do you hunt for mature deer only ?
07-30-2008 | 11:23 AM
#31
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,445
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From: Central Minnesota
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
because it aint about the challenge of hunting mature animals, its about net inches
07-30-2008 | 11:28 AM
#32
Dominant Buck
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 21,043
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From:
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
You just now figuring that out?
Start a 5.5yr old half rack thread and you'll get similar results.
Start a 5.5yr old half rack thread and you'll get similar results.
I'm not putting down anyone's choice on this....but I wonder how more inches and less maturity = even an EQUAL challenge.
07-30-2008 | 11:32 AM
#33
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,484
Likes: 0
From: WV
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I think it does suck for this one particular bull and I wish the state of Utah would take your advice in this instance (about sawing the horns off and transplant him somewhere else). Not right imo that these outfitters are advertising him on their websites.
07-30-2008 | 11:42 AM
#34
Typical Buck
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: Caddo Mills, TX
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
While I see you point concerning the Spider bull, I disagree with your solution for this reason. It affects someones pocketbook. With that animal in the woods lots of people will be willing to spend lots of money to try and kill him. This pursuit will put lots of money in local rural communities. Hunting this animal for whatever reason is not immoral or illegal. If it is something that you don't want to do then that is fine. You have the freedom not to hunt the animal just like other law abiding people have the right to legally hunt the animal. Maybe I feel this way because I live in the country and I understand the positive affects that hunting dollars can have on rural communities.
-john
-john
07-30-2008 | 12:11 PM
#36
Typical Buck
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: Panhandle of Texas
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
As a matter of fact.....you might be surprised at how many would pass it up for a lesser mature animal with more inches of antler.
I'm not putting down anyone's choice on this....but I wonder how more inches and less maturity = even an EQUAL challenge.
I'm not putting down anyone's choice on this....but I wonder how more inches and less maturity = even an EQUAL challenge.
Equal Challenge? Some will try and justify it that way, but I think those that can be objective with themselves can still recognize the difference even though they elected to go after the larger rack.
And also keep in mind that if there is a large disparity between the two animals' racks, say like a 110" 4.5 yo as compared to a 140" 3.5 yo, that in most cases the hunting pressure will be that much greater on the younger deer as compared to the older one, possibly making him a bigger if not more of a challenge than the older deer.
Also depends on hunting situation. If I am hunting public land as I do for elk, you betcha that maturity means nothing - its ALL about the size of the antlers as I most likely won't get a chance at that bull next year anyway.
At my home place for whitetails. I might go after a lesser antlered 4.5 over a bigger racked 3.5 for a variety of reasons but most likely because I in fact do think the 4.5 will be a bigger challenge but just as important if not more, is that I at least stand a GOOD CHANCE that I will reap the benefit of letting the 3.5 turn into an even bigger buck the following year.
07-30-2008 | 12:20 PM
#37
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,363
Likes: 0
From: Texas
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
ORIGINAL: jackflap
Surprised? Why in the word would anyone be surprised? It has been said on here before. Right or wrong, inches, not age is how score is kept in the record books.
Equal Challenge? Some will try and justify it that way, but I think those that can be objective with themselves can still recognize the difference even though they elected to go after the larger rack.
And also keep in mind that if there is a large disparity between the two animals' racks, say like a 110" 4.5 yo as compared to a 140" 3.5 yo, that in most cases the hunting pressure will be that much greater on the younger deer as compared to the older one, possibly making him a bigger if not more of a challenge than the older deer.
Also depends on hunting situation. If I am hunting public land as I do for elk, you betcha that maturity means nothing - its ALL about the size of the antlers as I most likely won't get a chance at that bull next year anyway.
At my home place for whitetails. I might go after a lesser antlered 4.5 over a bigger racked 3.5 for a variety of reasons but most likely because I in fact do think the 4.5 will be a bigger challenge but just as important if not more, is that I at least stand a GOOD CHANCE that I will reap the benefit of letting the 3.5 turn into an even bigger buck the following year.
As a matter of fact.....you might be surprised at how many would pass it up for a lesser mature animal with more inches of antler.
I'm not putting down anyone's choice on this....but I wonder how more inches and less maturity = even an EQUAL challenge.
I'm not putting down anyone's choice on this....but I wonder how more inches and less maturity = even an EQUAL challenge.
Equal Challenge? Some will try and justify it that way, but I think those that can be objective with themselves can still recognize the difference even though they elected to go after the larger rack.
And also keep in mind that if there is a large disparity between the two animals' racks, say like a 110" 4.5 yo as compared to a 140" 3.5 yo, that in most cases the hunting pressure will be that much greater on the younger deer as compared to the older one, possibly making him a bigger if not more of a challenge than the older deer.
Also depends on hunting situation. If I am hunting public land as I do for elk, you betcha that maturity means nothing - its ALL about the size of the antlers as I most likely won't get a chance at that bull next year anyway.
At my home place for whitetails. I might go after a lesser antlered 4.5 over a bigger racked 3.5 for a variety of reasons but most likely because I in fact do think the 4.5 will be a bigger challenge but just as important if not more, is that I at least stand a GOOD CHANCE that I will reap the benefit of letting the 3.5 turn into an even bigger buck the following year.
07-30-2008 | 12:50 PM
#39
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I think most of us would like to only shoot mature deer, unfortunately that isn't an option where I hunt now. Too much pressure and too many people that harvest anything that is Brown. If I see a anything under a 6 point I usually will let it walk. Any mature doe without fawns will have a tag on her ear soon after. Basically if I could only shoot mature deer that would be fine with me. If I did that now though, I come home to an empty freezer 8 out of 10 times. Until I get my own property, for me a deer is a deer. A long is its not a small buck and I need to fill a tag, I will take it.
07-30-2008 | 01:19 PM
#40
Typical Buck
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Southern Maryland (St. Mary\'s)
RE: do you hunt for mature deer only ?
I find it very interesting that there are folks who can (or think they can) accurately judge the age of a deer while in the field. I killed a 160 2/8" brute this year that my taxidermist aged at 5.5 years, two DNR Biologists age at 3.5 without hesitation and one very seasoned hunter aged at 7.5, all based on the teeth. Best I can do is; "that's a young one", "he's got some age on him" and "man, he's old". I'm not saying it can't be done, but if these guys had that much trouble aging mine from the teeth, how can someone be so accurate simply based on body structure?
Wish I had that talent.
Wish I had that talent.