seeing nothing decent he sure looked good in the rifle scope....

saw a 4x4 alot like yours aswell and hoping he makes it but still might be a 2025 deer...unless its the last few days of the hunt next year im not pulling the trigger on nothing unless its tall and heavy like 170"+ minimum

[MooseRiverTrapper]

Originally Posted by TBark

Anyone give a pass to a deer and maybe now have second thoughts?

I let this buck pass 3 times throughout November. He’s a 4x4 frame but missing a brow tine.
He will be a nice buck in 2024 for sure.

I did take a different buck between my sightings of him.

TBark

If that bucks lives the winter. I bet he’s the same size or smaller next year. Those big 4s rarely seem to change.

[Curtsyneil]

Originally Posted by MooseRiverTrapper

If that bucks lives the winter. I bet he’s the same size or smaller next year. Those big 4s rarely seem to change.

Big 4s one year can turn into big 5s the next year. So yeah he could get bigger next year no doubt about it.

[Dewey Cox]

I feel like all I saw this year was big, wide, heavy 3x3 mule bucks.
Didn't shoot any of them

[Demonical]

I passed up a really tall 4x4 with long main beams that came almost to touching. Maybe a 150" buck. Absolutely gorgeous deer.

And then I passed a real heavy 4x4, kinda like the buck in Smoky's pic, but the one I passed had taller tines I would say.

I don't regret passing up either buck, but I really regret not getting good video of either.
I did video both bucks, but got screwed up by grass/brush that made the (both) deer blur out of image, when I tried to zoom on them.
Made me want to puke, when I found out about the screwed videos.

[DiabeticKripple]

I had a few 5x5’s I didn’t pursue to see if they would grow into something next year. Here’s hoping they survived the season, I haven’t seen them on cam yet

[StiksnStrings]

I passed on a very nice 10pt, 150ish I'd guess and a good size body to boot. He stood broadside at around 80yds for what seemed like forever but, I was looking for a moose at the time. I thought "you're going to regret that". Well it's almost time for lunch so I think I'll get myself a bowl of moose tag soup.

[SageValleyOutdoors]

The day i killed my big one, i passed up a tiny little 4x4 at about 50 yards and then passed up a nice 5x5 that would have been probably mid 140s. I had passed this buck up numerous times in November, hoping for a 160+ buck to come out. I whitetail hunt in wmu 152, and a 140-150 buck is pretty good in this area, but i wanted something bigger than i already had, so held out. As i was filming the decent 5x5 through the spotting scope, he snapped his head around and was watching the thicker brush, so i knew something else was coming out. Sure enough, an absolute giant non typical eased out of the brush and i took the biggest whitetail of my life. I had no idea he was in the area and had never seen him before.





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[fishnguy]

So are we going to see the buck, Sage, or what? Haha.



Seriously though, time to post a pic!

[whitetail Junkie]

Originally Posted by SageValleyOutdoors

The day i killed my big one, i passed up a tiny little 4x4 at about 50 yards and then passed up a nice 5x5 that would have been probably mid 140s. I had passed this buck up numerous times in November, hoping for a 160+ buck to come out. I whitetail hunt in wmu 152, and a 140-150 buck is pretty good in this area, but i wanted something bigger than i already had, so held out. As i was filming the decent 5x5 through the spotting scope, he snapped his head around and was watching the thicker brush, so i knew something else was coming out. Sure enough, an absolute giant non typical eased out of the brush and i took the biggest whitetail of my life. I had no idea he was in the area and had never seen him before.





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Congrats to you on the non typical!...I noticed over the years you always take your son out hunting with you even when he looked pretty young,i tip my hat to you for that.

[-JR-]

Its easy to pass on small bucks if you got your own farm land to hunt and you know he will get bigger for you next year . But if your bush hunting and don't have a camera set up whats in the area then no ,you shot whats in front of you

The truth is a lot of guys are posting pictures of deer and Elk with big horns that are really not getting hunted ,but just harvested off of private farm land.

[Big Lou]

I went on a 20 day campaign in the big bush this year. First time devoting a November to it for better than 10 years. Probably closer to 15. There was nothing big on my place, or the other private land I frequent, besides a really nice up and comer that I didn’t even want to chance running into.

My biggest WT has come from the forests that could hide an army. I had around 20 cameras out and was pleasantly surprised with a few of the pockets of deer located. I ended up having the scope on 25 bucks that were rattled in. Another 4 that came but would not reveal themselves. My mind tells me that these are always the largest(not necessarily the case). Despite having bigger bucks on camera, I failed in connecting with any of them. No surprise - I have not forgotten who I am pursuing. I passed a 165” or so mainframe 5x5 with a 6-7” drop tine at 60 yards. He would have tickled or broke the 170” mark. I really wanted to dump him but I have the 160-170” size range covered in spades already. So 1.75 of the 2lbs trigger pressure required was let down and he walked away. Roughly a week later, I rattled in my third buck of that day and it was a deer I had pictures of, but was not able to see any of his extras in the captures. He had a 150” type 5x6 main frame but twin scissor brows and an inline. Great mass and beams wrapped in hard. I had misjudged him by 15” or better off of the photos. He finished at 12 yards. Just a beautiful rattling set. But he is a younger buck. Let him walk off too. Im not sure how much merit there is to letting the bush bucks walk but, we will see how it pans out in years to come.

