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RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

Great Post Bowdacious. I hear of some guys that(bragging) say they don't even get worked up over anything less than a "TROPHY".

Man, When I decide in my head "I'm takin' that trash talkin' squirrel today" I get PUMPED UP! Some may call me silly, but I hope I NEVER lose the adrenelin rush.

I saw a film crew for a television show in an area very near where I hunt. I won't Say what show or who it was, but man was he a Ba$*!@&d. That kind of hunting I'll never get into.I'll take a trophy, and do my best to hunt for one, but if I never shoot a B&C or P&Y buck. I'll have had just as much fun as anyone and be lovin' every minute of it!

Trushot }}------>

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

I totally agree. What kind of deer management would we be doing if everyone shot only bucks, much less trophy bucks. On my farm I shoot does first, and mature bucks second. Does are better table fare as far as I'm concerned anyway. And they are HARDER to hunt because in my experience, they don't respond to calls or scents like bucks do. Here in Iowa we have too many does and yearlings anyway, so as "Deer Population Reduction Specialists" as one member puts it, it's our duty to take the does and yearlings as well as the bucks.

KEEP IT LEGAL. KEEP IT SAFE. OR WE MAY NOT GET TO KEEP IT AT ALL.

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

Glad to see your enjoying the hunt again BD. Nice to see you posting again...how long's it been?

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

I guess I've always hunted from the position that you're in now. It's all venison in the freezer, and if it's got antlers so be it.

A week and a half ago I decided to take a little doe for the freezer. When I decided to try for her my heart got POUNDING and my hands started to sweat...from just a little doe. She was about 12" of draw from catching an arrow when I spotted a BIG buck coming in behind her.

By the time I decided to try for the buck, my heart-rate was back to normal, and I'd calmed down a bit. Best yet, I was already in position for him...thanks to that little doe I wanted to shoot. I ended up taking that buck, who turned out to be the biggest one of my life, and well above P&Y minimum score.

Moral of the story...had I not been trying to take that doe, I'd have never gotten the buck. Being a "meat hunter" paid off, in spades.

JRW

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

"There is more to a Trophy, than the Size of the Rack"

BD-That sums it up perfect.

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

So the hunt for monster honkin' whities has finally taken it's toll on you huh Bow...what a shame...now you're sellin' out...regressing back into a regular ole plain vanilla brown it's down kinda guy. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
At this point in the year, I'm deerless and seem to be just as ok with that as you are with your 6-pointer. I've passed up at least 15 different little bucks (I've lost count actually) so far this year with the most recent being just yesterday morning...a basket 8-pointer that in a year or two will be quite impressive, who I let saunter by 15 yards broadside. Last weekend I passed up 4 bucks in one day...2 6-pointers, a forkie, and a spike. And on and on and on. I still plan on harvesting a doe for the freezer but the little baby bucks are safe with me and I can't ever see myself shooting one. They are so dumb and clueless that it just doesn't seem fair. They come in so easy to calls that sometimes I think if I wanted to call one in I could actually whistle to it and say &quot;come here boy, come on, come to daddy, fetch the stick boy, go on, get the stick boy&quot;. And in your case, you had already shot 3 does so I'm confused why you had to shoot the little 6-pointer...do you eat venison for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? But hey, if you're happy then great...at least you shot it with a bow...you did, didn't you? <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

This is my 4th year of passing every single buck I've seen. I shoot does for meat and for management but I just know that 130 class or bigger buck is about to walk out all the time!<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> I understand what you are saying Bow. It is easy to take the trophy syndrome too far and I probably have. I just know that there are some monsters down there in my thick nasty woods and I'm going to wait it out, if it takes another 4 years. I'm more than willing to kill a cull buck but we only get one buck tag so I always wait until it's too late.

One day when I kill that big boy, it will all have been worth it. I guess that will be the only cure for my &quot;trophy buck syndrome&quot;.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

--------------------------------------------
Hunting the Piney Woods of Deep East Texas.


Edited by - TxCowboy on 11/26/2002 21:47:08

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

Great post with so much being posted on only shooting big bucks.

