BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

h_talbot · Joined: 28 Feb 2006 Posts: 158 Location: Idaho

The idea of exclusively trophy hunting is foreign to many of us, especailly in western states. In Idaho most general season hunts are antlered only so a 2 point is all most people are shooting for. If you look at the harvest reports about half of the deer shot are yearling bucks. There are still plenty of bucks dying of old age and everyone who wants meat has a good chance. Experienced hunters I think will naturally challenge themselves and hold out for bigger deer, but kids and new hunters should experience success or they will not stay interested. Congrats to your friend, that's a great first buck.
Hank

Ca_Vermonster · Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 146 Location: San Diego, CA

I see that deer.... It's dead..... No questions.......

jj5lucero · Joined: 19 Jun 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Albuquerque,nm

You can't eat the horns.

GUTPYLZ · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 31 Location: NEVADA

That is always a personal issue for most people on whether to let them grow or not. It probably won't be much of an issue here now and in the future in most areas. They won't be giving out enough tags to hurt it one way or the other.

I for sure wouldn't give up the smaller one's that I have taken in the past. Success is sweet and harbors a lot of memories for me. You have to realize that hunting to some is the experience of being out doors and the memories that go along with that. I would have to say that 90% of so called hunters are not hunters. If, they can't see it off the road from a truck or 4 wheeler they can't get anything unless it is a small one. Just my opinion.

henry wilkins · Joined: 04 May 2008 Posts: 31 Location: atascadero,ca.

I am still trying for 30"Muley, but as most of us realistic western hunters know, "You can't eat the antlers". I won't shoot a yearling spike and will look for at least a 3x3, but that said I've had alot of forkies in my freezer, that have feed me. I usually fill my tag with a 3x3 it seems, looking at my pile of antlers in celler. And I've let some BIG ones go , because they gave me an unforgetable hunt experience , they earned another day. Just me.

SoCoKHntr · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 685 Location: Pueblo Colorado

I think a lot of it has to do with your hunting experience. If you are a relative newby getting a spike or two point will be the highlight of your hunting year and provide great memories.

As you get more experienced and more into the harder challenge of holding out for something special that takes over. I personally have shot quite a few two and small three pointers and this year I plan on passing up anything less then an extremely good three or four pointer. I will hold out until the last days of the season and then will take anything legal to put meat in the freezer.

For meat hunters I fully understand taking a smaller buck at the first opportunity and don't fault them for it.

wlfdg · Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 99 Location: Teton Valley, ID

I'd love to hold out! I've been watching a good 4X4 and a great 5X5 all summer. My first obligation is to fill my freezer. Esp. with the way gas and meat have climbed in price.

Chris

jj5lucero · Joined: 19 Jun 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Albuquerque,nm

I think a lot of it has to do with your hunting experience. If you are an experienced hunter then holding out for a trophy may leave you with an empty freezer and only great memories of the hunt.

As you get more experienced and more into the harder challenge of holding out for something special that takes over. That special thing is hunger pains… I personally have shot quite a few two and small three pointers and this year I plan dropping the fist thing that is within range. I will never hold out until the last day of the season and then will take anything legal to put meat in the freezer.

For trophy hunters I fully understand holding out for a big buck and don't fault them for it. :laugh:

But seriously, I think that it’s a good thing that we all have different expectations in mind when venturing into the field and I have a lot of respect for someone willing to take on the challenge of holding out for a trophy buck.

SoCoKHntr · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 685 Location: Pueblo Colorado

jj5lucero wrote: I think a lot of it has to do with your hunting experience. If you are an experienced hunter then holding out for a trophy may leave you with an empty freezer and only great memories of the hunt.

As you get more experienced and more into the harder challenge of holding out for something special that takes over. That special thing is hunger pains… I personally have shot quite a few two and small three pointers and this year I plan dropping the fist thing that is within range. I will never hold out until the last day of the season and then will take anything legal to put meat in the freezer.

For trophy hunters I fully understand holding out for a big buck and don't fault them for it. :laugh:

But seriously, I think that it’s a good thing that we all have different expectations in mind when venturing into the field and I have a lot of respect for someone willing to take on the challenge of holding out for a trophy buck.

Hey pretty good satire of me there pal, well played!

Just to add it is a personal thing. When I was a younger guy I loved Cottontail hunting with my trusty 22 mag more then anything in the world. In my teens twenties and early thirties I must have killed enough bunnies to feed an army. Although I still like to get out a few times a year to hunt em, my desire for a challenge became stronger and I've taken up predator hunting and even though I'm not the most successful guy in the world I'm having a blast learning it and getting the rare successes that I do.

Kind of the same with deer hunting for me. When I was younger if a deer with so much as a stub of horn showed himself and I had a tag he usually wasn't around much longer. Now I've not only taken my fair share but seen so many smaller buck and not killed but seen some marvelous trophy bucks in the wild the desire to get some nice racks on the wall is what drives me. Though I love deer meat and eat what I kill luckily I'm not depending on it for survival ala Jeremiah Johnson and can now afford to be somewhat selective in pursuit of some nice horn. Besides if you kill a spike on the first day what do you do the rest of the week?

wlfdg · Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 99 Location: Teton Valley, ID

SoCoKHntr wrote: Besides if you kill a spike on the first day what do you do the rest of the week?

Go bunny hunting! :thumbsup1:

SoCoKHntr · Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 685 Location: Pueblo Colorado

wlfdg wrote: SoCoKHntr wrote: Besides if you kill a spike on the first day what do you do the rest of the week?

Go bunny hunting! :thumbsup1:

True that my friend true that. Or take the yote calls along as well. :thumbsup1:

rude robert · Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 52 Location: s. california

of course antlers will be cool. i dont care if there sheds or not either lol

wageslave · Joined: 02 Sep 2008 Posts: 2 Location: idaho

Interesting subject here.
I think, in a fair chase diy hunt, any animal you are happy with is great and you'd get my sincere congratulations. I would never measure you or your ability by the size of (or lack of ) your animal.
Sadly, in today's world, much of what we see on the internet, hunting shows, magazines or hear in tales passed along, are fenced hunts, exotic hunts and staged hunts.
To me these unrealistic tales and deeds of kills that are not "fair" are not only
hurting our sport, but also disrespecting the game animals that we persue.
If you have unlimited funds and can pay to hunt anything anywhere, good for you. If you do so in a fence or hire an army to do all the work so you can show up and take the glory, after they have found it for you, then I don't need to hear your tale. I'd rather hear from the guy in the picture on this thread who is thrilled to death to pack out his own public land animal, on his back, and get the satisfaction of a successful hunt.
Good luck to all this season.