MC Bowhunter

I hear ya...LOL
I think you should go. What the heck.
Good bonding!

hillbillyhunter1

I would guess with thatPARTICULAR Elk, it would be to improve fair chase. Much unlike the caged critters.

I'd say though that horn porn is involved in both scenarios, just differently.

GMMAT

Let me get this straight.....lol...

Is that elk not being hunted "fair chase"?

The main topic of this thread is an afterthought. I'm NOW curious about this issue.

Schultzy

Utah elk?

hillbillyhunter1

Yes, Schultzy.

Badger_Girl93

How does removing the elk's antlers make hunting it any more or less fair chase?

This ought to be interesting...

GMMAT

Badger....I'm with you. I just wanna know how some human minds think (their "logic").

Sawing off an elk's antlers is "OK". Putting a case of doughnuts in a barrel and then shooting a bear that comes to eat themis "OK"....but hunting in a high fence "isn't"????

Schultzy

I think what hillbilly is saying is that everyone and there cousin knows about this particular elk in Utah including a bunch of outfitters. Some say it would be better to cut his antlers and give the elk a chance being no one would recognize him. I could be wrong but I think thats the story behind that elk.

mauser06

i think that it could possibly mess up his expectations or hunting...he goes out in a high fence and sees piles of deer and probably a couple BIG bucks and will likely get a shot at a BIG buck...all this in a days of hunting...then he goes back home and never sees a buck like that again...

to me, thats spoiling the kids(i always feel bad for the 12yo on TV that whacks a 160" beast..) they just dont realize what that means and what work goes into killing a deer like that in the wild...they just dont get it...dont appriciate it..and will likely look at hunting differently...kids are much more likely to enjoy hunting where there is action and chances to shoot and kill stuff...

my advice, hes 16...i believe i was able to think and talk by that age...ask him his opinion on the matter explain your feelings, expain the differences between fair chase and high fence etc etc and let him decide...sounds to me like he isnt much interested in hunting right now...face it..not too many 16yos theses days are...the ones that are are usually born and raised hunters..

also, offer take him small game hunting, water fowl, dove, something where you can shoot alot and see alot of game...have a ball...THAT might hook him...i can get anyone to go small game hunting where we will burn a pile of shells in an afternoon and have a great time talkin and BSing and being guys....but i tell someone i'll be at the farm at 0400hrs to go sit in the deer stand and its 12 degrees and snowing out and chances are pretty good that we wont see much of anything let alone a good buck and noone wants to come...

different strokes for different folks...i know when i was starting out it took me a year or 2 to "get it" and understand that theres more to hunting than shooting and killing...i still enjoy the shooting and bringing home game...but i caught on quickly that maybe dad and i didnt bring home a turkey that day...but the hour ride there, the half hour hike back in, the hike out, lunch, the ride home...we had fun...we saw some cool stuff..we talked about life..we came up with game plans and strategies...dad let me practice calling...we saw a fox and i never saw a fox before...we saw a fawn from 3 feet away...dad told a REAL funny joke...it just didnt take me long to "get it"now i enjoy the peace and quiet and relaxation i get etc etc...some people NEVER 'get it' its not for everyone....and hunting is something different for everyone...just because i enjoy sunrises doesnt mean EVERY hunter will appriciate a sunrise like i do...

GMMAT

Thanks, Mauser....that was a good read.

I wonder how everyone's take on that big elk would change if it was a world record deer? An albino (legal) 12-point buck?