Buck, doe, or fawn, the hunter chooses what to shoot

Every deer season, I hear hunters talking about "record book bucks." Everyone would like to take a big buck, not only for the delicious venison for the freezer, but they would like to have a nice deer head mount hanging on their wall to remember the hunt and show it off to their family and friends.

Golly, I am guilty of that myself. I have several respectable bucks hanging on the wall of my den, and I can look at them and recall where I took the animal, the year I took the animal, and who was hunting with me. It sure brings back great memories.

I know of many hunters who have made several hundred hunts, and they are still trying to harvest their first deer. I know a bunch of hunters who have taken huge bucks, and I know other hunters who have only managed to be successful on does. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Granted, every hunter wants to shoot a trophy buck, but it is not that easy.

Trophy bucks require a number of things to become trophies. Genetics plays a huge factor. Diet is also an important factor. Age is another factor. If the buck fawn's father was indeed a trophy, the buck fawn will have a good chance to inherit those genes. If he is living in a proper area with nutritional food sources, that will help him grow body strength and also antler development. And if the fawn survives the winter, disease, and hunting pressure, he has the likelihood of being a trophy.

Sadly enough, not every area is conducive to growing trophy bucks. There might be opportunities to see and harvest smaller bucks and does, but during most archery seasons, it is legal to take any deer, any age, any sex. That allows the hunter the option of shooting bucks, does, and fawns.

As an unwritten rule, you will observe more does than bucks, and you can shoot a button buck, spike buck, small basket racked buck, young and mature does, and even fawns. Most of the deer mentioned are mighty tasty and can contribute to many great meals. Depending on the deer's diet and how it is taken care of after being harvested it can be fantastic eating.

I often get questions from both beginning and veteran hunters asking me, "What deer should I shoot?" That is a question that is pretty easy, but oftentimes controversial. It is your choice, and no one else’s!

Some hunters claim to be trophy hunters, and that is fine. They say, "I won’t shoot a deer if it is not a trophy!" That is their choice and right, but many times, they sit in a tree stand during all types of weather and watch many deer other hunters would elect to shoot.

I know a devoted trophy hunting friend of mine has not shot a deer in almost nine seasons. I give him credit. He has more patience than I do. I am not chastising him for his decision because that is his choice.

What gets me upset is, my neighbor, who has only been hunting a few seasons and has not filled a tag yet, says everyone tells him not to shoot a doe. He wonders why?

Well, in my opinion, he works hard every day to survive and supply his family's needs. He works hard to get things to make his life more enjoyable. He does not own or have access to multiple locations for hunting. He even told me he is lucky to see more than one buck the entire season. But he does not want to make his friends angry by harvesting a doe for the freezer. He wanted my opinion.

He does not have to answer to anyone. If he wants to harvest a doe, or whatever offers him a shot, he has that right. It is his choice, and no one has the right to tell him what to shoot! Plain and simple. If it is legal and ethical, I will never degrade anyone for whatever they shoot.

If it makes you happy, that is all that matters. If you want to shoot a young deer, do it. If you want to wait for a trophy, do it. You do not have to please or satisfy me. You have to satisfy you.

This will be my 60th deer season, and I still get excited the night before season opens. I watch the weather forecast to determine predicted weather and wind direction. Then I make my decision which stand I will hunt.

I still get excited when I hear deer walking through the woods in the dark, and I still get "buck fever" when I see a deer, whether it is a buck or doe. Over my career, I have taken several respectable bucks as well as smaller bucks and mature does. I have never shot a small deer, and I always joked, "If I was going to have a heart attack dragging out a deer, it would be because it was a huge deer."

I am not a trophy hunter. Sure, I like to harvest big bucks, but I hunt for the freezer. If a big buck comes down the trail, that is fantastic, but my first priority is feeding my family. I allow smaller deer, such as fawns, button bucks, and even "basket rack" bucks to pass me while I search for a fat, mature doe that I figure will field dress at least 100 pounds. I have finished a few deer seasons with an unfilled tag and empty freezer, but very few. This is a self-imposed size requirement I made over 50 years ago.

In conclusion, some hunters say, "Don’t shoot on the last day what you would pass on opening day.” Again, that is your choice, and no one else’s.