By complete fluke, two of my cams ended up in or very close to the core area of a typical 6x7 that would gross in the 190s. He snapped off 27-30” of tines quite early. Which made me sick with all the daylight photos I was getting. I’m sure I could have killed that buck, but I feel it would have been a sin with him being broken as he was. Another buck I had several pictures of, I had talked myself out of being on the list. Until I got a picture that really showcased him. Biggest blunder of the season. He was quite regular on two cams in daylight and I squandered all of that potential opportunity not hunting him. A friend of mine had pictures of him from 2020 and he was already big then, but we never made the connection until it was too late. Probably a gross 180” buck,likely 7.5 years old.

All in all, it was a great season. I hadn’t realized how much I had missed chasing them in the big bush. Much more to learn as well as remember things I have forgotten.

[MooseRiverTrapper]

Originally Posted by Big Lou

I went on a 20 day campaign in the big bush this year. First time devoting a November to it for better than 10 years. Probably closer to 15. There was nothing big on my place, or the other private land I frequent, besides a really nice up and comer that I didn’t even want to chance running into.

My biggest WT has come from the forests that could hide an army. I had around 20 cameras out and was pleasantly surprised with a few of the pockets of deer located. I ended up having the scope on 25 bucks that were rattled in. Another 4 that came but would not reveal themselves. My mind tells me that these are always the largest(not necessarily the case). Despite having bigger bucks on camera, I failed in connecting with any of them. No surprise - I have not forgotten who I am pursuing. I passed a 165” or so mainframe 5x5 with a 6-7” drop tine at 60 yards. He would have tickled or broke the 170” mark. I really wanted to dump him but I have the 160-170” size range covered in spades already. So 1.75 of the 2lbs trigger pressure required was let down and he walked away. Roughly a week later, I rattled in my third buck of that day and it was a deer I had pictures of, but was not able to see any of his extras in the captures. He had a 150” type 5x6 main frame but twin scissor brows and an inline. Great mass and beams wrapped in hard. I had misjudged him by 15” or better off of the photos. He finished at 12 yards. Just a beautiful rattling set. But he is a younger buck. Let him walk off too. Im not sure how much merit there is to letting the bush bucks walk but, we will see how it pans out in years to come.

By complete fluke, two of my cams ended up in or very close to the core area of a typical 6x7 that would gross in the 190s. He snapped off 27-30” of tines quite early. Which made me sick with all the daylight photos I was getting. I’m sure I could have killed that buck, but I feel it would have been a sin with him being broken as he was. Another buck I had several pictures of, I had talked myself out of being on the list. Until I got a picture that really showcased him. Biggest blunder of the season. He was quite regular on two cams in daylight and I squandered all of that potential opportunity not hunting him. A friend of mine had pictures of him from 2020 and he was already big then, but we never made the connection until it was too late. Probably a gross 180” buck,likely 7.5 years old.

All in all, it was a great season. I hadn’t realized how much I had missed chasing them in the big bush. Much more to learn as well as remember things I have forgotten.

What’s your favourite three days to hunt?

[fishnguy]

Originally Posted by Big Lou

I went on a 20 day campaign in the big bush this year. First time devoting a November to it for better than 10 years. Probably closer to 15. There was nothing big on my place, or the other private land I frequent, besides a really nice up and comer that I didn’t even want to chance running into.

My biggest WT has come from the forests that could hide an army. I had around 20 cameras out and was pleasantly surprised with a few of the pockets of deer located. I ended up having the scope on 25 bucks that were rattled in. Another 4 that came but would not reveal themselves. My mind tells me that these are always the largest(not necessarily the case). Despite having bigger bucks on camera, I failed in connecting with any of them. No surprise - I have not forgotten who I am pursuing. I passed a 165” or so mainframe 5x5 with a 6-7” drop tine at 60 yards. He would have tickled or broke the 170” mark. I really wanted to dump him but I have the 160-170” size range covered in spades already. So 1.75 of the 2lbs trigger pressure required was let down and he walked away. Roughly a week later, I rattled in my third buck of that day and it was a deer I had pictures of, but was not able to see any of his extras in the captures. He had a 150” type 5x6 main frame but twin scissor brows and an inline. Great mass and beams wrapped in hard. I had misjudged him by 15” or better off of the photos. He finished at 12 yards. Just a beautiful rattling set. But he is a younger buck. Let him walk off too. Im not sure how much merit there is to letting the bush bucks walk but, we will see how it pans out in years to come.