Nothing like the pure joy of hunting. I often find it hard to rate my hunts by the size of the antlers. I say to each his own and congrats to all as long as they are having fun.



&quot; Anyone can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a Dad&quot;

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

I pass alot of smaller bucks every year. Do I take big trophy bucks every year? No. Do I take my fair share of does? Yes.
I am trying to do my part of equalizing out the herd ratio the best I can. The neighbors that hunt the properties surounding mine, do the same thing also. We have seen a drastic incline in big buck sightings in the 3 short years since we all got together in our 5 mile square, and decided to practice Q.D.M. the best we can. Now, I am almost as excited to see a neighbor take a nice trophy buck, instead of myself.
Just knowing that bucks of quality are in my area excites me. Now I know, that it is my own faults and errors for not taking a big buck knowing that they are around, instead of going thru the motions knowing someone else with level that little basket rack. Shooting small bucks should be left to the young or inexperienced hunters who have yet to take a deer, so as to get them into the sport and spirit of the outdoors.

Answer this question for me; Do you all keep a small 1/2 lb. bass?

I doubt it for the most part. It is the same for bucks. Big bucks get big because they have time to grow. But it doesn't work if you don't stick with it.

I have argued this point until I am blue in the face with 3 guys down at work. But yet, when somebody else but themselves, shoots a nice buck, they are the first to complain and say they never see trophy bucks.

It's true, you can't eat the antlers, but you can't mount a stick of summer sausage on the mantel either!

Those that say that they just want meat, go ahead and take the does.

It seems to be the only excuse small buck hunters use when they shoot a small buck. But they have no answers when you suggest they should take only does.

Once again, smaller bucks are fine for young or inexperienced hunters.
But experienced hunters should try to pass on smaller bucks.

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

Good post bowdacious, I do not call myself a trophy hunter by any stretch of the imagination, when you have the deer numbers we have where I hunt I feel you are hurting the entire herd by not thinning them out. I do let fawns walk and until the day I have no venison in the freezer it has to be a mature buck before I will take him, I messed up last year and killed a 4 point that I thought was a doe, saw the whole body, no antlers I thought, heck his antlers were pinky thick and barely to the top of his ears.

Bowdacious hunting, be it bow, blackpowder, or gun is fun, it is not a contest for me, makes for some meat in the freezer though.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

No offense, but this sounds like a regurgitation of an article that ran very recently in a bowhunting mag.

I personally no longer get any sort of thrill or enjoyment out of shooting small bucks. I knew it was time to become a trophy hunter after killing my last average buck. I really did not get any sort of thrill or charge out of it. I killed it on autopilot, and it meant very little to me. After deciding to hunt for a P&Y or nothing, the excitement came back. I had a goal, and I had a lot of enjoyment watching bucks and taking does for the freezer.

Trophy hunting is not possible for many people, especially if you hunt public areas or areas that receive a lot of pressure. Some areas simply don't have the genetics and/or nutrition to produce numbers of large deer. I live in northern Missouri, and belong to a hunting lease with 250,000 acres in the three-state area. For me it makes sense.

MOCraig

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[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

I have patiently been waiting for a large buck to shoot since Oct 1st. I have spent hour upon hour watching doe's and small bucks dance around me.

I have finally gotten to the point where I am extremly cold and still have no deer. I decided that I would take one of the small 6 point bucks I have been seeing however for some reason or another I have not been seeing any deer. The rut is over along with a big part of the excitiment. I now wish I would have taken one of those bucks.

Shot gun season is fast approaching and I so wanted my bow tagged filled before than because i hate to bow hunt in late December.

Don't get me wrong. I love to be out there but I don't think any hunter should ever regrete passing on a deer.

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

Shoot whatever makes you happy, as long as it's legal. Honestly, if anything you're doing is making hunting less fun, you're probably in the sport for the wrong reason, and would be much happier in some other &quot;competitive&quot; sport.
I shoot the first adult deer I see each year for meat, then wait for mature bucks, then thin the does out in the late rifle, blackpowder, and bow seasons. That's what makes ME happy. And that's the only reason I'm out there, to find some happiness in nature. I put my standards at a point where I usually see only a handful of &quot;shooters&quot; each year from the tree, which adds a challenge, but doesn't seem impossible to reach my goals. Some years I get the big one, some I don't, but I shoot a few deer every year, and love every minute of it.



