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Be Proud of Your Harvest!
Rob's post about "after the shot" made me think of another topic that was hot last season...being proud of whatever animal you harvest. I can't remember how many times I remember seeing a post where someone stated "It is only a doe..." or "It was only a 4 point..." as if there was something wrong with harvesting a doe or a "small racked" buck. This shouldn't be the case. We should be proud of whatever we harvest and we should support and congratulate our fellow hunters whenever and whatever they manage to take this season.
Not all of us are fortunate enough to have the time, location or interest in harvesting a big buck. Is the "wash of emotions" any less for a beginning hunter who shoots his first doe? I think not. Or how about the hunter who is only looking to put some meat in the freezer? Each person comes from a different situation and a different set of priorities..not to mention skill level. Every deer, bear, etc.. that is harvested this year is a trophy. |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
I work very hard for every animal I harvest and feel that each is a "Trophy" in its own way. You'll never hear the words "It's just a " comming out of my mouth!
Good luck this year, hunt hard and hunt safe! |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
PABowhntr truer words were never spoken on this subject. I will confess that I called the buck I got last year a "DINK" 4 point, but I earned him! I put forth a lot of time and effort for him. It was my first year hunting in a whole new area and I had no time to preseason scout due to moving.
My biggest trophy I hope comes this year, my first bow kill!!! I do not care if it is a buck or a doe, it will be a trophy to me! I have killed my share of buck and doe with a gun, one really big 8 pointer, but a bow kill has eluded me for the first two full seasons of bow hunting I have done. Every kill is an accomplishment, I am sure many of you know people who have hunted for years and never made a kill, if you make a kill be proud, both of having outsmarted one of the smartest game animals in the US and for the meat on the table. A trophy lives in your mind and not on a wall. The Tazman aka Martin Price Founder and President of Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club  |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
Good post Frank.
To me any animal taken with bow and arrow is a trophy. If you are going to say "oh its only a doe or only a little 4 point" then let it walk and wait for something else that you will be pleased with.  |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
I say if you shoot a doe then good job, good for you. If you shoot an immature buck and it's your first then I say good job, good for you. If you shoot an immature buck and you've been hunting for 10+ years and immature bucks are mostly all you've ever shot then I say bad job, shame on you, raise your standards and if you claim you just want meat then shoot another doe! If you shoot a nice mature buck, then I say, nice trophy...congratulations!
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RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
If you take the time to practice, scout, pick your area, hunt, shoot, track, dress, (and a few other steps i am forgetting) then be proud of your harvest. Can't wait for all them pics to start being posted. It is just fun for me to see and hear about all the deer across the country being taken in areas I may never get to hunt.
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RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
wolfen, why do you say "raise your standards" to someone who has been hunting 10+ years and wants to shoot a small buck? Do they have to raise their standards to meet yours? Hell no! If they are going for a deer with antlers and that's what they shoot and they are proud of it, then I say congrats, you did what you set out to do. I personally try to set a level for myself that exceeds my previous accomplishments, but those are my standards nobody else's. IMO we shouldn't push our own standards on others, but support each other and congratulate each other on what we are fortunate enough to harvest.
BTW great post Frank. |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
Hey i could'nt agree more.I've taken my share of 90# Trophies.Sure everyone wants to have a monster shooter buck in his sights.I know guys that wont shoot a deer unless its 140+ class.To each his own.But dont look down on me because i shoot a spike buck or a 90 lb doe for meat.They should all be Trophies in our eyes!!
It's not how big the Deer,But the size of the experiance that matters!! |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
As has been said before "Any animal taken with a bow is a Trophy PLain and simple" We are handycapping ourselfs by hunting with the bow in the first place. We HAVE to get much closer than most gun hunters. Sometimes we are looking the animal eye to eye and the first to flinch loses. Most gun hunters don't even think about how close they can get.
