Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

As delicately as possible I would like to touch on something that doesn't quite make sense to me. Why would one enter a "big buck" contest and then shoot a baby deer? It's kind of like entering a NASCAR race with a car that has no engine. I personally don't support shooting immature bucks due mainly for my support of QDM and it's principles but if a guy wants to and it's legal then that is that and it's their business, but I can't imagine why one would want to shoot a baby buck and then enter it into a "big buck" contest.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

I know exactly what you mean but I also understand not everywhere has large bucks. Someone who shoots a 70" or 80" deer might be a good buck for their area or they may figure because of the amount of time they have to hunt that it may not get any better. I can understand and respect that.

But, what I don't get is why after shooting a buck someone who states that are meat hunting would pass on 3 does and then shoot a spike. IMo that is ludicrious. If you are meat hunting it is more beneficial to the herd to shoot a doe or two and let the bucks grow.

I do not buy into the "it's a buck and any buck is better then a doe" mentality. If it's legal so be it but I wish others could see the light.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

I think a blanket statement like that is very unfair to the people that dont practice QDM. Not everyone has access to private land where they can setup their own game management plan. For a hunter that has limited time and hunts weekends on public land, his little forkhorn maybe a trophy to him. Some bowhunters do not have the same detication as others and are happy to kill any buck. I dont think its right to judge any hunter for an animal he decides to take, if he is happy with his spike then thats all that really counts. I dont think he should have everyone degrading his kill and ramming QDM down his throat.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

Lefty...I totally understand that some folks don't have the quality of deer to hunt as others and I respect that. However, if QDM were practiced then perhaps more would have better quality herds to hunt. I can understand a guy who hunts and kills a 115 class buck because that is a mature buck in his area and that is something to be proud of and all, but killing immature bucks doesn't make sense to me.[:o] Not ramming QDM down anyone's throat...but give it time and your DNR will if they already haven't. As far as the time constraints argument....that dog won't hunt. It's early in the season even if one is limited to weekends only hunting. Regardless it's not excuse to kill the first buck that walks by.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

I try to Practice QDM as much as I can.. I support it..

I wish Michigan would go to a ONE buck law and have it 3 or 4 points on ONE side or better to be legal.. As of now they have 2 bucks, One can be anything and one has to be 4 points on one side or more..

They also dont give out enough doe tags..

My problem is, where I live, If you let a 110 or better class deer go, the guy on the next 40 shoots it.. For example, the deer I shot this year, i scored it at 107. I passed it up once and decided the second time I better shoot it. Reason being, the kid next to less than a 40 away would have shot it. He actually came to my house to see what i shot and I showed him and he said, well I would have shot it anyways if you didnt..

It nearly impossible for a deer to survive up here.. Especially past rifle season.. Rifle season up here makes me sick to my stomach.. I can't go ANYWHERE without seeing some Orange Blob.. I dont even hunt rifle season barely anymore.. I just take the girlfriend or my dad hunting and try to do the best I can for them.. YOu have to constantly worry about stepping on someones toes.. And its starting to get like that bowhunting too..

Another problem we have.. I feed deer in my yard. The neighbor shoots them at night.. NICE.. Next to him a kid i know hunts and shoot EVERYTHING.. He shot the Nine point that was coming to my yard.. It should have been let go.. I could have shot it if I wanted, but I elected not too..
People ride around on the roads constantly where I live and shoot deer.. One kid was riding around the day before season trying to shoot the bucks I feed in my yard. He didnt even have a license yet, one arrow with a RUSTY broadhead..

Thats that crap I deal with here in BESSEMER, MI...

So tell me how I am supposed to practice QDM, when one person who owns 100 acres wont let you hunt, cuz the deer are there pets.. The next 40 is a person who Preaches, BROWN ITS DOWN, and I'm on the next 40 passing up deer..

Just can't be done until the DNR does something..

AND THE MICHIGAN DNR CAN BLOW ME, Cuz they suck..

People are shooting Wolves illegally here now, cuz they are getting overpopulated and everyone is getting mad because they are seeing less and less deer..

So, I try to do my part for QDM.. but it aint much..

