RE: I'm just a little concerned...
 

That is what I though GR8.. Is this really a group of hunters that are as successful overall as the deer showing up?? If so it is awful impressive.

I admire guys who hunt for years and don't settle on anything less than their goal of a 130 class or better but I sure couldn't. I also think there are those who posture about shooting 130/140 class deer and then don't post the 80 class they shot.

I do not think I have seen anyone be put down for taking a small deer but most of those posted have been the first deer taken with a bow by that hunter.

There have been suttle digs like "he would have been a monster in a couple of years" or "looks like he had good genetics" but for the MOST part I find everyone to be supportive of the brotherhood.

I can't believe there is anyone who really thinks about the contest while they are up a tree. What's the grand prize anyway..

RE: I'm just a little concerned...
 

If there is even an inkling of truth to this then it's a very sad day. How can someone be sitting in a tree wondering if what they shoot would have the approval of a bunch of people across the nation on a message board? No offense to anyone here (I like you all and everything), but I could give a flying crap what you think of the deer I shoot[8D][:-]. I'm hunting for myself and myself only. No contests, no setting my standards higher than I want to compete with other people, no nothing like that. I set my standards and goals how I want and won't compromise them for anything.This thread just opened my eyes and I hope it doesn't actually exist. You really think there are people holding back pics of their kills because they dont' "stack up" to some of the big bucks being posted here? Damn that's sad.

RE: I'm just a little concerned...
 

That is what I like about you NYBH...You aren't shy!!

Myself...well I haven't shot a deer in 2 season and going into my third season because of my self imposed limititations. I don't want to shoot a buck that looks to be less than 110ishor a yearling. Do I care if some other person shoots a button buck? Nope...Iused to do it all the time. I used to shoot the smaller bucks as well and I was damn proud of everything I shot. Am I bummed that my self imposed limitations have caught me short in the last few years...yes, but I deal with it. I am proud of the fact that I have let about 15 different shot opportunities walk by because they didn't meet my criteria. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment of having the deer walk by and not detect me and just coninue on. I passed on 4 shots on smaller deer on Saturday morning that allowed me to have a blown opportunity on a 125" buck. If I would have shot one of the others, I would not have been in my stand when he came by.

I have known these guys that talk QDM on this site for years, and most of them, if not all of them,will not with hold congratulations to the other guys just because it don't fall into their program.

Easiest way to say it...For me it is not the killing that gives me the thrill of the hunt. Some people want to kill deer to fill the freezer and that is great, keep it up and be proud of everything you shoot!!

RE: I'm just a little concerned...
 

Shoot a little buck........ no problem!

Do what I do..... glue some sticks to the antlers, whittle some, rub some dirt on it and Viola! Instant big buck!! Works every time and makes me feel like a pro.;)

Actually, I neversaw anyone get jumped on for shooting a small deer. If that deer makes the person happy, then I'm happy for him also. I take that back, I did see someone refer to a guys decent buck as a little dink, but that guy is a crochety old fart anyway![:-]

RE: I'm just a little concerned...
 

Remember, any deer taken with a bow should always be viewed as a trophy to the person who shot it, regardless of what others may say or think. We hunt because of the passion that we have for it, not because we think we are impressing someone or because it's the cool thing to do.

RE: I'm just a little concerned...
 

All u guys sayin u dont ridicule for small deer, do u saythat do just bowhunters or gunners too? I have a bow but dont get to shoot many animals with it. Its been 2 years since i have killed a deer with my bow, which is why i didnt enter the contest

RE: I'm just a little concerned...
 

I shot a spike buck and I'm not in the contest. I'll be more than happy to expand on why I'm not and chose not to be in the contest.

1. I intended on shooting the first legal deer I was able to, and he was the first legal deer.
2. That spike buck was the first and only deer I've killed, ever.
3. My first deer would have been a doe, but the two week bow season in SC is two inches of antler or more, antlerless tags are no good until gun season.
4. As much as some of you look forward to this contest and the way you feel about it, I didn't think it fair that someone such as myself should take the place of one of you. You guys look forward to this, enjoy this and wait for this, why should I been in it instead of one of you when I intend on taking anything because I'm lucky to see it?


I've yet to have a close enough shot with the bow at another deer. If I have my bow, they're out of range. If I have my shotgun, they're somewhere else. I want to get another for food, but I enjoy the challenge. I've had a few shots with the shotgun, but I either didn't want to hear it go off or just felt like there would be no accomplishment to it. So, I intend on shooting the next deer close enough to me so that I can put some in the freezer.

Withall of those who post here I'd say maybe 15-20 will put down someone for killing a deer that's not up to their standards. For the most part, nearly every poster here understands how tough it is to bowhunt and don't take cheap shots at others for the size of deer. And, in my opinion, ANY deer taken with a bow is something to be proud of. Buck, doe, rabbit with antlers....who cares. It's hard enough to get close enough with a bow period, I don't care what it is you're after. And nearly every poster here supports anyone who has the determination to go out and get one.

RE: I'm just a little concerned...
 

I always have to get a chuckle out of some of these posts about the big monsters people are holding out for.

If my family and I had a team we'd be the Nanny whackers, cause we shoot a lot of them. Family farm that buts up to other Mid Michigan farms around us and a TON of does. Its not uncommon to see 30-40+ does in the bean fields at dusk in the summer. Between the 4-5 of us, we usually hang 9-11 does a season. Because its private land and the state is aware of the insane numbers of vehicle vs deer accidents we can get doe tags easily here in MI. We can take those numbers and still have the same numbers of deer in the field when we scan it counting heads out there. Been that way for years now, and its not gonna change. Enough smaller properities scattered here and therearound the familiy farms that don't hunt so no pressure. Not that we'd pass ona buck but if not thisyears fawn, and it doesnt have fawns with it, its going down. If your lucky enough to get a shot at a buck hey hats off....but meatsmeat and we gotta get it. And let me tell ya, if you pass on a shooter then your gonna catch some holy Hell if someone else finds out about it!!! Do it again and dont think about going out on the family farm after that. [:@]

RE: I'm just a little concerned...
 

I've got me a few scars from Bowsite and I didn't post much. It was nasty back in it's day. :D

Tim

RE: I'm just a little concerned...
 

I agree and for the most part we know who has what stance around here if they have been here awhile. I personally will wait to take a buck if I have to but if I am down to the last couple of days till gun season I will crack whatever I can with my bow. It is an appreciation for what you harvest, not to extent that Ted Nuggent goes but an overall appreciation.