And last but not least, the string gun dosn't have a great deal of knock-down power, so we must be good trackers as well as good shooters in addition to being good woodsmen and paying attention to a large number of details......... (I could go on but then I am preaching to the choir <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>) Even a rabbit or Squrriel is a trophy when taken with the bow! rant off! Greg "Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus."  Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope! |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
Huntingbry...congratulating someone for consistently shooting immature bucks is kinda like congratulating a guy for bringing home a fat ugly chick from the bar every weekend. There is little challenge in it, they are gullable, they are everywhere, and they come running when you call them in.<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Edited by - wolfen68 on 09/04/2002 12:05:54 |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
I agree with Aussie-guy. If it's "only a doe" or "only a small buck", then let it go.
We each have our own definition of a trophy. If my goal is to kill a doe and I do, then goal accomplished. For me though, it wouldn't be a trophy. I've shot many of them and the sense of accomplishment is not all that great for me. It's not what I'm primarily looking for. With bucks, I'm looking for 2.5 yr or older ones. I just don't like shooting the little ones, but that's me. To each, his own. |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
Even though your last post was funny, Wolfen68, I'd still reserve judgement on those guys. The reason is that if you're stuck on public land, you almost have to take what God offers you, because you might not get another chance. I may change my opinion after I reach the "trophy hunter" plateau, but for right now, I can't imagine letting my freezer go empty because I'm looking for something better. I think what I'd do is fill the freezer first, then trophy hunt. (Maybe)
<font color=orange>Go #20!</font id=orange> |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
Hey man, no need to be busting on fat chicks here<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
I will congratulate anyone on a bow kill as long as they themselves are proud of it. Don't shoot what you aren't proud of. If you shoot something just to say you did, then that really isn't right. But if you shoot a small buck and it truly means something to you then no one can question why you shot it, they may not understand, but they shouldn't bust on you for it. Some things are true whether you believe them or not. |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
I had an awesome year last year, so this year I am passing up small bucks and will shoot does instead. The only problem with this is, it seems like I see all kinds of does, until I decide I want to shoot one.
Hunting is a right, treat it like a priviledge - respect nature |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
Everyones definition of a trophy differs. I know Wolfen passes on 120 class animals, I'm yet to see one while bowhunting and would never pass on a 120 class animal. Hopefully with our AR, and our own restrictions I should see more and more and perhaps then I'll raise my standards even more but until then. I think this is what happens on public land. Some are satisfied with a 4pt because the next guy will shoot it anyway, however we educate everyone, that might not be the case. I understand the dilemna on public land and I would never condemn anyone for shooting a smaller buck, especially first ones with a bow and new to the sport but if you want larger bucks, you must pass the smaller ones especially with a sole buck tag. So in a way, Wolfen has a point.
I agree that all deer taken with a bow is a trophy, period. I also think that taking mature doe is harder than taking 1.5 year old bucks. I think it's a great idea to raise one's standards each year. Success and satisfaction doesn't mean you have to take a animal home every trip or every year. I personally pass up to 10 bucks sometimes many more each year. These bucks are 1.5 year olds. I know this is my area, not public land but....I'd never shoot an older one tagging a young one. But I digress off the topic at hand. If you shoot it, you should be proud of it and say so. I may even take a young buck this year, with the lack of time etc...but you can bet it will be the last week if I do. If I choose to, that is my choice and I'll be proud as a peacock because I took it with a bow and you'll see the pic and I'll be smiling.! <font color=blue>Good Luck and Good Shooting</font id=blue> <font color=red>Rob</font id=red> |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
wimp, well put.