&quot;In heaven, even the fish have antlers&quot;

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

When I read the responses I notice a common thread. Most, if not all, are hunting and deciding what they do or don't shoot based on their own personal satisfaction...and that's good to see.

If sending an arrow through a basket-rack eight or doe doesn't make you want to jump for joy, you probably shouldn't do it. If holding out for nothing but &quot;wall-hangers&quot; makes hunting less enjoyable, again...you probably shouldn't do it.

What's best about this thread, thus far, is that no one's belittling anyone else based on the deer they choose to take.

JRW

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

My personal goal is a buck with a spread outside his ears. I know there is a nice 10 pt and a 14+ out where I hunt. I let &quot;Pete&quot; walk. he is a nice 8pt with a big body, but his spread is about 1&quot; inside his ears. I had him in my sights during gun, and had him at 9yds during bow. It was nice to see he made it thru the first 7 days of gun season, hope it makes it thru the rest.

I agree though, hunt what makes you happy. I personally would love to hear someone let bucks walk and shoots does, but if the buck makes ya happy, go for it. Clean honest kills are the most important thing to me.

--Jim

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

Good for you!!!!!! I have taken, now 68 deer with a bow, three so far this year, the latest was a 4 point last Monday night. I still came home excited, I still called all my hunting buddies on my cell on my way home. I am really wanting this Piebald I saw on Saturday,but if I don't......... so be it. I love the hunt and every animal so far has been MY trophy. When they no longer are concidered trophies to me, I'll give it up for good.

Hunting ; an act of love for nature guided by the strongest spiritual forces.
http://www.adventuresoutdoors.freehomepage.com/

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

Good for you Bowdacious!<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle> Getting enjoyment out of hunting is the most important thing! If your into big racks , good for you. If your into small racks , good for you. Like shooting does only , good for you.
There have been a few comments in this thread that could be taken as a shot at trying to belittle experienced hunters for shooting small bucks<img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle>
Whatever gives you the most enjoyment out of hunting , go for it , just dont belittle those that get enjoyment where you dont.

Those Kansas 1 1/2 year old bucks must be real stupid. If you try calling in a 1 1/2 year old buck in Wi by saying &quot;come here boy&quot; or whistling , your gonna be in for a long day:)

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

I must admit that I am a trophy hunter. I still take my share of does every year. I shot an 8 point this year and was dissapointed when I got to him because I didn't think he was as big as I thought. I am fine with it now, but that was a very &quot;wierd&quot; feeling. My buddies congratulating me and I am wondering why I shot a &quot;small&quot; 8 point -- with 10 1/2&quot; G2's? I had an enormous year last year (9 point, 11 point and a 14 that netted 152ish) and am now trying to top it? I definitely understand the frustration of not getting a trophy. That is why we all love this sport. This past week alone I passed up a 10, and 5 different 8's, plus countless smaller ones. I can't help it that I want the big boy!!! It is in my blood or something? I will be happy with the doe and 8 in the freezer if I never get another shot, but I don't think that I will shoot another 6 point in my lifetime if I can help it. This is just me and I can't help that I have my reasons.
BOB

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

BOWFANATIC...yes, I guess you could say it was a little bit of a shot, but a really nice one if you ask me. I just can't see why a guy who already has 3 does in the freezer feels a need to shoot a young buck before his prime...was it for meat, I can't see it...was it for the thrill...I really can't see it. Why then? Was it to say, hey, I didn't go &quot;buckless&quot; this year or was it simply because &quot;you could&quot; so &quot;you did&quot;? Some people don't agree with Quality Deer Management but every time a hunter decides to shoot or not shoot a deer it is a management decision which affects the given herd. Is shooting an immature buck a prudent management decision...not in my opinion and not according to many more qualified biologists opinions either. I'm all for harvesting does and applaud all that do but don't see the rationale in shooting little bucks in a case like this. Bowdacious is not handicapped and not a first year hunter and he had enough meat to feed a small army. Not a personal attack just a difference of opinion in which case I think mine is the right one.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle> Bowdacious is a great guy and I have respect for him and his hunting abilities...I just question his decision in this case.

