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Less of a deer hunter???
There've been a few posts on here lately that have made me take a look at myself as a "deer hunter".Threads like "What is your goal" where a lot of folks said they're going to hold out for a 120", 130", 140" or 150" buck or higher. I wish you all the best of luck, but it's just not for me. Valor10 made a post in "The kill" thread, and I'm going to quotepart of ithere:
Interesting thread indeed. You know, I’ve never mounted a head. I’ve never hunted deer for the rack. I take no offense of those that do, and I’m very appreciative of a nice mount. It’s just not me. I take the same pleasure in killing a young doe, as I do a mature buck. I hunt deer for the sport of killing them, to eat. I’ve said a prayer and thanked the Lord over every kill I’ve made. Honestly, I feel just as successful when I go out and hammer a big doe as I did when I took my biggest buck ever year before last. Now, I have all the respect in the world for those of you who can go out and scout, plan and develop a sound strategy and take wall hangers with consistency. My hat's off to you all. Also, I'll admit to sitting on the stand and daydreaming about a big ol' 200" class "Mack Daddy Freaknasty" (Michael Waddell:D) non-typical walking in, but I know it's not a realistic expectation for me, and I know I'll have a great season even though it doesn't happen. So tell me... does this make me orsomeone elsewho share these views less of a deer hunter? |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
No.
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RE: Less of a deer hunter???
No.
Short add....the mounts on my wall are tributes to the DEER....not me. |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
Not at all. Everyone hunts for different reasons and I have always hated the people that disrepect others for why or how they hunt. I personally don't consider myself a trophy hunter, but I also have realized that I shoot all the does I need to eat, so I hold out on shooting a buck unless he is a good one. The 2007 season was the first season since 2004 that I killed a buck, but a I did take a lot of does in between. I think you got your priorities in line and sound like you enjoy the sport of hunting and spending that time with family. When you boil it all down, that is all that matters.
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RE: Less of a deer hunter???
ORIGINAL: GMMAT No. Short add....the mounts on my wall are tributes to the DEER....not me. |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
I would love to say I'm going to hold out this year for a P & Y buck. It's just not going to happen on the land I hunt. I might see a couple in the 115" range but that's about it. I have had places where this was realistic but even then it didn't happen. I believe my dad has passed on his curse to me regarding shooting a P & Y buck. Although he has broken that curse it took him a while to do it. I have screwed up my chances on 175" deer and to this day I think I am jinxed! Right now I am happy just going hunting with my daughter. My main goal every yearis to get her in a good spot so she can have some chances at filling her tags with her bow.
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RE: Less of a deer hunter???
The answer is a definate NO, but I'll have to admit, I get a whole lot more excited about killing a nice buck than I do a doe. On the other hand, when I want to take a deer to eat, I'm mainlydoe hunting. Not to say I won't take a buck to eat, because I sure as heck will.
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RE: Less of a deer hunter???
ORIGINAL: GMMAT No. Short add....the mounts on my wall are tributes to the DEER....not me. |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
No.
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RE: Less of a deer hunter???
No.
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RE: Less of a deer hunter???
ORIGINAL: GMMAT No. Short add....the mounts on my wall are tributes to the DEER....not me. |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
Not at all.
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RE: Less of a deer hunter???
ORIGINAL: LittleChief There've been a few posts on here lately that have made me take a look at myself as a "deer hunter".Threads like "What is your goal" where a lot of folks said they're going to hold out for a 120", 130", 140" or 150" buck or higher. I wish you all the best of luck, but it's just not for me. Valor10 made a post in "The kill" thread, and I'm going to quotepart of ithere: Interesting thread indeed. You know, I’ve never mounted a head. I’ve never hunted deer for the rack. I take no offense of those that do, and I’m very appreciative of a nice mount. It’s just not me. I take the same pleasure in killing a young doe, as I do a mature buck. I hunt deer for the sport of killing them, to eat. I’ve said a prayer and thanked the Lord over every kill I’ve made. Honestly, I feel just as successful when I go out and hammer a big doe as I did when I took my biggest buck ever year before last. Now, I have all the respect in the world for those of you who can go out and scout, plan and develop a sound strategy and take wall hangers with consistency. My hat's off to you all. Also, I'll admit to sitting on the stand and daydreaming about a big ol' 200" class "Mack Daddy Freaknasty" (Michael Waddell:D) non-typical walking in, but I know it's not a realistic expectation for me, and I know I'll have a great season even though it doesn't happen. So tell me... does this make me orsomeone elsewho share these views less of a deer hunter? |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
I may be all alone in thinking this.....but to me....the harvest photo is for the hunter. The mount is paying tribute to the deer.
