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RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
My honest answer? I felt the same way when I got to my buck a week and a half ago and I swore nothing less but a pope and young would be shot at, but it didn't take me long to realize he deserved as much respect and reverence as any buck I've taken. I'm still out there hunting hard for a big boy(thats whats nice about having two either sex tags a year). Its not the end of our deer hunting world if we don't fulfill our quest or come up short of a goal.
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RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
If you want meat, shoot a doe!! just about every state would love to see doe kills go up Hypothetically, if your in a region which has a shortage of deer, wouldn't it be better to shoot a small buck and allow the does to remain for propagation? If you shoot the boss buck, isn't that counterproductive? We do not have a whole lot of White-tailed deer around the front range of Colorado. They are coming though. What would be your strategy here? |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
For me, my "route" has continuely changed and will keep doing so until I can no longer hunt. The things that made me happy for the last several seasons will gradually shift to a different area in the up coming years. As I near retirement, I plan on owning my own land in an area not known for huge bucks but where the people are great. I plan on getting my enjoyment from seeing what I can do with my own place, living it year round. |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
I have to agree with alot of people on this post. I too bought into the entire "trophy" hunting scene. The biggest buck i ever shot was a 114 inch 6 point. For my neck of the woods that is a big deer, sure there are bigger, but not many. This season has been frustrating to say the least. I went to Kansas to hunt with a friend and passed on 5 deer that were all over 120 with the biggest being in the mid 130s. Why? Because my buddies and his friends all had monsters on the walls and on trail camera. The trip home was a real eye openner to me. I have passed on 3 shooters here in NJ hoping that i will see somethingbigger and it has worn on me.
Another reason why im getting frustrated is because I am a very competitive person, its in my blood and i cant help. My two good hunting buddies already have 2 bucks down each. They are no giants, both in the 90-105 inch range, but these guys were estatic, and i was happy for them, but at the same time im getting pissed cause i cant put a buck down, meanwhileim waiting for that 120 that i dont even know is roaming my woods. Im putting way toomuchpressure on myself toput a high scoring buck down that its taking the fun away from it. That being said, im going out tonight and if a doe or any 2.5 year old comes by, they are getting it and im going to be one of the happiest guys around. Likesomeone mentioned,the reason why we dothis is to put a smile on our face. |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
I suppose the "what I shoot" portion ofdeer hunting may be one of the few things that I don't over analyze. I like to hunt deer with a bow. I am always hunting with the intentions of killing a good deer but I will take does in the early season or at any point in the season that I am starting to get frustrated with not killing anything. Most of the time I don't shoot small bucks but if I am in the mood on that particular day then I will shoot one. Any deer that I kill with a bow is still rewarding. I am a hunter and I like to hunt. I like to kill mature bucks but I don't trap myself into the mindset of having to shoot a buck of a certain size to be happy. I guess I am lucky. I trophy hunt for the most part but when the trophy hunter gets bored or frustrated (which takes a while) I revert back to the guy that just likes to kill deer with his bow and then back to the trophy hunter again;)
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RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
Great post. I shot a buck yesterday that I'm sorta regretting at times. It wasn't what I set out for and I did settle. but I settled for a reason. My area is hard to find spots to hunt and when you do, they are over run with hunters. I don't enjoy rifle hunting anymore and I really wanted one with a bow. I planned to hunt yesterday and it was probably my last day so I took the buck when I saw it was legal. I thought it was a bigger buck than it was.
I guess I'm bummed because it was a buck I watched all summer and had planned to let grow up. He definitely looked bigger coming thru the woods. But I am happy that I made a quick clean kill and happy to be out there in God's creation taking it all in. |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
My biggest trophy was a big doe I had seen for a few years but could never get a shot at. She was as wise and cunning as any big buck. I knew it was her year after year because of an almost perfect heart shaped chest pattern. I finally got a shot on her and was more proud of that deer than many of the big bucks ive downed,.
