I am a firm believer in that a trophy deer or any other game animal is in the eye of the beholder. I live an average lifestyle & do not have the means of ever going on one of those dream hunts. You know the ones where every buck that they see is a trophy in my book. I hunt in VA & have never hunted anywhere else, heck I have only hunted in 3 different counties in this state.
I like the scoring systems & all, don't get me wrong, but if you have a kid that tells you, well I don't know if I should mount this buck or not because its not going to score high---then we have created some issues.

Red Neck, welcome to BGH!

If you read the stories behind many of the trophies that have made the "books" you will find that most were taken by average folks who just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Some weren't even concerned about the score and whether it was a record or not.

Scoring a trophy is kind of like playing the lottery, your odds go up the more you "play". Of course living and hunting in an area that produces record sized animals doesn't hurt a bit either. Some areas simply do not have the genetics.

Hello Cowgal & thanks for the warm welcome!

You are correct. I was referring to the hunting shows mainly. That is all they talk about--the score...that is not good for kids...& it's just not realisitic.

Most of the average hunters here do not take does like they should, but most are letting the small bucks walk.

We have a good herd & genetics here where I live.

& I am too still waiting for that BIG Giant to walk by....That is what keep us hunting....It makes it fun...

Take care...

It amazes me that the Jordan buck is still number 2, after all of these years.

Red Neck, Welcome to BGH!

Thanks Hiker!!!!!
Sounds like we have some good old boys & gals on this forum.
A lot of good responses to questions, etc...

Glad to be a part of it...

I think Red Neck makes a pretty valid point. My 1st buck was a little 8 pointer with a 10" spread. I was so excited I shook for an hour. I was the happiest 14 year old boy on the planet that day. To be honest, I would've been just as excited with a spike horn.

We practice quality deer management on the property we hunt. However, if a person has never killed a buck, we tell them to shoot the 1st buck they can get a clean shot at. It's truly special to be a part of someone shooting their 1st buck.

My Dad has had too many medical problems to list over the last 6 years. His problems were serious enough that he couldn't hunt for a few years and hadn't even shot at a buck in 8 years. We told him to shoot whatever buck he wanted. He shot a little 6 pointer and was as happy as any man could be.

While I love shooting big bucks just as much as anyone else, it's the memories I've listed that make it so important to me.

Happy hunting everyone. Make some memories.

I think Redneck and Ted are both right. I feel too much importance is placed on the size of the rack instead of how good the backstrap is going to tatse when it comes off the grill. I don't have anything against trophy hunters or big antlers as I think it's a personal choice as to how we hunt. Most of the hunting shows promote nothing but big antlers and not what I consider to be the true meaning of the hunt. That would be meat hunting in my mind. Don't get me wrong,as I would take a big rack if the chance came my way, but wouldn't base my whole hunt on it. I watch most of the hunting shows myself and enjoy most of them, but in reality most of us will never get to go on a hunt like they do. They are not better hunters than anybody else, they just have the chance to hunt privite land and leases that we'll never be able to afford. Heck, they run around the country in half million dollar motorhomes while we beat around the brush in a 15 year old pick up, I guess I'm just jealous.I get more out of a hunter that goes out and does it on his own, has a good time, introduces a kid to hunting and enjoys eating what they harvest.
To all the DIY hunters doing the best they can with what they have, Mike Smith