Scoring...is it a good thing or bad?

tatonka · 09-08-2006, 12:31 PM

I know I'm showing my age here, but I remember a time when 99% of the hunters where I grew up didn't have a clue what "scoring" a buck meant. Back then if you'd said you'd shot a "150 Class Buck", they would have thought you meant that it weighted 150 pounds. Hunters certainly appreciated a beautiful rack and when someone shot a nice buck they got the head mounted, put the antlers on a plaque, nailed the "horns"up on a barn, etc., but scoring never entered anyone's mind. The only number attached to a rack was the number of points it had.

Today we seem to be obsessed with scoring. It's rare to see a picture of a big buck without the score accompanying it. It has helped create a very different environment. We now have deer farms, hunting preserves, etc. where the cost of killing a buck is based on the score of the buck.....the higher the score, the more it costs. People are managing deer herds by planting food plots, killing "Management Bucks", etc. all in an effort to produce bucks that will score higher.

I knowhumans are naturallyvery competitive creatures. We love statistics, records, and all of that. I think the scoring of big game animals is somewhat related to what we see in athletics. Those of uswho follow football, baseball, etc. grow up on statistics. Every baseball fan knows that Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs, Ted Williams was the last batter to hit .400 (.406 actually), Joe Dimaggio hit in 56 straight games,etc. I guess it was just a natural progression to feel a need to assign numbers to the game we hunt, the fish we catch, etc. I just wonder if we haven't lost something along the way as a result of it.

I've personally seen people who have been very excited after shooting a big buck become disappointed very quickly when the tape measure is pulled out and the buck doesn't score as high as they thought it would.That just seems wrong to me. Why should a number make a person feel either good or bad? Or how about the guy who shoots a beautiful buck that scores 169 6/8?Take a guess how many times that buck will be remeasured to try to squeeze an extra 2/8" out so it will "Make the Book"?

I havelooked at antlers for sale on ebay.The higher the score, the higher the price. Many hunting contests are based on score. A buck that is old and wise enough to grow a huge rack is far more than what can be reflected in a number.

Ipersonally think scoring has taken something away from hunting. Idon't think it is sending a very good message to the younger hunters just starting out. Scoring in itself is not a bad thing, but it seems to have taken the front seat at the expense of the total deer hunting experience. I know we all enjoy the sunrises, spending time with our friends and family, eating the venison from the deer we kill, but it's the score that is getting most of the ink these days. I think we need to take a few steps back.....

Mergrath337 · 09-08-2006, 01:34 PM

I don't think it's any different than fisherman fishing for big fish. I personnaly don't hunt antlers, but I don't seethe problem with someone who does. After all it is a sport/hobbie right?

NBDeerHunter · 09-08-2006, 01:37 PM

I don't see any major problems with it. I don't hunt for antlers I hunt for meat but IF someone wants to trophy hunt I guess that is entirely up to that person....
Last time I checked antlers are not eatable .....so I don't really care

buckhunter14 · 09-08-2006, 01:38 PM

I couldn't agree with you more. I mean if a buck is near the records, sure get him scored. But for younger hunters or new hunters it is a disappointment. I am only 16 and have little room to talk because I want to shoot the buck that scores over 200 or whatever too.

I know one thing though, and it sickens me. I have many friends and know young hunters that don't know much about hunting, two in specific. They shot 2 younger bucks in the past years. I went to see there bucks and they were beautiful deer. One a young 6, and the other a young 8. The first question they asked it what would they score. I mean I come up with a rough estimate of around 80 and they get upset and disappointed. It completly took away some of there feelings for a magnificent creature they just harvested.

I agree 100%

45 Cal Bill · 09-08-2006, 02:09 PM

in all honesty could really care less about horns..

can't eat them and with big horns aren't good anyways.

i prefer 10 small does over 1 big buck..

Rebel Hog · 09-08-2006, 02:48 PM

I'm not a Head Hunter!

Wimuzzleman · 09-08-2006, 05:07 PM

I would rather score the hunt than the deer

GregH · 09-08-2006, 07:15 PM

It's a good thing, if you'd like to know the size of your animal. If you're not interested in this method of comparison, it's not necessary to know. I don't think it's a bad thing.

tatonka · 09-08-2006, 11:28 PM

There are some really good responses here......helps rebuild my faith that there are still a lot of hunters with both feet planted firmly on the ground. Based on what I see in magazines, tv, etc. I'm still not sure if we're the majority or if they are the minority but it sure seems like the media is pushing scores instead of all of the other aspects of hunting....

skeeter 7MM · 09-09-2006, 01:52 AM

Quote:

I'm still not sure if we're the majority or if they are the minority but it sure seems like the media is pushing scores instead of all of the other aspects of hunting....

Be it mags, videos or sponsership for TV shows, its all about the sell! No different than anything else really. What sells in terms of hunting?

As far as hunting goes it should be nothing other than a personal conquest, anything else cheapens everything that hunting is to most sportsman. Be it meat, rack or just getting out!

In terms of deerI hunt for both, it is an equal bonus in my way of thinking. However hunting is much more than a harvest or notched tag to me personally, a way of life if you will.I believeas long as your satisfied thenthat is all that really matters. A lot is based on opportunity/regional differencesas well.

As to the scoringand disappointment, comes with the territory - excitement clouds even the most experienced field judge. However most act disappointed b/c they really don't know what they are looking at and only after feel be-littled b/c of the number the tape dictates.

We are all hunters, just different goals. Hunt how you want and don't worry about the "Jones".