No More Small Bucks!
 

This is my annual rant to encourage game management. I see posts on here saying stuff like"Be Proud of What You Shoot" and then I see pictures of 30 to 40 year old men posing with 6 point bucks, jees, enough already! I'd like to outline an argument for game management on this thread.[/align][/align]I think the mentality of "Igot my buck this year" isprimitive stereotypical thinking that has no place in modern hunting. Why do you need another 6point skull cap to nail up on yourout buildingfor? Do you really think they impress anyone?I have no problem with meat hunting so if you're doing that, shoot a doe for goodness sake, that's what I do.[/align][/align]I qualify my argument with a few exceptions. Ihave no problem with a young hunter or a beginner taking asmall buck, I applaude it and encourage it but after a guy has shot a few, I think it's time to raise up your goals?I also have no problem with a special needs hunter taking a small buck as for them, it can be really hard to harvest any buck soI applaude that too. [/align][/align]A whitetaildeer reaches an averagescore of 130" inches of horn at 3.5 years of age. All you have to do is lay off the little guys for a couple of years and the bucks will grow. If everyoneadopted this mentally, we'd all be seeing monster bucks everywhere, it'sjust that simple.Shooting a small buck is likepicking apples before they're ripe, likecutting field corn when it's still green--let em grow! [/align][/align]We all know it's pretty darn easy to shoot a little 1.5 year old buck. Half the time, I can shoot one walking outto my stand because they are such easy prey. It's not until 3.5 years old that they even start to get wits about them and with modern archery equipment it makes it a practical cakewalkso let em live and put a mature buck in your pickup bed this year.[/align] [/align]

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

I don't care much for ripe apples, but I absolutely love green apples... Does that mean I'm allowed to drop a basket rack 6 pointer? :)

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

Why do you care what other people shoot? Does it have any effect on you? Especially what the people on this board shoot?

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

what makes it better to shoot older deer then younger deer we are supose to keep the Deer numbers at the right level so if it is legal to shoot then you can go I dont care what you or anyone else thinks dont cry about what someone else shoots

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

idiot IMO

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

Well stated. I agree with you, but also know that there are some areas where that small buck is an achevement and others where certain small racked bucks need to be taken for management reasons. Here in Texas, many counties have an antler restriction making one buck counties into two buck counties, but one must have at least one unbranched antler and the other must have at least a 13" inside spread. I agree with management plans and trying to get the best genetics and herds possible, but also remember that there are many different kinds of management plans and I'm not going to tell a successful hunter that they shouldn't have harvested a particular deer on thier property/lease. I wouldn't want someone telling me that either.

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

LOL, that has got to be one of the most moronic statements I've ever heard. Come to my area and wait for a 130" buck...you'll be waiting a LONNNNGGGG time, possibly your whole life.Maybe where you are they avg that, but lots of other places that is a trophy of a lifetime and VERY rare.

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

I'm saying 15 pages. maybe 20 depending on who really wants to get in on the debate.

A lot of you guys jump on him, but he's got very valid points. Kids, new guys, etc shoot what you want, but there is a HUGE segment of the population that wants to blast anything that walks by, just to say "got my buck". Or "if I don't shoot em, someone else will".
This mentality breeds more and more people likely to lower thier standards and keep shooting small/young bucks because the chances of seeing a big one just aren't realistic.

HOWEVER, as its been seen time and again, if you let bucks grow up, people see more nice ones running around and feel they have a chance, and there for might pass on a young buck in hopes of getting a nice one. So they cycle can perpetuate itself that way.

I'd like to do a study and see how many guys in IA, IL, MO who've hunted more than 20 years shoot the 1st 1.5 old buck they see, compared to the same demographic in PA, WV or NY?

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

lol agree. You mean that if a deer is 3.5 it will be atleast 130inches?? Damnit...Ive wasted so much time scouting...Im not hunting for2 more years!! YES here we come big bucks!!!

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

What a friggin' idiot........................

