Big Racks Craze
 

I'm new to Deer hunting,I'm 54 and was raised in the city most of my life so hunting is not something I was aware of growing up. I know a few people who have Deer hunted down through the years and I don't remember them being so much concerned about how big a set of antlers their Deer had. It seemed to me just geting one and it having a lot of meat is what mattered most. But now it seems what matters most is how nice of a rack it has. When did this become the most important thing when it comes to shooting a Deer? I don't think it's wrong to be excited about baging a nice trophy Buck but the shows seem to put all the focus on this alone 90% of the time. I'll be honest with you just seeing and baging a deer period is a great satisfaction to me. Just like shooting a Turkey even if he is only a nice Jake satisfies me as well. I consider having success on a hunt baging the game you went out to hunt and enjoying the whole expierence not just geting a trophy as being the measure of success. Do you agree?

I think you'll find that everyone has their own priorities. Not everyone is solely obsessed with big racks.

I am one for propper management. I shoot the does for table fare, and I let all bucks walk till I see one that I want. I agree alot of people only hunt for racks and that's wrong. One must do their part for heard mangment, if not big problems to come. NC just opened up Sunday bow hunting and the aility to use all our tags on does due to CWD threat and heard size.

I'm a trophy hunter because I want the challenge of shooting a big buck. In Ky. we can only shoot one buck so I don't want to shoot a small one and be finished. Shooting a small young buck just isn't the thrill or challenge I want. I will shoot a couple of does for meat and then try for a big buck. I've killed enough deer that I don't have to kill anything to enjoy the year. I also will not starve if I don't kill one. I don't think a meat hunter is any more pure for his hunting reasons than a rack hunter. We all hunt for the enjoyment of it...if you say otherwise I say bologna.

Deer hunting now is not the same as it was in the seventies. My dad always said when he was growing up, especially around here, just bagging a deer was a good accomplishment. He said the herds just weren't as plentiful. You can make your own opinion about that...

I too think many hunters also have their own objectives when hunting. A lot od hunters, especially those new to the sport, will shoot anything. Many, like you Doetrain, just enjoy the woods, and bagging a deer for meat and pleasure. There is nothing wrong with that. But I don't care who you are, the majority of the human race is competitive. I think you'll find many guys go after trophy bucks for the challenge. I know I constantly try to look for more challenges in hunting, and in life itself. I know for me once, I was at the age & experience level that I had no problem getting deer with in range on a consistent basis, I became picky. It's a different type of challenge to pattern & kill a big mature buck.

Deer hunting is what you make it and what you enjoy...so keep enjoying it and until you decide to change your ways, keep doing what you're doing.

I've always been an advocate of shooting what your state law allows, you're choice, or following whatever club rules your group agrees to. I think the big rack ideology started when videos and television shows beame popular. Nobody wanted to buy or watch someone shoot a 70 inch six point, so the thought of letting the bucks live till they are "wallhangers" started. Then sponsors started developing the better foods and supplements for the deer to grow "wallhangers".

I personally feel it has a lot to do with "Keeping up with the Joneses". Television has so glamourized the size of a deers antlers that some folks feel like a hunt is a failure if they harvest a doe or a buck with antlers under 160". Personally, I think it's kind of dumb but whatever floats someones boat is cool with me. Don't get me wrong, if a buck with some nice head gear steps out in front of me, I'm definitely punching a hole in his pump station. But I'm not going to set all day and pass on perfectly fine deer in hopes of knocking Milo Hansen off the podium.

What rocks me is when you see a field on a hunting show that has 20-30 does and a half dozen big racked bucks and the hunter is still waiting for the one he or she saw 3 days ago. I hunt pretty far north and such a sight is so forgien to me. During archery and ML season I am looking to put meat in the freezer and if I'm sucessful then I may wait out for that larger buck during the rifle season. But hunting a very large area with the northern low deer density is very difficult to wait out for that one specific buck. Plus up here in Canada the racks often look smaller due the overall size of the deer. I suppose the hunter's hunting area often has a great impact on what they consider to shoot.

If your a hunter,theres nothing quite like taking a big buck and I will admit that Im a trophy hunter!
I`ll pass on the little guys and does all season if I know theres bucks like this one cruisin the woods Im huntin!

That's definitely a fine animal. Congrats!

Good subject. I never put much stock in what I see in hunting shows. To me, they are infomercials and more time is spent on adds than the actual hunt. For the novice hunter, I rarely see anything that educated hunters on understanding the deer we hunt, how to be a better outdoorsman or coming up with a hunting strategy based on hours of scouting. Plus, what I see usually has nothing to do with the way we hunt here in NH.

