There is an advantage to management and "view and release" of game when in the field. By passing on the younger bucks and watching for the trophy buck, you have exercised a quality attribute
of a conservative and management minded hunter, that will enable more game to mature and help maintain the herd as well. Just because we have tags does not mean they all have to be used. I have not filled all of my tags ever, because I watch for the mature trophy size buck and; as you also pointed out, your wife comes along and you always have does for meat. That is complimentary and I wish everyone would hunt like this. It would mean a lot more to the industry and will go a long way in your teaching yonger hunters how to conserve our resources, help maintain a quality herd and enjoy nature and the environment in many new ways. That is very commendable. Now, in learning the art of hunting one needs to know the proper methods of caring for the game once it has been harvested. Take some time to visit with your local butcher and learn how to butcher a deer after it has been properly "field dressed" and cooled down. Many hunters don't know the first step to caring for their game and so the meat may end up ruined because of it. Proper care will make the difference between wonderful table fare and grub for the dog. I do understand there are restrictions in other parts of the country that I've never incurred here in Texas. Such as the short hunt season in MI or WI and other areas. So with regard to the time and the other restrictions I can see how a hunter may be inclined to take meat first as a must, and then wait for a mature trophy size at the end of the season. Good luck to all! And remember, Happiness is a large gut pile!

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)

Well so far I have taken a [140#] doe with xbow and a 7 point buck [170#] muzzleloader 200gr Lehigh 140gr BH while I consider both these animals large for AR I got them on my own managed game land. I have one state tag left and I just passed on a doe and a buck yesterday so I guess I am getting a bit picky now but I know I have a 12 point prowling around that I have been wanting to tag before he starts declining.

After hunting for 30 plus years, I'm now selective on the Buck side. I really don't need to add another average set of horns to box in the garage.

I hunt in Kansas with my son. We hunt for the " Big Buck " till the last day, then fill our tags with a nice doe. If we come home empty, the tags can used in a January antlerless deer season.

I really only want to clean and process a couple of deer each year. Plus, you can't shoot big deer if you fill your tag with average deer. Also, that " nice " deer today is the great deer of tomorrow.

I'm mostly a meat hunter- I try to take a doe or two per year if possible. As for bucks, in general if it is early bow season, I've let some small bucks walk (spikes and fork-horns). If it is 6 points or more, in general I'm going to try and take it. Once it gets later into the season (gun or ML season), if I haven't got a buck, then "if it's brown, it's going down">

We have a good deer population on our 900 acre lease, so our club rules allow two does per member, and up to three bucks. But if you don't score a buck you can take third doe during the last ten days of the season. This gives everyone who wants meat at least three deer per season. I usually get two does and one buck each year, but ended up taking a third doe last year because I was holding out for a real nice buck I'd been seeing on my game camera, and he outsmarted me.

We can take up to three bucks, but nothing under 5 points and only one 5 or 6 pointer. Anything else must be 7 points or more. Most of our 9 members don't shoot the 5 or 6 pointers, and two don't shoot does at all. Because we have a long season and I hunt every weekend - Friday evening through Sunday morning from mid-November until the end of January I can afford to be choosy and only take good shots. My personal rule is to take two does fairly early in the season (we do love our venison) and the first 8-pointer I get a shot at. If I connect with a buck I won't shoot another one unless he is bigger/better/older than the one I've taken.

But to tell you the truth, I'm quite happy making a good shot on a mature doe and a "buckless" season is no great disappointment.

It's hard to be selective on 5 acres, so we take what we can get. You have been watching too many hunting shows.

Over the last few years I've gotten to where I let the little ones walk. I will however take a good sized spike or a large doe the first season just to put meat in the freezer. I'll hunt for a nice deer the second and muzzleloader seasons. Alot of times I don't fill my extra tags unless I know someone will want the meat.

I have been deer hunting for 33 years since the age of 13. I have killed lots of bucks and does during that time. I have 7 bucks mounted on my wall, I would love to say that I am a trophy hunter, but im not. I do try to hold out for older deer, but sometimes my blood pressure goes up and I give in. This year I shot a doe opening day of bow season, but have been holding out for some bigger bucks that I have seen on my game camera. This past friday a 7pt tempted me to much so now I'm down to one tag. Our gun season opens this coming sat for 3 weeks so I will try to hold out for a bigger buck. My family eats a lot of deer meat every year and if I strictly hold out for trophies we go without. When I take my yearly trip to Ohio for the gun season I always try to tag a big doe, but am very selective on the bucks that I shoot.