|
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
I know a lot of guys out there who will never shoot a 150 class deer, but put in 10x more effort, time, and resources into taking a 125" buck, than someone who throws money and foodplots at deer to grow them until they can pick out which 150 buck they want. WHY, because they HAVE to or they would never even come close to getting those 125 deer. A 125 buck in some places of WV, PA and NY, might be a 1 out of 250 bucks, where on a deer farm there are dozens of 150's. You tell me which is tougher to kill on a consistent basis.
|
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
WOW Wolfen, you lurk and don't post too much...but when you do....lookout!!
As I don't practice 100% QDM as yourself, I limit myself to only shooting 2 1/2 year olds or better, and I even have my father starting to follow my ways. For years he shot the first buck that walked by. Granted he got a buck every year, but he had very few if any opportunities at bigger deer. In the last 2 years he has let these little guys walk by and he has increased his sightings of bigger bucks by 75-80%. In the past 2 seasons, of which I went without a deer, I passed numerous shots on 1 1/2 year old deer. After 2 years of no deer, I told myself I was going to shoot the first one by just to get the slump behind me. Well this year when 2 little dinks walked by, I just couldn't do it. But as I know you have said yourself wolfen, to each their own. If they keep shooting the little ones, the less likely they are going to shoot a big one! For those guys who let the little ones walk, how many times has their been bigger deer following behind them? My biggest deer to date I had to let 2 dinks walk by and then he showed up less than 10 minutes later. Just something to keep in the back of your head when the little ones walk by. But to answer the question about getting in the contest and then shooting a little bucks...I guess they are just hoping that the first one by is a big one. I have known a few people to be that lucky. |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
First off, I'd like to say you all have given me a good laugh here with all of your penial sword fighting. LOL
All of you 100% QDM guys, that don't shoot less than a 4 1/2-5 1/2(immature bucks), you say you shoot doe(hmm ok), those who are FORTUNATE enough to hunt on all private land...ranches or whatever, those who are SLAMMING all others that shoot anything you seem to look at as being inferior..... I'm sure I'm missing other examples to explain yourselves, but you probably get it. How much do you guys spend on hunting every year? This includes tags, food plots, ranch fees, leases, stands, gas, food, time spent in the woods and anything else you can think of? I'd have to say quite a bit and if not, you have friends that hook you up big time. My point? You guys have to keep in mind that $$ doesn't just flow like the Mississippi River for a lot of us. Put me in your situation, with your $$, your hunting contacts and with your top notch equipment and land, where many mature bucks run and sure I'd practice QDM like you too. Stick a needle in your head, deflate it a bit and then take a look at everyone's situation. Not only your own. This old saying seems to be a bit lame and out of date, but it really fits. "Walk a day in most of our shoes". For an entire hunting season and then we can revisit is discussion. |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 You really stirred the pot wolfy..[8D] |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
I'm not sure many people are reaching the point of the question, they are all jumping on the QDM thing which, really isn't the meat of the topic here. He asked, why would you enter a BIG buck contest, then shoot a small one to enter. I feel that is a valid question regardless of which side of the QDM debate you are on. If you read the posts, most people think that a score of 500 inches, or maybe 600 inches, will win. By that logic, if just 8 of the 10 hunters on a team shoot what you call "baby" bucks that score 80 inches, they will win, and that is the point of the contest. This contest does not measure who shoots the biggest buck, it measures which team has the most success, combined. If it were a big buck contest, as some of you seem to have misunderstood it to be, it would be an individual thing, not a team approach. Since this contest measures "team" success, shooting and entering these bucks is not only appropriate, but it's a good start on the way to winning. The QDM argument is a different topic, and has nothing to do with this DEER HUNTING contest. Please look at the title, the rules and the description of what the contest is, before you blast someone for entering a buck. What everyone has done so far in this contest is EXACTLY what they should be doing. Now, if this were a BIG BUCK contest, then you would, in my opinion, have a valid question. But it is not, it is a DEER HUNTING contest, and your question only shows you didn't fully understand what the contest is, what it is measuring, and what it takes to win. Besides, it's all just for fun so don't be so uptight, sit back and enjoy the pictures and stories of success. As long as they are not killing "your" "baby bucks", don't worry about it. ;) |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
ORIGINAL: sneekky The really sad part of all of this is what if just what if this is a young kid 13 14 15 and its his first year hunting has never killed a deer in his life.Hes so excited that he got to be in this tourney.He gets a shot makes a clean kill and is very proud of his first bowkill.NO its not a monster but cant any of you jerks remember when you got your first kill?you would shot the first thing you saw and iam dam sure you probally did.NOW all you AZZHOLES can do is jam it down his throat that what he did wasnt good enough for you. To all the jerks that couldnt get past there own OVER inflated egos and just tell the kid good job yous a poor excuse for a human. 
