Your thoughts.. be honest..
 

Ok, this is a touchy one. Do any of you feel a bit disgusted, or feel some disappointment when a rookie bowhunter kills their first deer and it's a P&Y? Or the rookie killing a deer the first year and then saying thet they want a wall hanger for their next deer? Or, do you feel that people need to put their time in and go through the trials and tribulations of years of hunting before this happens? Say 5-10 yrs of hunting and I mean hunting hard. This is kind of an issue with my circle of people. I feel that in a way, hunters should have to put their time in before this is accopmlished, then again, if I were a rookie hunter and a P&Y deer came by as the first deer I could shoot, then I would shoot it. Some people say it doesn't matter, but I know many guys that have hunted 20+ yrs and have never killed a big buck, and they are dedicated and patient, but they just don't get the chance. What do you think??

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Depends a lot on the area you hunt. You ain't gonna find many P/Y bucks in my neck of the woods no matter how many years you put into it.

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I have no issue with someone going out and getting a P&Y buck very early on in their hunting career. It all depends on what kind of land they'll be hunting as well. If a rookie hunter is hunting on prime ground then he'll most likely beat the old hunter that's hunting worn out land (state land) by miles. Put the rookie hunter on the state land and if he hasn't killed something within a couple of years he'll probably quit and I wouldn't blame him for doing so.

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That's usually the way it happens:DI could tell you the story about a B&C buck that was killed in my county by a couple of boys, but it's a long story.

Let's just say it's a good thing they had plenty of arrows with them;)

Dan

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Not anymore. ;):D

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I think that "location" is the number one factor involved in one's ability to kill large (for your example...P&Y) deer.

It all goes back to what I said a few weeks ago.....

The ones that get me are the ones that live/are born into/move to 3rd base (i.e. the land of the big bucks)......and think they've hit a triple.

You're ALWAYS gonna have jealousy/mixed emotionsamongst the ranks when ANYONE experiences "success" early on in their journey.I just see it for what it is......AFTER I learn more about the person (i.e. know what they put into this endeavor).

Does it "bother" me? Nope. It is what it is.

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Here is a story for you:

Every year we have our family, about 8 total people includingMy father and I(I take my bow, I don't rifle hunt), out to rifle hunt our farm. My cousin, who is the same age as me (19) , has never killed a deer with any type as weapon and has been hunting since he was twelve. I've killed my fair share, so this season, I put him on MY stand, I knew he'd see deer. I know my woods and knew he'd get a shot. He shot this a Typical 10 point with a 30-30 and 28 yards, biggest taken on our farm in twenty years, out of MY stand at thirty yards. At first, I was a little upset, though I didn't show it. Now I'm just proud. I put him on that deer, couldn't be happier for him.

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Nope.

I'd feel a little disgusted if I knew a guy that had been bowhunting and wasn't serious about it or was a slob, got one.

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i'm jealous when a rookie bags a big un 1st time out... but not resentful... and I'll tell ya, as a rookie who watched his first deer come into site and then let it go (only about 1hr into the first day of my first hunt on opening day in WI) and have been kickin myself in the rear ever since (it was a solid 120" ~maybe~ low 130's) I do not think badly of a rookie who takes a big un... but at the same time i kinda feel bad for the ones that do take a monster their first time out, they've got little left to work for after that in terms of trophies...

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I'd be happy for them.

If however, they started acting like they know it all because they happened to get lucky... well, that's annoying.

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I understand that too. I guess the guys in my circle are refering to the fair weather guys, the once every 2 week guys that kill a deer this size. Take GMATT for example, he is not included in this category. He has bow hunted for only 3 yrs I think, but he has hunted more in those 3 yrs than many guys I know that call themselves bowhunters have their entire life. His knowledge of deer is quite impressive and he has already taken some nice bucks. He has put his time in in just 3 yrs, but he has deserved it from what I can tell.

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Agree with that 100%

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I had a buddy of mine go on his first ever hunt. I set him up in one of my best spots. He was using a rifle, so I set him up about 100 yards from the main trail the deer use. Later that afternoon he shoots the biggest deer ever taken off my land. Great big B and C.. I was not angery at all. It got me more exited about my land. Ive been looking for another one of those monsters ever since. Shot many close, but not quite as big as his.

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I absolutely have no issue with someone killing a P&Y buck their first season. Many times that is how it happens. Good for them as long as its legal.

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Honestly, I’ve really never given this topic much thought. Life, hunting and a multitude of other things aren’t based on who deserves it more. Sometimes it works that way other times it doesn’t. No big deal either way.

