Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

Haven't posted for a while so thought I'd try to heat it up a bit with my most favorite of topics...letting the little ones go so they can grow. With the season having started in some states and with it right around the corner in others I thought it appropriate to invite those "first legal deer", "if it's brown it's down", "can't eat the antlers" hunters to spend a season letting the young bucks have a chance to grow up, wise up, and reach their full potential while filling their freezers with tasty, tender doe meat.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

What took you so long? Do you realize how many scrub bucks have been killed already this year due to your absence?

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

I'm straight I only stick doe

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

Bow...if I could reach only one then it would be worth the wear it took on my fingers to type "the message";)!

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

wolfen...thats just the way it is..some things will never change....Some bucks are bigger than others....if its legal its food for me ... Im a hunter.. not a land Baron..I cant afford exotic hunting trips abroad.. I paid for my big game and bow licenses...Who right, whos wrong... Itsall hunting! Ill tell you what we all can do.." .PLAY THE WIND AND JUST HUNT" I was in my back yard shooting some arrows and came to this editing of my previous reply.. All this ethics nonsense always comes up ...I m guilty of it....when I say ethics Imeant in the HUNT SAFE....HUNT LEGAL ..SENSE....
NOT IN THE OPINIONITIVE SENSE such as.... I FEEL, YOUR WRONG, IM RIGHT, FOOD PLOT OR NOT, FREE RANGE FAIRCHASE or FENCED IN ACREAGE and so on and so on..look at all the threads, in all these forums...we are arguing about something we are all so passionate about... thatat times we just LOOSE IT!!...Maybe we should type less and think and.. do more..Be more understanding and not so hateful and disrespectful of fellow hunters points of view or lack of view for that matter.... Whats all this forum stuff about CONDEMNATION or the GOOD TIMES IN THE FIELD...Ill leave you all to argue this out...I now know for me and IM OK..Im going back outside to sharpen my skills GOOD HUNTS AND SAFETY TO ALL PEACE

And to my knowledge...Not one state is out of whitetail deer so there are plenty toharvest in all sizes and sex..And thats the truth!!

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

Why not just accept the concept that everybodycan enjoy the sport in their own manner and come down off your horse and join the rest of us.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

If someone chooses to hunt only mature bucks that is their choice. But to imply that hunting young bucks is "bad ethics" is wrong... IMO

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

double entry,sorry

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

Gentlemen, perhaps if all of you put more effort into helping out the sport of hunting instead of dividing those who do it.. we would not have to worry any longer about loosing the sport that we all love to do.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

I personally feel it is sad that there are hunters among us that shoot anything that walks by their stand. Considering most deer herd ratios, you'll probably see at least 6 does for every buck. So why whack that first buck be it a spike, 4 pt., or anything less than a shooter. Do yourself and every other hunter a favor and let them grow andshoot a doe. Who knows, you may eventually shoot a buck worth bragging about.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

Here in PA we have to ensure we follow our antler restriction laws and I think that helps a good percentage of the younger bucks. Here in my area the buck has to have 4pts on a side to be considered legal. I personally take the first legal buck that gives me the shot.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

Too relative ofa statement. I believe that qdm is good for me, but it may not be for others.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

What difference does it make what you feel about it? The game commision sets the rules not some arrogant self appointedhunter who has decided his way is superior to others. If you want to talk about the benefits of QDM that's fine but when you start criticizing and demeening other hunters for legaly harvesting a deer you cross a line. dukemichaels is right. Spend your effort helping the sport not dividing those who do it!

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

I sure wish the DNR would pass such laws in South Carolina. The doe to buck ratio is ridiculous. Rattling isn't even effective because bucks don't have to compete for breeding rights. I've talked with several gamemanagement officialsand theyagree thatlaws need to be in place to help the herds ratios. Regulations have been placed inGeorgia, and they are now reaping the rewards.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

Dangolbowhunter. I didn't realize that deer hunting was a pissing contest so to speek. You guys with that moronic concept that it has to be a monster to take him just have to get over the fact that people will take a 4or spike for that matter... I hunt for many reasons. The last reason on the list is take a big one. Any deer you take is a good one. Don't get me wrong, I've taken some nice deer and yes bragged about it. But at the same time I brag about the smaller bucks also. Some hunters can only hunt on public land with many other hunters that will take the " scrub buck " so why not take him yourself and enjoy the meat. I personally fell it is sad that some hunters need the big buck to make them feel like a man or a real hunter. Get real! Just hunt your way and shut up and let the other hunters hunt their way.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

I personally think tha we have different genetics in different area's.We ALL have our own means of QDM.Some of us have the opertunity to let the smaller bucks go.Yet some of us if we let some go by the guy in the next tree will take him.You have to use your own set of guidelines that suit you and your area.I for one have plenty of private places to hunt that do not get a lot of pressure except during gun season when i stay out of the woods.The bigger bucks have a tendance to knw when to stay down during this time.I also think that people are going to take what they can considering the time they have to actually hunt due to there families work school and any other obligations they have.So it comes down to getting what you can to get that meat in your freezer.I have seen people just as happy to get a 4 pt as I was at getting my moster 11 pt.We have to set our own standards and not push them onto others.If the states where worried about the herds they would set a antler size minimum.

