I think your the only one to put down two so far too congrats man. I'm really enjoying your stories and pictures on your hunts thankyou.
I think this post sums up the question. Most of the other posts (that are on topic) basically explain this, in one way or another. If you don't get it from this post, then you probably won't get it.
He's not smarter but he is more wise and definitely a greater challenge to kill. Is it more of an accomplishment to beat a 12 year old in his first game of chess or a 30 year veteran grand champion? I say to each his own. The only one that should be judging your level of accomplishment and setting your goals is you.
Do you hunt from a tree stand? Or do you go out there and get on the ground and "find" and stalk the deer? Have you ever been on a guided hunt or are you just saying what you think happens?
It's all about the Bone! Many hunters will spent hundreds of days of their lifes hunting for nice mature 150" or better buck and never get one or even see one while hunting but the I'am sure most all could harvest a young/dumb 100" sooner or later. So to say the young and old deer have the same smarts is not true at all IMO. The reason it is more rewarding to shoot a big mature buck is that the encounters are very, very few for most of us and to be able to pull off the shot with your beating through your chest is an accomplishment to be proud of.
im just going to say the majority of us love the opurtinuity to shoot a huge buck its a trophy its something that your proud of. theres nothing wrong with 100 class deer but if you get the chance to shoot a 170 or higher class buck i wouldnt turn that down thats for sure
Regardless of what your goal is when hunting whitetails or what you call a personal accomplishment I think it would be silly if we argued the mentality hasn't changed dramatically in recent years. 100 is the new 135 and 140 is the new 160-180 depending on where you live. I am biased as a hunter who finds merit and outsmarting a mature buck as I think they are harder to kill and are less in number. They also just look more impressive on the wall. Yes, I do eat the meat and am running short right now, but that doesn't mean I cannot harvest a doe until I cross paths with a mature buck this season. I hunt in an area that is a mix of avid hunters looking for both the almighty big buck and those who follow more of a "If its brown its down mentality." Can be frustrating for hunters like myself from time to time, however, it is what it is. Talk to your neighbors and be open with them about things. It can do no harm, either nothing will come of it or good will. So back to the question, yes size matters however I place the most value in maturity as I'm really working hard with neighbors to encourage meat hunters to only shoot 2 1/2 yr old deer and older as those who care about the rack are alright with letting 3 1/2 year olds walk!
Because I'm a future bowhunting legend and deserve to be recognized by the sheer size of my trophies.
I think many hunters make the mistake of thinking all hunters hunt the same quality of ground, and have the same opportunities.
I never make that mistake....I have the opportunity to hunt public land any place I want. Any place in the country.
Right on Dan...and you could come down and hunt LBL also, just like everyone else in the country. And to add fact to what you say, Shawnee across the river is much, much better than LBL. :O Over the counter tags are less than $200 for Ky. nonresident!!!!!
Welcome to the fraternity!! There is no bigger rush than having a "trophy" deer 10 yds from you. My heart beats a little faster just thinking about it!! I gave up the gun about 10 yrs ago completely, just because I want to see how good can I be. The better you are, the closer they get, the better chance to see a monster!! For me it's all about the challenge.
Glad to say that I knew the "Legend" when he was nothing but a snotty nosed high school grad., before he killed 3 P&Y bucks in one week!
