Wow! There were a lot of great responses to the "What would you do?" scenario laid out earlier this week. By and far, everyone agreed to pass on the shot. I concur. If you noticed, I did describe the scenario with the buck off the skyline to allow a shot without a "What's in the background?" issue, but there still was the huge question of whether the buck was on the right property or not.
I particularly agreed with the response from npaul. He or she employs an optimistic outlook that I generally use when I know a buck is off limits at the moment, but there's always the next hunt. This is the buck's home, and patience may lead to shooting that buck either an hour from now or a week from now. And, as npaul noted, the fact the landowner rarely visits the property puts another plus in your column for the buck's survival.
I'd wait the buck out with my crosshairs on him, and hope his next push clearly landed him on the right side of the boundary. If not, make a plan for your next hunt and hope for the best.
A few years back I was confronted with a similar scenario. I spotted a potential Boone and Crockett Club buck, another mature buck and a hot doe on the neighboring property. They were in mindless love standing in the open. The Booner was easily in the clear for a shot, but as I said, on the wrong side of the fence. I was glued on them until dark, hoping for a miracle ... but no such luck.
The next morning I slipped back in and waited for shooting light. Amazingly, the Booner was on the right side of the fence, and with a little snake-like slithering I crawled into position for a killing shot. The buck didn't net B&C, but he still hails as one of my best bucks, and I did it my way.
Stay tuned for next week and another chance to weigh-in on a questionable hunting scenario, and possibly win some great hunting gear.
(Note: If you haven't weighed-in on the first scenario, you should. Remember: NAH editors will judge comments from both scenarios to choose the winner of the Hunter's Specialties scent control care package.)