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RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
ORIGINAL: iamyourhuckleberry If you want meat, shoot a doe!! just about every state would love to see doe kills go up Hypothetically, if your in a region which has a shortage of deer, wouldn't it be better to shoot a small buck and allow the does to remain for propagation? If you shoot the boss buck, isn't that counterproductive? We do not have a whole lot of White-tailed deer around the front range of Colorado. They are coming though. What would be your strategy here? I know the presence of whitetails is growing in your state and its easy for someone like me to say shoot doe's when i come from a state that has well over a million animals. But this it when it comes down to knowing your herd and knowing the species. The are alot of people that will tell young bucks dont breed doe's and all spikes have bad genetics. Well every biologist i have talked says otherwise. Young bucks can and will breed and spikes 99% of the time will grow up to be good healthy shooter bucks. The best way to make that call in your herd is to count the animals on the property you hunt. If your seeing 10 does and 3 small bucks and 1 mature buck, then shoot a doe!. If you dont see does and only small bucks then thats your call. Another thing to look into is your state regs. In my state and in my county I can shoot doe's from September to March and as many as I want. You think the state wants us to shoot doe's or what? But we can only shoot three bucks, which is still more then most states. Most mid west states only give you one to two buck tags to promote shooting mature deer. And if you are under the mind set that you want to a healthy herd then you need to let the youngins grow up, and trust me mature whitetails arent stupid, you might see one or two here or there but your missing a few others that dont show there faces. Your state is a tricky spot right now and it ultimatly comes down to the property you hunt. |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
ORIGINAL: GR8atta2d Gentlemen, especially those that are, or fancy to be, Trophy Hunters. Indulge me, a few moments of your time. Having chased these wiley critters for more years than I care to admit, I became selective when it comes to squeezing the release. I let many "shooters" go by, waiting on those far and few between "Trophies". I have a few, but I've eaten my share of tag soup too, as our section of NE Ohio isn't Southern Ohio or Illinois, or Wisconsin. But it does hold some whoppers, like most areas do. So for the past 2 years I went Buck-less, I had many amazing encounters and throroughly enjoy the hunt. But this year, I was feeling pressure, mostly internal but also some external pressure, to put a buck on the ground. In the week prior I passed on no less than 15 Bucks. Small ones, not even a question of shooting. I did have a marginal shooter at 15 yards but legal time was past, even though I could have made the shot. Sunday Morning found me on a field edge, when the 90" 8 point walked by me (see Team 2thread), I made a perfect shot and a quick recovery. There was joy, but, upon putting my hands on him, there was as much regret. I didn't get the "high", the lasting effect of killing a truly big buck, even though I shot the biggest one I'd seen during this season. Now many people would be exstatic about this Buck and thats great. You may be the lucky ones. I took a great animal and am blessed for the opportunity, yet I knew I settled. Thats wasn't fair to me or the Buck. Inhindsight Icould have been just as happy coming home and telling the tale of the buck that I had at 11 yards from the ground stand, and didn't shoot. But you know what? As hunters we are not judged on encounters. We are judged by animals on the ground, and our walls. I got caught up in the impression, and I'm not saying I'll never shoot another small buck with my bow, but if I do it will be special for another reason. I've felt this way since Sunday, I've known all along that I shot a buck I normally wouldn't. I went Hunting Sunday afternoon and Monday and tonight. No time off to enjoy the satisfaction of a well planned and executed hunt. Because I needed to be out there. With only a Doe tag. (we are a 1 Buck State) Tonight Karma came full circle, I saw the buck of my dreams, the local legend. I watched him, texting my wife the whole time. A 10 point came into the field on the heals of a doe. They fed in the cut corn. I watched him for 20 minutes. I ranged him..to be honest alot of things went through my mind. I'm on a private farm and very close to home. I could have taken the doe, it never entered my mind. I watched them feed out of sight in the setting sun. He was a solid 150 class buck. Wide solid main beams, with 5 tines on the left and 4 upward tines on the right with a drop-tine. My dream buck. To be a Trophy Hunter is a commitment, many won't understand or desire this type of hunt and thats fine also. I basically liveWhitetails 24/7 from Mid August through Christmas. There are many worse things than still having a tag in your pocket. I guess this year was a stepping stone, a realization of the type of hunter I desire to be. This doesn't make me any better than anyone, and it's not a debate for what is a good buck, it's just one man's journey. Tag soup ain't for everyone....but I have some good recipes. Great post, and I understand |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
Crenshaw,
Colorado is indeed a tricky state at the moment. We get one archery deer tag per year and it is for either sex. I would love the benefit of all the does I want and three bucks/year. That isn't the case..yet. Where I hunt Colorado whitetail, you are incredibly lucky if you see three a year...and that includes the month you cannot hunt them.I do agree with you though. I think, from a conservatinist's point of view,it is very important to carefully assess the situations as you confront them. Man, I want to come hunt with you! Three bucks a year? |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
I've read this thread like 4 times and I still don't understand half of what I've read.