That's just the way I view it. It doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks, though, really. You guys should huntfor and why you want to ....and don't worry about anyone else. Respect. |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
ORIGINAL: superstrutter ORIGINAL: GMMAT No. Short add....the mounts on my wall are tributes to the DEER....not me. |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
No less of a hunter in my book. I hunt all deer, and kill em as I see fit, sometimes it's a good one sometimes it's a doe, regardless, I enjoy them all. I have never considered myself a "trophy hunter" and i never will, not anything wrong with it though, I just love to hunt deer and some years i kill deer that i wouldn't have in other years. A trophy hunter hunts for mature "big" Bucks, I hunt them too, just not exclusively. Now, this year I will not shoot a small buck because I don't to shoot a small one when i have bigger ones around in my area. I killed a few 100-115 " deer last year and I would like to kill another deer with the bow that i will mount, that will hopefully be around 120-125 realistically. Not exactly a true troohy in most cases. What Im saying is, I would rather just shoot a doe as I would a 4 pt .
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RE: Less of a deer hunter???
I enjoy my mounts. They are a daily reminder ofpast hunts. I enjoy the outdoors so I bring some inside.
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RE: Less of a deer hunter???
ORIGINAL: GMMAT I may be all alone in thinking this.....but to me....the harvest photo is for the hunter. The mount is paying tribute to the deer. That's just the way I view it. It doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks, though, really. You guys should huntfor and why you want to ....and don't worry about anyone else. Respect. |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
ORIGINAL: Vabowman What Im saying is, I would rather just shoot a doe as I would a 4 pt . I agree. I don't shoot every deer that walks by, and I hope everyone didn't read that into what I wrote. Last year, I passed on 2small 6 points, 2 fork horns and 3 spikes, so I ended up not getting a buck with my bow. In years past, I would have dropped them, but I've learned quite a bit on these forums in the past 14 or 15 months. I passed on them because I was bowhunting, and I could take does. I might not be holding out for a monster, but others are, and if I can fill my freezer with does, I'll let the youngbucks grow up a bit. Maybe, if I get to stay where I'm at, my own actions will have one of those great ol' big ones walking by someday. |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
If you are happy, I am happy! Sounds like you got your priorities stright just enjoying the time spent with your family. Which gives me an Idea for a new thread.
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RE: Less of a deer hunter???
ORIGINAL: magicman54494 I enjoy my mounts. They are a daily reminder ofpast hunts. I enjoy the outdoors so I bring some inside. |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
Noway! My whole family eats deer I filled 3 doe tags last year and a small 5 point. I was just as happy to put all the meat in the freezer in which we cook all the time! TO me a big buck is just a plus. I would rather be feeding my family!
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RE: Less of a deer hunter???
ORIGINAL: twildasin Noway! My whole family eats deer I filled 3 doe tags last year and a small 5 point. I was just as happy to put all the meat in the freezer in which we cook all the time! TO me a big buck is just a plus. I would rather be feeding my family! |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
shoot what makes ya happy, thats all that really matters..
mounts, hides, skulls, for me, all taxidermy is a form or artwork and constant reminder of the great times I have enjoyed in the woods. I, like Jeff, feel that a mount is done and up ....out of respect for the critter... If I wanted to show mine off I'd put them all up my big living room gable end walls, vaulted ceilings etc.. instead I keep my whitetails and sheds pretty much hidden in my basement and am very selective whom I share them with..I enjoy sharing them with folks that appreciate taxidermy and a good hunting story...for those reasons, Ishare them with my friends here, family but rarely visitors.. |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
I take the same approach as you chief, with the exception of a couple of weeks during the rut. I try not to take small bucks but it all depends on the circumstance - it is all about the venison and my family as well as helping others - I also agree that photos are important- I am one happy doe thumper and my excitement is the same - Iget all shooken up and lose control - when I lose that will quit hunting
My mounts are as follows spike buck - first buck killed - with a bow 4 point - had unusual antlers and I took him in 60 mph winds 6 point- largest body deer I have taken Cowhorn spike- tines are extremely long - need to remeasure but think one is 18 inches other is 20 8 point - lots of mass and symetrical rack 9 point - first deer with rilfe - has 18 inch spread and lots of character 9 point largest deer on the wall with my bow two years ago I have different reasons for mounting these deer, some was the experience, the accomplishment, some are small some are large but all are respected |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
No.