:(

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

Since when did you start putting things delicately? The must be a new word you learned:eek:;):D

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

OUCH!!!:( That does suck Mathews...but would your DNR suck less if they did more? I'll never understand a state that allows more than (1) buck per year per hunter...rifle, muzzleoader, shotgun, x-bow, or archery. Seems like a sure-fire way to decimate a deer herd![:'(] Good luck to you!

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

Since when did you start putting things delicately? The must be a new word you learned




LOL!!!!:D

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

I am going to have to side with Lefty on this one but at the same time keep an open mind to everyone else. I grew up and prodominitley hunt in the state of PA. Until recently they did not have a QDM program in place nor did they have combined season for buck and doe. Before this was in place you had to shoot a buck and a buck only and it did not matter the size as long as one of the spikes was at least 3 inches. I saw some of the biggest smiles on guys faces that shot a small buck or spike because the hunt was exciting and it put meat on the table. It was personal preference then. If there is not a law or QDM in place there will always be people shooting the little bucks but hopefully for all of the right reasons. That is my stand. Happy hunting to everyone.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

I know better than to enter a big buck contest(i'm the poster-boy for Murphys' law)--i figure if i'm not in a big buck contest it's gotta be a sure thing that i'll get the biggest buck around![8D]:D

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

First off who are you to question what anyone enters or kills ? Its their decision and theirs only and maybe they are just as proud to enter that fork horn as someone else might be their B&C. I do believe in qdm on a individual basis and do not think the state should mandate it statewide , if they want to do it on state owned land fine but let the individuals make choices for themselves . As far as the question of why a state would let someone take more than one buck I see you havent been around much as alot of states have unreal numbers of deer and bucks . Were allowed 3 bucks a year and unlimited does and I cant see the damage, if anything its getting better every year .

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

Lots of guys would love to be able to manage ther on heard. But the fact is most hunters dont have a piece of property to make a game ranch. Here in Pa the majority of the hunters are jammed in to public land like sardines. 4 years ago on a 2000 acre Stategame lands area people were double parked for 5 miles. How in the world can you quality management that way. Yes now we have a POINT RESTRICTION REG. But thats only either 3 pts on one side only or 4 pts on one side only depending on county. Why they enter a contest ? Hey There are doe contest also and ways they measure and score them.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

you know what makes me laugh is all this talk about where some people setup for there own managment and they ONLY WILL SHOOT THIS AND THAT BUCK dude get over your little managment program ok. whatever happened to all the REAL HUNTERS like myself that go out there and hunt in the wild woods not the MANAGEMNENT AREAS and still catch deer.just go out there and catch whatevr is legal and whatever makes you happy there is to much BS going on on this site. alot of opinions HERE every deer WITH A BOW IS A TROPHY OK. so get over YOUR MANAGEMENT ARES , where you know exactly where and what the deer will do. you call that HUNTING? i dont just my opnion lol as i am writing this 1 week in the books and 3 DEER...... and i am very happy and my freezer and my family is fed for the winter THE OLD WAY.......

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

I am in the same boat as Mathewsboy being from MI. The only difference is one of my hunting spots is QDM, 3 points or more on one side for the first buck and 4 points or more on one side for the second. I have never used my second tag for a buck but have used it on does because the licence can be used for a doe if shot with a bow. Now I have seen the difference in my area since the QDM was placed in my area but the quality of bucks are definately not huge. An eight like Mathewsboy's is considerd big in my neighborhood and if you get one bigger, huge is the word. Too many does is the problem in my area and by myself the problem cannot be solved. I invite people out to my land to shoot does only during the December hunt but they don't come because they are not allowed to shoot a buck. For me it is one buck a year and with the second tag it could be two if the second buck is bigger than the first, that has never happened though. I usually shoot 2 to 3 does a year and try to get others out to but it doesn't always happen.

Now my other spot is not QDM and bucks are real hard to come by because of the same reasons as Mathewsboy. I have already let a nice 6 go last week knowing that 95% of the people around us will shoot it. I don't want to see it happen but it probably will. My inlaws are the if it is a buck and leagal it is down type and I give them heck about it but in fun. I know it is their choice and it is their land so I am never serious about it. I do give them my 2 cents every year but it isn't working and by passing up a nice buck I hope it gives them a nudge in the right direction.