I think most of trophy hunting depends on where you hunt. South Texas is known for their big racked bucks and hunters there probably focus more on shooting one of them vs any deer for the meat. That would also apply to other states/provinces. But here in New England we have very little in common with anything shown on these hunting shows.

To us, any deer is a trophy, whether it's a big old buck, a doe or a young buck. That's not to say folks that are true trophy hunters don't exist here, but from my experience, they are the exception not the rule and every hunters has that right to shoot any legal deer he wants. Also, most hunters I know that hunt up here see a trophy deer as a big bodied deer, bucks that dress at over 200+ pounds vs a big racked buck. Personally, I would rather shoot a nice 8 pointer that dresses over 200 pounds than a much bigger rack that dresses at 180.

I think it's possible to be both big buck crazy and still a hunter/meat, take does....for meat, hold out for a quality buck...

do what pleases you though.

My question to the OP would be ... why do you care what someone else hunts for? Why do some people always concern themselves with what others are doing. This thread boils down to this -- this is the way I do it, I can't understand why people want to do it differently. Whatever a persons reasons for hunting, that's fine with me. Because you hunt means we have something in common. I'm not going to try to tell you, when, where, why, how, what weapon, over bait or not, head shot, body shot, meat hunter, rack hunter. I say have a good time in the outdoors and good luck with whatever you hunt.
Live it up! Doug

I agree with most of what you say, but the original question, IMO, related to hunting shows. I also agree with the original poster that it certaibly does focus on big old racks because that's what viewers want to see. Most folks would agree the emhasis on these shows is shooting a big rack buck. Plus, most are from a treestand overlooking a field or feeding ares where we get to see more deer in those fields than I see in an entire deer season here in NH. That's just the way it is.

I never confuse those hunting shows with the way it really is in the whitetail world.

Thanks for your input everyone.It was not my purpose to be critical of those of you who hunt trophy Deer,forgive me if I came across that way. My first question was when did this become the main focus of those who deer hunt,Is this a new attitude or has it always been that way? Second,being new to hunting I simply have observed on the shows a fixation on the Big Bucks and not a whole lot else. I would like to see all these fellow hunters spend a little more time teaching those of us who are new to the sport more techniques to make us better hunters. Some spend a few minutes doing this but as some have pointed out they promote their products for so much of the show all they have time to show is the shot and kill. I guess 30 minutes with all the commercials makes a teaching format hard to do so I'll have to get DVD's that have time to spend on insrtuction. I understand to a degree that the older Bucks and Does in my opinion are more of a challenge to hunt,they did'nt get big by being dumb. I'm new and will evolve in my attitudes and practices I'm sure just as many of you seasoned hunters have. I know what it is like to pass on lesser Bucks I've done it because it was early in the season and the shots would have been bad choices. But when my 7 pointer gave me a perfect shot I took it and it was a rush I'll never forget and I think missing that thrill could happen to some new hunters if they only wait for a monster Buck. Good hunting to all and thanks for your patience with us new guys.

I agree. I don't think there's a person out there that wouldn't get excited by seeing a giant whitetail buck.

Now it's my turn to apologize for being a little harsh. I had no idea you were talking about hunting shows in general and not the real everyday hunting we do. You have really pointed out what makes it hard for beginners. They watch these so called hunting shows only to find a world that is totally different once they step into the field. Thank God I started before all the "hunting shows" of today came along, sorry to say most are garbage. You will do well if you can find a mentor who has hunted your area successfully. Learn all you can about you quarries habits, where they eat, sleep, where they travel and when. You want to set up your ambush coming from bedding areas or coming to or leaving their food source. Good luck!
Live it up! Doug

Doetrain,I agree with You about the craze for Big Racks on TV but I don't think thats the attitude that most everyday Hunters have.Most of us that have hunted for several years and have shot many Deer try to let the smaller ones walk and hope for a nicer big bodied Buck to shot,if it happens to have a big rack then I would consider myself very fortunate to shot a nice size Buck,for the most part I am just as happy with a nice big mature Doe for the tender meat!I have more of thrill taking a youngster out on the Youth Hunt than I do hunting myslef...talk about a rush when a Young Hunter shots His or Her first Deer and teaching them the right and proper/ethical way to Hunt is more rewarding than anything I can think of!