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RE: Less of a deer hunter???
Good thread Chief! What ever makes one happy is what they should be shooting. Weather its a fawn or a 150" buck, what matters is that your happy with your accomplishment of the animal you shot! I don't look down on anyone thats happy with what they shoot. The people I look down on are the people that make excuses up for shooting the animal that they did and later saying I wish I wouldn't and then rattling off excuses on why they did shoot it! My cousin did this very exact thing. His very 1st elk was a small 5x5 bull elk. He later complained that he should of held out for a bigger bull being there was some bigger ones around. I would be jumping up and down going crazy if I shot a cow elk for my first elk. I no longer hunt with this person anymore because of this and what he did.
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RE: Less of a deer hunter???
ORIGINAL: Schultzy Good thread Chief! What ever makes one happy is what they should be shooting. Weather its a fawn or a 150" buck, what matters is that your happy with your accomplishment of the animal you shot! |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
ORIGINAL: LittleChief I know! I've gotten to the point where deer steaks are PREFERRED over beef steaks at my house. I've got all the processing equipment now, and every recipe that calls for ground beef is made using ground venison now. I've got one heck of a burger recipe.:D Btw ..... I hunt like you do, Bro .... |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
Great thing about Bowhunting is that it is a personal sport in which you can set personal goals. I never get down on someone because their goals might be different than mine. I have never been a true Trophy hunter, but have been Lucky enough to kill several P&Y qualifiers of different species.
Sometimes my goals may vary day to day, and week to week. Also depends on where I am hunting. I Hunt to Kill and without the Kill hunting would be very unsatisfying to me. When I have the desire to kill something I make that my goal. Then my goals will change again!:DI have spent many days in a Stand passing several animals waiting for a particular one, but to do that every time out is not for me. There really is No substitute to killing something to stay sharp. Dan |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
There really is No substitute to killing something to stay sharp. |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
I agree with Jeff, nothing wrong with shooting deer anytime. I read an article from a self proclaimed trophy hunter in a recent mag and he says if he didn't shoot the amount of does that he shoots, he would rarely kill a big buck just from not experiencing the shot placement on a live animal.
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RE: Less of a deer hunter???
ORIGINAL: GMMAT There really is No substitute to killing something to stay sharp. Killing a Live animal is a different task than punching a paper dot or shooting a rubber Deer;) Dan |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
ORIGINAL: PreacherTony ORIGINAL: LittleChief I know! I've gotten to the point where deer steaks are PREFERRED over beef steaks at my house. I've got all the processing equipment now, and every recipe that calls for ground beef is made using ground venison now. I've got one heck of a burger recipe.:D Btw ..... I hunt like you do, Bro .... |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
ORIGINAL: MeanV2 ORIGINAL: GMMAT There really is No substitute to killing something to stay sharp. Killing a Live animal is a different task than punching a paper dot or shooting a rubber Deer;) Dan |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
I think that it makes you more of a "Hunter" but less of a "Trophy Hunter". JMO
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RE: Less of a deer hunter???
The contet I used it in was .....
I said a hunter could gain experience faster (or...straighten out the learning curve) by putting more animals on the ground. I'm not comparing 2 years to 20 in hunting.....far from it. But....an intelligent hunter....killing 5 deer a season can straighten out the learning curve. Again....my contention is there is NO substitute for actually putting an animal on the ground. I waited to do this too long....and it cost me when the time came for me to attempt to put a nice deer on the ground. I was ill-prepared for the actual experience (the emotions....the adrenaline...etc...) when the time came. My advice to ANY new bowhunter....or any bowhunter in his fledgling years....is to put some animals on the ground. It's kinda like a hockey term I heard, once. No shot on goal is a bad shot. That was my context. |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
ORIGINAL: Schultzy ORIGINAL: MeanV2 ORIGINAL: GMMAT There really is No substitute to killing something to stay sharp. Killing a Live animal is a different task than punching a paper dot or shooting a rubber Deer;) Dan |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
ORIGINAL: gutshot I think that it makes you more of a "Hunter" but less of a "Trophy Hunter". JMO |
RE: Less of a deer hunter???
Chief, I hunt like you and happy to do so! Every chance I get to hunt is an awesome experience that I think God for!! Just seeing big mature deer be it a buck or a Doe is an added bonus, hell I enjoy seeing any deer from on stand!:)
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