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O.K., I' ll admit it ,I,m a " hornhunter" . Every night before opening day i fall asleep with images of B&C scoring bucks in my head. I know I' m not the only one, but when it comes down to it I' ve gone home many seasons end with empty tags because of it. DON' T get me wrong,I use every last bit of my quary, but I just can' t bring myself to kill a young animal, it' s like shooting a kid in my eyes. I can hear it now,I' m whats wrong with hunting nowdays and it' s people like me that give hunters a bad name, but, is it so wrong to set your sights high and not to compromise these morals and go home with only memories and a empty tag? Afterall the true challenge comes in hunting a savy older buck thats been around a few seasons and knows how the game is played. just my opinion anyway.
So let the branding and bullwhipping begin, lets hear your veiws on the subject, this should be good!!!!!!!:D:D

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I shot any buck with horns till I was 19 years old,why?My farther told me never pass up a leagle deer.When I was 19 I went to work for my uncle who is/was a trure trophy hunter,said" Big bucks come from small ones,and small ones come from big ones" .There is nothing wrong with meat hunting,but if all you wan' t is meat then shoot a doe,why shoot a fork horn or a " Dink" opening day,shoot for horns and all it is is bragging rights " I shot a buck" ,so why not shoot a BIG " UN" I can understand a 1st timer we all start some where or biggest buck of you life,just try to better him the next year.I have one mulie buck that is 26 in wide and scores 150 B&C,great deer,4 years a go I shot a 189 7/8 mulie 31 1/2 wide,I had him mounted.He will be the biggest buck in my life,unless by a fluke I find another,I have not shot another mulie since,why?He don' t beat the one on the wall.I have a freind thet every year shoots mulie bucks in the 25-27 in. range,he is mad at him self for not finding a good honest 30 incher,I told him the last time I caught him gauking at my buck" You don' t consider the deer you shot a throphy,but in the eyes of some one else they may never see a 26 in mulie" ,granted he shoots only the old bucks on his place,dose not hunt them in the rut(he deams it unfair) he harvests the old and losing their peak.All they ever will be is a 26 in. buck.

Their is nothing wrong with trophy hunting aslong as you harvest a trophy and let the little ones go,shoot a doe on the last day for meat.

Elk are diffrent thats my meat for the year and any leagle elk,cow or bull is fair game,I dont have a 300 class bull on the wall either,when I do I will pass up spikes and raghorn' s,why? Cause they don' t beat the one wall.

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As far as deer are concerned,I do eat the meat but I hunt for the challenge of trying to take the best scoring antlers that I can.Simply killing a legal deer provides no challenge for me and I would rather leave a tag unfilled than shoot a small deer.I do however kill smaller bull elk as I really enjoy the meat and have two large bulls on the wall already.

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I shoot what ever God gives me. :) Good luck.

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Your decision,why would someone blast you? For me I am just as happy with a mature doe. If I dont get my deer I have to be a vegetarian for the year,I wont buy that chemical meat from the store You know over the years I would say a old doe is smarter and more alert then a buck.I have been busted more from a mature doe in the past 50 years then buck. Big antlers are nice though. But I wont shoot a real young buck or young doe.We have Pt resrictions in Pa. And it dont bother me.

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Does anyone besides me get tired of hearing about the " class" of an animal taken? What ever happened to the memory being an individual' s trophy? Check out " my first bear hunt" for a little perspective. I really enjoy reading the post from some of our younger hunters. I' ll never be able to go back to those days of shaking like a leaf when you see your first deer in the woods, or your first bear. Tomorrow will be the first day of the early muzzleloader season for does here in PA. My buddy and I are taking what seems to be half of the high school football team tomorrow. I' ll hand out muzzleloaders to the ones that don' t have, along with a short speech on usage and safety, and we' ll be off. Let me tell you, there wolln' t be any 130-140 class deer killed tomorrow, but I' m sure there will be a lot of great memories. Just my 2 cents.:D:D:D

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plainsman There is nothing wrong with trophy hunting.[:-] You are a true trophy hunter if you will let any deer walk and go home with a empty tag at the end of season. I hate the people that will pass on " good bucks" early in the season only to shoot a " dink" at the end of the season. They can' t stand going home with an empty tag.
I myself trophy hunt deer. The first leagl elk or antelope that I see gets wacked.

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I apologize if I sounded as if I' m against " trophy hunters" , because I' m not. It just seems to me that sometimes people miss the point of having a good time with family and friends while in the great outdoors. I have a friend in CO that will hunt the entire bow season for mulies and will not kill something unless it will place in the record books. He' s currently listed in the top ten for in-velvet with a bow. I have a lot of respect for the time that he puts in trying to fullfill his dream of number one in that class. Everyone needs their own motivation, and if that' s your' s, best of luck to you.

