To be honest I never did understand this “honor” thing that is thrown around. I never could see how blowing a hole through a perfectly healthy – in its prime animal – was in any way honoring it. I never did understand how eating it or mounting it would also further “honor” that animal.

From the animals perspective:

That buck doesn’t want to be honored or shot by you – and it holds hundreds of thousands of years of evolution to do just that – not get killed by a predator. And if the predator kills it and eats it – that buck has doubly failed. It died and feed its enemy, so it can hunt again. Probably the biggest slap in the face for a deer. Then go and mount it – so you can remember its kill…………

I think if deer could talk – we would get an earful about honoring the animal.

If I was murdered, I sure wouldn’t want to be eating also, And I sure wouldn’t want my mug hung on some cereal killers wall.

Now, I fully believe in honoring the tradition, act, history, responsibility, and obligation of hunting and what we as hunters do.

I see “honoring” and “respect” as having different meanings – and showing respect to ones kill is a very important part of being a hunter. If you guys are using honor and respect interchangeably - then I understand why you “honor” your game.

I just never felt I was doing any deer I shot a favor – no matter what I did after the kill.

So do what you want with the horns – that buck won’t care a bit.