wolfen, LMAO.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> My point is just what wimp was saying. If a hunter is proud of what he/she shoots, I feel they deserve congratulations. I they shoot something just because they feel the need to kill and then regret it, they need to learn some self control to avoid the regret. Very funny post. Rob, I agree that to get bigger bucks you must let the little guys go, but if a hunter isn't after bigger bucks and he is happy and proud to shoot a small buck, good for him. I can't condemn him because I want that buck to grow up so I can shoot it. That's all I'm saying. Good luck to all this year, and I hope we all get what we are after. Edited by - huntingbry on 09/04/2002 14:41:35 |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
 Yep...it's the Halloween buck!!!!! (taken Nov.1....close enough for me). I couldn't agree more PA. I am as proud of this buck as I could be of any. They are all trophies to me. Another hot topic form last year....I got my Cardeer neclace and I'm ready to try it out. Thanks cardeer....it will be carried with me on every hunt and I'll value it as long as I'm able to hunt (and even after). Visit my hunting homepage.... http://www.geocities.com/hogshooter_2000 |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
Good topic, I think every deer harvested is a trophy especially with a bow, I know mine are. The first deer I harvested with a bow was just a lil ole doe, but I was the happiest man on earth. Meathunter awesome buck cant say to much on the hat tho'....lol.
# 24 rules |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
please dont get me wrong harvesting a deer any deer is great and wonderful and shouldnt be taken for granted. But for me being out in the woods and seeing nature all around me is a most wonderful thing. Taking that doe or buck at 10 yards while your heart is pumping almost loud enough for the guy in the next county to hear and letting that arrow fly. Damn I still have to wait 4 weeks . Im not sure I can wait that long. My hearts pumping as im writing this. Have fun and good luck to everyone.
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RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
Awwww c'mon smoky. You KNOW you really want to wear the snowman!!!!!
Go Dale Jr.!!!!! PS... forgot to mention. I've been bowhunting for about 22 years and this is my first racked buck. I am what my handle implies....a meathunter. If it's brown, it's down. And I have taken exactly 3 bucks...2 spikes and the 8. I've killed countless does. I honestly don't know how many..... a lot. I just don't wait on a buck. I shoot the first deer I see, although I try to shoot adult does and not fawns. Visit my hunting homepage.... http://www.geocities.com/hogshooter_2000 |
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RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
Amen to that PA! I cherish the memories of every deer I've killed, from the old lookout does, to the bouncey button bucks, to the gray-faced, lust driven old fellas. I hunt for the thrill of the pursuit, for the love of the challenge, to experience the fascination and reverance of nature and animals, and for the raw sense of invigoration...to feel "alive". I do NOT hunt to "harvest" anything like Bubba-Buckmaster, to be some kind of one-man "deer management" tool, or to gleen a feeling of "success" through some notion of antler size.
If I get within range of a big antlered buck, that's great. But if I manage to get within range of a doe or small buck, I'll do my best to arc an arrow through it...and to carry remembrance of that adventure with me for all time. Shot opportunities alone are cherished. I've hunted alot during each of our 6-week archery seasons over the last 15 years and have killed a dozen does and four bucks. Deer aren't running rampant where I hunt and being "selective" would serve little else than to reduce the opportunities of putting my skills to the test. I don't hold anyone in a lower light who chooses to shoot small deer over large ones any more than I snub rifle hunters or compound bow hunters for using high tech equipment over the meticulously crafted handmade wooden bows and arrows I that I so love. By the way, I shot this "scrubby racked" 8-point buck last season as it interupted my final approach stalk on a doe. A trophy? ...For me, you bet!  |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
Good topic Pa bowhunter they are all gods gift
to us and when we harvest game no matter what it is deer,varmit,etc.they should have our very deepest respect and appreciation for reward of the hunt! |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
I totally agree beginners will get down because of the big antler race, and that makes them not want to hunt every deer is a challenge some way or another, but im not syaign everybody should go out and shoot a four pointer every tag every year, im just saying its not the end of the world i wish i had the courage to shoot a doe, more power to the doe hunters!
"She said if I hit that fishin hole today, she's be packin all her things and she'd, be gone by noon....I'm gonna miss her, when I get home." |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
Great post Frank, I remember when last year I got my first buck and was the largest buck I have ever taken and It was with a bow of all things. He was a great little 8 pointer and I have him on the wall and look at him everyday. I am so proud of that deer words can't say. BUt I agree any deer taken legally is a trophy.
