Would you guys shoot it?

rumpletown · Aug 7, 2006

Since this is my first year bowhunting I have been told to even get a deer your first year no matter how big is an accomplishment.

So, if you were me and in your first year, would you shoot a little 2 point if you could? Is getting a little 2 point good your first year bowhunting?

Thanks
rumple

BOHNTR · Aug 7, 2006

rumple:

In all seriousness, shoot what YOU like. Don't be worried about what others are going to say. Arrowing your first deer is a huge step for most and any buck is a trophy, IMO.

Trophy hunting (especially with archery) is generally a major transition from just being successful with a bow & arrow, to being more selective. Sounds like you're at the beginning of your adventures with the bow. Shoot what makes you happy. Good luck and have fun!

BOHNTR )))---------->

legacy · Aug 7, 2006

If it is a general season hunt, absolutely I would take a 2 point if it were my first deer with a bow. I took me several years to kill my first deer with a bow and I know a lot of guys who have hunted many years and have never killed a deer with a bow. You watch all of these whitetail hunts on tv and they make it look like all hunting is like shooting fish in a barrel. hunting mule deer, especially with a bow, is a whole different ball game. Hunting is all about experience and learning. That first buck, no matter how big he is, will be a trophy because of all of the things that you will learn during the process. I remember the first elk we ever killed. I can't even describe how much I learned on that trip. Wherever you set your personal expectations, good luck and just have fun! And remember...you always remember the ones you miss!

ELKMASTER101 · Aug 7, 2006

Even a large doe.
thirty five years later and i still remember my first deer with
bow,
doe at 35 yards.
she walked past 2 trees and gave me the perfict
shot at her vitals with her head and rump behind trees.
she never even knew what happened.

NMHUNTNUTT1 · Aug 7, 2006

Both above responses are right on the money, bow hunting is a never ending experiance. CAUTION THOUGH, its addicting...

MTQuivers · Aug 7, 2006

It depends on how much time you have to hunt, your hunting experience in the past and what you are looking to get out of the hunt. In Utah you have the extended hunt to consider which is a great opportunity to hunt in the rut. If you shoot a two point with a bow I don't think you would regret it at all and like the other guys said you will remember the first bow kill forever; However there is nothing wrong with holding out for a bigger deer even if you go home empty handed once in a while.

Cali4x4 · Aug 8, 2006

First legal deer. Buck or doe.

TipMOver · Aug 8, 2006

My first bowkill was a doe in Colorado many years ago. It was about 2 weeks after buying my first bow. Was I pumped? You better believe it! Do what is going to make you happy. Dont let others dictate that for you. But by all means if you get a buck , big or not in the peep, let the air out of him! Good luck to you!

AZtrophyhunter · Aug 8, 2006

My first buck with a bow was a little spike & it was one of the best experiences of my life. I was a sophmore in highschool & couldn't believe I had actually done it.

cmiddleton · Aug 10, 2006

my first deer with a bow was a 2 point and i was tickled to death with it. it was my 3rd year bowhunting. i was addiced to the stalking in close on the first year. i have never been dissapointed bow hunting even when i don't fill my tag.
i now trophy hunt just for that reason, the worst day of hunting season is the day i fill the tag. that meens i can't hunt tomarrow.
if you must fill your tag to be happy take what you have a opertunity to take. if your love is the hunt not the end of it for another year be a trophy hunter. thats why i look for something bigger, just so the season isn't over yet.

Wiszard · Aug 10, 2006

My first and only deer with a bow is a forkie. And as a matter of fact, I shot at a spike/fork this season and missed. I believe any game taken with a bow is huge! Ive bowhunted for going on 4 years now and have only harvested one animal? I'd say you take what you can. When you do shoot that first one- its the best feeling in the world. I hope I dont have to wait another few years til I can get my next deer with the bow. Good luck! Its harder than it looks!!!!!

Boskee · Aug 10, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Aug-10-06 AT 05:10PM (MST)[p]Rumple, the only one in reality you need to be happy with is YOU. The trophy is in the eye of the beholder and some of the best hunters I know have never killed any book animals. As long as you set the standards and satisfy yourself you'll find that bow hunting can be very gratifiing. Then one day if that really magnificent trophy presents itself you'll be up for the challenge. Some of the best hunts I ever went on I never killed a thing and I passed on quite a few shots. It's an accomplishment to take your first animal of any kind with a bow and I hope you find bow hunting as enjoyable as some of the rest of us that post here. Good luck and enjoy!

lifeisgood · Aug 10, 2006

Thats up to YOU, and no one else. While outfitting, I have heard the question "Should I shoot it?" about 10,000 times. No reason to ask me, its not my decision to make. Ill tell you how big it is, its spread, gross score, if its average for area or above but "shoot it?" I say that phrase about once a year, and you darn well better be slingin' lead or drawing your bow, because its a once in a lifetime animal. FOR ANYONE!! Hunt to exceed YOUR goals, not anyone elses. And IF I say shoot it.... SHOOT IT!!!

life is good

cpugsie · Aug 10, 2006

ABSOLUTELY!!! My first deer with a bow was a button buck. You could shoot does or bucks in New York and my first season was all about just getting a deer under my belt with the bow. I didn't shoot anything of great size for many years. It's fun just to shoot something with the bow. Of course if the first deer you have a chance at is a toad take him if you can stop shaking. Bow hunting gives me the shakes much more than rifle simply because of how close you get to your game. Good luck!!

Carl

Silentstalker · Aug 14, 2006

Absolutly! I believe that being a great Bowhunter has a lot more to do with actually harvesting game than it does precision shooting. What I mean is a person must get to a point where he/she totally believes in themselves. That when the moment of truth arrives, they can get the job done. Shoot a few deer and elk before you get totally picky, This to me is how you get that confidence. I have found that most people climb the size ladder as they harvest more and more animals. If the deer looks good to you and gives you a good clear shot, let 'er rip! Have a great season and good luck!

Chad

CAnAZbwhnter · Aug 15, 2006

I agree with you guys. If you have that opportunity standing in front of you then by all means take it...do not pass on a buck regardless of size> during your first couple seasons of bow hunting. The more experience you get out there stalking, shooting, and tracking, the better you will become and like Chad said: the confidence factor will kick in with practice. Once you kill a buck or two then maybe its time to start aiming towards bigger deer.

BCBigGame · Aug 16, 2006

Hey Rumpletown I'm in a similar boat as you. I've had my bow going into my third season. I missed a small buck the first season and after the shot I sat down and realized that was one of my best hunting experiences in my 25 years of hunting. I have yet to arrow any game yet, but closing the extra 100-200 yards required for a bow shot multiples any perchieved trophy 10 fold. I will not pass on my first legal deer, as I'm sure I will never forget the hunt regarless of trophy quality headgear. 15 days and counting.
Good luck and accurate shooting!

If we're not supposed to eat animals, why are they made of meat?

Gator · Aug 18, 2006

I did Take what you think you will be happy with, The only guy you have to please is yourself. Once you get one your hooked.

maddglasser · Aug 19, 2006

If the only reason your hunting is to impress others then a person needs to consider another sport!

HuntNevada · Aug 21, 2006

In my opinion anybody who can kill a deer with a bow has my upmost respect because you just killed something that some guys have a hard time killing with a muzzleloader or a rifle, so anything you kill with your bow be proud and don't listen to anything says to you.