[onehorse]

Just wondering how many of you guys consider yourselves to be trophy hunters and how many consider yourselves meat hunters and how many are both? Also, how many of you set a minimum standard as to what you are looking for in a buck? (if not a trophy by B.C. standards, at least a certain number of points or size, etc. - or it walks.) My standard for bucks is 8 points or more, but I also do meat hunts for antelope and elk. (Those two taste so good, it would be a real shame not to put one in the freezer because of what might NOT be on its head)!

 

[ronn]

Its a thought provoking question onehorse. I'm both or neither or one or the other. I can turn up the trophy thermostat if thats what i'm after or down if I'm after meat. I guess if i get a deer or two in the freezer then i hunt for what i consider a trophy. does passing little ones make me a trophy hunter? i don't know but i'm trying not to shoot 1.5 old bucks but if time is running out and i got nothing in the freezer there is a chance i would take him.

 

[daddus1]

"Trophy or not to trophy that is the question?" a lot in my circumstances depends where you are hunting, i am assuming deer? but it could be anything.
I some areas there is no potential for trophy animals so we do as the normal for the area.
But the real trophy is sitting down to a cubed venison steak with a little gravy on and topped with some butter fried mushrooms.
Just the opinion of a food addict.
daddus1

 

[BruceBruce1959]

Onehorse as you well know, here in Vermont the hunters can't be too strict on what they choose to harvest.
Ideally I'd like a mature buck with a minimum of 6 points during the Vermont archery or rifle seasons,
I'm not fussy on which doe to take out, a doe of any size during the archery season is acceptable But
if the Muzzleloader season arrives and my freezers empty of venison, then I'm simply looking for any legal harvest.

 

[Hunting Man]

Any deer is a trophy depending what I'm using to harvest it with. In PA archery three on one side is miminum for bucks. I like to locate a legal buck and start the chess game. With flintlocks in late season is usually trying to fill doe tags or leftover tags. So I guess I'm a freezer kind of guy who tries to shoot the best buck in the area and settles for a legal buck. I don't have the time to be a true trophy hunter and I don't hunt an area that produces big bucks, thats my choise! I also value my close hunting buddies and that plays into things too.

 

[Predator]

Its meat first. the trophy is the bonus. I generally buy 4 tags at the start of the season which allows me to shoot anything that passes the stand without jeopardizing any opportunity to shoot a trophy that comes along afterward. cheap insurance by any other name. and I can allways go but additional tags if necessary.

 

[wmi]

140+/4.5 years old +. I like big old bucks, the little guys just don't do it for me. Love to watch them but if I shoot one he is going to the taxidermist. I hunt for the challenge. Knock on wood I have been very fortunate never to go without fresh venison. It may take me awhile to locate, pattern, and give a dirt nap to one but it is all about the hunt not always the kill. Just love a fist full of bone.:thumbup::yes:ickle:

 

[Predator]

wmi,

I tried to pm you, but was blocked from doing so. you may want to reconsider your last comment.

I am sure everyone knows what you mean, but.

 

[wmi]

Nah, it will give everyone a laugh. Good entertainment. :w00t::lol: Pardon the pickle.

 

[redman5850]

Any deer is a trophy depending what I'm using to harvest it with. I don't have the time to be a true trophy hunter and I don't hunt an area that produces big bucks, thats my choise!

As do I HM, hunt in an area that the bucks are small. We have a saying that a spike is a Bergton 11 pointer. I believe they don't get a chance to age due to poaching to feed their families but I could be wrong! Anyways I have to say for me it's to fill the freezer. I'm 34 years old and have been hunting for as long as I can remember and this past season is the first time have had anything mounted. I don't see anything wrong with trophy hunting as long as the meat goes somewhere and not wasted.

 

[timberghost]

I'm a bad hunter.

 

[ronn]

I'm a bad hunter.

hahahaha:lol::lol:seems i've seen some nice antlers somewherein pics from you. i may be wrong though

 

[buckfever]

Both!!!!!! Bow season is usually take the does out and find some food. Closer to rut during ML and rifle season my mood changes to buck hunting. Not to say I will not take a doe during the later part of the season (because we always have to thin our herd in TN) I am just alot less likely to take a doe. When it comes to what size buck I will take it depends on which spot I am hunting.

On my lease where we try to manage it has to be at least a 6 pointer but each of us usually hold off on those unless we havent shot a deer yet. We usually wait for what we would consider a wall hanger or good buck in TN. 110 inch or so or better.

Now when Im on my bro-in-laws place if we have a chance to both shoot deer on the same hunt (since we hardly ever get to hunt together) I am more prone to step out of the "trophy" hunting mood Im in when Im on the lease.

No matter what mood im in "trophy" or "meat" i still love deer hunting just as much..

 

[rdrader2002]

"I don't see anything wrong with trophy hunting as long as the meat goes somewhere and not wasted."

Now that's what my grand-pappy taught me as a young-un. (Did I spell that right?) Don't shoot something unless the meat's going into at least someone's freezer. If it's a trophy, then it's even better.

As far as minimum of points, we have that new 13" minimum which typically means at least an 8 point before he's legal. Let plenty of six pointers go this past season just for that reason. One 6-pt had a huge body, but the antler spread would have gotten me afoul of the game warden if I'd done anything but watch him through the scope like I did.

I'm consider myself more of a meat hunter, but don't mind trying for "the big one" that my daughter has pictures of. He's even been near enough to the house for her to spook just the other day, so I know that he survived this past season. Sure hope my work schedule doesn't change. Maybe this year I can be home on opening day of the season . . . . . . . for once.

 

[Southern Man]

I guess I a little of both. I will keep a years supply of deer meat in the freezor but will not shoot a young buck. As WMI said, they just don't do it for me any more. But, his idea of a little one isn't the same as mine. We have plenty of does here for meat, too many actually. There was a time I'd shoot a young buck if it were a unique situation. I once called a spike to me on the ground while I was scouting and shot him at 20 yards with a bow. I sneaked up on a 5pt feeding in a soybean field and shot him a 15 yards. That kind of thing, but it got too easy on the little guys. Anymore I'll wait on a better than average buck for the farm I'm hunting, one for the wall. So, I guess I'm a trophy hunter where bucks are concerned. But I'm a meat hunter also.

 

[aka_hunter2002]

Im a meat hunter Racks look good but you cant eat them

 

[sir smackabuck]

I consider myself both, the first weekend of season on my property I shoot my doe's, whitetail and axis. I spend the rest of the season hunting my trophies, Sika, blackbuck, Fallow. I shot a big 155 class 11 point 2 years ago and want something larger or with a droptine so I let my kids or a guest shoot the bucks. I trophy hunt my Axis in May and June (33'' or better). Owning my own property (500 of 3000 acres in Real county, Texas, my non-hunting siblings own the rest) has definate benefits.

 

[kemster99]

this also is a good topic to discuss. i am a deer hunter, period. love all things about it. i hunt mainly for meat. but if a nice buck gives me a shot--- that being said. i enjoy the outdoors, and just being out in them. i feel i have already "won" just being in the woods. if i get to harvest that is a bonus.

 

[timetohunt]

I hunt primarily for the meat. I love venison and take pride in not havving bought beef (except for one pack of hamburger) for the past 3 years. I Love the idea of a monster trophy buck. I take pride in what is left over after the cutting boards are cleaned. If I had waited for a trophy buck, well, I'd still be waiting. The offseason if for dreaming about big racks, deer season is about the venison.

 

[wmi]

Ever get that feeling you are all alone?:bag: Guys I still get venison it is just more aged.:wink: