Deerminator...If you are in an area where you are confident of taking a deer, I would pass on the does, fawns, and small bucks, so that I could enjoy the whole season. Take a doe later on. If an 8 point 120"+ would walk by I would most likely throw an arrow at him and go fishing.

fishinmajishin, I'm thinking about that. The choice narrows down to mature doe early (if things work as planned) or "nice" buck later when the corn comes down. I think I may wait for the buck but start hunting hard/more frequently the end of October and November til gun season. After gun season its usually all bets off for awhile here. When I started five years ago, the all season was in effect and I could take up to three, so I didn't have this quandry. But its a good one to have and I am fortunate. Regardless of what happens, I'll be happy if I have Venison in the freezer by December's end.

I love it when people say does taste better! Maybe a 1 1/2 year old doe vs a 5 1/2 year old buck. Been eating venison for forty years and I've never been able to tell the difference between a 1 1/2 year old doe vs a 1 1/2 year old buck.

Other than that I'd say shoot whatever you want to shoot.

I would love to see a book buck when I am archery hunting, I see them on the camera but just cant get my timing right. I love to take does and have let numerous young bucks pass waiting for a biggun. I will take a good 8 if I get the chance, but would love a monster. and does do taste better

Whatever!

I'd rather eat an 180 inch 12 pointer than a yearling doe.

I will say that a 1.5 year old doe is better eating that a older large buck in rut. I cannot eat one of those stinky bucks and I have tried. I don't shoot any smaller bucks so I cannot talk about how they taste.

I had the misfortune of having to put down a wounded fawn a few years ago. Now that was THEE best venison I have ever had!

I only meant if I shot the 180 class buck. I'd eat it all with a big smile on my face. It would probably taste like a dog whizzed on an old work boot but still,

It's all about the deers' diet, how they are field dressed,handled ,aged, butchered, and processed. I've eaten large old deer that were just fine.

anyone notice how different the venison tastes even from region to region. where i hunt is 1/2 agricultural, 1/2 wooded, meadow, riverbottom. 30 miles north to my fiance's hunting land is 100% wooded, forest. requardless of sex or age, you can tell the difference in flavor from where i hunt to where the fiance hunts.

also, bucks taken early taste just like does. until they get juiced up and start rutting anyways, then a doe is more palatable and tender.

DIET