I'm both a trophy hunter and a meat hunter. In the area that I hunt, there is a good number of deer, both bucks and does. If I am in search of some meat to fill the freezer, I'll try to shoot a doe. Once I have my doe tag filled, then I will only shoot a mature buck, or a doe if it's near the end of the season. It really aggravates me when other people that hunt the same area constantly shoot young deer. I understand why people shoot the first deer they see in areas where there are few deer to be had. But why not be more selective if there are lots of deer around?

Like most of the others here, I'm both. I try to shoot a big mature doe first for the freezer then hunt trophy bucks only. Had kind of a weird thing this year...a massive racked six pointer? I mean his rack was extremely thick, but only a fork and a long brow tine on each side. The brow tines were probably six or seven inches. I passed on him for two reasons. (1) I believe he'll get a lot bigger because I'm pretty sure this deer is only two years old, and (2) he frequents my back yard. I like to watch him and test out scents and other things on him.[&:]

But knowing how things go around here, someone else probably shot him. Won't know till after firearms season closes.[]

I hunt for meat..........if it happens to be growing on a trophy then even better. If it isn't then that's just fine too.

The only deer I will not shoot is an obviously small first year deer unless it is injured. Any deer 1 1/2 and over is going in the freezer.

We just don't see enough deer to be choosey.

When the day comes that I find myself on land infested with deer and I know chances will be plenty I may make different choices.

As it stands now you just never know how long it will be until your next opportunity comes along.......if ever......so passing on a deer means you just filled some other guys freezer and you will be eating your tags.

that's basically the way we have to do it down here in PA as well atlasman. especially in my area as it is a major tourist area. we have thousands of hunters come in during rifle season and them guys shoot at just about anything. luckily i know guys that own land, i won't hunt public land if i don't have to. TOO DANGEROUS

I trophy hunt. Son, Joe is in the shootin stage. I don't make judgement on folks. everyone has their reasons. Overall though, unless you are always in the position of feeding your family, I think most folks tend to follow the progression, i.e. shooter thru trophy. One area I do hunt provides many opportunities to observe a maturing herd via qdm. There is a select few who have priviledge to hunt and it's bow only area. I know many of the deer like family and there is a great future for trophies.

I am a trophy hunter and a doe killer. The single best way to improve your herd is to kill the does. It makes more room for the bucks.Im not really out for the meat I just give it to my father-in-law. Watch letting them 2 1/2 year old spikes walk by they need to be tooken out. You can get all this information and more off the internet. I read hours upon hours a day. It pays off.

get a new hunting spot

I heard Florida is going to change its laws this year . Your first deer can be a spike , after that they have to have at least 3 points to a side .You can still kill a buck a day , that part I wish they would do away with. Let us kill 3 bucks and 12 does , kind of like georgia but with one more buck

I would say I am a meat hunter 1st. I hate being labeled a trophy hunter, despite the fact that I do wait for a nicer than average buck to come by before I shoot it. It's not about the rack on the wall, but being able to beat an older/smarter deer where the real satisfaction lies.

I guess I am a trophy hunter

I have never hunted for meat

My reasons to pass on small bucks has nothing to do with QDM or trophy management - I just have no desire to put the little ones down, besides I hunt public land - qdm never was an option.

I also have never taken a doe - probably never will

But I respect all hunters who do things the right way - whether they are popping 10 doe a year or putting down the little bucks.

I could care less what YOU shoot - if it makes you happy - I am gonna help you drag it out