It is a persons right and preference to shoot what they want IMO but if we all started to practice QDM by harvesting does and letting smaller bucks go there would be more bigger bucks to be taken. Not everyone has the opportunities like the rest of us or the land so lets take it easy on those and not become bastards towards them but maybe with a little influence change the way they go about their hunting practices so they too can see the difference QDM makes.

And as MassSeaWolves said "any deer taken with the bow is a trophy" so lets keep it that way and give everyone the praise deserved for taking a fine animal in such an outstanding matter.

Good luck to you all!!!!

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

you know what makes me laugh is all this talk about where some people setup for there own managment and they ONLY WILL SHOOT THIS AND THAT BUCK dude get over your little managment program ok. whatever happened to all the REAL HUNTERS like myself that go out there and hunt in the wild woods not the MANAGEMNENT AREAS and still catch deer.just go out there and catch whatevr is legal and whatever makes you happy there is to much BS going on on this site. alot of opinions HERE every deer WITH A BOW IS A TROPHY OK. so get over YOUR MANAGEMENT ARES , where you know exactly where and what the deer will do. you call that HUNTING? i dont just my opnion lol as i am writing this 1 week in the books and 3 DEER...... and i am very happy and my freezer and my family is fed for the winter THE OLD WAY.......







You're frickin' clueless![:@] I hunt as wild of deer as any in the whole of America buddy. And I guarantee any mature buck I have shot or will shoot has been and will be because I've worked my arse off to do so. I hunt NO "management area" but where I hunt you can bet that nobody will be shooting any young bucks. And I don't "catch" deer...I kill them. If I knew exactly where and what the deer would do, then I wouldn't do it....you obviously show your complete and total ignorance to this topic which is why I periodically stir the pot with posts like these to try and educate "real hunters" like yourself. While your freezer is full, I continue to observe deer at 10 yards, learning their behaviors and everything about them. I've passed on 7 young bucks so far this year in only 5 trips to the woods and the rut is still 3 weeks away. Your "old" way hopefully will soon be a thing of the past.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

guy's give it a break!

I have to agree with Lefty on this ,here in Ont there are a lot of area's that just don't produce mass on the buck's ,When we buy our tag's for the season if you don't apply for a doe permit you automatically get a buck tag, that's just how it is. Some area's don't have a lot of deer and any buck is a trophy in there mind's .I can't blame them for taking these buck's in these area's .I've personally let a particullar 6point basket rack walk 3 times in one day just because I knew there was a bigger buck in the area .I ended up last season not putting any venison in my freezer just because I let the little guy walk ,I knew I could have taken him, but it was my choice not to .But we can't expect everyone to think the same as we do. The new young, and old hunter's will take a spike because they have the opportunity to do so, and if they pass it up they just might end up with nothing ,For me it didn't matter that my freezer was empty because I enjoyed every day I spent in the wood's. I've taken many deer in the past ,but those new hunter's out there we can't expect them to do the same ,if the law doesn't stipulate it, then thier gonna take it ,and it is thier right. It's not for you and I to judge them for it because it's within the law .

Just one more thing ,there are lot's of hunter's out there that don't understand QDM and have never even heard of it ,In Ont it's very rarely mentioned ,it's not big like it is in the U.S. So as far as their concerned a buck is a buck. I agree that our Province needs to establish a program such as QDM and make all hunters aware of it and what it mean's to our deer herds.

nubo

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.

My answer to his original question is.....some guys will enter a contest, with the hope that a BIG one will walk by that they can win with, but thier main intention is just to shoot any buck, or one that makes them happy without necessarily being a winner. Guess they figure its like a raffle ticket, hit the number win money, kill a big buck win money. Some places give half to the winner, and split the rest among all other people who entered a deer. So that's my thoughts on the question that was asked.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

I agree with rybo we did get a little off topic here. And I also agree that someone would enter a big buck contest with the hope of having a big one stroll by, but in reality they are hunting for the first available buck.

