buckfeverbob

I must admit that I am a trophy hunter. I still take my share of does every year. I shot an 8 point this year and was dissapointed when I got to him because I didn't think he was as big as I thought. I am fine with it now, but that was a very "wierd" feeling. My buddies congratulating me and I am wondering why I shot a "small" 8 point -- with 10 1/2" G2's? I had an enormous year last year (9 point, 11 point and a 14 that netted 152ish) and am now trying to top it? I definitely understand the frustration of not getting a trophy. That is why we all love this sport. This past week alone I passed up a 10, and 5 different 8's, plus countless smaller ones. I can't help it that I want the big boy!!! It is in my blood or something? I will be happy with the doe and 8 in the freezer if I never get another shot, but I don't think that I will shoot another 6 point in my lifetime if I can help it. This is just me and I can't help that I have my reasons.
BOB

wolfen68

BOWFANATIC...yes, I guess you could say it was a little bit of a shot, but a really nice one if you ask me. I just can't see why a guy who already has 3 does in the freezer feels a need to shoot a young buck before his prime...was it for meat, I can't see it...was it for the thrill...I really can't see it. Why then? Was it to say, hey, I didn't go &quot;buckless&quot; this year or was it simply because &quot;you could&quot; so &quot;you did&quot;? Some people don't agree with Quality Deer Management but every time a hunter decides to shoot or not shoot a deer it is a management decision which affects the given herd. Is shooting an immature buck a prudent management decision...not in my opinion and not according to many more qualified biologists opinions either. I'm all for harvesting does and applaud all that do but don't see the rationale in shooting little bucks in a case like this. Bowdacious is not handicapped and not a first year hunter and he had enough meat to feed a small army. Not a personal attack just a difference of opinion in which case I think mine is the right one.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle> Bowdacious is a great guy and I have respect for him and his hunting abilities...I just question his decision in this case.

As far as the 1.5 year old bucks being real dumb here in Kansas as compared to your area I can't comment but all I know is if I fart really loud several times repeatedly while I'm in my stand I think the little bucks mistake it as a grunt call and come running in. It works every time! You ought to try it if you ever have the inkling to shoot a little buck!<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Edited by - wolfen68 on 11/26/2002 11:00:32

JRW

<font color=red>&quot;If you try calling in a 1 1/2 year old buck in Wi by saying &quot;come here boy&quot; or whistling , your gonna be in for a long day.&quot;</font id=red>

OH GREAT!!! NOW they tell me!!! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

JRW

skeeter 7MM

If your happy, I am happy. Anyone truly proud of their harvest is deserving of congrats and hand shakes (regardless of experience, weapon or rack size/sex). The ones that tick me off are the &quot;I settled&quot; group...but that's for another day.

Hunting is personal enjoyment and goals..no one can tell you how you should feel or are going to feel while hunting. (See above statement for clarification)

I am too a trophy hunter, I know all to well how buckless season or tag/track soup feels and yes it can wear thin. However I have started to realize the positives out of these buckless seasons. examples: extra time in the woods (only have one tag per year), learning new spots, seeing great potential deer, deer habitats, etc...well basically learning. I feel with every buck tag I have hanged on the wall unused it provided me with as much, maybe more knowledge than the horns of a used buck tag. To me that is exciting and keeps me pumped through the lows. I believe in doe reduction and culling out over the hill bucks and if my season runs down to the last hour I use it on a mature animal for the table. Never ended up without meat and always feel satisfied.

Shooting a wallhanger every year is probably impossible, due to many variables...so if you go into trophy hunting with the thought of 20 years/20 heads your set up for disappointment, IMO.

Now sometimes a re-focus period is required, such is the case here. If you have to sit down and say what makes me tick...than is time for a re-focus and possibly a start over. You realized this and now are back on track to what makes you tick..congrats. If shooting animals keep you in the sport and pumped to keep at her...horray! Please yourself not others...hunting 101.

BOWFANATIC

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
BOWFANATIC...yes, I guess you could say it was a little bit of a shot, but a really nice one if you ask me. I just can't see why a guy who already has 3 does in the freezer feels a need to shoot a young buck before his prime...
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

And you dont have to see!! Nobody's asking for your permission! Go back and read his post again! He's back to having fun again. But , then he decides to post it and arsewipes like you take the fun out of it again by making ignorant belittling comments<img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle>


<---Doug---<<<

wolfen68

BOWFANATIC...he can still have fun and not shoot little bucks can't he? What was my ignorant belittling commment anyway? BOWDACIOUS is a big boy and I'm quite certain he expected at least one person to be an &quot;arsewipe&quot; and if I must be that one person then so be it. I think I'm simply engaging in a simple debate. I have my educated opinions and others have their emotional opinions. I am happy that Bowdacious is a happy hunter again but I don't see how he would have been less happy stopping at 3 does and letting the little youngster live to at least get pubic hair.<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

SW Iowa Hunter

Wolfen you are right everyone has thier own opinions on what is best for hunting.

What is wrong is when you push your opinion on someone else. Just because it is yours doesn't make it right. I think that it is great that you are letting all those little bucks walk that leaves them for someone else to shoot.

What would be wrong with just saying good job, great, glad to see you are having fun?

Why does everything have to be a debate?

Sounds to me like your educated opinion are pretty emotional.

&quot; Anyone can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a Dad&quot;

Budbowhunter

I'm with you on this one SW Iowa Hunter.

KEEP IT LEGAL. KEEP IT SAFE. OR WE MAY NOT GET TO KEEP IT AT ALL.

DaveH

Bow--great post! Just a little before the time you started holding out for trophies, I began holding out for mature 8 pointers. It was about the same time that my former &quot;trophy area&quot; received more pressure, got significantly smaller and had paintball battlefields and 4-wheeler trails built all over it by neighborhood kids. The trophies disappeared, but I continued to try. After years of no bucks big enough to shoot, I satisfy myself with does too (3 so far this year). I've passed up a suicidal 6 point under 10 yards on at least 3 occasions as well as many other small bucks, but I'm still refraining from shooting a youngster--even though other hunters are taking them. I don't condemn you for shooting them though--if I didn't have any meat, I'd shoot one too. And . . . you're not shooting at my deer anyway!

Today's small bucks are tomorrow's trophies.

wolfen68

SW Iowa...my mission in life is to get as many hunters as possible to understand the importance of letting immature bucks live and rarely will I pass up a chance to attempt to educate others on the topic. You see pics of monster bucks posted on this message board followed by dozens of hunters ooohing and aaaahhhing over it and talking about falling out of their stands if they ever say anything that big and a lot of these guys are the same hunters that shoot small, immature bucks. Enough said. This &quot;debate&quot; will continue no more on this post provided that no further posts require my response. Now let's see how emotional an issue this is for folks. Congratulations on your season Bowdacious.