I would wonder how successful it would be to produce dvd's or a tv show more less informational on hunting tactics and logic. Focusing on how to hunt private lands, how temp and weather really effect deer. I am not by any means "new" to hunting after 18 seasons but then again I saw my grandpa come home holding only his 30-06 from an Iowa corn field after 60 years of hunting and admit he got out smarted.
I think instead of pushing a knife that guts, capes, glows in the dark and makes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches while being odor free, we would really help out a new hunter by teaching deer habits and habitat. What they shoot and put in the freezer is up to them.

im a trophy hunter,the reason for that is if i just wanted some deer steaks the season would be over the same day it started what fun is that?might as well go to the store.second its harder to bag a big buck then to just shoot anything.it makes me wonder are some of these so called meat hunters just guys that dont have the patience to wait for a big guy?not saying all are that way,but i suspect some are.third,iv heard ppl say well u dont eat the rack,no u dont but that buck also comes with the meat,yes i know it might not be as good as a young bucks meat but most of my deer go to sausage anyways so it makes no diffrence.and finally,after years of takeing younger animals i decided to up my challange a bit.i say do what ever floats your boat!im all for management also,i have taken lesser animals out before for the benifit of the herd,but we dont have alot of bad genes around here so its not a big issue.we are allowed to take a buck and a doe here so as for buck to doe ratio,it doesnt effect it.i know someone will get their panties in a knot at my comment and thats ok to each their own.

i appolagize,i read the question again and i seen you were mostly refureing to hunting shows and the impression it may give a new hunter,i agree some of these shows do give the wrong impression and one that may just end up disapointing a new hunter once they enter the real world of hunting.but i have also seen shows where the focus was on deer management and teaching new hunters about the sport,when it comes down to it education is key.but these are things that shouldnt be learned from hunting shows.are hunting shows the reason you started hunting?if so your hunting for the wrong reasons,these shows dont show the other 90%of the hunt.just the highlights.

Perhaps some of the focus on big racks may be attributed to the abundance of deer these days. As some have already said, if just taking a meat animal was the objective, the hunt would be over by 8 AM opening day: what fun would that be? I believe it is definitely the case that hunting bucks with bigger racks is different than hunting does and/or hunting young bucks with small racks. These mature bucks offer a substantially higher order of challenge. I think you are probably going to be disappointed watching hunting shows on TV, for a variety of reasons.

I don't happen to define my goals in terms of rack size. I will say I prefer to hunt on an area without food plots and without feeders. I like to hunt from improvised ground blinds not from tree stands, not from artificial or constructed blinds. I'm generally as happy taking a doe as a buck. When I take a buck, I save the horns and mount them myself, no matter what the size, along with a commemorative brass plate describing the particulars of the hunt. Sometimes -- even more often than not -- I take my deer on opening morning, but not always. I guess if it was 80% probability that I would finish opening morning I might look for a different challenge, but I haven't gotten there yet. I have begun elk hunting near tree line in Colorado, and I can see myself dropping deer hunting by preference for the mountain elk hunting.

I might be wrong but I'll bet you hunt mostly public land huh???

Because most of these people you are talking about are hunting prime private land and big racks are the norm...:sign0004:

I dunno, when we were younger, people used to pile into cars on a Friday or Saturday night and just drive around spotting deer with a light. It was actually a family thing here back then. Seemed like most everybody got excited when we saw a big rack. Fascination with big racks is nothing new.

Mr. Longbeard, I hunt some private, some public land.The private land is 185 or so acres in 2 different areas in a some what urban area,there are houses scattered around the boundries and a subdivision in the front portion.The public land is the Hoosier National Forest which holds some really nice Does and Bucks. The biger Deer seem to lay back in some pretty rough terrain which would make recovery a job sence they do not alow 4 wheelers in the area I hunt. During Muzzle Loader season I plan on hunting these deeper more open areas with high ridges and deep valleys in the hope that the longer range shots will give me an opportunity to bag a more mature animal be it Doe or Buck. The terrain behind my buddies place is very beautiful to sit and enjoy he has 17 acres which butts up to the forest area which has potential. I am very fortunate to have a few private areas to hunt so I'm doing my best as a new hunter to pick good spots to hunt. I try to find food,water and cover for beding areas and then pick a good place to set up for the hunt. For the most part in our area the Bucks which are most plentiful are spikes to 8 pointers with the smaller basket racks. But the big ones are in these areas as well I'm sure because I have seen them a time or two.