No back to the QDM soap box...:D:D. I personaly agree that you need to let the little guys walk in order to grow big boys, but as already mentioned depending on where your hunting every spike and 4pt you pass can get shot by guy on the next ridge. I wish our state would put some QDM regs into place I think the results would be great. The point I was trying to get at in my original post is that every hunter has a different idea of what a trophy is, to me it may be a 100" buck, to you it may be a 150" buck, to someone else it may be a spike or a forkhorn. I dont think any hunter should feel he did something wrong if he shot a small/legal buck. Someone should be able to come on this site post their story and a pick and not be judged for it no matter what the bucks size. Like I said I think QDM is great, its just not a practical concept for every hunter depending on their situation. Sorry to take your thread off course wolfen68, and by all means nothing personal, just giving my 2 cents..;);)

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

Lets try to keep it down in here a little bit. We're all hunters and we need to respect the way other people hunt, even if it isn't the way we hunt. As long as it's legal and ethical, we should be supporting it, not tearing it down because we don't necessarily believe in it.

As for the original question - I think Lefty just hit it on the head. I've entered Big Buck contests before hoping that maybe I'll get lucky and win, but at the same time I wasn't holding out for a monster buck. It's kind of like looking for a wife. Sure, we'd all love to marry a supermodel with a big bankroll, but in reality we'll take the first one that we find who won't leave us during the hunting season. :D

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

No I don't think you do understand, Not ramming QDM down anyone's throat... That was the only reason for this post. You want to hide behind a statement like that, whatever. I don't know why anyone should have to explain why they shoot anything. Who made you little buck savior. Why do you care what someone shoots. That is the good thing about having a choice. These types of comments are what divides hunters. No different than the anti's and thier views.

Oh, but if they are young hunters then go ahead. I believe you have implied that before. That is the easy way out. If you had your choice we would all bowhunt monsters only. Stick a few does in the freezer and have a geat time. Wake up, never gonna happen.

One of the things I just love about this site, is our great support of each other. You don't shoot the right bow, too small of a deer, nice deer but how can you have a picture hanging in a shed with its tongue out. I don't understand it.

This post is just another example of the ignorance of some people to what hunting really is.

If you judge your hunts by the size of the antlers then you don't get it. Call yourself a hunter but you are truely missing out on what hunting is really about.

You can argue all you want about let the little ones pass and only shoot the big ones, that is your right but give the others thier rights too.

Judge your hunts your way and let them judge thiers thier way. Too each his own.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

Amen to that brother.........

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

Little buck savior...now I like that!!!:D Sometimes I feel more like the pied piper of little bucks when I'm in my stand and I blow a grunt call and the little buggers come running out from behind every tree. [8D] But as far as the way I "judge my hunts", it has absolutely nothing to do with the horns. Don't get me wrong the times I've killed nice bucks has been an amazing rush but let's think about it...I've been bowhunting for 14 years and killed 6 fair to great bucks. I've killed lots of does also. But if you think about how many flippin' trips I've made to the woods, how many hours I've logged in a tree, how many hours I've logged scouting all year round, how much work I've put into supplementary food plots...one begins to understand the personal investment of time, energy, and emotion that I have put into this passion. So if I only cared about the horns I think the return on investment is hugely lopsided. My point, if you haven't realized it already, is that I it's not about the horns. My hunts are judged on "what did I learn on that trip to the stand" and/or "yep, I was right, that is exactly where those deer are bedding, feeding, or transitioning." Gotta love this sport.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

I have a question,

What self respecting "big buck contest" would even allow "baby bucks" to be entered?? Whats the fun in entering a deer contest if the only other deer are dinks? That would be like a PGA golfer playing in a high school tournament. :)

I enter the 6 most popular deer contest in this area each year. I couldnt care less if I win or not, its just fun to enter and to go to the awards banquet. But most of the contest around here have about 36 catagories, so you have a chance of winning something if you get a nice animal. Although this year your going to need atleast a deer in the high 180's to even come close to placing in the nontypical catagories and a deer in the 170's for the tyical catagories.