Are you calling me a "jerk" and an "azzhole"? I'm deeply offended and hurt but at least you didn't call me a "sneekky"...kinda sounds like the name of a venereal disease. But to set the record straight...I did not shoot the first thing that came by. I hunted for 4 years before I killed a buck and he was one inch over PY. I shot 4 does prior to that however and passed up dozens of young bucks. My older brother, who is 40, is starting his first season ever as a bowhunter. He has gone with me and my buddies to the woods for several years only with a video camera and has become very educated on deer and deer hunting. He understands the importance of letting young deer walk and keeping the doe numbers in check. He can shoot whatever he wants, as we all can. We don't have leases, we don't hunt fences, but we do have brains and we intend to use them. ;) IBM...glad to hear about your success...have you seen any good shooters yet this year? Good luck! Jersey...I do this at least once or twice a year...it's a good thing, it gets rid of the bad blood.;) |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
ORIGINAL: Stump_MN_Hunter First off, I'd like to say you all have given me a good laugh here with all of your penial sword fighting. LOL All of you 100% QDM guys, that don't shoot less than a 4 1/2-5 1/2(immature bucks), you say you shoot doe(hmm ok), those who are FORTUNATE enough to hunt on all private land...ranches or whatever, those who are SLAMMING all others that shoot anything you seem to look at as being inferior..... I'm sure I'm missing other examples to explain yourselves, but you probably get it. How much do you guys spend on hunting every year? This includes tags, food plots, ranch fees, leases, stands, gas, food, time spent in the woods and anything else you can think of? I'd have to say quite a bit and if not, you have friends that hook you up big time. My point? You guys have to keep in mind that $$ doesn't just flow like the Mississippi River for a lot of us. Put me in your situation, with your $$, your hunting contacts and with your top notch equipment and land, where many mature bucks run and sure I'd practice QDM like you too. Stick a needle in your head, deflate it a bit and then take a look at everyone's situation. Not only your own. This old saying seems to be a bit lame and out of date, but it really fits. "Walk a day in most of our shoes". For an entire hunting season and then we can revisit is discussion. Stumper...you too are being presumptuous. The year I killed my biggest buck was the year I hit rock bottom financially...couldn't hardly afford the money to buy a tag and it took me two years before I could pay the taxidermist for the mount[:o] Things are much better now although I'm still a bit behind Don Trump but nothing has changed as far as where, what, or why I hunt deer. I am lucky about where I live and the deer I hunt but again, I knocked on lots of doors and had many slammed in my face before I found a place to hunt. |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
Hyde,
Sure I have heard of genetically inferior deer but that isn't what you said. You said you kill all the basket racks. If a deer is 4 years old and has a basket rack then he should be removed from the heard but not until he has reached the 4 year mark. However, it appeared in your post that you were saying that you kill all little bucks. What criteria do you use in aging a deer to decide whether or not to cull it? Also, at what age do you start to cull bucks? Also, what are your general antler characteristics that a buck must exhibit at a particular age for you to cull him? |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
I am lucky about where I live and the deer I hunt but again, I knocked on lots of doors and had many slammed in my face before I found a place to hunt. 3 years ago I had ample private land and very rarely did I hunt the same stand more than 5 times in a season that ran from the middle of Sept to the end of Dec. And I hunt atleast a morning and an evening a weekend throughout the whole season. Those land opps are falling faster that I can even stand to see. Now I'm down to one 40 acre plot that is going to be sold within the next couple of years for developement. For the last 3 years, I've gotten out plat books, did my homework and research for and on good areas and have knocked on...count em!!...38 doors to only get doors slammed, eyes rolled, all the way to laughs in my face. Anything you can about imagine. Luck does not only go as far as having big deer in your area that walk in front of you, but also the land you are able to hunt. You are lucky. That's not a rip on you, but just eludes to the fact that you are lucky with your opporunities. This is my 6th year bowhunting and I haven't shot a buck yet because of the standards I have set in regards to the bucks I'd "like" to shoot. But to be honest, the whole idea is getting very old and I'm starting to rethink everything. How long do I have to go to get a crack at a 140"+ deer? A dang long time with the land I hunt. Yes...even up here in MN. |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