This does remind me of a line from “A river runs through it” – “A person who does not know how to fish, should not disgrace the fish by catching it”

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i would have no problem with a beginner killing a P&Y as their first deer....whats wrong with that?

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Yes, perfectly put. But then again, I dislike anyone who acts like they know it all. This sport involves a lot of luck, no matter how good you are. Like anything, the better you are the less luck involved, but you will always need some luck to score on a mature animal.

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Exactly and you needan area where there areBig Bucks. The more there are the better your chances. Also there is no substitute for time spent in the woods. If I'm betting on who will kill the Big Buck and one hunter is the Best Bowhunter in the country but only gets to hunt on the Weekend the other is a novice but gets to Hunt Every Day, providing they are hunting the same type of area.

I'll put my money on the Novice;)

Dan

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I think as long as they are humble about it and respectful, it doesn't matter. Hell, it doesn't matter anyways!!! Getting upset at that is like the 72' Dolphins haten on the 07' Patriots for winning a flawless season. If you worry about other people that much you will be a miserable and depressed man.

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I agree with Cougar! I personally like when hunters are successful!!!!!!!! The thing that bothers me is rookie hunters thinking they know it all! Sure if you have a lot of deer around your area and you spend enough time in those same woods, your going to kill deer! Killing mature deer, and I mean mature deer is a different story all together!

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ok, so I never hunted in my entire life, I bought my bow 7 months ago and I have shot around 700 arrows per month. last month I did around1200 shots in my basement trying to retune my bow after a dryfire. ( I killed about 10 arrows and two foam targets in 6 months )
If I'm not shooting my bow, I'm reading the forums and trying to complete my posture and form, repeating my shooting cycle or I'm hangin around the shops where mostly target shooters come to try and pick up stuff.....
My girlfriend's giving my a scedule with days and hours of day where it's forbidden to even mention the word bow or hunting, let alone shoot one....

So if I go out for thefirst timeand shoot myself a big anything after freezing my butt off here in Europe, I wouldn't mind anyone being jealous, I would mind that that person couldn't handle it or show it......

Frank

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It's deer hunting.Why would anyone care about having to "put time in" before killing a book buck? This is what's killing hunting today--too much competition on putting a rack on the wall.Just hunt,don't put pressure on yourself or anyone else,don't worry about what anybody else kills and have fun doing it--it makes for a much more enjoyable season

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I will add to my original post as long as they don't think or act as though they are now experts, its all good.

Yep I agree that location is the key. Big racked bucks will be killed where big racked bucks live and once in a while a newbie gets lucky.

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What is wrong with you? who cares if a rookie takes a p&y everytime they go out. What is it with you and these questions you ask on this website. weirdo.I cant belive I hunt with you.

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Here is my example:

This year my best friend (first year bow hunting) got on a lease with me. He shot a buck with his bow (1st deer with a bow) that scored 117 3/8. I have never shot a buck with my bow.
x2 (exact same thing except his older brother; buck scored 100")

My father (who I took down to the same lease as a guest) shot his first deer (doe) with a bow (1st year bow hunting). I hunted different property's for 10 years with a bow before I got my first doe with a bow.

Am I angry or jealous at either of them. No, I amjust as happy and asproud of all of them as I was the day I shot my first one with a bow.

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I've set up allot of friends and family in some of the best bear hunting set ups one could ask for. I knew I had monster bear hitting some of the baits but I choose to set them up 1st before myself being i've already got a brute of a bear already with the bow. On 2 different occasions it worked out to where they got 2 Pope And Young bear, they were proud but I think I was just as proud cause I made it happen and I felt good about it! I know of a few hunters around my area that in no way are by any means good deer hunters, they really don't have a clue on what there doing. Some people just have that horse shoe shoved way up there! Some of us don't! Thats hunting i guess!

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If I told a guy were a big buck was and I had put the time and effort into it, on public land, and he came in never hunted before and killed the big buck. I would be mad because that was my deer that I found on public land.

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Team Va, your kicked out of the club and everywhere. :D

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I don't mean jealousy or anger as much as just feeling that some people may not realize what they have done when they kill a big buck. Those who have hunted for many years very hard usually can understand what it means to kill a mature deer, many people that have hunted for years have killed multiple mature deer. Many have not. I don't mind if a beginner kills a big buck as long as they appreciate what God has allowed them or any of us to do. Be humble about it, no matter if you are a novice or veteran, and Im happy for ya. On the other hand, I do know guys that say every year, "I want one for the wall this year" and they hunt twice and quit b/c it's too hot in the early season. I hate that !!! Be a novice, be a veteran, but by all means, be hardcore!!!!

