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I and my hunting partners have practiced QDM for years. Basically for us the rule has been that a buck' s rack had to be outside the ears. Now here in Wisconsin, we have land just bordering Buffalo County, considered to be one of the best spots for trophy bucks in North America. Most of our neighbors also practice QDM, so we often see big bucks and are fortunate enough to sometimes harvest big bucks. But I also realize that many hunters don' t have the same luxury. To some, a 6-pointer with a 9 inch spread may be a nice deer. If so, that' s great and I can be happy for them

Having said that, I don' t believe that hunting should ever be just about the size of the rack. It is still about having fun. What may be a trophy to one hunter may be a scrub to another. Don' t get me wrong: I wouldn' t like to go back to the " shoot it if it has horns" days, but one needs to be reasonable about things as well. Myself, I' m generally more interested if the hunter is happy with the trophy than if I think it was " one that I would have shot" . What I mean is that I have seen some supposed " big-buck-only hunters" get all lathered up about a 16 year old who shoots an 8-pointer with an 11-inch spread. In my opinion, the deer is probably a trophy to the kid, and he or she will remember it for the rest of their life. Is it worth getting all riled up over that and making the kid feel like they really screwed up? Just my opinion, but I don' t think so.

I think we need to keep our priorities straight with regard to hunting. At least to me, it' s not about who shoots the biggest buck, who makes book, or even who gets the most rings of venison baloney. It' s about having fun. It' s about enjoying the outdoors. It' s about the rush you get when a deer...any deer...walks right by your treestand and has no idea that you are there. Maybe you don' t even see a deer. Maybe you get to see a couple of bald eagles roost in a nearby tree while sitting in the stand. Or maybe it' s a badger or bear that walks by. And most importantly, its about having a good time with your hunting buddies.

To me, that' s what it should be about.

Amen! TJD could not have been said any better

Yep. What that guy up there said.

I guess I missed the memo that said hunting was supposed to be a contest.

I am all for having fun!

I must hontestly say that the first legal deer I see that presents an opportunity will end up in my freezer (especially if I' m bowhunting). After that, I become very selective.

Everyone hunts for different reasons and as long as it' s legal I don' t give a hoot what or how someone else hunts. I' m just glad they' re in the field supporting what I love.

I myself try to take a doe or 2 for the freezer and let small bucks walk, but I will not starve if I take none of them. But there are people out there that depend haevily on harvesting venison for food. When I carry someone hunting with me or when I go with someone else it is always made clear what is expected ( no yearling does or spikes for example). Beside hear in Mississippi spikes are illegal. Personally I will not hunt with someone who goes by the motto if moves shoot it because that just is not safe. Just my opinion and everyone has one.

I also strongly agree with TJD. Trophies come in all sizes and shapes. My nine year old step son shot the ugliest little 5 pt. buck with maybe a 7 in. spread while hunting with his dad and that boy was as happy as I was when I took my 9pt. i mounted.

This is my third year hunting, and sadly, I have been unsuccessful. The way I look at it, I' m not in it for the killing, I' m in it for the sport and the meat. If I see a doe this season, I' m gonna shoot it first chance I get. If I see a spike this season, I' m gonna shoot it first chance I get. If I see any deer, worth shooting (obviously not fawns!), I' m gonna shoot it if the opportunity arises. As someone once told me:

You can' t eat antlers!

Mike,-

I know some of the fellas that shotgun hunt around here only got permission from the farmers who own the land because they will take every deer that presents a good shot. Tell a farmer who has deer problems that you let animals walk because you didn`t think they were big enough and I`ll show you a farmer who is looking for someone else to hunt his land.