This post is a very good read...........Where is Atlasman.....:D......I know he could add a few coments.........:D
Here is my take......When I first started bowhunting, I shot every deer that I could, buck, doe, I didn't care. Sure, I had already taken several nice bucks with gun, but I didn't care, I wanted kills. It was an ego thing, I admit it. I wanted to kill all I could with my bow. After a few years of that, I started getting selective. I went several years without shots on good bucks. I must have let >50 nice 2 1/2 year old 8pts walk. At the end of the season I would eat tag soup. Mississippi gets hunted hard, and there are not a ton of older bucks running around. BUT, by passing on the these bucks and trying to harvest only mature animals, I grew tremendously as a hunter. I learned alot about deer and their behaviour. The last few years I have really started practicing QDM, taking my does and only shooting mature bucks, regardless of antler size. And it has really paid off. I hunt close to 60 days a year and I will usually get 1-2 opportunities at a mature buck each year within bow range. And another half a dozen out of range. I will get up to 12 opportunities on nice 2 1/2 year old bucks. It's tough, to hunt all year and only have a chance or two to make it happen. BUT, it is worth it to me, that is what it is all about, FOR ME. All this said to inform public land hunters that for us private land guys who practice QDM, there is not a P&Y around every corner, at least not in my state. I have tons of respect for guys who kill mature bucks on public land, that is an accomplishment. BUT, I do not respect immature bucks from experienced hunters. Immature bucks are easy to kill, no matter where you hunt. |
[Deleted]
[Deleted by Admins]
|
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
ORIGINAL: Double Creek This post is a very good read...........Where is Atlasman.....:D......I know he could add a few coments.........:D Here is my take......When I first started bowhunting, I shot every deer that I could, buck, doe, I didn't care. Sure, I had already taken several nice bucks with gun, but I didn't care, I wanted kills. It was an ego thing, I admit it. I wanted to kill all I could with my bow. After a few years of that, I started getting selective. I went several years without shots on good bucks. I must have let >50 nice 2 1/2 year old 8pts walk. At the end of the season I would eat tag soup. Mississippi gets hunted hard, and there are not a ton of older bucks running around. BUT, by passing on the these bucks and trying to harvest only mature animals, I grew tremendously as a hunter. I learned alot about deer and their behaviour. The last few years I have really started practicing QDM, taking my does and only shooting mature bucks, regardless of antler size. And it has really paid off. I hunt close to 60 days a year and I will usually get 1-2 opportunities at a mature buck each year within bow range. And another half a dozen out of range. I will get up to 12 opportunities on nice 2 1/2 year old bucks. It's tough, to hunt all year and only have a chance or two to make it happen. BUT, it is worth it to me, that is what it is all about, FOR ME. All this said to inform public land hunters that for us private land guys who practice QDM, there is not a P&Y around every corner, at least not in my state. I have tons of respect for guys who kill mature bucks on public land, that is an accomplishment. BUT, I do not respect immature bucks from experienced hunters. Immature bucks are easy to kill, no matter where you hunt. Some of you guys just don't get it. Just because someone supports QDM doesn't mean that they hunt a pet-a-pet farm. Lord knows I don't, but I support it. Heck in the 2 counties I hunt, there have only been 5 total p&y entries EVER! But I still hold out for mature bucks with hopes of the whopper, even though the chances are slim. I won't criticize someone for the choices they make on which deer they shoot. But unless you are fairly new to the sport, shooting immature bucks can't do much for you, other than give you bragging rights with your buddies. Funny thing is, those same folks usually are the ones complaining that there are no BIG BUCKS around, as they proceed to shoot 3 or 4 small bucks per season, every year. |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
I notice that there really just seems to be a simple point here from alot of different folks. Most are not bashing EVERYBODY that shoots a young buck! We just seriously question anybody that actually has any amount of hunting experience on WHY they would choose to take immature animals on a consistent basis? Then have the gall to bitch about their lack of mature animals in their areas! It's just way to easy to pass the blame instead of taking some of the responsibility for yourselves. FACT is, if YOU shoot an immature animal then YOU are part of the problem as well. Save the young bucks for the young kids or the newbies that lack any true form of hunting skills.
