Pretty much all deer hunters want to shoot a “trophy class buck”. For some, that means a Boone and Crockett (B&C) “book” deer netting 170-inches or better. For others, it might mean a gross score of 150-inches, even 140-inches. Many bowhunters simply seek Pope and Young (P&Y) caliber bucks measuring 125-inches are better. Depending on variables such as skill level, monetary means, and amount of free time to hunt, whitetail goals can be tough to achieve. Then there is the variable of hunting area.
Simply put, passing up smaller bucks can be a good thing. But do you find yourself doing it a lot? If so, it might be wise to ask the following question; Are there even bucks in the area that meet my expectations? The true answer usually requires an ample amount of time spent scouting and hunting the area. And self-honesty. If you can truly answer yes to the question, then all bets are off. If not, don’t fret. You can still dream while sharpening your hunting skills. In this case, perhaps shooting anything more than a doe or mediocre-antlered buck is gravy.
Big buck potential usually has much more to do with the overall area though – not just the parcel you hunt. If trophy potential is way up on your list, then check area newspapers, visit taxidermy and processing shops. Heck, check B&C records for the county. The B&C Club has a searchable database back to the 19th century. Note that in most areas of the country, hunters will be disappointed with the results of the latter.
I love to bow hunt free-range whitetails. However, I admit, the novelty and challenge of it often make it irresistible to dream big. In fact, a couple of areas I hunt every season present little chance of taking a buck much over 140-inches, with most mature whitetail bucks topping out in the 125-inch range. Though I still harbor hopes for better, I’m okay with the reality.
For me, it’s not so much about settling on my hopes and outlook, rather managing them. The good news is that, if we put in time contributing to quality deer management practices in these types of areas, we might be able to raise the bar regarding the prospect of larger antlers. The list is long; food plots, mineral supplementation, hinge-cutting, and selective harvest (just to name a few).
In the meantime, “the buck was a trophy for the area” is good enough for me. In these places, the “you never know what you’re going to see” mentality still furthers my ability to get up early on cold mornings. Further, I find myself content with a nice mature 120-inch buck, especially when bowhunting. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt my feelings if it had a drop-tine…
