What size animal are you looking for and why?

[stilllearning]

I hope this is just a Humble opinion spot were no one getts up set at anyone elses choices.

So here it goes I will start.

My preference is to shoot a dry doe that is in the 3 to 4 year old age bracket. But here we have a draw for a doe tag so if I do not get a doe tag I prefer to shoot a spike or split fork horn buck so that my meat is of the best eating that there is. When shooting moose I don't even realy want the big smasher as I prefer anything from a year and half old cow up to a 3 year old bull. Small racks but great meat in the freezer is what I am after.

Now let me also say that if the first animal to come out is that smasher it will go down but I will not pass on a smaller one to wait for the smasher.

What about you? What is your preference and why?

[michihunter]

I'm much like you SL but there are exceptions. For example, I will mostly always get a doe first. Don't care what size or age too much but they are usuallly the first thing presented to me during bow hunting and that gives me the chance to fill the freezer. After that, I get a bit more choosey. If I already have my doe, I won't shoot any buck with less than 6 points until it gets late into the year. Just my own restrictions and nothing that's mandated.

[bigskyscott]

Big antlers are nice,but a full freezer is nicer.

[sidewinder]

i am a meat hunter first if i am presented with a good shot on a brute that will work as well.

[4pointer]

I waited for horn's last deer season, had doe's on me almost
everytime out & my freezer is EMPTY, nOT THIS TEAR , fill the freezer
first than get picky ;D

[teambateau]

If it's brown it's down!

[hunter7x]

Indiana hunters are only allowed to kill one antlered buck regardless of what weapon we shoot it with.
I generally shoot the first adult doe I have within bow range and then I wait for a mature buck. This year I waited until Muzzleloaders season before I filled my tag, last year it was opening day of Shotgun and the 3 years before that I filled it during Bow season.
I shoot 2 or 3 Doe through out the year for freezer meat and I give a lot away.

[4pointer]

GIVE AWAY

JUST KIDDING ,THAT IS GREAT THAT YOU CAN HELP OUT THOSE WHO CAN USE IT..... ;D

[Rutbuck]

I'm both a meat and trophy hunter. Now you're saying how can that be? I'll tell you, does are for meat, bucks are for the wall.Thats why I haven't gotten a buck in the last few years. Its not that I didn't see any. I'm just picky now,I look for 8pts or better. I have a box full of antlers of small bucks I don't need any more.

[DocHolladay]

I try my best to go off of body size and age. I saw alot of deer this year, but let them walk because they were young. If you treat the meat right, you wont be able to tell if it is a 1 year old deer or a 7 year old deer. Proper handling is what give meat the tenderness and flavor... If a buck with a nice rack walks by, he is getting it...

[fossilman]

I guess I'm a meat hunter too............I think a nice buck is a bonus,when hunting(because I never try to find them)...

[patdoyle]

I believe that it's all about the hunt and not the caliber of the prey. Most times I shoot the first legal deer I see but sometimes I let em walk away. But I don't think anybody that kills a smaller deer should feel like any less of a hunter than someone who waits for the KING DADDY buck. If you truly love hunting, then any kill is a trophy wether it be a 12 piont buck or a 2 pound squirrel.It's about the experience.Good hunting to all.
__________________
Patrick Doyle

[stilllearning]

Patdoyle I like the way you look at it. I have actualy gone about 7 yrs without a deer kill because of licensing issue (buck only tags). But I have truly had great hunting seasons and have seen more deer in the last two years than I have in the past twenty before that.