Originally Posted by
spaniel
The meat hunter in me is served by numerous does. When it comes to bucks, it depends on the state. When I was in MI, I shot anything legal because anything over a spike stood a 5% chance of living past its first set of antlers so I might as well shoot. In IN, with a 1-buck rule, people are much more selective so I pass anything less than an 8-pointer. There are a couple 160-class deer on the property I hunt every year, while I have not seen one yet personally my family does each year, so I am happy to wait and give them a chance to show themselves.
A trophy is in the eye of the beholder. My buddy and I just took down an average muley two days ago in Montana, his first. He shot first and I shot it second to back him up as it would have been very easy for the deer to get un-findable if it ran at all. It was 550 yards (both of us shooting 300WMs). Most people would consider it an average muley, but he was still walking on clouds today about it and so proud of making that shot perfectly. Who am I to tell him it was an "average" deer and he shouldn't consider it a trophy?
Congratulations to you and especially your Buddy's first Mulie! Being his (first) it should be considered a Trophy. This Forum was'nt about Judinging the animal a person takes, but about what you would consider a good animal if you had the opporitunity to take one. In certain area's there's animals that would be considered a Trophy (all are different) for size, rack and age. And if given the chance would you pass on a lesser animal to wait for the trophy or take what comes along.
I would never tell a (Youth first time Hunter) that the Spike he just took was'nt a Trophy or any first time Hunter no matter the age, these are Memories that will last a Lifetime and a Happy Hunter is all that matter's, reguardless of size. A Trophy is in the eye of the Shooter. I would never belittle any Hunter for the size of his animal.
I also love to fill my Freezer, and having a Wife that Hunts helps as she put's most of the meat in it. But because I have become more seasoned with age and as a Hunter I like to give back and pass on lesser animals and wait for that Trophy. And now that My Wife has become more seasoned she also has started to practice better Quality management and her veiws on what to take have started to change too.
Is a Trophy all that matter's to us, NO, we love to Hunt first, if we dont get a Trophy are we Unhappy, NO. Were Happy just to be able to Hunt and be togeather during the Hunt with Family and Friends, that's what matters First. If a Trophy comes along great, if one does'nt than so be it. To us a Successful Hunt is'nt one filled with a Trophy but the Memories that come with the Hunt.
I want everyone to Have a Safe and Successful Hunting Season, reguardless of what animal he or she takes. The memories of the Hunt outweigh the size of the Animal taken. Thank You everyone who has posted a comment.
Success to you all!
(BP)