But I will greatly agree that hardwork and commitment are the 2 of the 4 main ingredients to getting it done on older whitetails. Intelligence is the third. Location is the FIRST. Despite what many spout. Incidentally... insecurity is a stinky cologne. I'm just sayin... |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
ORIGINAL: dukemichaels I've read this thread like 4 times and I still don't understand half of what I've read. But I will greatly agree that hardwork and commitment are the 2 of the 4 main ingredients to getting it done on older whitetails. Intelligence is the third. Location is the FIRST. Despite what many spout. Incidentally... insecurity is a stinky cologne. I'm just sayin... It comes down to time and location. Right now time is what I do not have, and I have to admit I need to find a better place to hunt. It's just not what it use to be, it's hard to admit. Like I posted before about my kids and family life. It has taken a big chunk of what time I used to have. Today was my 14 sit in a tree, 14 I used to do that first two weeks. One things I love to do is spend time with my kids, one thing that frustrates me is time I lose for my kids. Some will understand this, some won't, but I sure have learned it the hardway. |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
ORIGINAL: Germ ORIGINAL: dukemichaels I've read this thread like 4 times and I still don't understand half of what I've read. But I will greatly agree that hardwork and commitment are the 2 of the 4 main ingredients to getting it done on older whitetails. Intelligence is the third. Location is the FIRST. Despite what many spout. Incidentally... insecurity is a stinky cologne. I'm just sayin... It comes down to time and location. Right now time is what I do not have, and I have to admit I need to find a better place to hunt. It's just not what it use to be, it's hard to admit. Like I posted before about my kids and family life. It has taken a big chunk of what time I used to have. Today was my 14 sit in a tree, 14 I used to do that first two weeks. One things I love to do is spend time with my kids, one thing that frustrates me is time I lose for my kids. Some will understand this, some won't, but I sure have learned it the hardway. I know in my heart that when children start running the floors of my home.. I won't want to be anywhere else. Until they get older of course and become wise arses like their ole' man.:D |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
Duke you are correct, but in back of your mine, you'll be some place else;)
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RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
ORIGINAL: dukemichaels Intelligence is the third. Location is the FIRST. Despite what many spout. |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
ORIGINAL: Germ Duke you are correct, but in back of your mine, you'll me some place else;) |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
Germ,
I feel you brother. I've logged a few more sits than you, 16 or so. Like you, I have 3 small children at home and a wife that works full time. My life is hectic enough how it is. I've decided to take the first nice buck that comes by me. It still hasn't happened. Sometimes real life is bigger than our dreams. ;) Our time will come when these little one's are up and grown. I'll be a sold out trophy hunter then :D |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
DC,
I have one on the way (my first) and I know I am gonna spend WAY less times in the woods the next few years simply because I know I am not going to want to be anywhere else!! |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
I've read this thread like 4 times and I still don't understand half of what I've read. But I will greatly agree that hardwork and commitment are the 2 of the 4 main ingredients to getting it done on older whitetails. Intelligence is the third. Location is the FIRST. Despite what many spout. Incidentally... insecurity is a stinky cologne. I'm just sayin... I feel like im fairly intelligent. I'm learning the game on whitetails "OK". I've sat SIVXTY-ONE times, now....and I haven't made it happen on a buck. Could I have shot "a" buck? Sure. I've been working hard and staying committed. That leaves your number one. I'll admit something here, publicly.... There are more bucks here than I previously thought. the ratio's better than I once thought. But I've seen four 2.5 yr olds and probably one 3.5yr old in that many sits....and I'm hunting where bucks should be (spurred by some pretty accomplished hunters;)). It could all fall into place next hunt....and I'm leaning on that every day. I had a great sit this evening. I saw 7 does and 2 small bucks. Could have just as easily been a shooter.....but they weren't. They went at it pretty robustly fora couple of young spikes, though!:D Tonight I went looking for does....and I found them....AND I got what I was after......bucks trailing them. They just weren't the "right" bucks. I go back to work Monday.....and my time will be limited, again. So be it. This year's been a HUGE success! I have learned a TON, so far. I also learned I don't ever wanna hunt this much or this hard, again. I can't handle it. "Balance";) |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
