navaman wrote: i for one really enjoyed this topic. i'm already looking for more like it.
As I read all of your contributions, it was evident that everyone gave the topic some thought. I tried to determine if there were any common threads, key ingredients if you will, that made the thread popular. I think one of the principal pieces to the puzzle was your ability to choose your stance on an issue. You were able to draw your line in the sand and tell us why. For one brief fleeting moment, the soap box was yours. You expressed your beliefs. And in the diversity of all these beliefs we celebrated our differences and the community was strengthened in the process.saxman wrote:Great topic Mike P
Let’s move from the Dark Continent to our own backyards. Let’s see what happens when we drag out the soap box and talk antlers. Let’s talk about the whitetail buck. And to the point, and here is where the game goes afoot, lets talk about limits.
Jay, I am going to use a quote here of some of your words to get us started. And to preface this quote I must tell you a quick little story. I was privileged to attend a Florida deer hunt last year with the use of dogs. I was boar hunting and the family who owns the cattle ranch we hunt on invited us to the big “last day of the hunt” celebration. It is a huge family event with grandfathers and grandsons, daughters and granddaughters, cousins, uncles and anybody else who shared a vague bloodline. The dogs run the deer like beagles run a cottontail and hunting party members station themselves much like the rabbit hunters. After the hunt a huge BBQ was held. What a party! They have been doing this from generation to generation for who knows how many decades. I was honored for being invited and count it as one of the most unique hunting experiences of my life. That being said, here comes the quote.
flbuckmaster wrote: I have taken my personal limit of ten bucks a year with the last being 8 points or better for the last ten years or so. Where else can you do that on public land?
Jay
In previous posts, I have stated my position on the development of whitetail bucks. Many of you know I am an advocate of the one buck limit. And many of you know I am strictly a trophy hunter and a rack fanatic. We can use the trophy hunter versus meat hunter as another topic down the line for another “soap box” thread. But today, let’s talk whitetail buck limits. I believe that placing a one buck limit improves the quantity and quality of whitetail bucks. There are numerous studies that back my position. I also believe that the buck/doe ratio is skewed in virtually everyone’s hunting area. Yes, there are exceptions, but they are few. We hear talk of some areas that require you to shoot a doe before they will issue you a permit to shoot a buck. In some places such as the Edwards Plateau in Texas it would be just plain stupid to limit the harvest of just one buck per license. In many “multi-buck” states I have heard hunters on more then one occasion say “I’m glad I got the first buck out of the way, now I can concentrate on taking a big one.” And is there any difference if a trophy hunter like me visits other states and kills a buck in each of them? Does that violate my own beliefs in the one buck rule? Look how quick the water can get muddy.
If you live in a multi-buck state, county, or parish, tell us your thoughts. Tell us what you do. If you hunt in multiple states and shoot a buck in each, tell us your thoughts. Tell us why you do it.
It’s time to choose your stance again. The soapbox beckons. Let’s once again celebrate our differences.
p.s. I apologize to my northern brothers for using only the states above. As I have never hunted whitetails above the border, I didn’t feel very comfortable with your limits and regulations so I’ll leave it to you to comment about those along with your thoughts. If any of you would care to correct this tragic condition, I will just say “Have Excalibur, Will Travel.” And if you understand that saying, let’s face it, your old!