ORIGINAL: rybohunter
The guy shooting the buck would say "you can't eat the horns, I just wanted some meat". But the doe was bigger, comes the retort. "Yea, But this one was a buck"
That scenerio sounds a little far fetched. I can't imagine the vast majority of guys you know continually have a small spike standing next to a fat doe and they shoot the spike only to justify it by saying they wanted meat?? I don't know how common that could be.
See what's gotten lost in here, is that I really don't care about the guy who wants to shoot a buck cause he is truly happy with anything, I'm happy for him too. But what REALLY ticks me off(and you may not think there are that many out there like it, but there are around here) is the loud mouth, chest thumpin, measure of a man"I got my buck" crowd. These guys want a deer around every tree so they can stroll into the woods hungover at 9 am and still have a chance at getting a buck. They wouldn't shoot a doe if they were starving, cause that's not 'manly'. They take no real enjoyment in the prize they have taken other than to gain the illusion that they are 'cool' when they are back at the bar or hanging out with buddies/coworkers. Those are the ones that bug me.
Personally I couldn't care less what someone else chooses to do with their tag. Sounds like you have more of a problem with them as a person then you do with what they shoot............and the fact that these guys whom you despise personally are the ones shooting the bucks you don't want shot stings even worse. I guess I understand your feelings but if you don't care if one guy shoots a small one how can you care if another guy does the same??
There is one other "group" that I have no issues with other than I just don't understand them for the life of me. That's the guys who have become quite proficient hunters, yet still just whack the 1st little buck by. Yes they may still be happy with it, and that's cool, I just don't understand how the 17th forkhorn is just as fun as the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd? I know I'm not alone in this thinking as there are alot of others who 'step up' and don't bother to shoot little bucks cause they get no enjoyment from it.
What is the magic number for enjoyment??? the 17th 10 pt.........12pt...........150"..........170". If the same logic does not apply please explain why.
I just know that since I've stopped shooting the 1stbuck to comeby, my hunting has become even more fun than it was. I'm out longer, I get to do what I love to do longer, and I put myself in a position to shoot a nice buck each year. If it makes you guys truly happy, then fine, I was there too at one time, but I can't comprehend still being there.
Like I said before............in 20 years I have NEVER looked at a buck after filling my tag that I wished I had waited for. NEVER. So why wait?? The 5th one looks a lot like the 1st..........does it really make you feel better if I wait and kill the 8th one I see instead of the 1st?? I know what's out there and I kill what's out there. No complaints here.