If you're a "meat hunter" then shoot the does. They shouldn't complain about small bucks if they shoot the small bucks. Those that know me know I shoot any deer that comes within range. I'm in a different situation though because I am culling suburban deer. Also I don't care about size, I just like shooting deer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
1 problem where I am is hunting time, like bear archer said. If someone has limited time to hunt, and only gets a shot at a 4 point then he should be able to harvest it (assuming he would eat it). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'm a little of both. Yes, I love my venison. Eat it 365 days a year and love to shoot does. But on the flip side, I don't shoot young bucks for the promise of bigger bucks in years later. I have specific places I purposely don't shoot does though to help my buck hunting. Some places I just shoot does. I think it's everyone's choice. One man shouldn't judge another mans trophy. “In a civilized and cultivated country, wild animals only continue to exist at all when preserved by sportsmen.” -Theodore Roosevelt
I hunt mostly public land. Sometimes I feel like there may be more hunters in woods than deer. So for me, shooting a young buck depends on how my season is going. I usually try to shoot a doe right from the start until rut picks up, once that gets going, does get a pass if I already knock one or two down but once rut is winding down, if I am having a bad year. So young buck, I must put you in my freezer. I had a terrible season last year, couple issues with an old truball handle release not wanting to release my arrow cause me to sit at full draw with an arrow I couldn't fire. Caused me to miss two does early, so after it got late in the season that four point that I let walk eight times had to go. I couldn't not have a deer in the freezer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
First off let me just say that if you are only a trophy hunter and not a meat hunter as well, then you don't deserve the right to hunt. If your not going to eat what you kill don't kill it. So said. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Being a trophy hunter only doesn't exclude you from being able to eat what you kill. But thanks for the heads up!
That's a bit harsh. I don't think anyone said that a trophy hunter doesn't eat what they kill. They might just kill one or no deer a year but that's a choice. A trophy hunter puts a lot of work into hunting a particular deer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I would like to see all bucks get to 4 and 5 years old... I take atleast 1-2 doe per year for meat and will shoot a buck if I feel he is mature. However, I have family members that hunt on the farm and take the first legal buck that walks in front of them. If a hunter enjoys their experience shooting a smaller buck that is fine with me, at the end of the day this is a hobby for most of us and we hunt because we enjoy the outdoors.
Guys I think you all know what I mean. Don't pick apart what I said just to argue. We all know that there are trophy hunters that are after nothing more than from the shoulders forward and in some cases only the rack it's self. Having no repeat for the animal itself. And throwing away the meat. If u think that it doesn't happen every day of you states deer season you are in denial. Not saying every trophy hunter is that way. Just that if you are a trophy hunter that it's not ok to let that be all your after. We are all meat hunters well the respectful hunters are and some of us would rather the meat we kill be a trophy deer than a small younger buck. Understood? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I am a meat hunter. That said, I'll usually let young bucks walk. For one thing the deer populaion here in CT is nuts. Statewide archery permits come with 4 tags, 2 antlerless and 2 either sex. in zones 11 and 12 add 1 each more for a total of 6 tags. So filling the freezer and then some is quite doable. With the "Hunt to Feed" program up here, any excess venison goes to them, so I don't mind going on doe patrol. On the other hand If I see a Good buck come my way, well ya I will take it along with it's backstraps.
Many hunts I go on I'm solely interested in the shoulders forward. I fly out knowing I have zero intention of eating the animal I kill beyond a few days in camp. I find places to donate the meat in said cases, but I have zero interest in it myself. Doesn't make me a slob. Your scenario above describes a poacher, not a trophy hunter.
I shoot any deer I feel like shooting on any given day. I don't put that much deep thought into it. If I want some meat then pretty much any deer made of meat will do...although I will say I prefer small ones. If it's rutty and I feel like I want to hold out to see what bucks are running around then that's what I do. Sometimes I shoot a doe when it's rutty hoping she was in heat so she becomes a cheap decoy I didn't have to carry in or set up and maybe the rest of the day bucks will be trying to find her. Other times I sleep in my stand, watch Netflix, read a book, eat the 53 snacks I've packed in my backpack, or my buddy and I will film each other doing Stan Potts post shot impressions while we laugh hysterically and never see a deer. Lighten up and have fun out there.
I hunt does for meat and bucks for the wall. I'm fine with whatever anyone wants to hunt. As long as you hunt by the rules and tag the deer, its none of my business what you shoot. One hunting style is no more pure than the other so go hunt and have fun.
In MS we are allowed to kill no more than 3 bucks and 5 does per season. I have never tagged out just because I don't need that much deer meat when you combine what both my dad and I shoot. I will take a buck that I am proud of, it may not be a wall hanger or anything close to what you see on tv (then sometimes it may be) but I will let smaller and younger bucks walk