As far as the 1.5 year old bucks being real dumb here in Kansas as compared to your area I can't comment but all I know is if I fart really loud several times repeatedly while I'm in my stand I think the little bucks mistake it as a grunt call and come running in. It works every time! You ought to try it if you ever have the inkling to shoot a little buck!<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Edited by - wolfen68 on 11/26/2002 11:00:32

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

<font color=red>&quot;If you try calling in a 1 1/2 year old buck in Wi by saying &quot;come here boy&quot; or whistling , your gonna be in for a long day.&quot;</font id=red>

OH GREAT!!! NOW they tell me!!! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

JRW

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

If your happy, I am happy. Anyone truly proud of their harvest is deserving of congrats and hand shakes (regardless of experience, weapon or rack size/sex). The ones that tick me off are the &quot;I settled&quot; group...but that's for another day.

Hunting is personal enjoyment and goals..no one can tell you how you should feel or are going to feel while hunting. (See above statement for clarification)

I am too a trophy hunter, I know all to well how buckless season or tag/track soup feels and yes it can wear thin. However I have started to realize the positives out of these buckless seasons. examples: extra time in the woods (only have one tag per year), learning new spots, seeing great potential deer, deer habitats, etc...well basically learning. I feel with every buck tag I have hanged on the wall unused it provided me with as much, maybe more knowledge than the horns of a used buck tag. To me that is exciting and keeps me pumped through the lows. I believe in doe reduction and culling out over the hill bucks and if my season runs down to the last hour I use it on a mature animal for the table. Never ended up without meat and always feel satisfied.

Shooting a wallhanger every year is probably impossible, due to many variables...so if you go into trophy hunting with the thought of 20 years/20 heads your set up for disappointment, IMO.

Now sometimes a re-focus period is required, such is the case here. If you have to sit down and say what makes me tick...than is time for a re-focus and possibly a start over. You realized this and now are back on track to what makes you tick..congrats. If shooting animals keep you in the sport and pumped to keep at her...horray! Please yourself not others...hunting 101.

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
BOWFANATIC...yes, I guess you could say it was a little bit of a shot, but a really nice one if you ask me. I just can't see why a guy who already has 3 does in the freezer feels a need to shoot a young buck before his prime...
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

And you dont have to see!! Nobody's asking for your permission! Go back and read his post again! He's back to having fun again. But , then he decides to post it and arsewipes like you take the fun out of it again by making ignorant belittling comments<img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle>


<---Doug---<<<

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

BOWFANATIC...he can still have fun and not shoot little bucks can't he? What was my ignorant belittling commment anyway? BOWDACIOUS is a big boy and I'm quite certain he expected at least one person to be an &quot;arsewipe&quot; and if I must be that one person then so be it. I think I'm simply engaging in a simple debate. I have my educated opinions and others have their emotional opinions. I am happy that Bowdacious is a happy hunter again but I don't see how he would have been less happy stopping at 3 does and letting the little youngster live to at least get pubic hair.<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

Wolfen you are right everyone has thier own opinions on what is best for hunting.

What is wrong is when you push your opinion on someone else. Just because it is yours doesn't make it right. I think that it is great that you are letting all those little bucks walk that leaves them for someone else to shoot.

What would be wrong with just saying good job, great, glad to see you are having fun?

Why does everything have to be a debate?

Sounds to me like your educated opinion are pretty emotional.

&quot; Anyone can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a Dad&quot;

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

I'm with you on this one SW Iowa Hunter.

KEEP IT LEGAL. KEEP IT SAFE. OR WE MAY NOT GET TO KEEP IT AT ALL.

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

Bow--great post! Just a little before the time you started holding out for trophies, I began holding out for mature 8 pointers. It was about the same time that my former &quot;trophy area&quot; received more pressure, got significantly smaller and had paintball battlefields and 4-wheeler trails built all over it by neighborhood kids. The trophies disappeared, but I continued to try. After years of no bucks big enough to shoot, I satisfy myself with does too (3 so far this year). I've passed up a suicidal 6 point under 10 yards on at least 3 occasions as well as many other small bucks, but I'm still refraining from shooting a youngster--even though other hunters are taking them. I don't condemn you for shooting them though--if I didn't have any meat, I'd shoot one too. And . . . you're not shooting at my deer anyway!

