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  • Deer & Deer Hunting

    THE PRUDENCE OF SHOOTING MORE BUCKS

    Dec 18, 2020 5 minutes
    JOHN HAGEMAN

    I enjoy the taste of venison, so I’ve never considered myself a buck hunter. Putting a year’s worth of steaks, chops and burger into my freezer overrides my desire for antlers. However, the past few years, I’ve passed on chances to shoot other deer on the opening day of firearms season in case “my buck” showed up.

    Almost 20 years ago, after shooting several large bucks, I joined the ranks of deer hunters who voluntarily pass small and young bucks so the deer can grow older and potentially achieve greater antler growth. Four days into the 2015 firearms season, a Licking County, Ohio, buck trotted within 5 yards of my ground blind. The deer sported a heavy, wide rack, but a missing right G-4 tine and somewhat stubby antlers inspired me to pass as it walked out of sight. I hoped additional age

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