I for one wish people would let the lil ones go and get the mature bucks.But this is something I can not expect everyone to go by and certain wouldnt push my ideas on them.Take what you can get and be happy with it.I for one am happy with people getting anything at all with a bow.It is a feat they can be proud of .

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

Dang wolfen, you usually get a better response to this thread. Everybody is being relativily good this year.;)

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

Same old song and dance

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

You love to stir things up, don't ya. :)

Sage advice for those of us who have had the opportunity to put a few bucks under our belt. As for the other folks who haven't been as fortunate....;)

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

Well said!!

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

As far as I am concerned, while I may? be more discriminating on deer # 2, as it pertains to deer # 1 ... if regulations allow ( and for me they do )... IF IT IS BROWN ... IT'S DOWN

I purchased a hunting license for the sake of putting venison in my freezer. Ifthe firstopportunity to do so presents itself in the form of a young buck I will avail myself of that opportunity.

I did not purchase a hunting license for the purpose of passing up an opportunity to fill my freezer so that someone else can have a possible chance at a trophy 2 or 3 years down the line.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

i'm 15 and this will be myforth year of hunting. every year i gotten a buck so far. last year i got a nice 6pt. with a 17 inch spread this year i am probally not going to shoot one unless it is bigger.

now my uncle normally fills all his tags right away but in the last 3 years he hasn't gotten a buck. so i am sure as long as it has3 on one side he is going to shoot it and i hope he gets it, i don't think there is anything wrong with shooting smaller bucks however i spend a lot of time scouting and getting ready for the season and i will be able to hunt a lot this season so i am setting my standards a little higher. but it all taste the same to me.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

Well im sorry wolfen but you knownot everyone has the chance to let the little ones go. Not all of us are fortunate enough to have many acres of land to hunt on or pay to go to an outfitter to kill a big deer. Some people, like me, have very little timber to hunt, so we have to take advantage of what walks by us. Around where i hunt about 75% of the land is leased by an outfitter (dont even get me started on that topic [:@]) so we dont have much to hunt on unless we want to pay and the day i have to pay someone a thousand dollars to hunt is the day i will quit deer hunting. So all in all you have a good point about letting the little ones go but you need to remember that not all of us are as fortunate as others and have that option. So for me im in the vote that if its brown, its down.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

Callemin. First off, I have only stated MY OPINION... just like you have yours. I'm not going to tell you where you can stick your opinion, so how about giveme and others thesame respect. This is a forumwhere people can learn from others and voiceour opinion and no itsnot a "pissing contest". We are allpassionate aboutbowhunting and are on the same tea, even though we may have a difference of personal opinions on certain matters.
I, like yourself, do most of myhunting on public land. And I understandwhy you would take the"scrub buck", considering the next guywill if you don't. I understand, but I personally don't agree. Just myopinion.
Mymoral valuesand personal character make me a man, not how many points a deer has. Iget just as excited about harvesting a doe as I do a buck. We can all attest that an ol' nanny is just as hard to hunt as a mature buck....well, pretty darn close.
Best of luck to ya this year.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

Isn't it great how bowhunting has gotten so easy that people can afford to be that selective about what they shoot? I remember when it was only the rifle hunters who did that.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

hey maliburacing, i started reading your post and thought, 'damn, that guy must be in IL'

I think most of it is where you hunt. probably most people would like to wait for a good buck, but they are not just everywhere. when there are a lot of people hunting around the county that will shoot anything, it makes no sense to pass a deer just to have somegoofballass-shoot him the next day. have this happen enough, you'll start being a lot less picky.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

dont want to pick a fight with anyone im just gonna put my two cents in..this is obviously a touchy subject..:D..i agree with quite a few of these guys about just fricken let it alone let ppl hunt the way they want to shoot what they want to..but it does come down to the fact many states donthave the good buck/doe ratio like some other states..me here in nebraska we have a decent number of bucks..you can take a few small ones..theres nothing wrong with taking a doe either..but honestly ppl that are critisizing others for what they believe in and how they hunt..quit that stuff right now..your just gonna draw ppl away from the sport of hunting..i see theres a lot of critisizing that goes on in these forums about why did you do this you shouldve done this or what the hell were you thinking type of crap..there needs to be more positive comments towards others and quit the negative crap..