Today's small bucks are tomorrow's trophies.

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

SW Iowa...my mission in life is to get as many hunters as possible to understand the importance of letting immature bucks live and rarely will I pass up a chance to attempt to educate others on the topic. You see pics of monster bucks posted on this message board followed by dozens of hunters ooohing and aaaahhhing over it and talking about falling out of their stands if they ever say anything that big and a lot of these guys are the same hunters that shoot small, immature bucks. Enough said. This &quot;debate&quot; will continue no more on this post provided that no further posts require my response. Now let's see how emotional an issue this is for folks. Congratulations on your season Bowdacious.

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

The big buck management is all fine and good, but there are a lot of us who could care less about big bucks. I am out to have fun, enjoy the woods, and kill deer. I don't care if it is 12 point or a spike. Where I hunt, we can only kill bucks with 3 points on one side. I killed a 5 point yesterday and have no regrets. So you can &quot;educate&quot; me on your opinion, but that is all it boils down to: an opinion. Some people care about big bucks, others don't.

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
<font color=red>BOWFANATIC...he can still have fun and not shoot little bucks can't he?</font id=red>


Apparently not , read his post again!

<font color=red>What was my ignorant belittling post anyway?</font id=red>

&quot;they
come in so easy to calls that sometimes I think if I wanted to call one in I could actually whistle to it and say &quot;come here boy, come on, come to daddy, fetch the stick boy, go on, get the stick boy&quot;.

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>


Education -vs- emotion huh? Your education is based on trophy buck management and nothing else! Your a trophy hunter period! Their are alot of us &quot;regular ole plain vanilla brown it's down kinda guys&quot;. In laymans terms , we're hunters!

<font color=red>Some people don't agree with Quality Deer Management but every time a hunter decides to shoot or not shoot a deer it is a management decision which affects the given herd. Is shooting an immature buck a prudent management decision...not in my opinion and not according to many more qualified biologists opinions either.</font id=red>

Wrong! Your confusing QDM with TBM! BOWDACIOUS did his QDM part by harvesting three doe this year. QDM is indeed an important management tool , but there is a big difference between QDM and trophy buck management. QDM is a tool to improve the overall health quality of the heard that was taken further by big $$$ outfitters to create more big $$$ trophy bucks. Wisconsin DNR and alot of other states have been practicing QDM with their aggressive doe harvest plans. At least the outfitters around here call it what it is , Trophy Buck Management.

As far as the guys who have seen pics of monster bucks ,and say they'd probably crap their pants if they saw one<img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle> I bet if you had your way and everyone everywhere practiced TBM , then nobody would crap their pants when the big one walked in , it would be just another big buck , ho hum. Some hunters are perfectly happy harvesting mediocre bucks while hoping some day that huge trophy buck (you know , that rare mystical creature , the one you cant see everytime you go out , due to TBM) will come by.


<---Doug---<<<

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

Bowfanatic, you are exactly right. For years the Arkansas Game and Fish managed the herd for QUANTITY, that is, to try and produce as many deer as possible. Back in the 90s they switched to a QUALITY deer management system to even the buck-doe ratios and reduce the herd. Now, since 98, we are under a Commission imposed TROPHY management system. No buck can be killed unless it has 3 points on one side. A lot of people like this rule, however, I have talked to a lot that don't. There are several ways to manage deer, and some come down to a matter of taste. You can have quality (that is healthy) deer management without using a trophy management system.

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

You know, we have a lot of public hunting grounds in IL that have point restrictions. Last season was the first time that I'd ever hunted in one. Right at the check-in booth, there was a big sign with the regulations spelled out regarding what you can and can't kill there.

The title of the sign was something to the effect of &quot;this is a TROPHY MANAGEMENT area&quot;. At least they were honest about it.