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

VA has some good deer but look at your states game laws, then look at the hicks who shoot at anything that moves, blame them. Yes, Pope and Young sets the game records so an average 3 year old in any specis can make the record books. Ionce shot a 2.5 year old that scored 139" it was an exceptional, usually a 2.5 year old will be 80-120 inches, I've see 3.5 year olds as largeas 160". There was even an article about theworld record typical only being 3.5 years old but there was differing opinions on that. Do so reaserch before you speak.

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

Edit: Dopler, you aren't worth my time:eek:

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

Haha...this should be good..!!!

Ohh just to make ya happy, this is what its all about buddy, ill shoot what makes me happy and you can shoot what makes you happy....

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

So if I read some "research" thats valid in say Iowa..or Ohio, then I should apply that to my state?

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

This is stupid.....[:'(]

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

You can cut one of my sentences and miss the meaning of what I wrote, politicians do that all the time. What are you disagreeing with in my argument, you've said nothing of substance yet? Are you disagreeing with theaverage score of a 3.5 year old whitetail?[/align][/align]I knew this thread would makea few people blood boil. I guess it's emasculating to tell someone that the littlefork horn they shoot each year and then ride around town with it in the bed of their truck for three daysis a pretty easy feat, alas, thetruth hurts sometimes. [/align]

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

MN Kyle, congrats, that was your 35th hundred post, I hope one ofyour other 3,499 at least had some substance.

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

Im actually justsaying that you made a worthless post that does nothing to better anyone. If anything we are all worse off after reading a post on you views on what any other hunter should harvest. If you are honestly such an amazing hunter that tagging whitetails isnt hard to do, then maybe you could make a few posts on how to better yourself as a "hunter" not attack a faceless crowd on what they harvest. If anything we should have a thread titled no more worthless posts.

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

I'm having a really tough time understanding why you care? Does what anyone on HNI kills have anything to do with you? If somone is happy with what they kill, does it truly effect YOU at all? Seriously?

What are you trying to accomplish with this post. I SORT of agree with what you are saying, as we have a managment practice on our farm, but I could CARE LESS if anyone else wants to do the same, or what any one else kills. If they are happy with it, so I'm I. I'll help them drag it out and cut it up. You should think about doing the same. In the end, it has no effect on you.

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

It does have an effect on me and other people who manage, you get guys like the goof above pictured with the spike hornsetting up 15 guys on 20 acres and blasting all of the deer that we raise. I just say have some paitence and shoot a deer that's an actual challenge. ANYONE can shoot a little buck.

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

Ryan,
I know lots of people ( with more years in the woods than me)in IL that shoot the first buck they see every year. They have for years and no amount of QDM cheerleading/brainwashing will change their minds. We still have big bucks here. I don't see it as hurting the herd, I see it as less hunters screwing up my season. They are usually tagged out by the 1st week.;):D

As for the OP, who cares what others shoot. We never hear about shooting a mature coyote/rabbit/dove/quail. Its all about the antlers. It didn't used to be that way. Horn porn is ruining hunting IMO.

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

How would someone killing a buck say 500 miles away effect you? Travel alot?

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

I didnt know hunting was all about killing big bucks....? I shoot what I want, when I want, and I would hope that you do the same. Have a good year.

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

WHAT? You were serious about that crap? I couldve sworn you were just another pot stirring troll. Seriously now, pick up your remote, turn off the outdoor channel, delete all those old buckmasters episodes from your DVR, and get out in the real world and hunt. The QDMA koolaid is getting old and no ones impressed w/ your personal standards so stop trying to push them on others....hows that rant?

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

I think you should take that up with local land owners, like we did. I don't think you live in Allegany County Maryland, do you?

Or maybe your local DNR/Fish and Game. They make game laws for a reason.

Also, if your all about the challenge, maybe people shooting little deer will help you. It will give you "more of a challenge" to find that "bigger buck".

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

I wonder if he feels good about the turn out for his post? Hasnt posted a "Mature Management Buck" picture yet. Maybe hes googling themya know...research.

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

I would like to see his trophy wall thats for sure...

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

Got to be world class. I mean...it has to be?

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

Actually it was a three point;)!! :):):)



YES we can!!;)

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

No, I figured it would get this response, this is my opinion and I stand by it. I was not stirring the pot, this is how I really feel. I just don't get it is all?If I hearanarguments to the contrary I'd respect thatbut I got what I figured, mostly unimaginativeone liners frompeople who I wouldventure are not very smart justthrowing insults.