ORIGINAL: GMMAT I've read this thread like 4 times and I still don't understand half of what I've read. But I will greatly agree that hardwork and commitment are the 2 of the 4 main ingredients to getting it done on older whitetails. Intelligence is the third. Location is the FIRST. Despite what many spout. Incidentally... insecurity is a stinky cologne. I'm just sayin... I feel like im fairly intelligent. I'm learning the game on whitetails "OK". I've sat SIVXTY-ONE times, now....and I haven't made it happen on a buck. Could I have shot "a" buck? Sure. I've been working hard and staying committed. That leaves your number one. I'll admit something here, publicly.... There are more bucks here than I previously thought. the ratio's better than I once thought. But I've seen four 2.5 yr olds and probably one 3.5yr old in that many sits....and I'm hunting where bucks should be (spurred by some pretty accomplished hunters;)). It could all fall into place next hunt....and I'm leaning on that every day. I had a great sit this evening. I saw 7 does and 2 small bucks. Could have just as easily been a shooter.....but they weren't. They went at it pretty robustly fora couple of young spikes, though!:D Tonight I went looking for does....and I found them....AND I got what I was after......bucks trailing them. They just weren't the "right" bucks. I go back to work Monday.....and my time will be limited, again. So be it. This year's been a HUGE success! I have learned a TON, so far. I also learned I don't ever wanna hunt this much or this hard, again. I can't handle it. "Balance";) |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
GMMAT;
I understand how far from reality that sounds, to have a 3.5 year old 10 point in front of you and instead of shooting... you smile and pull out your cell phone to snap a couple pics. It is somewhat comical. But it's my reality. I'm not the regular Joe that will occassionally hunt on the weekend, or the guy that doesn't start hunting 'until the rut kicks in'. I hunt an honest 365 days a year. I am currently running 8 different trail cams. I have access to a couple of thousand of acres of private land in one of the best areas in the country to shoot a trophy buck. I'm patient and I'm persistent. You asked how many of those bucks I pass up each year and honestly it is less than half a dozen different bucks of that caliber. 2.5 year olds is a different story. I rarely take pictures from the stand because I have trail cam pics of most of the deer that I pass on. But, I took out the cell phone and snapped a few pics for my father in law, who needed more convincing. I have no shame in ending the season with a tag in my pocket. I will not settle for shooting a buck on the last day of season that I wouldn't have been happy with on the first day of season. But, I would be disappointed in myself if I ended the season with a tag still in my pocket. I spend all year trying to shoot a trophy. It's one of the things that I do very well. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, I don't really party, I don't play sports....I do hunt. |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
Hey Gr8t,
Last night when I read your post, I replied on page 2. This morning I hammered the big 6 I was hunting for. After passing on some respectable bucks, I am thrilled I waited to get this guy I was after. I am going to post my story & pics tomorrow. But I wanted to let you know your post has got many guys on here thinking. Once again, great read man, thanks. DW |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
Bob, I hear what youre saying and can understand some of it, some of it Im not clear on. Dont stress bro. As owner of a small camo companyI sometimes start to feel some external pressures to kill big bucks, but Ive been hunting since I was 16, Im 43 now, Ive killed big bucks as a kid, and small bucks as a veteran hunter, and vice versa. Ive bow hunted every day I could since I was a kid, and I still do, as much as I can being a married, responsible adult anyway. I consider myself somewhat of a trophy hunter, but I determine what a trophy is each year, not a book with some numbers. I have more than40 archeryracks, a dozen are130" +racks and arehanging around as decorative memories, some are mounts, some are euro mounts, some are just skull caps, but Ive never entered one into any book. The 2 bucks Ive taken so far this year would not make P&Y but are trophies to me in my hunting career. My trophy hunting this season started from the first trail cam pics of the "Kankle" buck looking at his broken leg and crazy rack I shared pics of with you all, and thinking about a game plan, to sitting in this one stand for the first time this season and being able tovideo myhunt and kill on my own, no easy task.I know I could hold out for a 130 or 140 inch buck which I know are on my properties, but I had more fun just going with the flow and enjoying myself. Would I like to shoot a 140" 12 pt, heck yeah, looking back, would I pass on hunting and shooting the 120" non typical, heck no, not for a second.Man, I remember 3 years ago I was after a spike ALL darn season and he outsmarted me all year! Yeah he was a spike and had I got him he would be a shoulder mount, but I will never forget him either way, I called him The King of All Spikes and still do. You seeing that local legend after you shot your buck was just icing on the cake and your second trophy this year IMO, you should be proud you were able to see him at all.
