ORIGINAL: Charlie P
I usually find just the opposite, you let them go and they usually end up being even bigger the following year.
I had at least four killed by cars I had scouted and hung stands for. Maybe your in area with alot less cars and houses.
Was this because you let them go? Or would it have happened anyway?
also find that the ones who complain about the trophy hunters are the ones that couldn't hunt their way out of their garage, even if the big door was open
Oh I know how to hunt. I have a family,run a youth football league and just started a career in real estate,not to mention four back surgeries that kinda limit my days afield now.
I hear you,I coached my son all the way until this year in archery, football and golf. He graduated and I'm enjoying the freedom. Changed my career to an electrician 6 1/2 years ago. I've only had 1 back surgery and 2 knee surgeries. However, I've hunted my but off for the last 22 years. There are sacrifices to be made to hunt like this. Everyone must make their own decision as to how much time they can put into it. Time, in my opinion is the single biggest factor for hunting this way. For the last 12 years I've taken the entire month of Nov. off for hunting deer. I also hunt from Sept tp Jan too. Shed hunt, turkey hunt, you know. BTW, I'm not married.
Ialso find that the ones who complain about the trophy hunters are the ones that couldn't hunt their way out of their garage, even if the big door was open
Then you talk to a guy that shoots a homemade bow and arrows and does nothing but still hunts and is able to kill deer at 15 yards off the ground year in year out,and thinks all the compounds and range finders and tree stands etc,are for guys that can't hunt.
I like the homemade stuff, thats how I started in 1966. Then I was a tournament archer and shot for HCA and still use my compound and sights. Want to go back to a recurve some day though.
Do what makes you happy.
Thanks