Young_Gun,

I guess it' s the situation I am in. Our camp consists of 5 hunters. Due to the new quotas in our area each of us are allowed to purchase 2 tags, 1 buck/doe and 1 doe only. All but one of our group opted only to purchase 1 tag as we had no need for 10 deer on the pole. We ended up with 6 and that was perfect as everyone ended up with about 60lbs of meat at finish. I know that if we had the extra four tags they could have easily been filled, but we simply did not need an extra 500lbs (on the hoof) of meat. So to answer the first part of your comment it actually couldn' t apply as we are only allowed 2 deer if we purchase 2 tags.

Unfortunatly due to goverment regulations with regard to slaughtering and inspection, we as hunters are not allowed to donate any type of un goverment inspected / slaughtered meat to any public type program such as a food bank.

If I did have someone come up to me and explain their tough situation and that they were lacking the basics of life (food) then I see absolutly no problem with shooting a deer for that individual. I guess since I have never been in the position I can only say that I would never shoot any more then myself and my group needs. Obvious exceptions would be made if someone really needed it.

I give deer meat to a very select few people. I love deer meat and eat it year round so I usually don't give a whole lot away. I usually end up with 6-10 deer/yr. and if my dad or my brother don't do as well I'll make sure they have plenty, but that's it. I pay good money for leases, license, etc. so I can eat deer meat all year. If you want some deer meat quit holding out and shoot the first legal deer you see. Then your problem is solved.

No offense Buckmine, but I don't see that the people you mention are doing anything wrong. I usually take 3 to 5 deer per year and always share it with friends, but in no way do they make me feel obligated to give it to them. If they did try to make me feel obligated, I would not give it to them. When I give someone something I want it to be received as a gift not as a handout.

We have hunters on our lease who only want to trophy hunt and won't take a doe or cull buck until they get their trophy. I go about it the other way, I take my doe and cull as early as possible in order to focus on the trophy. If you have made a decision to trophy hunt then I don't see where you can expect those who aren't trophy hunting to give you their deer meat.

We always divide the meat up equally among the guys in camp and like mentioned in previous post if someone wants to give there meat away to someone else its up to them. I always give some to my one Uncle he doesn't hunt but loves venison. I've even had years where we didn't do so well hunting and my Uncle gave me some that he got from someone else. The areas that I hunt in we're only allowed 1 deer per person theres a few areas that allow 2. If I could fill the freezer and eat nothing but vension all year I'd be a happy boy.

As for other game its always divided up equally with a little extra going to guy who brought the boat/dog etc. I'd have to agree with others that I probably wouldn't be hunting with people who wouldn't divy up unless they needed the meat to feed the family than thats a different story.

Crawdaddy

here where i hunt there is 4 of us that hunt together. I shot my buck. But if i see another buck i shoot it & they tag it. But i only need meat from one deer unless i bag a doe. I usually share my deer meat. I hate people who get 5+ deer a year & dont a. eat it or b. give it to someone who really wants it. If i cant find anyone who wants it i donate it. Whether it cost me $45 or not.


Tim

In our Big Game camps(Moose & Elk) the number of guys in camp and number of tags = the number of ways those animals harvested are divided. To me this is a fair way to always go home happy, each guy has a vested interest in the work, hunt, cleaning and processing of the game.

Deer hunting is a little different since the guys I hunt with love meat but are trophy hunters as well, the practice is you shoot it, we help you deal with it and you eat it or do what you please with it. My deer goes in a few directions each year, I always take a doe in the bow zone for a buddies dad who is ill and can't hunt anymore(this deer I process and take over to his place-yes even the T-loins and straps go). The rest I process for myself and I always spread the wealth to friends and family who enjoy the occasional sausage link that don't hunt. We(my family) eat wild meat 3 times a week, so we really enjoy the bounty of the harvest but I also feel it is important to share this with those you love and care for...most people won't take or want much but will gladly have a taste here and there. It really depends on what I harvested that year to determine how generous I am, I will always give out some but the amount is in question until the last tag is void and season ends. This year I am fortunate I have more than enough to give tastes of several animals to my crew but next year it may not be the same, as long as they don't expect it than I am all to happy to provide.

If somebody is wasting meat or hoarding just b/c than they wouldn't be hanging around my garage or camp any longer. Those who hunt only cuz they can are equally bottom feeders. You must utilize the meat to it's potential and if somebody is offering to take it off your hands cuz you don't need or want it, than the right thing is to say sure. Of course the processing should be handled or paid for by the person putting in the freezer.

There is little gratification in giving venison to a person who thinks he has it coming and that's why you gave it to him. A close second is the guy who expects you to process his deer because he doesn't know how to and you're a member of the hunting group who has the knowhow and setup to do it for him.