|
Post by span870 on Jul 30, 2011 18:13:07 GMT -5
Usually don't get into the hunting arguements but had to put my 2 cents in. Is it really that important who kills what deer and with what weapon? I fit into that trophy hunter category. I admit it. I am a horn hunter. I get a kick out of shooting the biggest buck I can. Yes I love the bragging rights at work. I like to show off the pictures. I like em hanging on the wall. Do I force my ideas on others. No. You hunt my property the only rule is it has to be bigger than your biggest. The greatest thrill I have ever had was taking my eight year old boy and watching him shoot his first deer. A monster 4 pointer that i'm sure scored right around 20. The following spring him shooting a monster gobbler. Seeing him run up to that bird after he shot was worth it to me all the time I gave up of my season. I had worse turkey and buck feaver than any bird or buck i have ever shot myself.
As far as weapons. Does it matter how that deer is killed. Whether it be a bow, shotgun, pcr, crossbow, or centerfire? Isn't a dead deer a dead deer. These aren't my deer or your deer. Does it upset guys that bad when the neighbor kills there buck. Shouldn't we be recruiting more hunters to fight the anti hunting anti gun crowds. If crossbows get more people out than i'm fine with that. If it gets my boy out with me in archery sooner than a compund i'm all for it.
Have the guys that are so set against crossbows looked into a youngsters or their wifes eyes after they killed a deer and seen the excitement? How about the guys that want to shorten the season. Aren't these all about killing bigger bucks? Can you be truthful with yourself enough to admit it? There is nothing wrong with that and im not bashing anyone for being that way. Lets call an orange an orange here though. If crossbows are 80 yard weapons and that is the arguement than do we stop guys that can shoot their compounds at that distance from hunting?
Stepping down off soapbox here. Just wanted to give my opinion. Guys its just a deer. There are more important things in life to be fighting over. We have to many people fighting us to be fighting one another. This is from a self admitted trophy hunter. If it is that important to you I hope you kill my buck this year. I'll take my boy getting a spike anyday.
Good hunting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
Post by dadfsr on Jul 30, 2011 18:29:15 GMT -5
Some very points and insight from your perspective. Yeah I'd like to shoot that 15 pointer that we found the sheds from on our property but you can't eat antlers and that is one of the reasons that I hunt-it's food in the freezer.
I'll also never forget the look in Danf's eyes when got his first buck-it may have been a button buck but wouldn't have traded that for anything!!
Also seeing the look in my daughter's eyes when she absolutely drilled that doe at 70-80 yards using my old smokepole last year0-once again a lifetime experience!
Why do a few "me" hunters think they know better???
|
|
|
Post by firstwd on Jul 30, 2011 19:11:48 GMT -5
Span870, you are absolutely correct.
|
|
|
Post by Woody Williams on Jul 30, 2011 19:39:33 GMT -5
Usually don't get into the hunting arguements but had to put my 2 cents in. Is it really that important who kills what deer and with what weapon? I fit into that trophy hunter category. I admit it. I am a horn hunter. I get a kick out of shooting the biggest buck I can. Yes I love the bragging rights at work. I like to show off the pictures. I like em hanging on the wall. Do I force my ideas on others. No. You hunt my property the only rule is it has to be bigger than your biggest. The greatest thrill I have ever had was taking my eight year old boy and watching him shoot his first deer. A monster 4 pointer that i'm sure scored right around 20. The following spring him shooting a monster gobbler. Seeing him run up to that bird after he shot was worth it to me all the time I gave up of my season. I had worse turkey and buck feaver than any bird or buck i have ever shot myself. As far as weapons. Does it matter how that deer is killed. Whether it be a bow, shotgun, pcr, crossbow, or centerfire? Isn't a dead deer a dead deer. These aren't my deer or your deer. Does it upset guys that bad when the neighbor kills there buck. Shouldn't we be recruiting more hunters to fight the anti hunting anti gun crowds. If crossbows get more people out than i'm fine with that. If it gets my boy out with me in archery sooner than a compund i'm all for it. Have the guys that are so set against crossbows looked into a youngsters or their wifes eyes after they killed a deer and seen the excitement? How about the guys that want to shorten the season. Aren't these all about killing bigger bucks? Can you be truthful with yourself enough to admit it? There is nothing wrong with that and im not bashing anyone for being that way. Lets call an orange an orange here though. If crossbows are 80 yard weapons and that is the arguement than do we stop guys that can shoot their compounds at that distance from hunting? Stepping down off soapbox here. Just wanted to give my opinion. Guys its just a deer. There are more important things in life to be fighting over. We have to many people fighting us to be fighting one another. This is from a self admitted trophy hunter. If it is that important to you I hope you kill my buck this year. I'll take my boy getting a spike anyday. Good hunting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VERY well said.... and the end of the hunt the ONLY person we need to please is ourselves.
