How Many Years Without Filling Your Genral Whitetail Tag.

[Dale S]

This will be my third year. Not from the lack of trying. And have past up many over the years. I think I just love being out in the field. Maybe next year.

[3blade]

Two. Freezers full with other animals the last two years so I let em grow. I love the chess match but no reason to kill more than I can use.

[Kurt505]

This year would have been 8yrs but an amazing twist of fate changed it all.

I guide and I also have a 17yr old son who hunts, between that and having my moose archery or elk tags, I don’t have the need to fill my whitetail tag.

I know people who HAVE to shoot something just to fill the tag..... and why? For years I have passed on deer most would be ecstatic to shoot, but for me a 150-160 class deer is not what I’m after. As a matter of fact, since finally pulling the trigger it seems a 180-190 class whitetail is about where it starts for me if I’m shooting a whitetail buck. I have piles of deer in the 150-170 range and in their time they were the trophy I was looking for, today not so much though.

I started out shooting anything with horns, then it had to be a 4x4, then a 5x5, then I shot my first 154” buck and the obsession set in. That’s how my journey set out and the course it’s taken, many others have totally different goals and experiences and I’m totally ok with whatever they may choose as an animal worthy of harvest. If your happy with your harvest, all I can say is congrats on your success!!!

[trigger7mm]

Originally Posted by Kurt505

This year would have been 8yrs but an amazing twist of fate changed it all.

I guide and I also have a 17yr old son who hunts, between that and having my moose archery or elk tags, I don’t have the need to fill my whitetail tag.

I know people who HAVE to shoot something just to fill the tag..... and why? For years I have passed on deer most would be ecstatic to shoot, but for me a 150-160 class deer is not what I’m after. As a matter of fact, since finally pulling the trigger it seems a 180-190 class whitetail is about where it starts for me if I’m shooting a whitetail buck. I have piles of deer in the 150-170 range and in their time they were the trophy I was looking for, today not so much though.

I started out shooting anything with horns, then it had to be a 4x4, then a 5x5, then I shot my first 154” buck and the obsession set in. That’s how my journey set out and the course it’s taken, many others have totally different goals and experiences and I’m totally ok with whatever they may choose as an animal worthy of harvest. If your happy with your harvest, all I can say is congrats on your success!!!

Im in pretty much the same boat as you, and feel the same way. It’s been 5 years since my last whitetail tag has been filled up until a couple weeks ago, when I finally found a dandy buck. Wish I knew how to post pictures, but I’m not the best techie by any means.

[DiabeticKripple]

I am 2/4 for alternating years. Nothing this year, one in 2018, none in 2017, one 5x5 in 2016.

I could have shot a couple smaller bucks or does this year, and I was on a hunt where we took a smaller buck, but the GF had a mule deer draw and she tagged out on that so we didn’t need the meat.

[yoteblaster]

First year for me but I have 2 boys 14 and 21 so I don’t shoot anything until they fill their tags. This year we didn’t shoot a thing. Past up a bunch of little ones and had a blast rattling in a one antlered buck to 12 yards. The quality and number of deer in my area is way down

[Dale S]

Now that I think about it. The last 3 years the freezer was full. Elk, moose and mule deer. Definitely plays a factor.

[Mountainaccent]

I’ve been lucky enough to fill my tag on a great buck every year same with mule deer. This was my first year not archery hunting them out east and first tag not used

[teledogs]

This is my third year but I couldn't hunt this year. My wife just thinks I like to walk in the bush with a rifle but I am always looking for that special buck to cross my path. I am not in a rush...

[elkhunter11]

I haven't purchased a whitetail license in five years, and it's likely been fifteen years since I have killed a whitetail. If I don't see a deer that I really want, I don't shoot one, I passed over thirty whitetail bucks one year. I am not expecting to draw any special licenses next year, so I may purchase the license , just to get out for a few days.

[35 whelen]

I buy a tag every year I shoot one about every 7 years looking for that elusive Boone and Crockett this year I took one to fill the freezer.