Here are some of the websites of the deer contest that I enter, if you want to see some BIG bucks check it out. But our rifle season dosent even start until Nov. 6 so even I was surprised to see some of the bucks already taken this year.


www.loscazadores.com

www.texasgulfcoastdeercompetition.com

www.loscuernos.com

www.colablanca.com

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

What gets me is all this talk about game management. In MT the only game management practice we have is to shoot the little basket bucks to get the bad genetics out of the heard. And here you are all bashing shooting little bucks, when it does more good for the heard than anything. Shooting the little basket bucks allows the genes of the monsters to be spread throughout the entire heard. Wolfen68, you are from KS where there isn't a wild deer in the whole state. 95% of them are fenced in on a "game management ranch" if you want to hunt wild deer get out of the midwest/south and come to MT. I don't call that hunting when you plant food plots for deer and fence them in. Real hunting is done in the woods where you have to lay out your best guess of what you think the deer/elk are going to do on any particular morning/evening, the reason they are unpredictable is because they are wild. When you plant food plots you can be 99.9% sure they will walk the same trail morning and evening to eat the food you planted for them (not hunting, they are more like pets), but if you get a kick out of it great. You don't have the right to bash others that hunt wild deer.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

All QDM issues aside, I read and UNDERSTAND your specific question! If a guy KNOWS that he is gonna drop the string on the FIRST 40" buck that walks past his stand WHY in the world would he want to enter the BIG buck contest?? I believe everyone pretty much knows that THE "dumbest" and most easily killed deer in the ENTIRE herd is a yearling buck! Up the bar man, set some goals, hold out for atleast a 2 1/2 year old animal? PLEASE...... "kill a DOE so the herd won't grow" if it's just meat your after.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

I been doin this for 48 years now & the game is the same-the big buck killer knocks the little buck killer. I enjoy every part of Bowhunting & sometimes the man upstairs sends a little buck by that he says to take. Don't get me wrong-I have lived in big buck country all my life-Illinois & now Iowa. I have been spoiled & blessed. I practice QDM also but I never say anything about what someone else tags. We just haven't been in their shoes.
Heck, I have 2 antlerless bonus tags (1st time ever) & have passed on several already-just can't make myself take one since I haven't since 1980 or so. I know I should-QDM, right!!!! Enjoy your time in the woods & just take care of your little patch of Gods good Earth. If the other guy doesn't practice your way-well, thats AMERICA- "WE ALL" have that choice. Myself, I am hoping for nothing less than a 160 this year & for my son-I just hope he gets a crack at a decent Buck & my Daughter-I just hope she gets a Deer. Good luck in what ever you set your sights on.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

HYDE,

"Wolfen68, you are from KS where there isn't a wild deer in the whole state. 95% of them are fenced in on a "game management ranch" if you want to hunt wild deer get out of the midwest/south and come to MT. I don't call that hunting when you plant food plots for deer and fence them in."

Dude, WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!? Are you on crack? [:-][&:][:@]

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

Hyde...do you have CWD??? In all my years on this site I finally think I've just read the most inaccurate post ever! Is your last name Kerry? You, sir, are an idiot! Wait a second...hold on...this is a joke right? Can't be real...ok, you got me...who are you really? Don't "Hyde"...come out come out wherever you are.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

Why come to MT...we have all the big ones high fenced!!! That means you have none.:D

Give me a break!!!! I'm not aware of any place in my vicinity (IA) that is high fenced, but everything is a food plot. FYI...Food plots don't equal tame deer!

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

No, I think Hyde could be for real...I checked his profile and I think he actually exists and may lurk in the Montana area...which means it's official, he posted the most inaccurate, bogus, clueless, and ignorant post in the history of HuntingNet.com!!! Let me try and help Mr. Hyde...I hunt in the deep woods where deer disappear past 20 yards, no fences, no food plot (tried it...weeds took over but it makes no difference), no feeders, going after 110% wild deer where generally if you see a monster buck it's for the very first time and if you don't get him it will likely be the last. As far as fences in Kansas...as far as I know, they do not exist. Your knowledge of basket racks is frightenly wrong leading me to lend zero credibility to anything further you can offer....[:o]

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

I am gonna have to second wolfen on this one. There may be a high fence in Kansas but if there is I have never heard of it and well your "opinion" on shooting the baskets helping the herd well....................................that's so rediculous that I won't even bother to comment on it.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

Sounds like you hunt "management areas" to me. I have nothing against that , but dont try and make it sound like your going on public land and really hunting that big buck!;)

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

Some of you public land hunters crack me up :D

"If you dont kill your deer on an OTC unit that has 500 orange coats chasing deer from hill to hill then your not a real hunter and your shooting "pet/tame deer"........... I have two words for you guys SHUT UP

You guys might look down your nose at guys who hunt private land and or managed land, but down here its the exact opposite. Around here most of us get quite a laugh reading stories and pictures from ya'll.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

