Answer this question for me; Do you all keep small 1/2 lb. bass?
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I would not keep a 1/2 pound bass mainly because I don't fish much and don't care to clean them!!!
quote:
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Those that say that they just want meat, go ahead and shoot the does.
It seems to be the only excuse that small buck hunters use when they shoot a small buck. But they have no answers when you suggest that they should only take does.
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Personally I don't think you need an excuse to shoot anything
(legally).
I will try to give you a couple of reasons why experienced hunters may choose to shoot a small buck.
1. In some areas they may not have alot of opportunity to shoot a deer.
2. Some people get more of a thrill out of shooting a buck than a doe no matter what the size.
3. Some people just choose too.
I don't fall into the first two catagories because we have a large amount of deer and I like hunting deer so the small bucks make no difference to me verses does.
You may even say I am trophy hunting since this looks to be the first time in a long time that I may have an unused tag after season ends. I have a deer running around that will go in the 190+ range that I have been hunting. I have shot some big deer,maybe not as many as some,but nice deer anyway. They are not in the book,although some could be if I choose to enter them. some of them are actually hanging outside with the skull left on. One is on a plaque, one in the shed I think, couple on the cave at my parents, I don't even cut the horns off the little ones anymore just use the hide and ribe cage for coyote bait!!!
One thing I am proud of is that I don't let anything but my own choice determine what I will hunt and when. I agreee with Wolfen and Richie3 on letting the little walk makes for bigger deer. Does that truely make you happier?If it does then great, go for it.
If you like to just hunt,then hunt. Shoot whatever you want and if you are proud of it then who am I to do anything but slap you on the back and help drag it out!!!
Quote "I read a really good article several years ago about the stages we go through as hunters.In the begining we just want to kill a deer period.Any deer.Then as we become proficient at killing deer we want to fill all our tags or kill our limit as we would say down south.Then we want to kill nice bucks or trophys.After you kill a few nice deer then how you kill them becomes the challnge.Bowhunting or muzzle loading etc."
You can add one catagory to this list and that is when you no longer need a catagory to enjoy hunting. One day or one year I may trophy hunt the next day or year I may shoot everything by. The good thing about it is I enjoy myself no matter what.
Horn size really don't matter if you don't enjoy yourself while doing it. Sounded to me like Bowdacious had reached a new level with his hunting. Maybe he will go back to trophy hunting next year, maybe not.
You can agrue all you want and post all the questions you want about why would experienced hunters shoot this or that but it comes right down to,they want to and prob. have better reasons for doing it than most inexperienced hunters.
Personally I am more into watching our next generation get started into hunting than what I shoot anymore. Anyone who is a father knows what I mean.
Quote"SW Iowa...my mission in life is to get as many hunters as possible to understand the importance of letting immature bucks live and rarely will I pass up a chance to attempt to educate others on the topic. You see pics of monster bucks posted on this message board followed by dozens of hunters ooohing and aaaahhhing over it and talking about falling out of their stands if they ever say anything that big and a lot of these guys are the same hunters that shoot small, immature bucks. Enough said. This "debate" will continue no more on this post provided that no further posts require my response. Now let's see how emotional an issue this is for folks. Congratulations on your season Bowdacious."
Wolfen I don't disagree with you philosophy just don't like to see someone pushing thier beliefs on someone else. The above post was a very good response to my previous post and I want to thank you for the way it was posted, your point was very well taken and made with no offense intended or recieved.
I have thought about it and I would keep that 1/2 pound bass.
I changed my mind and made a different choice. That is the good thing about hunting in america, as long as you are not breaking the law or hurting someone else you can change your mind and choose something different from what you did yesterday.
By the way this is a great debate and staying very friendly and you are right Richie3 I am sure bowdacious knew what would happen with this post.
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" Anyone can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a Dad"