JRW

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

Quality Deer Management=Trophy Bucks so in essence, one could say that quality deer management is trophy deer management...one could certainly NOT say that non-QDM=TDM. Also, I would say that a lot of areas I hunt are in good health, buck to doe ratios are reasonable and most bucks are likely to reach at least 3.5 years of age and I guarantee you that when a PY or better buck nears my stand I get pumped beyond description...there aren't monster bucks walking by your treestand every 5 minutes 20 yards broadside begging you to shoot them...what a horrible and ignorant misconception. Old bucks=smart bucks...young bucks=dumb bucks. Have a nice evening.

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

Not to choose sides or get into a debate here but i think what Wolfen is saying is: &quot;If you want to up your chances at harvesting a HOLY CRAP deer&quot; you need to hold off on the immature bucks. Shooting the first thing with horns is fine a dandy, but in the same breath you can't say I never see deer like that &quot;HOLY CRAP&quot;. Pretty hard to raise the level of the deer heard if they are always stunted to 2-3 year old bucks. Impossible to harvest a trophy with your treestand in the garage, bow in its case and your tag on a 4 pointer. I think that is what he is trying to say, call it what ever type of management that you want. He views this an opportunity to enlighten you on his opinion, standards goals, reasons...he just like Bow did.

I have stated i have no problems with &quot;meat hunters&quot;, what ever floats your canoe...however it seems many &quot;meat hunters&quot; have a real problem with &quot;trophy hunters&quot;. While are standards & goals may be different our reasons and love of this sport are not....we are all hunters, opinions aside. It isn't fair for me to preach to you about Trophy Hunting, like wise it isn't fair for you to preach to me about &quot;meat hunting&quot;. Sure we need to share and enlighter each other on the aspects, perspectives, why we do what we do, etc but that shouldn't be from the top of a soap box or horse with an iron hand. Yeap, I'll admit it goes both ways...but it is opinion and to share is free speach, to preach is well...you get the picture!

My observation of hunter these days, we are far more educated on the effects of managing a herd...wether meat or trophy. To me that points to only better deer herds & quality for all. When I started it was taboo to shoot a doe and a kong to shot any buck...that has changed and I can bet all of you can relate to the positives this a=has produced (wether increased sighting, bag limits, more meat or bigger animals -horn and body weight). This education incompass both QDM and TBM in way or form.

happy hunting and that is my 2 pennies worth.

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

I read a really good article several years ago about the stages we go through as hunters.In the begining we just want to kill a deer period.Any deer.Then as we become proficient at killing deer we want to fill all our tags or kill our limit as we would say down south.Then we want to kill nice bucks or trophys.After you kill a few nice deer then how you kill them becomes the challnge.Bowhunting or muzzle loading etc.Some of us never get out of the filling our limit stages or the trophy stage.I think thats why you see so many different opinions. Many of us are at different stages in hunting and in life.I know from my personal experience I used to kill everything I could,we killed alot of young bucks and very few mature deer.MS went to a 4 point or better(total) to protect 1 1/2 old bucks.We also aggresively shoot does.We have been killing some nice mature deer,some trophys some not.We now only shoot bucks with a 17 inch beam length(not spread).For us this is a 3 1/2 old deer.Now that we let young bucks walk and shoot alot of does we have a more defined rut and a more balanced sex ratio.I can kill 5 does legally so I don't feel the need to shoot a small buck.Now there are some places that are so hard hunted and pressured that you would be wasting your time to practice a mangement plan while your neighbors blast everthing that walks.We have about 15000 acres around us in QDM.It has made a big difference in our herd.I would however never impose my beliefs on anyone else or belittle anyone for killing any deer that is legal.That being said I do believe that QDM can produce a more balanced deer herd.It is not trophy management.Some people make it that.It is only intended to allow a more balanced age structure.Not every deer that gets to 4 years will be a &quot;trophy&quot; or BC deer.Not where I hunt.But if you are killing a mature 3-4 year old buck in my hard hunted neck of the woods then you've done something regardless of the size of his rack.

