Sorry rybohunter if I misunderstood you. I like the way you worded it this time. "Suggesting" to him rather than "calling him on it". I've just gotten a little sensitive over the past few years regarding the its my way or your wrong type of attitude that seems to be more and more pervasive among hunters. Especially QDM and AR advocates. I would even defend the guy that "only shoots it to say he got one". Getting a bigger one simply might not be a priority for him. Although its not my style we ALL hunt for our own self satisfaction and however we derive that satisfaction is allright with me providing it is legal. I doubt anybody can make a legitamate argument that they hunt because it is necessary anymore. Anyway, we all have slightly different values when it comes to hunting and those values change over the years. Who is to say what they should be at any point in a hunters life other than that individual himself?

atlasman wrote: That is the best comment I think I've ever seen regarding QDM. Thank you atlasman. I'll be using that! Here in NY the antler restriction debate is heating up and it applies well there too!

I have been following this thread along for a couple days now.
Most everyone knows where I stand on this issue as well but here I go anyways......

I hunt for mature bucks regardless of antler size... to a point. If a mature spike buck (however very unlikely) came in range I will be honest, I would let it pass.

I pass a couple dozen young bucks every year. Does that make me better than "meat hunters"......not at all. It's just what I want to do, it is what i enjoy. I would go without filling my buck tag before shooting an immature buck.

I don't agree with atlas's argument about hunting on his "battlefields" or his post picking antics. There are many mature bucks taken in ny EVERY single year. There are also MILLIONS of acres of land in NY. If someone don't want to hunt for mature bucks thats fine with me, but don't blame it on your hunting grounds especially when there are millions of acres of possibilities if you go do some door knocking and footwork.

As I said, I have no problem with "meat hunters". We are all in this together.

But it is their views being crammed down someone elses throat..........what would a "trophy" hunter say to a guy that suggested to him that he shoot the first deer he saw??........same response, only in reverse........and again it's the way the message is delivered that is usually the problem.

As far as a couple does being "plenty" of meat...........it isn't for me. I have at least 15 people that eat venison regularly in my entire family (4 kids) and we all share the meat equally........there is no "my deer" or "his meat" stuff. You run out you take some more and when it is gone it is gone. My oldest brother is on the skids right now........he hasn't killed a a deer of any kind in 2 years.......I've killed 8 in the last 3 years. Did I hoard all that meat for only me and my wife?....................of course not. It all goes very fast and the seasons in NY are short. If we only take 1 or 2 deer among my family members we will be out of meat before Christmas.

Meat is not the only reason I hunt but it sure is a big reason why I hunt.........and meat all looks the same in the freezer.

buckeyebuckhntr ,
I think I basically agree with your position but this statement makes the assumption that the "big rack" is a priority for everybody. That it should be worth it to somebody to hunt somewhere else to increase there chance of a big buck. I'm sure that's not what you meant.

It is also very amusing to watch as guys try to tell you that the reason they want QDM is because of the increased "challenge" of killing bigger,older bucks.........well the reason why they are harder to hunt is because there only a few of them out there in most areas...............the entire philosophy of QDM is to fill the woods with bucks like these right?? So that will make taking a larger racked buck easier.........not harder.

Anyone who REALLY enjoys the "challenge" of taking a mature buck in reality should be encouraging everyone to shoot EVERY small buck they see.........that way it would be so hard to find an old buck.......now that is a "challenge"

It's harder to kill a mature buck right now then it will be if everyone follows QDM.........please guys.....you should really challenge yourselves as hunters to be the best you can be and NOT take the easier way to a larger rack..................if you really want that big racked deer then get out there and earn it........don't have it handed to you on a silver platter by QDM.

My sentiments exactly...

Atlas I know you like to argue so regardless of anything anyone says you'll find a way to state the opposite or twist to mean something never intended.
I never said a couple does is enough for everyone, heck its only me and my girlfriend here and two deer would get us no where. I don't care that you group shoots tons of deer to feed tons of people, that's cool, but it isn't part of the arguement here.

There is a difference between looking for a challenge and pulling off the impossible. Voluntary QDM across a broad range of hunting areas is hardly handing people big bucks on a platter. It can turn what seemed like an effort into futility into something someone can try for if they work hard enough. Never will it turn into a strictly managed "farming" ranch where you are taking your pick of monster bucks. So please, the arguement that getting a few people to pass on smaller bucks will create a mature buck filled woods for us greedy trophy hunters is laughable.

rybohunter,
I think he was exagerating to make a point and the point is a valid one. The purpose of QDM, AR , PBS whatever is to make it easier not harder to kill a big rack. The point is don't look to others to help you, meet the challenge yourself and go out there and get one.

I just took this quote to mean that a couple does should be plenty of meat for anyone. I was just trying to get across that some people need more meat then others no matter what is on it's head.


But statewide restrictions is not voluntary............at least you are willing to admit that QDM makes tagging a larger buck easier instead of harder.