RE: Question for "mature buck" advocates
 

Obviously people can shoot what ever their game laws permit them to shoot.Killing small bucks is of no interest to me personally because of experience and my perceived ease of doing so.
While I am happy for anyone who is sincere in their excitement about killing any legal deer,I am not happy with hunters who kill multiple young bucks every year for years on end,especially so in area's where there are tons of doe's.I understand that it is their legal right to do so and my opinion doesn't matter,I just don't understand the point.
I am sure many of you know the type, buck to doe ratio is 5,6,7 to 1 and they are shooting three spike horns,and then bragging about their 3 bucks.Again if the law permits it,it is their right to do so,I just can't relate to it.

RE: Question for "mature buck" advocates
 

The logic is a little messed up. Wars have typically excluded women because they are what is needed to replenish the population, wasn't a macho thing. If people shoot doe's the result will be less deer in the future. A lot of doe's equals a lot less deer. I've never did the math but I'd say each doe equals tens of deer if you count theiroff springs off spring. Could even be in the hundreds.3 small bucks equals 3 small bucks. If I was a meat hunter and could add I wouldn't be shooting my breed stock until it's time to thin them out.

In Ohio's history the population of game decreased quickly and the people tried to do some thing about it. One of the biggest problems in reversing the trend was that the natives kept killing doe's by calling as a distressed fawn in the spring. They were strictly warned to stop the practise.

RE: Question for "mature buck" advocates
 

It's about the challenge of shooting what the individual hunter deems "his" trophy. I will echo others, no one is telling you, that you have to shoot mature deer or a buck that scores xxx. Shoot your trophy, shoot what makes you proud and/or puts meat on your table. We will congratulate you. But in the same breath don't hold it against us because we choose to hunt for different reasons. We bought our tags too!

In my opinion if I was too shoot a deer for meat it would be a young doe. And I'll argue with anyone who says a mature buck (or doe) tastes the same.

But "my truth" is ..if I want good meat, the local grocery store is full of it. Give me a filet mignon over any cut, of any deer..everyday!

So why do I hunt? Easy..I love to hunt, I love to watch animals in thier natural setting. I love nature and being one with it. I love how I can sit on a clear morning and watch the sunrise, and think,how lucky of aman I am to have my wonderful, loving and supportivefamily at home stillsnuggled under their warmcovers. It brings me inner peace, and it brings me closer to God, and it brings me pride in what I have, and what I still plan to accomplish in my life-time.

I carry a bow, because if that majestic buck steps from the fog, with his sapling polished antlers gleaming. My heart gets racing, my instincts kick in and I'm gonna do my best to put his memory on my wall to relive, time and time again.

I love to watch smaller bucks..I've had my days when I shot them with the same pride that you feel. Those days for me, were great. I've moved beyond that, that doesn't mean I'm better than anyone. It means to me, that I've moved past the ending of the hunt being how I gage the success of the hunt. Just being there is what I relish now. I hold out for better bucks..and I have the unused tags to prove it! Don't judge me..I won't judge you. We will both have happy days afield!

RE: Question for "mature buck" advocates
 

hear! hear!, GR8. Well said.

I predict 2008 will be the first year I DON'T shoot a buck. I'm holding out.

RE: Question for "mature buck" advocates
 

Perfectly said .... absolutely perfect! :)

RE: Question for "mature buck" advocates
 

I can tell you this Nodog that not even close to every doe gets bred each fall. The buck/doe ratio is very out of wack through out most of the USA. Your analogy of not taking doe's is messed up, not magicmans way.;) In reality the more bucks that are around the more doe's will get bred!! I seen more doe's this last fall without fawns then I've ever seen before. Thats not good!! Reason being, too many little bucks were shot in place of these doe's. If there was a low deer population, your analogy would then make a little more sense.

RE: Question for "mature buck" advocates
 

I see them in numbers (does without fawns).

RE: Question for "mature buck" advocates
 

i would much rather go empty handed than kill a small buck. If i have no meat in the freezer the last day of season and a 1.5 yr old 8 pt walks by, i still wont have meat for the freezer. (mnbirddog...Have you ever killed a trophy buck??)

RE: Question for "mature buck" advocates
 

That's what would make you happy ........ as soon as he crosses your land and comes withing range of me, however, I'm slicing a 2" gash in his heart and eating his backstraps for din din :D

RE: Question for "mature buck" advocates
 

How ya going to catch a 30" Walleye if every one keeps the 12" fish. Think about it.