I try to shoot what I think is an older( 4.5 and up deer) but truthfully if I pick up my gun instead of my binoculars when I first see a buck that is all she wrote.

What I shoot depends on 1st, the rules of the land/club I'm hunting. Then the time of year and meat level in the freezer. If it's late in the season, and I don't have any meat in the freezer, I'll shoot a spike if I can. I'd rather eat and process some meat vs look back at some horns. I like to eat.

Whichever ones are "mature" and provide me a shot with my bow that I feel comfortable taking.

Here’s a new view. I don’t shoot does, and haven’t for 6 years . I will shoot a 2 year old 8 point if I need meat in a heartbeat. My neighbors shoot forked horn or better, but they don’t shoot does. We don’t have the biggest bucks but we don’t do without deer meat. Once I kill something I’m happy depending on the meat situation I shoot for 4 1/2-5 1/2. He may be a funky 5 pt or a really nice 8 pint like my wife killed this year. If the does are there there will always be bucks.

I shoot what ever the landowners want me too. And at my place I shoot the one thats going to be the easiest for me to get out. I love a big rack buck as much as anything else but to wait for a 5+ yr old buck with a 100++ b.c. points is like waiting on a liberal to admit that he is wrong. Other places I pass on anything that I think is under 4. Sometimes I have made a mistake I shot a beautiful 3-1/2 yr old 10 point in ky and really felt like $#!+ for about 6 months. And I haven't pulled the trigger on a buck up there again because I always question myself and they clear out before I make my mind up.
It really is a lot harder for us Deer south boys to judge a 4 + buck say in Ky vs Mobile county. Huge difference a 2 1/2 yr old is bigger than any buck Ive ever seen here. Location is the decision maker.

At the hunting club I’m in, I try to shoot bucks that are 4 1/2 and older. There are two 8 pts, a 9 pt, and two 10 pts that got a pass because of that, this past season. I see many bucks that I think are 3 1/2 or younger, but once they turn 4 1/2, they become scarce. We do kill a few really old deer from time to time, so they are there, but they are really good at hiding

Whichever one is closest to the truck.

I try to go by age if I’m shooting a buck. Does on the other I’ll shoot anyone that gives me a chance.

I try to shoot 4+ regardless of where I am. Most of the time I do. Mistakes will happen, and at the end of the day it is just a deer after all, and hardly worth getting bent out of shape over. Have fun.

Best answer I have seen so far!

I am the same way.
I love to pattern and hunt mature deer.

But, if I am hunting and things get exciting and start happening fast and I make a 'mistake'....so be it.

When I stop getting excited, I will probably just quit.

Still hunting on the club, I go by club rules. I hunt in Baldwin County and we shoot 4 on one side and 13”+ inside spread. (Usually equates to a 3.5+ y/o deer here. We pull all jawbones and send them off).

Dog hunting with friends on dog clubs & WMAs, we shoot any buck because it’s more about good races, fresh backstraps on the grill, cold beer, and having fun.

I generally wont shoot it if i aint gonna mount it but if i need some meat late in the season its club rules 6 point or better. I hunt to eat a trophy is just a bonus.

Clem said it best! "I shoot what makes me happy at that moment".

Make yourself happy.

Rarely count points, spread etc. If I say "oh sh*t!" when I see him and don't have to question it, then he's dead. Simple as that.

This is pretty much how I hunt. And rarely will I kill a doe late in the evening due to not having a rack to pull her fat ass out with.

I let the deer decide.....

That is what I tell all our guests. If he walks out and you have to debate on whether to shoot him or not, he's not a shooter. if he walks out and the first thing you think is "Oh shucks" he's probably a shooter.

Growing up running dogs any buck was fair game,no doe because there was no season. Now a lot more selective, but like said accidents happen. When they happen there's no need to call The Alabama Hammer just move on.

I feel the same havnt ever killed a giant but several decent deer up to 130 but if i havnt killed one in a year and i c one that makes my heart jump its gone..this past year it happened to be a 2 year old 8 prob score 100 but hes gonna be in my kids room soon on a plaque