Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

I'm sure alot of you older hunters remember what it was like years ago when you had to win a lottery to get a doe tag? Back when we were trying to grow our deer herds.
Lets say your deer herd goes full circle. You have an abundance of doe kills along with winter kills or whatever reason and your back to square one leaving doe tags few and far between.

Your only issued one buck tag , if you fail to get a crack at a mature (trophy) buck is your freezer staying empty for the year? Or will you settle for a 1.5 year old buck to fill your freezer?

Please answer honestly!

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

id settle and eat good. But if I had already bagged a few earlier in the yr. I would let him walk.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

My freezer would go empty.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

A yearling buck or no deer meat??? I guess I wouldn't lose any sleep if I didn't have venison for a year. :)

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

my opinion is .you guys should consider yourselves lucky to be able to take a buck
here in the lovely state of New Jersey the stae makes us take a doe first every season.....
fall bow, extended bow and winter bow and oh yea muzzel loader season.
the only time w can shoot a buck is during the 6 day fiream season.
oh and one more thing.we are only allowed to harvest 1 buck per season again unless its the 6 day fire arm then we can get 2.
now for the lousy part....for 4 years in a row now i had a beautifull buck w/in bow range and i could not take him becaus i did not have my doe yet for that season........i think,i;'m not 100% sure, Nj is the only state that makes hunters take a does first be allowing us o take a buck.....well i really shouldnt say doe .there terminology is "anterless" a doe or a spike under 3 inches of antler.
so to answer you question if it came to meat on the table......i'd shoot whatever came along if my freezer was empty........if i had a deer in there like i do right now(a doe)....i would pass em up

otto

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

Nope, because with all the other tags that I get annually, I will have meat in the freezer, it might not be whitetail, but there will be meat. This year, so happens that my freezer is full of moose, so it would have taken a heck of a whitetail to get me to pull the trigger.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

If I had NO doe tags and only a buck tag, sorry to say but he's getting drilled regardless of size. I don't ever see myself in that position where i hunt though.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

For the majority of the season he would prolly be safe. But if the season is winding down to the last couple days and i get a good shot at a 1.5yr old buck, he is done for.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

I would have to agree with PA Trophy Man. If it was the last week of season I would probably be tempted to take a shot.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

Filling the freezer is #1 with me, Don't know how I would do it if we went full circle but I'd find a way.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

That's a hard choice, but I would let him walk.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

A year and a half? meaning he survived his first winter and now has a good chance to become a trophy, thats if he doesn`t become freezer meat of coarse:D. I`d let him pass.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

Thanks for the replies guys!
I believe it's a good indication of who truly loves the taste of venison and who hunts for antlers or just a challenge.
Please keep em coming. There's a second chapter to this thread coming later.;)

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

That's atough question , the last couple of season's I've hunted for a mature buck only .I live in Ont and when you buy your tag ,you automatically get a buck tag and then you put into the draw or lottery for a antlerless tag this give you the opportunity to choose what you would like to take because with this tag you are able to use it on either buck or doe. This season we were able to get 2 tag's and I got a doe tag and a buck tag .I took my doe during the rifle hunt and am now hunting for my trophy buck .This season I've had so many doe's and fawn's under my stand after I had already taken my doe , so I wasn't able to fill an archery tag as of yet .I still have till the end of Dec to fill my buck tag .I never put into the draw for the antlerless tag because I just want to hunt buck's only .The last 3 season's my freezer has been empty because of this ,but now that we're able to get 2 tag's my freezer will never be empty again.

So I guess to answer you question ,I guess I'd have to go under the trophy hunter class ,but now that the tag's have changed I'll be going freezer first class.



nubo

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

no deer, or venison jerky... duh! I'd take it.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

I'd let him walk for sure!!! I have plenty of other meat in the freezer!

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

I would shoot the first legal deer I saw..........I wouldn't care if it was a 6 month old 3" unicorn.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

Fill the freezer .

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

A side from bow hunting that's pretty much how it is in Maine (doe lottery) and in New Hampshire (1-2 days early season when you can shoot either or. After that it's bucks only).

If was unable to get a shot at a mature animal (Or one that meets my standards aprox 120") I'd go meat less.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

I believe this is a poor way to determine who likes to eat venison more than another or why they hunt.

Looking forward to it[8D]

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

On the contrary! It shows who truly loves the meat. Per the other thread where someone thought that the term "meat hunter" was a cop out.;)

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

I agree "meat hunter" is a cop out in some instances. Confed's post was right on IMO.

I also think some people kill something just to say they did I know a couple and they call themselves "meat hunters". Although they aren't hunting for meat.

I enjoy wild turkey meat but I don't hunt them. Do I have intentions to every year? Yes, I do but I don't end up going after its said and done. I am to busy with 3-D.

