Guys, I think trophy hunting has taken alot of the fun out of my hunting expierence. I can remember years back when a buck of any sort would make my heart pound and I would be super proud if I took it. I let several nice bucks walk this season trying to out smart a single buck that I had been after. So today was the last day for me to hunt before gun season starts and I take a buck that I normally wouldn't even consider just to put some points up for a contest. This tells me that something has gone wrong in my thinking. Can any of you relate?

As a first year hunter (in lower NY where they aren't that big to begin with) I'd have to say I'm enjoying every inch of every hunt regardless of rack. No pun intended.

The coyote that stolled under my stand, the owl that landed in my tree and even the fork horn that stared at me from 10 yards on the ground (we have antler restrictions in my zone.) Not to mention the delicious meat I've got from a buck you might have past on. It was the first time I'd shot, butchered and grilled something from my own land it was awesome.

Maybe my novice enthusiasm will rub off!
Live in the moment.
Your moment, whatever it is.

Good advice, thanks.

Mowtown, you feel this way now, yes, but only because you didn't get the opportunity to tag the buck you were after.

If and when you do finally outwit that buck, your sense of accomplishment will be much greater than it would if you had shot the first buck that walked by. You put in a lot of hours hunting a specific deer, it becomes like a chess game. When you finally get him in check mate, you'll be happy you held off.

Nothing wrong with trophy hunting. You should shoot what makes you happy. Some times that means going home empty handed at the end of the season. I hunted a 160" buck last fall in the kansas early muzzle loader season. That season is in setember, that paticular buck was in a bachelor group with 3 other bucks. None of which were shooters to me. I saw them numerous times before season. I had every buck that 160" deer was running with come within 15 yards, the big boy never showed. Was I disappointed in the hunt. Hell no, not by a long shot! My season was a sucess. I got to spend time doing something I love. I hunted hard, I got close to deer, a couple times very very close while sitting on the ground. That'l make your heart beat reguardless of the deers size, at least it does mine. Just being out in nature and enjoying what it has to offer is enough for me. If I get my big buck, great, if I don't thats fine to. I'll shoot a nice doe for the freezer anyways. I think you might be takeing hunting a little to seriously, takeing the fun out of it. Get back to the reasons your hunting in the first place and you might be happier.

Yup, been empty handed myself. That's okay. My hunting experiences are for me anyway not anyone else. Take fulfillment from your own experience regardless of what they may be. A filled tag does not always equal success.

I have become a trophy hunter at this stage in my hunting life. My freezer is easy to fill with all of the extra doe tags available so why not. My policy and my wifes' is that if we are not willing to spend the money on a taxidermy fee than the buck walks. My buck wasn't a monster by any means this year but he was a dandy and what made him a trophy to me was how I called him in and filmed it all on my own. So to answer your question was it bad to take a little buck just 'cause it was the last day of season just to put points on the board for some stupid deer contest when he could have walked and grown for next year...well we each have our reasons and nobody can judge someone else. If this deer challenged you and left you withsatisfaction of your hunting skills;only you know.
P.S. Congrats on your buck!!!!! All deer taken with a bow are a trophy!!!!!!

MotownI wrestled with the same question6 years ago when I made the choice to only hunt mature bucks. I came up empty end of the year, I shot 2 nice doe's so the season was still pretty good. I hunted hard until the end and really got down on myself. The next year I decided I coud careless about shooting a buck. I was going out for the joy of hunting a mature buck. Once I made the commitment to enjoy tag soup all was good.
Last6 years I have had some great hunts, learned a ton about hunting mature deer. We in MI have the "I have to shoot a buck" virus. I just ignore it now and have fun hunting my way.
My way is different then yours that is cool, just remember whyyou are out there.
Another thing I have done last six years is adopt a youth hunter, I teach him the ropes and keep in touch with him on his season. I also let them use some of my gear, really helps me focus on what is important.
For me shooting a deer is not important, like tonight me and gramps did not see a gritter, but what a sunset we enjoyed, one more time I got to be in the woods with him. One more story I will tell his Grandson who is name after him. How his Dad and Great Grandfather tamed the woods here in MI(I will have to make some stuff up)[8D]

Let's see some pics!!!!!

I feel bad for you..........I was just having this same conversation with a taxidermist friend of mine. He shot a 163" buck a couple years ago and now he wants something similar or he is not happy. He gets to hunt some unreal property and was telling me about deer he let walk that went anywhere from 120-140ish. This has gone on for 2 years now and he is not having much fun anymore. He told me he wishes he had some of those chances back he let go because heshould have taken them and now regrets it.

I told him that it sounds like his deer hunting has changed from something he had fun and loved to do.........into a job. That sucks.

My heart raceswhen deer of any kind are around my stand so I can't really relate to your story. I do pray it never happens to me though and I hope you find your own personal way to rekindle the joys of hunting.

Do what I do..............stick a few button bucks every once in awhile and then EVERYTHING looks like a monster........sort of like starting from scratch