|
|
|
Post by duff on Jul 30, 2011 20:52:47 GMT -5
Shane. Can't say anything bad about you on this post! My thoughts exactly, fires me up with all the freaking belly aching over a stinking deer.
|
|
|
Post by Decatur on Jul 30, 2011 21:35:27 GMT -5
!
|
|
|
Post by randolphcounty on Jul 30, 2011 21:39:57 GMT -5
here too...... I just don't get it but i am not a trophy hunter, I'll pop or stick a young buck in a heartbeat and never give a thought to what he would look like next year, the only thing I care about is how he is gonna taste the following week, I hunt because I love it and it helps me feed the family, Crossbows in early archery, I say so what, let them hunt, not for me, but to those who want to use them, I say best of luck and I only hope you have as much fun as I do, As for the guys going back and forth, sounds to me like there is a lot of BS being thrown from BOTH SIDES, will be glad when it is all said and done and the next round of drama can begin...... I believe the bottom line to be..... If it were not for antlers, none of this would matter and no one would care either way.......
|
|
|
Post by gumbootbill on Jul 30, 2011 21:59:14 GMT -5
Span870 very well said. That was a good read.
|
|
|
Post by windingwinds on Jul 31, 2011 8:56:00 GMT -5
I tried to think of what would be better than seeing my kids shooting their first deer, and nothing else compares that I shoot personally. Yeah a buck would be nice but I'd trade it in a instant for my boys. My oldest son landed a nice Striper Bass, cleaned it, and fried it this summer and I was so proud. It's the whole process, and it's great to be passing that on. There are so many days we don't catch big ones while fishing or see a huge deer while hunting but it's still been a great day! Nice Post span870.
|
|
|
Post by trapperdave on Jul 31, 2011 9:07:18 GMT -5
AMEN
|
|
|
Post by steve46511 on Jul 31, 2011 15:25:31 GMT -5
You asked if it matters. Each can only reply for their own desires yet I must ask YOU.
One 180 inch buck you knew was there, knew where he bedded and stalked and killed him with a bow at 12 yards.
Another just as big "happened by" your area from a mile away and you shot him at 180 yards with a legal IN rifle.
If I am reading your implications correctly.......they are EQUAL in personal value?
Just curious, no offense intended. I agree with "it's just a deer" and the positive statements you have given. Just a bit lost on this one.
God Bless
|
|
|
Post by INDeerhunter on Jul 31, 2011 17:39:36 GMT -5
I can not wait to take my two sons hunting !!! They are 4 and 5 yrs old and I can tell you that they must have it in their genes to be hunters ! They love to watch about it on tv and help me every way they can (if Im lucky enough to harvest one) when im skinning it out and cutting up the meat. They enjoy eating it and absolutely love being in the woods for walks, hikes, and fishing !!!
I am primarily a bow hunter always have been but I have taken a few deer with a gun. The biggest buck I have harvested was with a slug gun at 6 yards !! It was awesome but to be honest it wasnt the fact it was my personal largest buck cuz I honestly could care less about antler size, it was the fact it was that close to me while I was hunting on the ground !
