TEmbry

I disagree. Even if it was a buck never seen before, in order for them to take it, the quality animal doesn't change, still has to be 1 out of the 2-3 heck maybe 4-5 bucks in that area.

Lets do it this way. You are on a playground, and you want to throw a rock at 1 of 4 kids you despise, they are they biggest baddest kids on the block. Would you rather "hunt" them while classes were on schedule, and each class comes out at a certain time, kids do their own certain things, and somewhat stick to a pattern, or would you rather go sit during the rut, when the whole school lets out and mass chaos lets loose as all the kids run everywhere?


Sure, if you guys want to diminish trophy hunters for hunting for their own reasons, go ahead (Will somewhat admited to it, taking jabs at them). Pointing out how you think trophy hunters are hypocrits for hunting the rut when it is easy, all the while advocating everyone hunt for their own reasons....just dont make sense. And most of the trophy hunters I know, dont look for tougher seasons to increase difficulty, they look for bigger deer. Increases the difficulty all the same, and they hunt all season long.


So im guessing a guided hunt during the rut in a big buck state is just the epitome of easy if one tags a bruiser, right?

TEmbry

How does hunting skill change? Have you guys advocating this ever been able to hunt a buck on his summer patterns? If you have access to good food sources, and have the time to glass the fields in the afternoon, I think even you guys will find that getting on a big buck is just as easy if not easier then.


How is hunting a buck when he is patternable showing of more hunting skill? To be the devils advocate, wouldn't it be harder to kill a buck(not just any buck) if he could be anywhere at random?

davidmil

Well if the original question is to have any merit, I think a true trophy hunter should throw caution to the wind, put on his best blue undies and charge wildly through the woods yelling "here trophy... Here Trophy". Now that guy would be my hero.

iamyourhuckleberry

Mine too David, Are you saying this trophy hunter stuff is malarchy?

You're all over it John! I'll be hunting the rut with you.

Greg, why don't you stop making assumptions as to how I hunt. You are welcome to hunt with me anytime. the door is always open!

crenshaw

I find this post kinda outta whack!!!

First off on my properties we do have antler restirctions, does that make us Trophy hunters or hunters who like to see deer mature and reach there potential??? I dont travel the world and judge everyone, i just do whats right for me...

Another thing hate to burst your "the deer are stupid in the rut" theory, but i have had far greater success patterning bucks on food sources early in the season and super late in the season. Not to say i havent bagged a few good ones during the rut, but it just doesnt happen as often for me.The deer are all over the place, and i mighthave a monster pegged and never see him during the rutcause he is 10 farms down the road.

For me the rut is like watching a show, i love to just watch them go!! My friend is texting me from my farm right now telling me how he has a bunch of 120 class deer chasing in front of him in the stand i just placed, He aint seeing the trophy but he is having a blast just watching them. thats why i hunt the rut!!!! Sure the opprotunity is there to shoot a giant, but its also there every time you go out. My biggest deer to date i shot new years morning, quiet, cold, and flurries, 3 hours after light and not seeing a thing here he comes.

stuck at work and cant wait for tomorrow to watch the show!!

IAhuntr

If we are to follow the OP's line of thought, then to truly feel a sense of accomplishment we should ditch our tree stands, bow and arrows, camo clothing and scent prevention gear. We should not shower for a week, wear a loincloth and try to take a mature buck from the ground with a sharp stick, big rock, or for the ultimate "trophy" using bare our hands only!
C'mon enough with the 'trophy hunter' hate.Sounds like a henhouse in here.Just hunt already.

iamyourhuckleberry

I agree. Some times it take the Devil's advocate to bring such things to light.

For the record and after reviewing the "game bag", onebuck was killed in August,8 bucks (one of which was a mulie) were killed in September, 16 bucks were killed during the month of October ( seven of which were killed after 10/26), and 19 bucks were killed so far in November ( 6 were killed on the 13th). It appears the quality of the deer increases as the rut approached-IMO.

crenshaw

Do those facts also include the amount of hunters in the woods and amount of days each hunter sat?? Like to see those numbers too... In my experience there are a lot less hunters in the woods during the early season and late season.

bawanajim

I will become a true bottom feeder tomorrow, when I partake in NY's shotgun hunt during the rut. If only I were hunting a high fenced baited enclosure.

iamyourhuckleberry

Why is that? Why do more hunters come out for the rut-it can't be just for the show? I thought it was easier during the early season (?). One would think your average hunter would have this figured out, and thus hunt early, right?