Heres one trophy that got away!! The King  |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
Are they all from the same stand or group of stands within a single block of timber, or are you hunting many different properties? GregH told me he hunted the same stand something like 27 out of 72 sits one year....paying attention to the wind. I think he does just fine doing it that way.....and I'm hutning a LOT bigger farm;). |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
GR8atta2d,
It's obviousby your post that while you enjoyed your hunt it left you empty and unfullfilled....so to speak. That's ok it's normal and to a certain extent (not as deep as your example) that's what "ground shrinkage" is. We as hunters get caught up in the hunt and kill a perceived big deer only to find it not as big as we thought when we let the arrow/bullet fly after we've walked up to it and laid hands on the animal. There is no one but you that can change your state of mind regarding your kill. If it helps you in any way to become the hunter you want to be (pursuing the type of animal you wish) then I hope you learn from this experience and in the future don't let any other outside force skew your mission objective. While I personally don't sign on to that type of hunting it sure is your prerogative to do so. Please indulge me however to offer up my perspective on the matter. Setting goals and being "goal orientated" is a good thing...to an extent. Striving to be a "trophy deer hunter" is not a bad thing. I don't think you will find too many folks who would turn down the chance to kill a B&C buck if the hunt was freely available to them. However if taken too far it has the potential to turn your experiences sour and remove all the fun out of the pastime that is hunting. For example, when I started playing football, my goal was to someday play in the NFL. That was the goal I set for myself and being very much a goal orientated person, there was pretty much nothing that was going to stand in my way.......except for one thing. Fun, yes fun, I vowed that no matter how close to my dream I had achieved I would stop playing if the game was no longer fun for me. I know it may sound strange but even the allure of big money wouldn't stop me from walking away from the game once it was no longer fun for me. As it turned out that didn't happen and I realized my dream of playing in the NFL. Ihave the same outlookon pretty much all other aspects of my life where I have a choice of activity, hunting being one of them. The dayit's no longer fun to hit the woods and hunt I will walk away from it. I want to kill a big deer every year but I won't let it consume me, I want to enjoy this pastime not regret a kill because the deer wasn't big enough or feelI'll somehow be judged differently by the size of the antlers that lay in frontof me. Wanting to be a trophy deer hunter is absolutely fine, Ionly ask...no beg that you don't let itbluryour idea of what hunting is all about.....and that's the experience of being outdoors and one with nature. The resurrection of the primal desire that isin all men, that need to pursue game and kill it. We are hunters and have been since our existence but times have changed and we (for the most part) no longer need to hunt. Hunting, just aswe has evolved over time. It has become a pastime, an activity that should be enjoyable and exciting. Yes we still provide and put meat on the table, that's part of it, it's hardwired into us.More so however, it's a pastime and activity that should be fun. I only hope that it remains that way for you and others...... |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
bob,
I know what your going through. i have ate a tag (archery season) for the last 5 years, trying to fill the tag with a good buck. then settled for a small 7 point or a small 8 point in rifle season. I felt a little empty inside after those hunts. I also have felt the same feeling as to see a great animal after i shot my buck. In 1998 i shot a small 8 point on Oct 07th. and in November that same year i was hunting a doe when i had a 9 point 18 / 19 spread, come into 12 yards. That really sucked. 1998 wasmy first buck kill with a bow. (first bow kill in 97 wasa doe). Doesnt get any easier brother, you have to decide when and where to pull the trigger and by happy with it when you do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! best of luck to ya Congrats on a trophy, any buck with a bow is a trophy, just some go on the wall as amount and others go on the wall as a skull plate or a skull cap. chris |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
ORIGINAL: GMMAT For me, my "route" has continuely changed and will keep doing so until I can no longer hunt. The things that made me happy for the last several seasons will gradually shift to a different area in the up coming years. As I near retirement, I plan on owning my own land in an area not known for huge bucks but where the people are great. I plan on getting my enjoyment from seeing what I can do with my own place, living it year round. |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