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[Passthru]

2 years in a row I didn’t kill a whitetail. I had many legal opportunities on does and small bucks but I just couldn’t. Not because I couldn’t use the meat but because I always have this voice on my shoulder saying “Hey don’t shoot! The next one will be bigger!” Lots of deer have walked and lived because of that voice. My wife hates that voice

[Hunter4ever12]

My biggest stint for no general WT harvest was 2010-2015. Shot one in 2016 and then another one a few days ago.

[Justfishin73]

0. I buy my tag to fill it every year. Meat is always needed.

[2 Tollers]

About 8 counting this year. With just two of us at home now I watch what we have in the freezer and if we do not need meat leave bucks waiting for one bigger than what are down stairs (160's). A moose lasts us 2 to 3 years and now with an elk this year I can be picky again next fall.

[Hunter4ever12]

Originally Posted by Hunter4ever12

My biggest stint for no general WT harvest was 2010-2015. Shot one in 2016 and then another one a few days ago.

Edit - Just looked on the computer it was actually 2008-2015. No lack of trying but I refuse to take an immature buck.

[rembo]

Took my last deer in 2010.
He's not that big but I have not seen a bigger one since.

[501s]

Originally Posted by Passthru

2 years in a row I didn’t kill a whitetail. I had many legal opportunities on does and small bucks but I just couldn’t. Not because I couldn’t use the meat but because I always have this voice on my shoulder saying “Hey don’t shoot! The next one will be bigger!” Lots of deer have walked and lived because of that voice. My wife hates that voice

This really made me laugh. I think most wives hate that voice.

[Ryan.M]

I've been hunting for 3 years now, and last year I got my first whitetail buck. Passed on a couple this year to let them grow.

[buckbrush]

Two seasons now without folding my WT tag. I think I've shot three in the last 10 years between using some priority and Mrs. buckbrush usually filling her tags I have be able to hold out for the right ones.

[ceedub]

Yup. My tag goes unfilled this year. 24 great days hunting whitetails, passed on some that were close but never saw one that made my heart flutter. Watched the buck in the picture for about 2.5 hours last Monday, just not what I was after. Another terrific season in the books.

Craig

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[scolopax-munster]

Originally Posted by ceedub

Yup. My tag goes unfilled this year. 24 great days hunting whitetails, passed on some that were close but never saw one that made my heart flutter. Watched the buck in the picture for about 2.5 hours last Monday, just not what I was after. Another terrific season in the books.

Craig

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That looks like quite some deer you passed up there!

[58thecat]

No buck last year...got one this year though.....I like my meat but I like mature whities too.....dam toss up.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Usually get an elk with the bow and don’t need the meat so I look for a bigger one than I have already and don’t always meet that goal.

LC

[bessiedog]

Now that 2 of my kids hunt.... it’s pretty sporadic. My meat buck this year was the first white tail I’ve shot in 5 years I think.

We’ve been filling the freezer more and more with elk instead.

[last minute]

I would say 7 years .

[Rhino81]

Shoot a 150-160 every season and see probably 50 bucks I could shoot. Like fish in a barrel. Girlfriend and boy and I are normally pretty picky with the amount of deer seen daily. Have never not shot a whitetail

[Rhino81]

2019

[mightybuck]

Last tag i filled was in 2013. Hunted hard fro 15 days this season passed on 10 150 class bucks but couldn't fill the tag even with my sone with me on some of those days. It was great to show him that you don't have to fill your tag to have a successful season. Wish more guys would let the whitetail population grow and the bucks grow to a mature size instead of just filling a tag. But those are just my beliefs...

[bitterrootfly]

Originally Posted by mightybuck

Last tag i filled was in 2013. Hunted hard fro 15 days this season passed on 10 150 class bucks but couldn't fill the tag even with my sone with me on some of those days. It was great to show him that you don't have to fill your tag to have a successful season. Wish more guys would let the whitetail population grow and the bucks grow to a mature size instead of just filling a tag. But those are just my beliefs...

Amen, if you want meat shoot a doe, just my 2 cents, 2nd year in a row I haven’t filled the tag, lord knows I had my chances too