RE: hunting becoming a competition
 

I don't worry about what other folks say because I'm usually not even of the same mindset. I would rather shoot a young doe or buck since the meat is much more tender and tastier. Whenever one of my trophy hunter friends shows up with a huge, rut-swollen buck, I congratulate them, but at the same time I'm thinking that most of that meat is going to end up thrown in the trash the following year.

RE: hunting becoming a competition
 

I've shot quite a few bucks like this and have never had to throw any of the meat away. Of course they were all corn and bean fed bucks, much like a steer.;)

RE: hunting becoming a competition
 

Greg,

In my experience, a lot of folks love to shoot deer and hang the racks on their wall, but aren't that enthusiastic about eating it. They might do some backstrap off a young one from time to time. But, anything leaning toward the tough and gamey often goes to waste.

RE: hunting becoming a competition
 

Im 15 and hunt with my dad and his buddy on a piece of land they lease. They dont tell me what i need to shoot, but they do tell me what i cant shoot. What really ticks me off is needing to know a deer's age before you can shoot it. I cant tell how old a deer is by looking at it and you dont always have lots of time to score him before its even dead. my dad said the deer need to be 3 1/2 years or older before we can shoot them and he doesnt want to kill the does just cause he doesnt see many and on the cameras we get lots of doe pics. They said if a shoot a young deer there i probably wont be able to hunt there next year but this year i might kill a young buck. It is just as rewarding to me as killing a big buck. As far as competition, ill enter a deer contest every year if its cheap because i could kill a huge buck, but i dont spend all season looking for a certain buck. thats no fun.

RE: hunting becoming a competition
 

There is some truth to what you say, I too have some friends who are more interested in the hunt and the horns than eating the meat. One of them is one of the most sucessful big buck hunters that I know. He usually gives the meat away. He's taken over 2 dozen P & Ys. Me on the other hand, I just love venison. My GF, son and I have been living on venison for over 18 years. In order of importance,to have tasty venison, 1) where did you shoot it. (no gut or stomach shots). 2) how clean did you field dress it. 3) no band sawing through the bones. and 5) Do Not over cook it. Another thing about big bucks is that they're great for getting your staples such as burger and sausage. As far as tender and tasty goes, I think that the 1 1/2 year old doe is the way to go.

RE: hunting becoming a competition
 

I'm not sure if I can go along with this. You are only 15. Have you ever killed a big buck? If not, how would you know if it was just as rewarding? I've killed 37 bucks, big and small, they're all rewarding, however, the biggest ones have caused my body to do some involuntary shaking. Both before and after the shot. It is a known fact that bigger horns causes bigger excitement. I've got nothing against big buck contests but I've never entered one. I've shot a few that I know would have won, but I just haven't entered one. Maybe superstitious, if I enter one, that wil be the season that I won't even see one. One last thing, spending the entire season chasing one big buck is about the most fun that I could possibly have.

RE: hunting becoming a competition
 

I think this is just part of the learning process. He is coming from a stand point of being 15 and being just as grateful to shoot a smaller buck than a bigger one. Greg your coming from an experienced standpoint of knowing the benefits of letting the younger ones go and chasing that bigger one and how that affects deer management. I think its just the difference in age and experience. I'm 32 and that little fork I got last year was the first deer with antlers I've seen in 4 years of hunting on my friends land. I was so excited to see it and than get it with a bow. Would I do that again this year...I would hope not. I want to let them walk and grow up now that I've taken my first. I didn't even understand or know very much about deer management last year. I've learned a lot since. I think this young guy will be fine. May be frustrating now to wait for a bigbuck and not get a doe but you are learning patients and how to respect deer and the land owners wishes. The values your learning are even more important than the deer you take. I wish I had someone to take me hunting and teach me that when I was 15. When you get that 3.5 year old show us a pic and we'll rejoice with you![&:]

RE: hunting becoming a competition
 

fun2hunt, you are absolutely right. Just trying to show the young man that there two sides to every story.;)

RE: hunting becoming a competition
 

Do what you want, on what your friends think. When they start paying your bills they can have a say in your life.
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RE: hunting becoming a competition
 

This part of the post shows cause for concern. It sounds to me like his dad and his dads buddy have a lease with rules. IMO, it is better to not hunt the land with rules, rather than shooting a buck under the rules limits. If nothing more then just out of respect for his dad. Why embaress dad? Dad should be told that son wants to shoot deer... no rules. Nothing wrong with that. Maybe go to public land or look for more spots. I think it is better to not knowingly violate the rules.