Now are you telling me the turkey "meat hunter" likes the meat more than me?

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

Yes! It's called desire.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

How can you tell he or she likes the meat more than I?

Desire has nothing to do with who likes turkey meat better.

I want to be the best 3-D shooter I can be. I want to be as proficient with my bow as I can be. I practice hard and often, year around. That is what I call desire.

Not a turkey "meat hunter" shooting the first baby hen / jake that comes by.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

Bowfanatic - you have described what I go thru every year. We have a doe season but it only lasts through the rut. Hard for me to shoot a doe in rut or early season when some of the yearlings still have spots. I hunt my own property but it only about 300acres. Neighbors do a good job on thinning down some of the does. I hunt horns until the first of December. So far this year I have passed opportunities on three different 2.5-3.5yr old deer that would have probably scored in low to mid 120's waiting for a 140+ which our area produces it share of.
Now the rut is over and deer movement curtailed and fewer hunting opportunities between now and the end of season (Jan 2). I will shoot the first legal buck that I am able to and call the season over. I saw lots and lots of 1.5 yr old bucks and hope that i get a shot at one of them instead of the older deer since they have best chance of being next year's wallhanger.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

The only way to get a wall hanger is to pass on some younger deer, especially on public land.....That being said, if it's getting to the end of the season and no meat in the freezer.....the 1 1/2 year old will do just fine.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

Because they make the time to go!

How can you say that and then say this in the next sentence....
The hunter who makes time to go harvest a turkey because he/she absolutely loves wild turkey meat doesn't fall under the same "desire" category as your "desire" to shoot 3d instead?:eek:

Who said anything about the turkey hunter "shooting the first baby hen/jake that comes by"? [&:]

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

According to you this is what "meat hunters" do. Shoot the first one by so they do not go without.

So you said it:eek:

This is a pointless discussion. I like to eat wild turkey meat just as much or more than the next guy. Just because one makes time to shoot a turkey doesn't mean they like the meat any more than I.

Lets get on to part II[8D]

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

Umm where did I say that "meat hunters shoot the first one by"?[&:]

I'm trying my hardest here to paint a picture of understanding for those who cant understand why anyone would shoot a young buck for meat. I never said anything about "first one by" , although there are those who choose to do just that. But what you refuse to accept is that perhaps their desire for meat is just as important as your desire for big antlers. It's quite obvious your desire for big antlers is much bigger than your desire for meat. In fact if you truly had a desire for meat you would have settled on a young buck if need be by the end of season in your first reply.

I'm not saying that those who desire big antlers more than meat are bad in any way! We all have different desires.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

You act like I am going without over here I have been eating pretty good over the years[8D]

I will buy beef before I shoot an immature animal buck or doe. Thats all I am saying.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

O.K. I was refering to the love of venison. It has a distinct taste that differs from beef or anything else.

Anyhooo , lets move on.

Question part #2
Lets say your state DNR (because of drastic doe harvest for a few years) says that your buck to doe ratio is out of whack only now there's too many bucks.
Will you harvest young bucks to get the ratio in check?

Meat hunters need not reply to question #2:D

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

I would (attempt to) harvest a mature buck just the same. I have no reason to shoot immature deer.

If you or anyone else wants to shoot yearlings by all means have at it. I will continue to do what I do, as you continue to do what you do.

One buck down is one buck down........ Right, so what is the difference?????

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

I'm not too worried about that happening. Most people shoot whatever they see any way! Actually thats sounds like a pretty cool problem to have!!!

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

I'll wait for a few more replies before discussion.

Anyone else?

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

Lets kick it up a notch.

Your issued several buck tags. Are you still holding out for only mature bucks?

Remember , the buck to doe ratio is out of whack.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

Without a doubt. With such a high population and so many bucks running around there would also be a higher portion of mature bucks to go along with all the yearlings.

There would also more than likely be expanded bowhunting options to get the herd back in check. More time and more chances to take mature animals. No need to slaughter the the young naive immature deer. IMO the yearling buck is the easiest deer in the woods to shoot.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

What about "Quality Deer Management"?
The herd is out of whack. The best way to bring the ratio back to a "healthy" level is to remove as many bucks as you can. And quick. I here the arguement for QDM when discussing doe harvests , but now in this scenario your not willing to remove a 1.5 year old buck?

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

In "QDM" you don't shoot immature does either. So your "QDM" eradicate all the yearlings bucks argument holds no merit. Your skewing QDM's principal of shooting only mature deer by saying shoot the little ones.

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

Pardon me?[:o] Your saying with QDM you dont shoot 1.5 year old or older doe?

RE: Meat/Trophy Since we're on the subject..
 

A 1 1/2 year old doe is yearling. By far not a mature deer.

You can not argue that.

BTW whats up with the sneak attack status hidden posting??