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

I've heard too many times that if I pass on this deer someone else is going to shoot it so I might as well wack it. If deer "A" doesn't make you happy then don't shoot it and wait for deer "B". Deer "A" may be the buck of a life time for someone else. I've passed on deer before and I know if it walks by my brother inlaw its dead. It happened last year. Shoot what makes you happy and enjoy the time in the woods.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

Someone pass me the Tylenol.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

I was just thinking the same thing. Memories of the good ol' days when any deer harvested by bow was a trophy.

All those debates with Brad (stealthycat,datamax,esspresso feral cat , and whatever other name he used) are finally starting to sink in (scary huh?). I now completelyunderstand what he was getting at.
It would be very interesting to see a five yearstudy done with a group of "QDM"bowhunters ,hunting public land ,banning the use of compound bows , crossbows , and feeding/baiting.Nothing but traditional gear.

My guess is , by the third year we'd see a group of guys hoot'n and holler'n and high five'n the hunter who shot that spike buck. It would definately seperate those who truly love the taste of venison and want meat in the freezer , and those who's only interest is massive head gear.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

I don't have any Tylenol , but try this...

;)

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

Shoot whatever makes you happy. IF you like the looks of that little 4 point or 6 point... or if you don't like his looks... go ahead and whack 'em if it'll make you happy and it's legal. We have enough laws without having to follow the "Laws of Wolfen" or the laws of "I Wanna-bigger-buck". In fact, I think it's good we just KILL a little bugger once in a while so the anti's can't say it's all about trophys and big horns. It's hunting and it's suppose to be fun. It's not about shooting "THE BIG ONE" always nor should it be. Take a look at this... NOW THIS IS A HAPPY FACE!!!! I like that much better than seeing Wolfen or Jackie Bushwhacker with the next world record.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

Here, Here Davidmil!!!!

IMO, over-the-top QDM can suck the fun right out of hunting.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

As usual David, very well said;).

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

I got into hunting 3 years ago, and the only reason i did, was because i bought a used Durango and enjoyed shooting in 3D's during the summer, so i figured what the heck, I shoot pretty good i wanna try deer hunting, second week of my first season i shot a doe at 32 yrds. I got so excited i ran to my Cousin's stand and drug him back over to see it! 3 years later if a doe walks under me i start shaking i get so excited.But with that said, I always kill my limit of 5 does a year and i could limit out on bucks, but i havent yet because of the fact that i dont really need the meat, so i always wait on a bigger buck, now to me a "bigger buck" is like an 8 point with 15' spread, nothing giant, because where i hunt thats a nice buck. But im sure if i lived in a state where it was hard to even see a doe, i would darn sure shoot whatever i could , when i could.........Oct 1st is next Saturday!!!! Who's pumped?!?!? lmao w00t!!

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

I am pumped to no end.Sat in a saddle full of oaks this evening just got in.I had more deer around then I knew what to do with.I have a 3 point buck 5 yards from my tree and he was still in velvet.HMmmmmmmm this is odd for so late in the year.I may take him later after getting my big one just because he will need to be culled out.He is a 1 1/2 old and he wont ever have much for antlers.So I will be hapy taking him this year.but need to get my bigun for the contest first.QDM doesnt mean only taking big bucks.It also means getting rid of the lil racks that will never amoutn to anything but poor genetics that get passed down. There are several aspects to qdm.You cant only practice one.You have to work on them all to truely have a well oiled QDM going.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

I have changed my view slightlyon this subject the last couple of years. I still will hunt for mature bucks while taking a doe or two early for the freezer. But when it comes down to it..........hunting in general is for the meat and for personal pleasure. The personalquest for amonster buckis still an adventure and great challenge each season, butas hunting has evolved,hunting for big bucks has also made deer hunting more competitive in having a place to hunt, no matter if you lease or ask for permission. Takefor example a fewguys hunting the same place and if are all happy just being able to fill a freezer thereare usually no problems. But take the same guys and if they all become trophy hunters, I guarantee they will all end up trying togain hunting rights for themselves alone.

My 24 yr. old son isgoing to bowhunt for the first timethis season and no matter what deer he takes(if successful), he and I both will be proud and content.

RE: Let 'em go and let 'em grow
 

Well, I have to admit it Wolfen...........one of you guys finally reached me. I am gonna pass on all the small racked, young bucks I see this year..............................so I can fill all my tags with button bucks.

Thanks for "the message";)