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RE: WHAT is it about a BUCK????

Quote:

ORIGINAL: GR8atta2d

Quote:

ORIGINAL: GMMAT
Are we really fooling ourselves? Do we think (as a community) that the yearling buck is a greater "trophy" than the doe?

I bet if you look at the breakdown of guys who consistantly shoot "yearling or smallish" bucks (I'm not talking about younghunters first or first couple of bucks) it is probably more our generation GMMAT. It's the way we were brought into hunting, at least in the Ohio, PA, NY areas. A buck was a buck and that was better than any doe. Many of us have evolved and re-learned on our own, that this is not the case. QDM has been a part of this re-learning process.

Now as to why we were originally taught this..I have to reflect on my first hunt in PA as a kid (year 1978). We (Dad and I) saw 82 deer opening day..7 were bucks, The biggest buckwas a fork horn. So hunting then, it was "easy to get a doe"..where is the challenge? One doe got so close to jumping the dead fall we were behind I reached out and touched her. We didn't understand then, that the herd was suffering because we didn't take does, There were no (or few) big bucks because the woods barely offered enough nutrition to sustain all the deer it held.

I know that many people still hold this value to be true.."I got my Buck" they can claim at the lodge. It's just a mind-set..some have evolved..some are stuck in the old days.

New hunters are taught these things now..and understand them from the start. They have Hunter Ed Classes and DVD's and the Web. They have more access than we had. We had to forget what we learned andgain a new understanding.

Bob .... nuff said. You are exactly right ...

RE: WHAT is it about a BUCK????

Quote:

ORIGINAL: GR8atta2d

Quote:

ORIGINAL: GMMAT
Are we really fooling ourselves? Do we think (as a community) that the yearling buck is a greater "trophy" than the doe?

Bob described this phenomenon to a tee. I remember, it was all about "horns".:D

RE: WHAT is it about a BUCK????

When I first started hunting and I was able to grunt in a buck my heart pounded with excitement. I think that is a great feeling for any bowhunter to realize. As I have matured as a hunter I realize that does need to get shot also for management purposes. I also haven't seen a trophy buck in a couple years while hunting. Consequently, I approach every season as trying to fill the freez and after that I may focus on trying to kill a trophy buck.

Up until that point I totally focus on does. To me, the meat is better, and as far as a challenge goes; a young buck becomes the easiest deer in the woods to kill. During the pre rut they drop all defensive traits and seem to come running into my calls, scents, etc.

In the end though, I think a buck resembles more of an achievement given the rack symbolism. Whatever makes the hunter happy I guess as long as ethics remain in the process.

RE: WHAT is it about a BUCK????

Quote:

Bob described this phenomenon to a tee. I remember, it was all about "horns".

...and, for most of us(shall we say..) mature gentlemen, it was ALL that was legal. It was about the horns because they had to have them. We didn't say I got my buck. We said I got a deer, it being a buck was understood. If you saw a buck or maybe even two it was quite an accomplishment when I was growing up.

RE: WHAT is it about a BUCK????

Why would you shoot a "buck" that you are not willing to mount? To me, I let smaller bucks walk and hope they get bigger next year. Does are better eatin' anyway!

RE: WHAT is it about a BUCK????

I've shot a lot of bucks that a lot of people woulddie to mount while some in other areas wouldn't. The deer is one thing in one locale and another somewhere else. All herds are not the same.Personnally, I don't give rats about mounting a deer.I mounted two in my early years but doubt I'll ever mount another, but that'sme. Why would I shoot a deer I wouldn't mount????? Because I don't plan on mounting ANY. It's not aboutthe mount to me.To others it is. I'm in it for the meat, the challenge and just for the fun of it. It is suppose to be fun. It's a recreational sport, not a who can shoot the biggest sport. It's totally personnal. My question back would be, why would you criticize if someone choosesNOT to mount. Mounts are expensive and no one will want them when I'm dead.

RE: WHAT is it about a BUCK????

Hey guys....

GREAT discussion.....and I was really hoping it wouldn't get into a QDM type conversation. It doesn't need to.

We've got a WEALTH of information in the heads of some that have posted on this subject......and I appreciate you all sharing that.

Respect.

RE: WHAT is it about a BUCK????

i guess i was brought up different, my dad did not hunt with me, i started it all on my own, i am not like most being a first generation hunter, and not a 5th or 6th like alot of folks on here. so i guess i was always happy to bring back what i could. Doe or Buck.