Opening weekend. What will you pull the trigger on?

[Cody Gruchow]

now i know everyone whats that big ol buck, but who has the patience for him? what deer will you pull the trigger on opening weekend or at all during gun season? only a big buck? any size buck? does? fawn? any deer that wanders past you?

myself i wont pull the trigger on a buck that is smaller then the previous year(my own rule) but i will shoot any doe and maybe a yearling(they always look bigger in the scope anyways)

i know there are many types of hunters sport/trophy/meat so thats what makes this such a fun question

[deadeye]

Always an interesting topic.  I will probably let any does and fawns pass for the first few days hoping the big buck will be following.  Later I will shoot a doe or two if needed.  If I use your rule on the buck being bigger than last year, they would all be in jeopardy as I didn't shoot a buck last year.  I will shoot a nice 8 or bigger buck. 

[dakids]

8 or bigger and out past the ears.  I will be sitting with my daughter the first 3 days and will be watching her.  Will only shoot if it is a monster and then it will only be insuranse that my daughter doesn't get buck fever and blow the shot.

[Bigjack27]

Great question and i have always thought about it. Yes meat is meat but i still usually don't shoot fawns. And I will definitely shoot a good size doe. 

[dakids]

Fawns= veal of the forest

[Onin24Eagle]

Too expensive in my hunting party to have the "if it's brown it's down" mentality.  Does are free and encouraged to keep the herd healthy.  However for bucks, the rule goes as follows:

A.)  It has to be the biggest buck you've ever shot....or
B.)  At least 8 points and wider than the ears

Whichever is smaller.

Violations of this rule result in a $100 fine with proceeds going toward the hunting/land management fund (i.e. food plot seed, heaters for stands, etc)

With the way we have it worked out, it's ok for my 13 year old nephew to take a spike buck, but his next one has to be at least forked on one side.  The ante goes up every year until he gets one that meets criteria "B".  Once there all bucks must be 8 points and wider than the ears.  My younger brother got burned for $200 last year as he shot two 7 pointers after having taken a 10 point back in '07, but at least we got new blades on the brush hog. 

Gotta make sure you know what you're shooting at when you hunt with us.