By complete fluke, two of my cams ended up in or very close to the core area of a typical 6x7 that would gross in the 190s. He snapped off 27-30” of tines quite early. Which made me sick with all the daylight photos I was getting. I’m sure I could have killed that buck, but I feel it would have been a sin with him being broken as he was. Another buck I had several pictures of, I had talked myself out of being on the list. Until I got a picture that really showcased him. Biggest blunder of the season. He was quite regular on two cams in daylight and I squandered all of that potential opportunity not hunting him. A friend of mine had pictures of him from 2020 and he was already big then, but we never made the connection until it was too late. Probably a gross 180” buck,likely 7.5 years old.

All in all, it was a great season. I hadn’t realized how much I had missed chasing them in the big bush. Much more to learn as well as remember things I have forgotten.

Sounds like a great season and a great area. Better luck next time!

[SageValleyOutdoors]

Originally Posted by -JR-

Its easy to pass on small bucks if you got your own farm land to hunt and you know he will get bigger for you next year . But if your bush hunting and don't have a camera set up whats in the area then no ,you shot whats in front of you

The truth is a lot of guys are posting pictures of deer and Elk with big horns that are really not getting hunted ,but just harvested off of private farm land.

I don’t own land - but about 90% of the land i hunt is due to the kindness of landowners. Although i have cameras, i don’t use them anymore. I’ve had too many stolen, so it’s not worth it for me. The last couple years I’ve told myself I’m NOT shooting a whitetail unless it’s bigger than what I’ve already got. I’ve got elk meat, so don’t need to kill something unless it’s a trophy. I was VERY tempted by the 140-150ish buck in my previous post, but held off, hoping for 160+. Five minutes after i passed up that buck, the giant non typical came into the opening, and i got him. I had no idea he was there, there was no long stalk or tricky hunt - all it came down to was straight up luck. Being in the right place at the right time. This farm gets hunted pretty hard - i have no idea how the buck made it to the age and maturity and size he got to. I’m sure there were other guys who knew he was there and were hunting him… but i got lucky.
All I’m getting at is that you’ve gotta be willing to go home empty handed, and put the time in. Eventually, you’ll cross paths with a trophy of a lifetime - no matter if you hunt big bush or farmland. Private land with sole access or crown land with guys everywhere. They’re out there if you’re willing to hold out for them.


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[fishnguy]

Originally Posted by SageValleyOutdoors

Thanks man! My boys have been coming out with me since they were about 3 years old…
the best times I’ve ever spent in the woods have been watching my kids kill some phenomenal and memorable animals. They’ve each been successful on deer, and elk. One has killed a moose and a cougar, the other’s first big game animal was a beauty 6.5’ black bear. Both of them have turned into phenomenal hunters, and they’re both a much better rifle shot than i am!


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That is awesome, man!

Originally Posted by SageValleyOutdoors

I don’t own land - but about 90% of the land i hunt is due to the kindness of landowners. Although i have cameras, i don’t use them anymore. I’ve had too many stolen, so it’s not worth it for me. The last couple years I’ve told myself I’m NOT shooting a whitetail unless it’s bigger than what I’ve already got. I’ve got elk meat, so don’t need to kill something unless it’s a trophy. I was VERY tempted by the 140-150ish buck in my previous post, but held off, hoping for 160+. Five minutes after i passed up that buck, the giant non typical came into the opening, and i got him. I had no idea he was there, there was no long stalk or tricky hunt - all it came down to was straight up luck. Being in the right place at the right time. This farm gets hunted pretty hard - i have no idea how the buck made it to the age and maturity and size he got to. I’m sure there were other guys who knew he was there and were hunting him… but i got lucky.
All I’m getting at is that you’ve gotta be willing to go home empty handed, and put the time in. Eventually, you’ll cross paths with a trophy of a lifetime - no matter if you hunt big bush or farmland. Private land with sole access or crown land with guys everywhere. They’re out there if you’re willing to hold out for them.


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This is key, imo. The biggest bucks that I personally know of that were shot around here, no one knew of their existence. The biggest was shot less than 30 meters from a camera that was there year round overlooking few trails. He was never caught on it and the area where he was shot after later examination appeared to be his bedding area, one of the trails right by it led straight to the camera. Go figure. Neither was he captured on any of the other few cameras that were in the area. The hunter saw a buck just bedding down, waited a long while and shot it. Only realized after the fact what he shot. Just how she goes more often than not, I would think.

Edit: and congrats on the deer, mate!

[SageValleyOutdoors]

Originally Posted by whitetail Junkie

Congrats to you on the non typical!...I noticed over the years you always take your son out hunting with you even when he looked pretty young,i tip my hat to you for that.

Thanks man! My boys have been coming out with me since they were about 3 years old…
the best times I’ve ever spent in the woods have been watching my kids kill some phenomenal and memorable animals. They’ve each been successful on deer, and elk. One has killed a moose and a cougar, the other’s first big game animal was a beauty 6.5’ black bear. Both of them have turned into phenomenal hunters, and they’re both a much better rifle shot than i am!


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