Stump_MN_Hunter, I AM implying that anyone who shoots a YEARLING (18 month old) animal has just killed what is without a doubt, THE most easily killed deer in the entire herd. Not exactly a challenge for anybody with even a few years of hunting experience and a few deer to their credit. You say "inferior buck to someone elses standartds".......... now I'm not talkin' of a "smaller" rack BUT strictly speaking of yearling bucks..... just NO reason to kill 'em for a veteren bowhunter!!! Hey, if it's even a 2 1/2 year old animal then I don't care what he scores, he's a much better deer and a more respected "trophy" than the yearlings. Lets all do our part and try to correct these badly skewed sex ratios and imbalances in OUR herds that we ALL are responsible for! That's all I'm trying to say. It just gets sooooo frustrating trying to "educate" hunters and non-hnters alike to the fact that something has to be done folks. If not NOW, then WHEN??? |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
IL-Cornfed...dude you make me chuckle. :D
I don't want to turn this into another 5 page debate on something, but you aren't very clear on too much in your last post. Most are not bashing EVERYBODY that shoots a young buck! Save the young bucks for the young kids or the newbies that lack any true form of hunting skills? I do agree with you on the fact that fellas can't shoot little bucks all the time and then say they never see big bucks or never have a chance to shoot one. Can't have it both ways. |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
IBM...glad to hear about your success...have you seen any good shooters yet this year? Good luck! I think we all need to agree to disagree with the way all the other people hunt. Just hunt and have fun!! I have heard this talk from wolfen every year since we have been here, but I don't believe I ever seen him tell somebody not to shoot the smaller bucks. He may give his opinion on why that person shouldn't shoot the small bucks though. He is just trying to pass on his successful beliefs in deer hunting onto to somebody else. Don't we all do that in some way or another? Friends saying they won't hunt with you if you go traditional, just another difference in beliefs.... and on and on and on. IL_Corn_Fed is about the same way. You look at these guys track records and they have some very nice deer to show for their techniques. I remember the pictures in the past of these 2 with the bucks they have shot. And they were just awesome. Is their strategy right for everyone? Maybe...maybe not, but you will never know until you have tried it for a couple of years. |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
I have never shot a small buck...
..I have had a lot of ground shrinkage tho[:o] |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
..I have had a lot of ground shrinkage tho LOL....Story of your life, huh 4pt:D;) |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
For the same reason people buy a lotto ticket or worse...several of them. It is a chance in hell either way so maybe the guy who enters the little deer is just playing his chances.
|
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
You guys are starting to make my head hurt.
|
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
thats the problem wolfen you totally missed the point.If you were offended by what i wrote all i can say is the truth does sting sometime.If you were one of the people that are raining on some poor guys day just because what he killed wasnt up to your super natural standards.Cant people just say congrats and go on about there business?Why is it your place to say anything to anyone about the deer they killed in a negative light?If they are happywith the animal they killed that should be good enough for you.For the record wolfen i mentioned NO names in my first post so it must have hit home with you so that only leads me to beleive you feel that you were the jerk.
 |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
Hello all. I have a question for wolfen68......How long is your gun season, shot gun, muzzle loader, and pistol season. I also would like to know can you take more than 1 buck per year in your state, if you can not take more than 1 buck how long has this rule been in? If you would let me know the total days for fire arm season total. Thanks for your time,;):)
|
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
here's part of the problem: my neighbor and i went hunting to a county a few over. he got a 4 pt. it was nice bodied, got 80 lbs of meat. i'm guessing 2.5 yrs old. he was very proud. his cousin told him it was an older deer. he believed him and felt more proud. i had to explain that it was a baby, that they don't even start to decline until around 9. problem is no one has seen an even a 5 yr old buck around here and these guys have no idea even how old the animals they hunt can get, or how big. he said "what's a brisket." they won't shoot doe. i have just about got the qdm concept explained to them. there's a petition going around for the dnr to not allow anything less than 3 pts per side, but these people don't even understand anything. my neighbor has a spike mounted on his wall. if you'ld have shot the doe that spike wouldn't be leaving. oh, that makes sense. it takes having the conversation for people to choose. people have it in a crappy way from behind a computer because they are frustrated. with my neghbor and his family i have to be nice about it. turns out someone from his job is having the same conversation with him. hunters need to get educated about it and that happens grass roots style. keep up the conversation please, maybe try being a little nicer, like it was your neighbor, but please keep it up.