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Well I guess wolf killer you can throw me into your hate category but I don' t think you understand what is really happening often times in that scenario. I am a meat hunter first. That means my primary goal is to fill the freezer. But I like a big rack as much as anybody else. So if I think there are some big boys running around I' ll have a little patience and wait a few days for the " ideal" buck. Ideal meaning I get meat and a rack that' ll bring bragging rights. But that may mean I do pass on a " good" buck, a buck that is mid-sized. If a " big" buck never shows or it just doesn' t work out after a few days then I' m filling the freezer with the first thing that shows itself. Doesn' t matter if its a dink or world record. In my state I can get a buck tag and a doe tag so I get both.

I don' t think there is anything wrong with trophy hunting as long as you respect the meat as much as the horns.

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Here' s a question that I was thinking of while reading the threads. There are some of you that will not shoot a small buck, you would rather shoot a doe, or go without. Big buck from small. Bring home the memories of the hunt. I agree 100%. However some people seemed to change their tune when it comes to hunting a different species of animal such as elk. Don' t big bulls come from small ones? Or do elk grow differently than every other type of living thing?
I have not had the opportunity to hunt elk, but I can' t see myself shooting a small bull just to say I " got one" . I' m pretty sure in most areas you can purchase a cow tag. Wouldn' t she fill the freezer just as well? I' m guessing that some of you will take anything legal because it is not in your normal hunting area/state. The fact that you had to buy an expensive license, drive a long way, hotel rooms etc. gives some of you the excuse to change your personal hunting philosophy. If those elk were on your home hunting grounds would you shoot any little bull that crossed your path? I' m guessing not.

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Handles-Where I hunt elk it takes five years to draw a cow tag whereas three point or better bull tags are available over the counter.I don' t take a small bull to say I got one but rather to fill my freezer.By the way I am hunting on my own without a guide in my home province.I may only see a single legal bull or at most a few each season but I will see hundreds of deer.

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Handles,
I will answer this way,Deer live in every part of the forest,plains and river bottom,they are easily accesible and to hunt.Elk don' t live in the forest,they inhabit a chunk of it,in Montana I read that elk are 1:10 sq miles of elk habitat.Those are not very good odds when you put down on paper,let alone a bull and your odds get short if they are in heards and area gets bigger.I' am a resident of Montana a elk tag costs me 17.00 dollars and a deer tag only 15.00.So you ask if you are home state resident your attitude would probaly change,I don' t thinks so.If you are a trophy elk hunter you are not out for meat,if you are a elk hunter you are hunting for elk,and thats any leagle elk.

I' am not a trophy deer hunter,I will shoot a trophy buck of any species if presented,but I make no attempt to harvest a trophy buck,I just hunt deer.If my monster white-tail don' t show,I take down his momma or one of his family at the end of the season just to show him I will be back next year and I mean buisness.BBJ;)

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I am a trophy hunter who likes the meat very much. But first and foremost I am a hunter who just loves the experience, memories & feeling hunting gives me. I know that hunting is not a cheap way to feed my family, it is a pursuit of passion & love of the outdoors that drives me. My trophy hunting is largely contained to deer, antelope and bears. For these animals it has to be my own trophy class (which only I set for myself) or nothing. If I really need to take one for meat I will harvest a doe or over the hill buck, never a young immature animal that may have potential to fill my dreams. With larger game such as moose or elk, it is nice to shoot a big one, but any of these critters to me is a trophy, so therefore I still consider myself a trophy hunter. A trophy is in the eyes of the beholder and if you are happy with your harvest then it should be viewed as a trophy in my mind.

Those who hold out for big then take whatever are the most common hunter, we all have visions of big bucks dancing, just some choose to not go home empty and become an " Opportunity Hunter" . This is also fine, because like i said in the end we all hunt for our own reasons, as long as we are satisfied when we are done is all that really matters. Those who make hunting a competition are not what I call hunters, it should be on a personal level and when this is done the person holding the tag is the only one that can decide and ulitimately go home happy. Basically no right or wrong way, it is all a sport called " hunting" . Yes track/tag soup happens to all hunters and is a part of the sport we all will encounter.

