i was looking at rodburner72's mount and it got me thinking

if you shot a world class deer something near the world record for you first deer would you still be able to kill smaller bucks or would you become a meat hunter

My second deer was a good buck,, nothing like rodburners, but a solid 140 class buck, I took when I was 15. I have killed many bucks smaller than that one since,, Ive only taken one other that big, and now 18 years later, my standards have moved back up to that, I wont shoot a buck now smaller than that one, but it took me a long time and many bucks to get to that point, where I hunt you dont get to see that many that big,, maybe one a year.

My dad shot a 184" and jokes and says he can't shoot a buck smaller than 184 now....

If you had a lot of land you managed, I think that would be a good philosophy, eventually your bucks would just keep getting bigger. Though I think alot of times bucks are bigger than they appear...esp big bucks....you may see a 160 so you think and its really a 180.

Haven't you ever seen bucks on a display and guessed and been way off? like way over, or way under...

If I shot a 210" typical ya it would be hard to wait for something bigger, though I'd still look for big boys 180" + or big non typicals etc...

I'd still be a trophy hunter. Could always quit....but why, I want more big boys on the wall. Some guys are impressed by 20 135" class bucks on a wall, to me 3-5 160"+ is a more impressive stat.

I can't imagine that I'd quit hunting just because I killed a monster, once.

But I REALLY can't imagine having the philosopy of '180 or bust.'

One guy's definition of a shooter will surely change over the years, But I can't see one deer having that much of an overall impact. Other than maybe the first big'un.


odd question..

i have hunted for 4 year skiped one year
this will be the 5th i have said the last three years 8 piont or no shooting i did take a shot on a 4 point and missed did it for meat this year i will drop any doe bigger then a big dog bucks better be 6 points or better now come end of season if the freezer is empty i will go for a smaller buck to get some meat if i have to


be it a spike doe or 180 class deer i will mount my first deer

yeah anything around the 120's for me becomes decoration.

to each his own. every deer Ive ever taken is a trophy in my eyes.

I've killed a lot of deer, a few very nice ones, and I've passed a lot of deer. Now I shoot a smaller buck or doe if I want to, no set pattern.

I'm a meat hunter first anyway and the antlers on my walls have only been a bonus. I've a close buddy that has 12 beautiful mounts hanging with the smallest being a 153 typical. He too is and continued to be a meat hunter first. Once he has the freezer filled by archery and ML he does become somewhat selective. I'm mush the same way. Up here in Manitoba we can party hunt so if it is the last day of the hunt I will take a smaller buck for there is always some one I know that that has an empty tag and would like some venison in the freezer. Or a second option is to donate the meat to one of our soup kitchens. They always appreciate the meat.

I'm still going after them but haven't seen another deer that big since.. Getting ready to try this weekend, ML opener!! Good luck to everyone and happy hunting!!