ORIGINAL: GMMAT To be a Trophy Hunter is a commitment, many won't understand or desire Hunting's personal....and what we take from it is "ours" and "ours" alone. Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. Two year sin a row I've tried to go a certain "route" with my hunting....and taken the fun out of it....two years in a row. Talk about regrets;). I'll figure it out, yet:) |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
Setting goals and being "goal orientated" is a good thing...to an extent. Striving to be a "trophy deer hunter" is not a bad thing. I don't think you will find too many folks who would turn down the chance to kill a B&C buck if the hunt was freely available to them. However if taken too far it has the potential to turn your experiences sour and remove all the fun out of the pastime that is hunting. I need to find THAT in my hunting. I push myself too much. I went to the place I hunted when i first started, yesterday.....just to get back to basics. Cool sit. Saw two little bucks fight.....and 7 does. That's just having fun standing in the stream.;) |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
ORIGINAL: GMMAT Setting goals and being "goal orientated" is a good thing...to an extent. Striving to be a "trophy deer hunter" is not a bad thing. I don't think you will find too many folks who would turn down the chance to kill a B&C buck if the hunt was freely available to them. However if taken too far it has the potential to turn your experiences sour and remove all the fun out of the pastime that is hunting. I need to find THAT in my hunting. I push myself too much. I went to the place I hunted when i first started, yesterday.....just to get back to basics. Cool sit. Saw two little bucks fight.....and 7 does. That's just having fun standing in the stream.;) I wish I had wrote that.....That's exactly what I was trying to say. Anyone who has ever fly fished in mountain stream knows exactly what you're talking about. I can remember vividly to this day my fly fishing experiences in the Rockies while in college, heavenly is an understatement. It's that "state of mind" that we should all be in when we strike out to participate in whatever endeavor it is we desire to do for fun and recreation. If hunting trophy deer and the realization that at the end of your season you will have most likely NOT achieved the satisfaction of obtaining your goal is fine, and the "journey" itself is enough to keep your passion and fun sustained then I say "go for it". I suspect there are a fewfolks here who are just like that. I also suspect there are far more who become so infatuated and inundated that they have squeezed out every sap of fun. |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
this will be year 2 that i eat my archery tag - not for lack of trying -- i passed on many small bucks - thats my choice! i do wish we had a limit on horn size or some areas set aside for archery only -
for meat i take does - i just find letting the little guys walk more gradifying then shooting them -i have 2 py bucks and 3 just underon the wall and can tell you every detail about the day i took them ! i dont get that feeling with the little guys am i a trophy hunter i say no but do get more satisfaction when i score on the bigger guys and let the smaller ones walk |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
ORIGINAL: bigscott this will be year 2 that i eat my archery tag - not for lack of trying -- i passed on many small bucks - thats my choice! i do wish we had a limit on horn size or some areas set aside for archery only - for meat i take does - i just find letting the little guys walk more gradifying then shooting them -i have 2 py bucks and 3 just underon the wall and can tell you every detail about the day i took them ! i dont get that feeling with the little guys am i a trophy hunter i say no but do get more satisfaction when i score on the bigger guys and let the smaller ones walk This also applies to any type of animal I'm hunting with any type of weapon. I'll never consider myself as a "bow hunter" I would never want to be constricted to such a narrow moniker. I'm a hunter period. I hunt pretty much every game animal my state offers and then some out of state (time permitting). I have just as much (if not more) fun upland bird hunting or calling in Drakes or outsmarting Coyotes as I do bow hunting deer. I hunt because I enjoy it and the challenges each different game animal and weaponpresents. The day it starts to no longer be fun due to the self imposed restrictions as to what I should kill is the day I stop hunting. As I've said before, I'm sure there a many here who enjoy trophy hunting immensely but I suspect there are far more thatbecome miserable and disenchanted with hunting because of it. |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
Thanks guys for all the positive and moral support. Let me clarify a few things and then answer some of the questions directed at me.