Billy

WHACKEM N STACKEM

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

Wolfen, I want to tell you that I have read alot of your posts and I disagree with you alot of the time. <u>However,</u> I think you are 100% correct this time. I'm not putting down guys who are tickled to death with a 4pt or 6pt. I'm putting down the guys who shoot a 6pt so he can say he killed a buck. He will cut the rack off the buck and it will end up in a box in his garage or storage room. If he was really proud of it, he'd have a shoulder mount if he could afford it. If not he'd at least have it mounted on a board and proudly display if for all to see.

I know that alot of guys say that horns don't mean one thing to them but I honestly don't believe a word of it. It might be true of some guys but a small minority. That being said, everyone wants to kill a monster and only a few are willing to sacrifice and let them grow. I'm not trying to belittle anyone for shooting small bucks, it is a free world. I just see a little bit of hipocracy(sp) in this debate.

Here is where the difference lies and I'm willing to admit it. Some people are competitive and want to achieve the most possible. Those attributes normally follow a person into their chosen sport or hobby. On the other hand some people just enjoy the sport because it is relaxing and don't ever set any goals. Only the guys who are sold out and willing to make huge sacrifices, go to the pros in football or baseball. They are willing to do anything neccessary to play in the Super Bowl. On the other hand alot of guys are happy playing football in the backyard or watching it on the couch. It takes all kinds and hunting is no different. To each his own.

Just my opinion.



--------------------------------------------
Hunting the Piney Woods of Deep East Texas.

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

I pass on Button Bucks, Spikes, and yearlings. Besides that I shoot, unles they are over 30 yds away. I hunt for the meat, if i get a trophy...all the better!!!

RE: Trophy Hunting?
 

As far as whether to &quot;push&quot; or &quot;force&quot; anothers ideas on someone else, this is not a correct way to view the arguements of others.
Bowdacious is far from being a stupid person, and far from being an inexperienced hunter, and he knew exactly the responses, debates, and arguemnets he was going to recieve when he posted this thread. So, take the good with the bad.

As far as the name calling, this is the kind of thing we can do without.


<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Answer this question for me; Do you all keep small 1/2 lb. bass?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Those that say that they just want meat, go ahead and shoot the does.

It seems to be the only excuse that small buck hunters use when they shoot a small buck. But they have no answers when you suggest that they should only take does.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

I still have seen no legitimate answers or arguements to these questions I posted earlier. Shooting does would give the same exact feeling or sense of excitment as shooting small bucks. So, why shoot the smaller bucks? What is your advantage or gain in it?? Is it the point of not going &quot;buckless&quot; for the year?? There is no reason for it.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> Some hunters are perfectly happy harvesting mediocre bucks while hoping some day that huge trophy buck (you know , that rare mystical creature , the one you cant see everytime you go out , due to TBM) will come by.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

I do not understand this quote. Why not improve your chances at that &quot;mystical creature&quot; by letting small bucks pass??? You yourself have just said that those that shoot mediocre buck for the most part, still hope for that super size wallhanger. So, why don't you impove the odds a little???


As far as point restrictions being wrong in certain states. That is a bunch a bull. A &quot;3 pointer on one side&quot; is far from a trophy buck, and is still at least 3 years from it. Take it from the states that are now in serious trouble of seeing a spike buck, let alone a buck at all. Point restrictions help. No one can argue the fact that even when the small bucks are extrememly rare, that something (like point restrictions) should be done to correct the situation.
And the arguement--&quot;Go ahead, you are not shooting my deer.&quot; Well, tell that to the neighbor that borders your property, when you see no more bucks at all. If the experienced hunters resort to shooting small bucks, this scenario is not far off.


One of the definitions of the word &quot;trophy&quot; is--
an animal skin, head, ect. displayed to show one's hunting prowess

Now, answer this question; Do those of you who are experienced hunters that have shot a small basket rack buck last year, this year, ect., go out the following year thinking, &quot;Boy, I hope I shoot a smaller buck than last year, next season!!&quot;

I doubt it.

Each year you wish or want for that buck that is larger than the last.
If you don't or don't care, give me a real, legitimate argument for not letting that small buck pass and taking only does.
Yes, it is true, we are all hunters. Part time hunters at best. So, if you do not care about the antlers, why not help out and look out for the neighbor who may want to take only bigger bucks? Why not improve relations with everyone around you?? We are all in this thing together, aren't we??