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When I stated " hornhunter' ,I should have said trophy, but in reguards to trophy I mean any species, anywhere, not just deer. This includes elk, moose and bear also. I love the meat also but the satisfaction of fullfilling a predetermined goal is sweeter than any steak I' ll ever eat. Afer waiting for four years I finally got drawn for an elk tag, but went home empty handed. I saw lots of 4x4' s,some 5x5' s but when I applied for my tag I went for a 6x6 or better zone. My first bull elk HAS to be a royal or better,just like my first grizz HAS to square 8ft. or more.As we all know hunting is not cheap so why SETTLE FOR LESS than it will take to fulfill the dream,goal or challenge? It would only leave me feeling like I shortchanged myself.All I know is the sweetest honey could' nt compare to standing over a perfect 8x8 bull. Just my 2cents anyway.
While I' m at it, best of luck to all this season, may you all bring home plenty of meat and memories.;);)

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Their is nothing wrong with trophy hunting aslong as you harvest a trophy and let the little ones go,shoot a doe on the last day for meat

BBJ In some states, like WA, you can' t hunt for Does unless you put in for permit. And I refuse to " raffle" my hunting rights each year[:@]. BUt on the other hand I will not shoot a toe head no matter what, even though I am more on the meat side of this argue meant than the trophy side. I will not shoot anything less than a solid forked horn.

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Trapper T,
I understand in some states you can not harvest does,be the population or deprevation what ever the case.I know in some states a forkie or a small buck or any deer is trophy.I also know with big hunting and lots of hunters,you come across a 2 point(eastern terms a 4 point) you better shoot him cause someone else will.I also know that if a Montana, started making their hunters put in for tags and not offer a general tag(Over the counter) for deer or elk in most hunting areas I would move some where else.
BUT I' am PRIVLEGED to live in a state that alows me the right to shoot any deer shootable or elk or moose or bear,antelope,MT Goat,Big Horn ect... that my tag and state game laws allow.
[quote] plainsman

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Trapper,
I understand in some states you can not shoot does,I alos understand thet when you find a leagle buck you better shoot him cause someone else will.
But I live in a state that allows me to shoot any leagle elk,deer,moose,MT goat,Big Horn ect...I wan' t,under state game laws and tag restriction.
If it were not for pepole who " Trophy Hunt" you would not have a chance at the bucks you get,someone has to pass them up.

Thanks Plainsman cause someone will gladly harvest that 4x4 or 5x5 and call him their trophy.
As for the grizz,when Montana allows grizzly hunting I hope I draw a tag,and any leagle grizz will be a trophy,same as when I draw a moose,Big Horn tag.I will shoot the first leagle one and with horns.
Hunting is exspensive,I cannot afford a Alaskan Grizz hunt,or Yukon moose hunt,I will raffle my hunting right for a in state tag,for a once in a lifetime hunt.

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This is where I say to each their own. It doesn' t matter to me what you hunt for, how you do it, as long as it is within the law. I hunt how I hunt, and I would never push it on anybody to hunt that way. Likewise, I do not want to be told how to hunt by somebody else. The energy put into these arguments should be saved for our showdowns with the antis, or someday they will all be a moot point.

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I also say to each his own. I don' t have any problem whatsoever with trophy hunting. If thats what you' re after, nothing wrong with that. Even though no one has directly said it I get the tone from you " trophy hunters" that because I like to fill my tag even if its a less than boone and crockett animal, that I am somehow not as good a hunter. Someone said that taking a smaller animal makes you a the " most common type of hunter." What does that even mean? I could care less what statistical category I fall into as far as rack size. One could even make the arguement that trophy hunting is a vain practice. Not that I' m saying that.

Hunting is its own reward to me. Bag filled or not. Harvesting an animal is a somewhat sprirtual experience for me. A two point muley gave its life for me to put meat on the table just as much as a monster B&C 5x6 with drop tines.

Again nothing wrong with trophy hunting in my book but I don' t think I' m somehow less of a hunter because I settle for anything but a trophy. Its just a difference in perspective.

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This post was NOT started to condem anyone for shooting forkhorns and such, only to find out who' s got the conviction to only shoot trophies.What you decide is a trophy is all in you' re own perspective,to me a fine rack with good meat is a trophy,to others only horns matter, and others, meat is trophy enough. In our own right we are all trophy hunters,maybe we just have a different idea of what TROPHY means. With that cleared up, lets go trophy huntin' !!![8D][8D]

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Rather be I think you misunderstood my statement go back and read my post. Not once did I condemn or think I am better than any other hunter.

Have a great season!!

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BBJ I think you and I think on the same page on this issue I just wanted to state the fact that not all of us can Doe hunt for meat, and that not all of us are lucky enough to live in a State like yours;):(. But that don' t mean I' m not gonna invade next week and try my luck at a Nice big Whitey and any old legal Bull to step in front of my lil ol' 7mm;):D Good luck to ya if you have any tags left to fill;)

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Hey Trapper,
I must applogize for my haste in my posts,I know I live in a great state.That is why most of my family has moved out to find work I stick in here year after year.I love the hunting and the outdoors.