First..I've previously made a commitment that any futurebucks I shoot would be mounted. This one is no exception he is at the taxidermists now. He is a special buck, and his mount will serve me well into the future. I've come to terms with my actions. I did some good things and made a clean effective kill from the ground. My next point is that I know, I can't hold out for a 150" Buckevery year, thats unrealistic in my area. But in some aspect, be it hunt, companions, rack, method etc etc..the next bucks will be special. (like Diesel said, we once spent a week hunting a buck we called crazy horns, he wasn't huge, oreven big, but his tines shot straight out from his head and y'd like they had to block his vision.) Every ones area is different and each one's definition of a "trophy" differs. My next buck will be a trophy to the only one that counts..ME! My 3rd point and one that several members have also stated in PM's, is I think I'm done with the "contest". I FULLY understand the fun aspect and getting to know others. I've made some great friends through Team-Mates. I know it's not a real competitive thing. But add the words "Contest" and "winners" and "losers" and those of us who are competitive beyond, casually, desire to win. I don't wish to hunt this way in the future. My wins and losses are too individual and personal to put into a "contest". Gr8, you have taken your game to ahigher level. I respect you for that. Can I ask though, is killing a trophy buck that much harder than killing a shooter buck-take away the fact that there are fewer of them? How much, when you boil it all down, does right time at the right place factor in? In both cases, each deer must be within range, and you will need to go through the same mechanics. Is a trophy buck that much smarter or harder to hit than a shooter? If so, to what degree? Just asking. Thats wasn't fair to me Davidmil...Do what you want. We don't care. GMMAT..I'd like to know what you're "Passing" on (or....not attempting to shoot). GregH...You must take external pressure out of the equation. It really is no one elses bussiness what you take or do not take as a hunter. I believe that hunting should be done for your own personal enjoyment. Not trying to live up to someone elses expectations. NJPABWHUNTER.. BigJ71.. |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
My 3rd point and one that several members have also stated in PM's, is I think I'm done with the "contest". I FULLY understand the fun aspect and getting to know others. I've made some great friends through Team-Mates. I know it's not a real competitive thing. But add the words "Contest" and "winners" and "losers" and those of us who are competitive beyond, casually, desire to win. I don't wish to hunt this way in the future. My wins and losses are too individual and personal to put into a "contest". I'm gonna think about not entering, myself. |
RE: Penny for my thoughts?? Heres a dollars worth!
Gr8atta2d,
I'm glad you will keep this (hunting) in perspective of what it really is...a pastime, a recreation, an activity we choose to do, not need to do.With all of the options out there for us to do with our spare time andso little time to do it in, it behooves us to enjoy what we do. I hope you will continue to enjoy hunting. I alsosee absolutely no reason why you can't keep to your objective and still enter in the contest. You don't need to change a single thing about your hunting goals to be in the contest, perhaps you will re-think that decision. Good luck withthe rest of your season and your hunting decisions down the road. |
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