RE: Is the obsession to shoot big bucks corrupting bowhunting?
 

I'm not against Trophy hunters either. I just think it's self serving for those that want to make the guy who chooses to shoot the first nice buck he sees feel like he's done something wrong. Even I have some restrictions on myself. We have liberal bag limits that I'd never desire to fill. But, I'll pass up(let them get away) a lot of does the first time or two in a stand. Then I may whack a doe and move on. I try to make sure every buck I shoot is larger than the last one I shot that year. If however it's been a while and I decide I need some blood on the arrow I'll take what's available. If I hunt on your place and you tell me I can only shoot this size deer I'll obey. My minimums shift with where and when I'm hunting. If I go to Ohio a lot of deer that would die in Maryland are going to get away.[8D]

RE: Is the obsession to shoot big bucks corrupting bowhunting?
 

I go about what I do quietly,I don't impose my views on others but I do have opinions.If a young person or a new hunter or even a seasoned veteran is excited and thrilled with their kill than I am thrilled with them and for them! If as Ryan has said they kill any buck just to kill a buck because they perceive it as a reflection of their manliness than I don't agree with that.This is just my opinion.
For some of you that live in area's of the country where you "at least have the chance to see a 41/2 year old deer" it is a different set of circumstances.
Where I live you will go your lifetime as a very dedicated hunter and very likely never see a 120 inch deer (I only use this to give people perspective)Yes I want to see bigger deer,I want to be challenged by the opportunity to pursue them.
You can't kill what isn't there.I am not arguing with anyone,or disagreeing with any one specifically I am just expressing my opinion.

RE: Is the obsession to shoot big bucks corrupting bowhunting?
 

"What ever floats your boat..."

Seriously, hunting is a contest between man and beast, no more, no less... To the victor go the spoils and to the victor alone. If a person is happy with meat on the table, so be it. Let'em hunt, and leave 'em alone.

RE: Is the obsession to shoot big bucks corrupting bowhunting?
 

Shoot what's leagal. Hold out for the big bucks if you want. Take some does for the meat and let the boys grow up. Hey if you mount your buck then you are looking for a trophy. It doesn't make sense to kill a smaller buck and mount it? If the season is ending and you haven't taken a deer yet then have at it. I'll probably hold out for a big buck until the rut,if I have a freezer full of does maybe I won't take a buck. (OH wait I'm in the contest ,I guess I'll have to get some horns afterall) See what I mean, it's all relative. Practice hard, aim true and do what you will as long as it's legal,bowhunting whitetails is hard enough without all the added angst.

RE: Is the obsession to shoot big bucks corrupting bowhunting?
 

I say it is up to the individual hunter and where they hunt and how much time is put into it. I live in St. Louis Co.,MO. The archeryseason starts Sept. 15 and goes thru Jan. 15. We have a lot of time snd I spend many days in a stand. We have lots of deer and can harvest an unlimited amount of does. So I shoot plenty of them for practice and wait for bigger bucks. If I shoot a buck I mount, that is my guage. I also hunt a lot in IL, an hour from home. It is big buck territory so I hold out but dont kill one every year either. They are'nt around every tree, like some people think.

RE: Is the obsession to shoot big bucks corrupting bowhunting?
 

absolutely, 100% YES the obesession and greed to shoot big antlers has destroyed what hunting is

RE: Is the obsession to shoot big bucks corrupting bowhunting?
 

i took a nice trophey deer years a go ,worse eatting deer i ever had
now i dont look forward to shooting a big old buck give me that little
one .leave the big ones for breading

RE: Is the obsession to shoot big bucks corrupting bowhunting?
 

The obsession with shooting big bucks is, in a way, corrupting our sport. So many new hunters buy a bag of minerals with a monster buck on the front and think that that buck will apper out of thin air. When it dosnt happpen the hunter quits. The false advertising and misleading advertisements IS corrupting our sport. Now qdm is a completely different game. QDM has done nothing but help our deer herds and in return helped our deer hunting. The idea of killing only mature bucks is nothing but good. This deer may only have a 6 point rack, but quess what, you probably just outsmarted one of the smartest wild animals on eart if you kill him. To me taking a mediocre mature deer is much better than killing a P&Y 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 year old buck. To me The obession of thinking you must kill a book buck is corrupting, i am and always will be involved and behind the QDMA. Yes a by product of QDM is bigger bucks usually. QDM is about HERD management and Herd health. Just my .02 cents

RE: Is the obsession to shoot big bucks corrupting bowhunting?
 

Heck, if you want to grow a great herd you can put up a fence and really go at it. Some people do it with Angus.

It's been all down hill since feeders, fences, food plots with towers, TV celebs on un natural grounds, and buzz words such as herd management, QDM, Management bucks etc etc. It just makes me

RE: Is the obsession to shoot big bucks corrupting bowhunting?
 

Davidmil, your an idiot. Thats the dumbest comment i have ever heard. So you dont care about your heard health thats fine with me i understand, but dont bash my ideas just because your lazy. It takes work and i will put the work into it. Your just like alot of the neighbors around here. "I shoot the little bucks cause i dont ever see a trophy book buck", i wonder why. Maybe because your shooting the bucks that could become 130 inch bucks. Its common sense. As for the high fence, i like to hunt fair chase, and hunt deer that are harder to kill. I am not one to hunt in a high fence area just so i can kill a book deer. That might be your thing but not mine. Happy Hunting