Trapper didn' t you say you were heading for the Belts,wich ones the Big or Little ones and wich side?

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Thanks for bringing up a great topic - I' ve enjoyed reading it. For what it' s worth, I' m a meat hunter, but am thrilled with large antlers - it' s just that I don' t wait for them.

RE the above statement of yours. I totally agree with you that there' s nothing wrong with setting your sights high (what ever the height is). But I disagree that there' s any thing " moral" about your philosophy. Morals have to do with right and wrong. By using the word moral, to me you' re saying yours is the right way to hunt and therefore us meat hunters are wrong. Are you saying I' m an imoral hunter and you aren' t. I suspect that you aren' t saying this, but I disagree with this at any rate. I fully support and totally respect the framework you hunt in - outsmarting and waiting for the big one and not compromising that, but it' s not more moral than hunting for meat only and shooting any legal animal you get a chance at. Also, for some " the true challenge" might be enough just getting some good healthy meat out of the field and into their freezer, depending on the habitat, and the amount of time they have to spend.

Thanks again for bringing up a good discussion - zeke

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The laws of every stae and I guess province in Canada are a bit different so you are going to have to make up your mind on how and what you want to hunt based, at least in part on that. Here in Georgia, we are trying to get a state wide trophy buck program in place (unofficially) some counties already have these regulations. Some WMAs already have these regulations and the regulation state wide changed last year so that one of the two bucks we are allowed must be " Trophy Class" (at least 4 points on one side. It is a start. To make up for that on the meat side, we are allowed ten does a year not counting anything taken on management area hunts. This is an anomaly found here in the south east due to the huge deer populations and decreasing number of hunters available to harvest these animals. There are a relative few Bucks taken each year that are truly " Trophy class" animals but they are few and far between for a variety of reasons, mostly an inferior genetic pool and the fact that we don' t have hard winters to thin the herd of the smaller animals. If you want to hunt trophys only, go for it I will not put you down for it at all. Just don' t try to tell somebody else that they are wrong if they happen to consider a Doe to be trophy class.

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I' m not one to wait on antlers. I usually harvest a doe first to get meat in the freezer. I' ll take any legal buck in my area. The way I see it they are all trophies to me. ;)

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We' re headin' up to the " little" ones, North out of White Sulphur Springs. I hear it' s got a lot of Elk:D. I hope, do you have any pointers for the area?
Thanks BBj

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Trapper I live on the other side,I have Mt.Baldy out my living room window.I tipicaly hunt just the other side from you.Behind the Game Range,the elk I hear so far a plentiful and holding near water,some are bouncing between private and public.I have alot of freinds that hunt that side,they get away from the road and glass the parks early a.m and late p.m.
Should be alot of elk on that side.

I' m going on a spotting venture tomarrow,and I will keep you posted.

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HORN HUNTER ?????? WHAT ABOUT THE MEAT????
Bad choice of words, edited out

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That' s what we' ll do, kill al animals in a matter of two years. Then, we can all lose not only our hunting privileges, but also the animals we have grown so fond of. Sorry moderators, but I had to take this one, it is offensive at this point. After that, we can all lose our firearms too. That would be cool, the lifestyle we have all chosen because of sacred reasons can all be gone because KY BOY wants to kill em all. Is this some kind of joke?? [&o]

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Maybeso them gun control people got a point when it comes to poor stock an' access to guns.

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this is my first time making a post. but i see what kboy is saying. why take a animal just for his horns? my father raised me up to only take what you need. i think mybe it is time for others to feel the same way.

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I' m not saying to take the animal JUST for the horns, but how much does the trophy influence you on the animal you choose to take?

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Of course you see what KB is saying you have the same name.
That' s a pretty big coincidence. He starts getting into it with a whole bunch of people and then suddenly you pop up in his defense and have the same last name.

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I' m in no way a " trophy hunter" , I enjoy the hunt. If I go home empty handed...Oh well... It was fun to be out there trying to outsmart the critters. I just got back from elk hunting in CO and came home empty handed. I didn' t even see a legal bull. If I' d had a cow tag I could have filled it the first morning. I followed big bull tracks all over that mountain for 4 days and never did catch up to him. Every trick I tried, he was at least 2 steps ahead of me. If I had seen a legal bull(4x4 or better) I would have popped him and been happier' n a pig in crap. A legal bull would be a trophy to me. When I deer hunt, it' s the same way. If I get a bigun, great! If not I' ll take whatever' s legal and comes my way. I can' t wait to head back to CO and see if I can outsmart that bull, but if I get a shot at a 4x4, I' ll take it and be happy with my " trophy" !