on another note, what's so wrong with giving back to the deer community by making them some high quality food plots. you're giving them more poundage than you take from them. its a mutual relationship. more better food means more deer for everyone, and there is nothing wrong with that. nothing wrong with public land hunters either, but i think you should also try and help the populations health one way or another with some kind of supplement. don't just be a taker. we've already seen where that leads. |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
ORIGINAL: sneekky thats the problem wolfen you totally missed the point.If you were offended by what i wrote all i can say is the truth does sting sometime.If you were one of the people that are raining on some poor guys day just because what he killed wasnt up to your super natural standards.Cant people just say congrats and go on about there business?Why is it your place to say anything to anyone about the deer they killed in a negative light?If they are happywith the animal they killed that should be good enough for you.For the record wolfen i mentioned NO names in my first post so it must have hit home with you so that only leads me to beleive you feel that you were the jerk.
I was joking about being "offended"...and I apologize if you took offense to my remark about you resembling V.D. I have no clue what the he!! you are talking about in regards to me "raining on some poor guys day"...I only made a general observation in my original post. It is all you short man syndrome or little buck syndrome crybabies putting the spin on the issue. Why it would take "super natural standards" in order to shoot does and mature bucks is beyond me. And the argument about wanting to practice QDM but not because the neighbor will just shoot it anyway only means that your state needs to have mandated antler restrictions. |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
ORIGINAL: triplespool Hello all. I have a question for wolfen68......How long is your gun season, shot gun, muzzle loader, and pistol season. I also would like to know can you take more than 1 buck per year in your state, if you can not take more than 1 buck how long has this rule been in? If you would let me know the total days for fire arm season total. Thanks for your time,;):) Firearms...Dec 1- Dec 12 Archery...Oct 1-Nov 30 & Dec 13-31 Only (1) buck per hunter allowed per year and it's been that way for at least the 14 years I've been hunting and as far as I know, it's always been that way. |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
ORIGINAL: gibblet here's part of the problem: my neighbor and i went hunting to a county a few over. he got a 4 pt. it was nice bodied, got 80 lbs of meat. i'm guessing 2.5 yrs old. he was very proud. his cousin told him it was an older deer. he believed him and felt more proud. i had to explain that it was a baby, that they don't even start to decline until around 9. problem is no one has seen an even a 5 yr old buck around here and these guys have no idea even how old the animals they hunt can get, or how big. he said "what's a brisket." they won't shoot doe. i have just about got the qdm concept explained to them. there's a petition going around for the dnr to not allow anything less than 3 pts per side, but these people don't even understand anything. my neighbor has a spike mounted on his wall. if you'ld have shot the doe that spike wouldn't be leaving. oh, that makes sense. it takes having the conversation for people to choose. people have it in a crappy way from behind a computer because they are frustrated. with my neghbor and his family i have to be nice about it. turns out someone from his job is having the same conversation with him. hunters need to get educated about it and that happens grass roots style. keep up the conversation please, maybe try being a little nicer, like it was your neighbor, but please keep it up. on another note, what's so wrong with giving back to the deer community by making them some high quality food plots. you're giving them more poundage than you take from them. its a mutual relationship. more better food means more deer for everyone, and there is nothing wrong with that. nothing wrong with public land hunters either, but i think you should also try and help the populations health one way or another with some kind of supplement. don't just be a taker. we've already seen where that leads. Freakin' great post!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D:D:D |
RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
ORIGINAL: wolfen68 It is all you short man syndrome or little buck syndrome crybabies putting the spin on the issue. |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:50 PM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.