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Si :D:D

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I don't really have feelings on this topic other than to say that hunting for racks is taking away from our sport and turning into a rich man's hobby. That is the part that I resent.

Tom

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Doesn't bother me a bit. Beginners luck can only last so long. I'll admit it could be frustrating if you've tried for years to get one and along comes Joe First Timer and kills a dandy. But you have to be happy for them because of what they've accomplished, even if they don't realize the extent of it.

It took me over 20 years to kill a big buck. I gave my best stand to my son when he was 12 and he called in and killed a 125" 8 pointer (his first deer). Do you think that I was upset!!??

What upsets me more is when people slam or degrade what the lucky hunter has accomplished. These remarks can range from outrageous lies to the subtle, "it's all about location", sour grapes comments.

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I don't. And could care less if a 'rook' shot a booner. I'm happy for them. It's all about consistency for me. I am usually un-impressed by any bowhunter until they do it year in and year out for a few years.

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Good points Greg and Duke. I will say that there are certain people that I know in my area that I really do notlike to see them kill big bucks b/c of their ethics or simply b/c of their character. Loud mouth, know it all redneck, unethical peice of garbage. Now, I said it and it's off my chest, other than that, if a guy puts in the hrs in the stand and the off season trying to learn everything he can, and kills a giant the first year, cool deal!!

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I really don't care. I doesn't matter to me if it's yourfirst time hunting or your one thousandth time. If you kill a big buck I'm happy for ya. It has absolutely no bearing on me or my hunting so why should I (or anyone) care?

Interesting question and even more interesting that it was even asked.......

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There's nothing "sour grapes" about the comment, Greg. It wasn't intended to diminsih anyone's accomplishments nor does it indicate I am in any way "jealous" (which is the main ingredient for 'sour grapes').

It's a fact. You can't kill what isn't there. The more P&Y deer in your woods....the better your chances of taking one. It's simple "statistics".

I in NO WAY meant it as a slam of any sort. I'm sorry if anyone took offense.

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GMATT makes a good a point, you can't kill what isn't there. If you have property that holds big bucks your chances are of killing one are obviously better, but you still have to put the time in and understand scent control, movement patterns, etc.. in most cases.

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Thanks, VA....and I never said these things weren't important. "Most" people I know killing big bucks are dedicated hunters.

All I'm saying is......how many P&Y bucks come out of FL and SC every year? Don't you think there are some DAMNED good hunters in those states that would have walls full of them if they.....well....you know?

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I certainly don't see that notion as a slam.
Location and access to the proper hunting lands within a specific location is a HUGE component of anyone's success. There are alot of people who just do not have access to these kind of deer on a yearly basis no matter how hard they hunt.
You think it took me 23 seasons to shoot my first P&Y deer because I don't have a clue what I'm doing or don't know how to shoot? ;)

I know guys who simply by the amount of time they spend in the woods should be successful by simple dumb luck........that have gone that many seasons and more and have yet to shoot ANY buck with their bows. But that's another topic entirely.:D

You simply cannot dismiss the notion of some people just having it better than others with respect to what the woods have to offer.

If you are an absolute rank beginner on a beautiful family farm in Pike County Illinois, I guarantee you that you have an advantage overhunters here in South Central PA or some public land in Michigan etcthat probably can't even be comprehended by the midwest guys, regardless of skill level or shooting ability.
I have gone entire seasons here in PA hunting multiple farms carefully and correctlywithoutSEEINGa legal buck, meaning one with 3pts to one side.

Take me and throw me on Hadley Creek's properties for the next 10 yrs, and put someone like Stan Potts on mine here in PAand check back with us in 2018 and see what our walls look like.;)
And that's not a slam on Stan because I know he knows what he's doing.

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I think that there are P&Y deer (whitetails) in every state that they live in.

http://www.ncdeer.com/nc_bc_records.html

http://www.imbmonsterbucks.com/info.php?id=50

I don't know if these links will work, but I do know that "they" are there. Sometimes it takes more than 1 or 2 seasons to get one. You may go your whole life and not get one, even if you live in the midwest! I don't buy the "it's all about location" excuse, if you want one go try for one. You may have to look elsewhere in your state, but they're there.

Even if "they" are not in abundance, you can always be proud of the larger ones for your area.