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

That would only make sense to me...

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

Dave,
I think my intent may have been unclear. Brent didn't get it either. I know you can still have big bucks even with "brown & downers". I was just guessing that in a state known for producing big bucks and having that potential, people would be more likely to wait for a nicer buck, than in places where come across a big buck is less likely therefore more people would think it pointless to even try. Does that make sense? I was just figuring the number of guys you have like that, is way less than the number we have here.

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

How 'bout you shoot what you want, and I'll shoot what I want.
Let's see some of the giants you're laying down also. If you have the balls to come on here and make a post like this, I'm SURE you have a wall full of world class bucks.
:)

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

haha I'm not rel smart i jus tac care of pepull in an intensive cur unit for a livin. What were you looking for? A response of people who hunt for small bucks? I figured someone with your obvious advanced thought process would assume that you would really get a group of hunters fired up because you made a post calling out people who shoot small bucks. Now no one is going to make a point on chronically wanting to shoot immature bucks. EVERYONE wants to shoot a monster, no one will argue. Its like posting that the sun will come up tomorrow and expect a group of logical responses. You wont get it. Now calling out people for being 30-40 and shooting a 6 point, and saying it doesn't impress anyone.Making that kind of post really only shows people your character. It sounds like you hunt to impress people, to look good and be admired. Really I don't hunt to impress anyone but my father and brother. I'm not really sure what kind of response you want, but I think you made a arrogant small minded post, to look good.

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

Nope Brent, wrong again. I don't brag about what I shoot. Ienjoy the challenge of shooting bigger bucks is all, 140" or bigger, that's just the goal I've set for myself. An no, I have not got a buck yet thisyear. I enjoy the meat too and I'm doing a better service by shooting a doe and helping to equalize the buck doe ratio to boot.I just figure it's a shame to shoot a six pointer when I can shoot a doe and I get the same meat. Is it that hard of a concept to grasp that by letting the little bucks live, they grow up bigger the following year and it helps the herd too. Sounds like awin win to me? Please explain to me the mentaility of shooting a little buck when you've already got ten under your belt, why not shoot a doe, I really would like a good explanation? No one has come up with one so far?

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

Dopler, you can't say something like that then expect not to get some grief for it.. I shoot what i think is good for me, but I also hold off on lots of deer...I shoot does and good bucks, and even some younger bucks, but it is all relative to where I hunt... certain places i will pass up any buck that is under say 120" in other places if i have not killed a deer, it's all game, those places are under development at the moment, so management is out of the question... I personally would rather shoot a doe than a young buck, and I strive for it most of the time... but I bowhunt to get the rush and the experience, and if that means killing a young buck after a tough season then i will do it....Im not a trophy hunter, Im an opprotunist when it comes to those types of bucks....I won't shoot the first deer through if i know there is a big buck around, but I also won't go without killing a deer for a season on the count of being a trophy hunter... I do this first for the enjoyment, second for the prize.... and when a season is going tough, the enjoyment of shooting any deer takes priority over shooting a big buck.... that's just me though, nothing wrong with the opposite!

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

Did you not read when I said NOONE will argue with you. Just dont make the post in such a DB fashion

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

its not all about the horns

RE: No More Small Bucks!
 

This is my annual rant to encourage game management.

Must be your first annual since you have not been a member for a year.

I qualify my argument

I doesn't appear that your qualified for anything except for an ignorant post!

A whitetaildeer reaches an averagescore of 130" inches of horn at 3.5 years of age.

Any research to back this statement?

Shooting a small buck is likepicking apples before they're ripe, likecutting field corn when it's still green--let em grow!

You are incorrect! This would be like shooting a buck in velvet, or before the antlers were done growing for that year.


Your qdm mentality is great for YOU and YOUR property, but not everyone can do this. I hunt on about 8 acres of woods, many times there may not be any deer there at all! I understand that Illinois has some great bucks, but in my neck of the woods, if I see a 130 class buck, its probably 13.5, not 3.5yrs. If nobody shot small bucks on occasion, the deer population would probably explode.