When I was younger it was brown and down. Now that I'm older and primarily bow hunt, I let the 2-3 yr olds pass. Does go in the freezer first then I target a mature buck. I was successful two years ago, hit a nice one last year but the shot was too far back and after 3 days of trying, I never recovered him.

It was still a great year for me because just being out in the woods and watching it wake up in the morning is something very special to me. I think that's what hunting shows today lack - an appreciation for the outdoors - which is why I quit watching them long ago.

We all need to take this to heart, allow others the liberty to hunt as they see fit as long as it's legal.

AMEN!! A statement I use quite often and it relates to many things in life "To each their own". Some people need not be so quick to judge someone until they realize there are many different views of life.

"To each their own" that is right. Now, I don't care if you shoot a spike the first 5 minutes into opening morning. If that deer makes you happy, I am happy for you. The hunting shows, well you have to take them with a grain of salt. I like to watch them, but I am not impressed at all when a hunter leaves his nice house in his nice sub division and gets put into a stand at so and so outfitters and shoots a 170" deer. But if you take that same guy, and he goes down the road to state land and kills a 70" 6pt, how long do you think he is going to be on tv? but, as sad as it is. Thats alot more realistic but it won't sell.

And wait till this year, someone will post a pic of their deer and someone will do the old "why did you shoot him yada, yada, yada"

I disagree with the hunting for enjoyment statement. Granted hunting now days isn't as much for survival as it was 30-35 years ago. Yes I get a lot of enjoyment out of being in the wood's bowhunting, but I'm in the wood's bowhunting to get 2 or more does in the freezer of which I usally have done by the middle of Oct.. No, I will not shoot an immature buck, I will take a mature buck, so I suppose I am a trophy hunter. I grew up hunting and we hunted so we had something to eat and to this day, I hunt so I have something to eat, period.

Nicely said. Killing a Big Buck is more of a challenge in most cases.

Killing a Big Buck on a Do It Yourself Hunt is also a great challenge. What you see on TV is not always real world hunting for most of us, so take what you see on TV with a grain of salt.

"Trophy hunting" IMO really has nothing positive to deer hunting as a whole. If anything it is a negative.

ding ding ding

can you plz explain?

I'll take a stab. "Trophy Hunter" never pulls the trigger but to shoot a Trophy male mature game animal. they never do herd mngmt. and also on the TV show's most of the time's those guy's do show herd mngmt, it's not all big rack's. I can't think of one show I watch that they don't pull the trigger on some does. I don't watch them all some just piss me off.

plenty of trophy hunters practice QDMA, I think there is a myth out there that a hunter is overwhelmingly some rich white guy who books expensive outfitted hunts and only takes a monster...

even an expensive outfitted hunt doesn't mean you go home with a monster most times.

and many trophy hunters take does/cows for meat but pass on immature bucks/bulls.

In fact I would argue trophy hunters in many cases take more does than a lot of these so called hunters do, I know guys who will shoot the first buck they see, 1.5yo....dink, and feel like the man when they do! but take a doe? pssh they wouldn't think of it!

Hey uncle matt, what about the guys I hunt with here in northern New England that can only shoot one deer/year and they hunt the big woods, no crops, no fields, just miles and miles of woods owned by paper companies. Plus some of these woods have less than 10 deer/sq mile, yet they shoot no small deer for the meat, it's all about tagging that one bruiser. And yes, they go home empry handed some years after the season is over but it's the challenge of trying to kill only that mature, big old buck.

and this is where I see it can get very opinioated. short season= small herd no real problem. yet where I am from we need to thin the herd, and I dont apreciate those trophy hunters we have 6 deer to harvest and 4 month's to do it. don't just start snapping off at the term "Trophy Hunter" I can understand if you don't quite understand the term. us as hunters have a duty to do what's needed for the herd's health an well being. if you have 10 deer per sq mile and only can kill 1 deer I would never shoot a doe either.

I agree with you complete statement, yet that's not what people are calling a "Trophy Hunter" do ya'll read these post's or just start slinging opinion's. I have stated what this "Trophy Hunter" term is being described as. yet I read post's that just show the lack of comprehension of the statement.

yes i agree,most trophy hunters do practice deer management,they do this so that they may have quality bucks to take in the future.most trophy hunters also are not trigger happy shooting young bucks before they can mature,im thinkingmost ppl that are against trophy hunting are guys that just dont have the skills or patiance to get a trophy so they turn around and say trophy hunting is bad just so that they may feel better about themselves for takeing the first thing they see,these ppl are not hunters.go to the store and save the hunting for the more experianced ones.