Meat Hunter versus Trophy Hunter
I think at one time or another a lot of us hunters were trophy hunters. When this trophy bug or shooter buck thing hit it made a lot of hunters feel "unworthy" or a "bad hunter" if you didn't kill a book buck. I was bitten with this bug in 1988. I decided from then on out I would only kill mature bucks. This lasted until 1992, the year I saw the light so to speak. I managed to kill a few real good bucks including a monster 12 pointer during that time. Why did I stop? I found myself not having much fun anymore. Hunting became a lot like work rather than an activity I once loved to do. I also found out that it didn't matter if I was a good hunter or a bad hunter; I didn't need to prove anything to anyone; especially to myself. I also came across a very large body deer with its head and neck removed. I thought "what a waste". This animal was killed solely for its antlers so someone could have bragging rights. That is when I realized that I was just a plain ole hunter and never again would I seek out an animal just for its "Trophy" status again. Ever since then I have enjoyed every minute spent afield with a lot less stress. Don't get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with trophy hunting as long as we use the entire animal and understand that every hunter doesn't associate the word "hunting" to mean trophy hunting.
BUCKEYE
A man who makes no mistakes usually doesn't make anything at all.
A man who makes no mistakes usually doesn't make anything at all.
I truely believe that those that call themselves "Trophy Hunters" do so because they are afforded the luxury of hunting in an area where there are many mature deer. They can pass up smaller bucks within range, knowing that it is only a matter of time until a "shooter" comes by.
Most of the people out there do not have the seemingly unlimited time to scout, sit in wait, or stalk a mature whitetail. I know lots of people who can only hunt a handful of days each year and are pleased as punch to be able to connect with any deer.
It also depends on the number of tags you are allowed. I get two tags each year. I am allowed 4 tags this year, but I would never eat all of that meat so why kill 4 deer. My first tag goes to the first unlucky deer to present a good shot. The second goes to a buck. That is my choice! That is how I see fit to fill my tags.
The fact of the matters is that the government dictates what sex your tag is good for, not how old the deer is. It is up to the hunter to decide when or if they are going to fill those tags. No one owns the deer, they are wild and free to be hunted by anyone.
I do not look down on anyone for their decision to take an animal as long as it is legal and humane. I am a meat hunter and a trophy hunter. I fill my freezer to feed my family and I also enjoy trying to outsmart those tough old bucks. But, if I were to only hunt "shooter" bucks where I am able to hunt, then I would not be eating very much venison. Someday I may be able to have the skill and time it takes to consistently connect with big bucks, but I don't think it will ever compare to my first deer. It was a 100lb button buck and my most prized "trophy" to date. I took a brute of a 10pt two years after that, and it was exciting, but no where near as exciting as the first.
Most of the people out there do not have the seemingly unlimited time to scout, sit in wait, or stalk a mature whitetail. I know lots of people who can only hunt a handful of days each year and are pleased as punch to be able to connect with any deer.
It also depends on the number of tags you are allowed. I get two tags each year. I am allowed 4 tags this year, but I would never eat all of that meat so why kill 4 deer. My first tag goes to the first unlucky deer to present a good shot. The second goes to a buck. That is my choice! That is how I see fit to fill my tags.
The fact of the matters is that the government dictates what sex your tag is good for, not how old the deer is. It is up to the hunter to decide when or if they are going to fill those tags. No one owns the deer, they are wild and free to be hunted by anyone.
I do not look down on anyone for their decision to take an animal as long as it is legal and humane. I am a meat hunter and a trophy hunter. I fill my freezer to feed my family and I also enjoy trying to outsmart those tough old bucks. But, if I were to only hunt "shooter" bucks where I am able to hunt, then I would not be eating very much venison. Someday I may be able to have the skill and time it takes to consistently connect with big bucks, but I don't think it will ever compare to my first deer. It was a 100lb button buck and my most prized "trophy" to date. I took a brute of a 10pt two years after that, and it was exciting, but no where near as exciting as the first.
I hunt for memories, the meat's a bonus!
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crazyfarmer
- Posts: 5250
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I always say to each his own...
but during bow and ML season I do hunt for the best buck in my area. I have 2 now im hunting this season. If I cant get them in the 6 weeks time I have for that, then I start reducing the deer numbers. Im lucky enough to see atleast 6-7 deer everytime I hit the woods so picking and choosing isnt a big issue in the doe area. But trophy hunters can be meat hunters also. Im both. I probably take atleast 15 doe every year(atleast). Along with 2 decent bucks on average. We dont have the ohio type deer here, but the main reason for that is that most shoot every little spike that walks by. They never get a chance to grow. Now I have nothing against someone that might hunt 3-4 times a year or has never even killed a buck shooting a small rack buck. I dont favor the guys that shoot spike and 4pt after 4pt every year and then they say, why cant I kill a BIG buck and not all this little ones... HELLOOOO lol
but from Oct 1st-Mid Nov im after a wall hanger... trophy mode as I call it...
there afterwards I start to pick and choose doe while still looking for a gaint to walk out. Normally I'll wait untill last light those days and if no decent buck walks out, then its lights out for a doe. If alot fo guys would hold out for another 10mins, they would probably have something to mount also
I also process deer for hunters for the hungry, so after skinning 20-30 deer a weekend I dont feel like killing much of anything
But I still do my part in trying to keep the herd in balance. Every buck I kill here, I try to take atleast 10 doe since the doe/buck ratio is really out of wack in Va
but during bow and ML season I do hunt for the best buck in my area. I have 2 now im hunting this season. If I cant get them in the 6 weeks time I have for that, then I start reducing the deer numbers. Im lucky enough to see atleast 6-7 deer everytime I hit the woods so picking and choosing isnt a big issue in the doe area. But trophy hunters can be meat hunters also. Im both. I probably take atleast 15 doe every year(atleast). Along with 2 decent bucks on average. We dont have the ohio type deer here, but the main reason for that is that most shoot every little spike that walks by. They never get a chance to grow. Now I have nothing against someone that might hunt 3-4 times a year or has never even killed a buck shooting a small rack buck. I dont favor the guys that shoot spike and 4pt after 4pt every year and then they say, why cant I kill a BIG buck and not all this little ones... HELLOOOO lol
but from Oct 1st-Mid Nov im after a wall hanger... trophy mode as I call it...
there afterwards I start to pick and choose doe while still looking for a gaint to walk out. Normally I'll wait untill last light those days and if no decent buck walks out, then its lights out for a doe. If alot fo guys would hold out for another 10mins, they would probably have something to mount also
I also process deer for hunters for the hungry, so after skinning 20-30 deer a weekend I dont feel like killing much of anything
But I still do my part in trying to keep the herd in balance. Every buck I kill here, I try to take atleast 10 doe since the doe/buck ratio is really out of wack in Va
I don't have a problem with either method of hunting as long as that is what the hunters wants. The only thing I have a problem with is meat hunters tearing down trophy hunters or vise-versa. If you ask me, these folks don't know their asses from their elbows.
"If you aren't working to protect hunting, you're working to end it." -Fred Bear
"If you aren't working to protect hunting, you're working to end it." -Fred Bear
"You have reached the pinnacle of success as soon as you become uninterested in money, compliments, and publicity." - Eddie Rickenbacker, World War I pilot