Brian |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
If you claim to be a true meat hunter then you already know that taking younger animals can mean (and almost always does mean) better tasting venison. I enjoy ALL aspects of hunting, and especially enjoy the care and treatment/preparation of the kill. My preference is to shoot 3-4 yr old BIG does from agricultural areas for the first deer in the freezer. If I am successful at that goal I can relax and be picky looking for some horns. But I've killed, butchered, and prepared enough venison to know that the big, burly, mature bucks taste nothing like a 1 1/2 yr old deer. I've been cooking a long time and I'm quite good at it. Have been doing most of the cooking in my home for the past 20 years and am often complemented on the food I prepare. Folks rarely turn down a dinner invitation at my house, and if they have to turn it down, they always sigh and complain about their other commitments, Doesn't happen much.
I have quite a few racks in the garage and basement, but have only paid to have one mount done. None of the racks in my basement, garage or on my wall have any flavor what so ever. Some of the flesh was ok, but the horns never made it to the pan/broiler/grill/stew-pot etc. The one deer that now graces my wall was field dressed immediately, kept cool, and aged for about 10 days. Still tasted like cedars and moss. Point is, every deer you take can be a fine animal. Taking mature bucks or immature does and anything in between can only be measured in terms of the deer population in the given area. |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
its unfortunate you think this way wolfen! That book fever has taken over your brain!
I have harvested a fair amount of game, From Dall sheep to whitetails with my recurves and longbows now. But I tell ya, last year when mr 4pt strolled by and I called him to 5 steps, my arrow cut the top half of his heart, and my paps and I trailed him 40 yards into the woods, I never would have thought to regret it! Not one bit... If you want the state to worry about antler size, then submit a proposal to change your laws. But dont tell me not to shoot a spike moose if the opportunity presents itself! I think most meat hunters are also trophy hunters. That said, I dont know one meat hunter that wouldnt pass on a big ole whitie or moose if the opportunity presented itself! We all gang knowledge and self gratification in the years we are able to spend afield and the experiences we encounter along the way. For some its that big ole burly 12 pointer with a drop tine on each side. For someone else, its shoot that nice fat doe. But to bash someone for harvesting a legal deer....shame on you! If you want them big, then farm them big, but dont tell me or the rest of use how to harvest our crops! enuf said. http://www.geocities.com/tradbow007/...dventures.html |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
Gee , everything I ever have taken is and always be a trophy to me.what someone else thinks I really dont care.Its my trophy not theirs. MY best trophy in the past 55 years has been My wife.I just cant get her to sit on the wall
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RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Some of the flesh was ok, but the horns never made it to the pan/broiler/grill/stew-pot etc. <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>
Funny how that works. None of my deer meat have ever made it to my wall either!<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle> Every animal I've ever taken while hunting has left me a vivid memory that will stay with me as long as I live. All have been extremely enjoyable experiences, but I've definitely received different levels of satisfaction when considering the actual animal taken. My first deer was a trophy in the sense that it keeps an important memory alive. Same with my first buck. However, my expectations have risen as time has gone on. The more I've accomplished, the more I want to accomplish. At this point in time, a trophy has to be a mature buck. That is what I want, and I am somewhat disappointed if I don't accomplish it. I understand that many people have a lower expectation and are thrilled with anything. Nothing wrong there, just that for me, shooting a 1.5 yr buck is a very easy thing to do in my hunting area and it gives me no big thrill. I still enjoy every minute while hunting, and I love venison as much as the next person, but meat and trophies are two totally different things. When I shoot a doe, it's for meat, althought I can definitely envision mounting one, if I had the extra space for lots of mounts. When I'm looking for a trophy, it's not to put meat in the freezer, although the meat is certainly a nice side benefit. Not everyone has the same goals. I shoot does for meat and I hunt for the thrill of taking a mature buck. Displaying large antlers is satisfying for me. So remember, you don't eat your antlers, and I don't hang meat on my wall (or tiny four pointers). |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
AMEN TO THAT.
IF MONEY CAN'T BUY YOU HAPPINESS, YOUR SHOPPING AT THE WRONG STORE. |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
If it's a trophy to you , it's all that matters!
Meathunter and AK , those are both very nice photos! I especially like the idea of the pumpkin to cover the field dressed deer. And as for your hat meathunter , YOU DA MAN!!! Go Dale jr!  "Nocked,cocked & ready to rock" |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
Bump
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RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
Lilhunter..."book fever?" I've gotten plenty of qualifiers for "the book" but have yet to enter a single one. As far as my worrying about my state passing legislation to promote my way of thinking, well...I have already voiced my opinions to my respective representatives but the herd in my state is in good shape and remarkabley most hunters I know and come across here already let the little babies go.
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RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
Huntingbry, true, but.....let me put it this way. IF two bucks walked up to anyone on this board and I mean anyone.......one of the two is a small 6 pt. and the other is a 125 class animal. Both are in range, perfect shots....NO ONE, will shoot the 6pt and if they say different, their not being honest.
Thus proving that everyone wants a bigger buck, not everyone will hold out long enough to shoot one. AND the point of this topic, be proud of it regardless, if your not proud of it, don't shoot it. If someone shoots a small buck and say's it's only a X point, then why in the hell did you shoot it...but if someone shoots this same animal and is proud as a peacock of it...kudos! <font color=blue>Good Luck and Good Shooting</font id=blue> <font color=red>Rob</font id=red> |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
ALWAYS be proud of what you kill and thank the Good Lord for giving you the opportunity and ability to harvest such an animal.
Hunt the thickets |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Some of you gloat over killing a "dink" simply because you don't have the disicipline to let it WALK....REAL MEN let DINKS WALK <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote> -And my opinion is that some the "big rack" hunters keep complaining because you don't want to continue to work and do what it takes to kill a mature deer on a regular basis, so you would rather everyone else compromise their standards to make yours easier to reach. <BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> If you shoot an immature buck and you've been hunting for 10+ years and immature bucks are mostly all you've ever shot then I say bad job, shame on you, raise your standards <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote> -Those two quotes definitely rank in the top ten of the most ridiculous quotes i've ever read on this forum. <BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>YOU try going three years without killing a buck.....I have NO braggin rights.....no racks to show off... <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote> -Hang on, I need a tissue to wipe the tears from my eyes. <BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> ..only the PRIDE that I am doing something for MY sport of deer hunting and ensuring that for my part that my grandchildren may actually get to hunt a mature buck someday. <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote> -The last time I checked it was called DEER hunting, not MATURE BUCK hunting. I think you better be more worried about whether or not your grandchildren will even be able to hunt, not whether or not they will be able to hunt big racks. If only "REAL MEN" let dinks walk, then only about 10 percent of the hunting population fit your definition of hunting. -Man who fight with wife all day get no piece at night- |
RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
Rob, that is exactly what I was saying. I'm not trying to encourage everyone to go out and whack a 1.5 year old buck because it's the first thing to stumble by. On the other hand, if shooting that buck will put a big smile on your face and you will be proud of it then go for it. Would anyone pass on a monster buck given the opportunity to shoot one? Not likely. Wolfen's standards are different than mine and mine are different than the next guy. I'm just saying I have no right to try to tell Wolfen or the next guy that their standards are wrong because they are different than mine. Some guys here have been saying just that and they are wrong, IMO. I am a big proponent of QDM and shooting a young buck won't help that. As long as it is legal and they are proud to take it, I can't fault another hunter for doing that. Now if a guy goes out 10 years in a row and shoots a buck 10 years in a row and all he has to show are 10 basket rack 4s and 6s from 1.5 year old deer that I don't agree with. I may not agree with it, but if he is proud of it, that's his decision.
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RE: Be Proud of Your Harvest!
I am truely proud of all the deer i shoot. I work hard for all me deer. Im only 15 and am happy about all my deer regardless of the size.
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