Silentassassin,

Have you ever heard of bad genetics ie a four + year old four point with a 10" spread and small tines, that is what I call a basket rack. It is good to eliminate those genetics from the heard. It allows the good genes from the larger bucks to be the dominate genes with-in a given heard and reduces the possibility of having small crab clawed bucks.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

Hyde your last post is correct, but earlier you made it sound as if all basket racked bucks should be killed. Down here we try and take as many cull/management bucks as we can each year. I have a friend who manages a 10,000 acre ranch along the Mexico border, this year they will be taking 80 cull bucks and 150-250 does off of the ranch. But bucks should only by culled if they are mature and have a poor set of antlers compared to the other bucks of similar age. Personally we consider anything that is 6 1/2 years old or older that scores 145" or less a cull buck and/or anything with 9 or less points regardless of score a cull buck.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

HYDE,

We ALL realize the importance of removing inferior genetics from the herd! However, based on some of your comments in the above posts about other related hunting topics I'm seriously doubting that you know what a "management" bucks looks like anyway? You're probably shooting yearling bucks!?!? And seriously, IF you actually have 4 1/2 year old bucks with 10 inch spreads,....... than you can have ALL the deer in MT. I don't evevn think those kind of deer don't exist here? As I've mentioned, I understand your point about "cull bucks" but try to think a little before posting. Thanks and good huntin' :)

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

Oh O.K. sparky! I cant argue with such a thought out response.

When you say "down here it's the exact opposite" , are you saying private/managed land hunters look down their nose at public land hunters? At least you have the balls to say it , because that seems to be the norm everywhere.

My problem is people telling other hunters what they should be proud of and what they shouldn't.
I dont recall anyone saying anything about pet/tame deer either , maybe they did and I just missed it , anyway heres how I look at it..If you have a trout pond full of trout and you only catch and release for years until they grow huge and then you catch that whopper and put it on your wall , the way I see it you just grew your trophy. I dont see any difference in managing hunting land for the strict purpose of producing huge bucks. If thats your thing then go for it and have fun but dont expect everyone to do your thing.
And for the record , I do hold more respect for the hunter that puts his time and effort in public/un-managed land and gets a 125" buck -vs- the hunter that harvests a 150" buck that he/she grew.

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

Bowfanatic:

Well right there is where we disagree. Personally I have more "respect" for the guy who shot the 150" then the guy who shot the 125". Why you ask?? Well because they guy who killed the 125" simply walked out on public land, did alittile scouting I'm sure, set up a blind, and probably killed the first decent buck that walked by. Whats the big deal??

The guy who killed the 150" probably put alot more time into hunting then the other guy. This hunter had the will power and restraint to hold off on smaller less mature bucks, and he took the time and money to "grow his buck" while the other guy simply found a buck that the other public land hunters over looked or missed.

Why should the public land hunter be held on a higher pedestal just because he killed an immature buck that some how avoided the orange army?? If anything its more luck then skill........

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

Your assuming the guy hunting public/non-managed land did alot less work than the guy who hunts private/managed land , why? You make it sound like public land hunters "do a little scouting" , walk out and plop down in their blind and just hope they get lucky. Say for the sake of arguement that the public land that this particular hunter is hunting holds very few and far between 125" bucks , but he scouts one , patterns him throughout the summer , sets up his stands in the correct spot , and then harvests his intended trophy. Through your eyes this hunter gets less respect than the hunter who hunts private/managed land and has spent the last decade growing trophy bucks and harvests a 150" buck?

Again , your using alot of "probably's" and assumptions.



I'm not asking for anyone else to put anyone "on a pedestal" , it's simply my opinion.

As for your "more luck than skill" comment , it just shows your arrogance and attitude towards public land hunters.
#1. There is no "orange army"during bow season. I am talking bowhunting here.
#2. Your making it sound like all public land hunting is elbow to elbow. Maybe there , but not here in our national forests. I've gone an entire season without seeing another hunter on more than one occasion.
#3. Assuming in my scenario the hunter was hunting crowded public land and had his sights set on a "leftover" 125" buck , how would his success be based on luck any more than the hunter who shoots his home grown 150"?

RE: Big Buck Contest...Baby Bucks
 

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.