Since I had a back injury a few years ago I can no longer hunt from a stand and I love being eye level with a deer and having it come in close to me and me being able to fool its nose and eyesight. So IMO I think there is a difference in taking a deer at 180 yrds versus 12 yards but thats just my 2 cents.
I dont care if the xbow passes or not, I think that it will open up more opprutunity for youth hunters and people that may not be able to use a bow otherwise. And I agree if it gets me in the woods faster with my kiddos than I am all for it. I got my wife into hunting 6 yrs ago and she hasnt had the opprutunity to harvest one yet with a bow but I cant wait for that day.
I put money on it that the experience will top all of mine up to this point to see her take one. And for me to know that I am the reason she is into hunting and that I taught her how to shoot and everything I know about deer hunting, to me thats one of the best things about hunting is passing on the tradition not the size of the deer !!
To each their own I dont care if you are a bow hunter gun hunter or whatever your legal wepon choice as long as you are enjoying it, passing the tradition on, and doing it legally and ethically !! I agree that we have enough problems to worry about in our lives and with maitaining our hunting and firearms rights for us to be fighting over something like this amongst ourselves !!!
Great post on your part SPAN870 ! Good Luck to you this coming season ! ~INDeerhunter~
|
|
|
Post by Hawkeye on Jul 31, 2011 18:25:14 GMT -5
Usually don't get into the hunting arguements but had to put my 2 cents in. Is it really that important who kills what deer and with what weapon? I fit into that trophy hunter category. I admit it. I am a horn hunter. I get a kick out of shooting the biggest buck I can. Yes I love the bragging rights at work. I like to show off the pictures. I like em hanging on the wall. Do I force my ideas on others. No. You hunt my property the only rule is it has to be bigger than your biggest. The greatest thrill I have ever had was taking my eight year old boy and watching him shoot his first deer. A monster 4 pointer that i'm sure scored right around 20. The following spring him shooting a monster gobbler. Seeing him run up to that bird after he shot was worth it to me all the time I gave up of my season. I had worse turkey and buck feaver than any bird or buck i have ever shot myself. As far as weapons. Does it matter how that deer is killed. Whether it be a bow, shotgun, pcr, crossbow, or centerfire? Isn't a dead deer a dead deer. These aren't my deer or your deer. Does it upset guys that bad when the neighbor kills there buck. Shouldn't we be recruiting more hunters to fight the anti hunting anti gun crowds. If crossbows get more people out than i'm fine with that. If it gets my boy out with me in archery sooner than a compund i'm all for it. Have the guys that are so set against crossbows looked into a youngsters or their wifes eyes after they killed a deer and seen the excitement? How about the guys that want to shorten the season. Aren't these all about killing bigger bucks? Can you be truthful with yourself enough to admit it? There is nothing wrong with that and im not bashing anyone for being that way. Lets call an orange an orange here though. If crossbows are 80 yard weapons and that is the arguement than do we stop guys that can shoot their compounds at that distance from hunting? Stepping down off soapbox here. Just wanted to give my opinion. Guys its just a deer. There are more important things in life to be fighting over. We have to many people fighting us to be fighting one another. This is from a self admitted trophy hunter. If it is that important to you I hope you kill my buck this year. I'll take my boy getting a spike anyday. Good hunting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good post. Funny thing, The Deer hunts I remember and have the fondest memories of are ,my sons first Deer when he was eight years old. The other is my first deer sixty years ago.Do I like to kill a big deer with many points?, sure, but for the last few years only bow hunt. And due to a injury involving my left hand a hatchet and a nice doe ,must use a crossbow. If I had known how much fun the crossbow is, would have took it up earlier.My criteria now for taking a deer , I like them to be older. I got over the must get the biggest, most points years ago, nothing to prove to myself or any one else.How others hunt and what they use is there business.
|
|
|
Post by span870 on Jul 31, 2011 19:24:59 GMT -5
Steve... yes to me both are equal deer. Why would the deer with bow be any different than the rifle. Change it up a little bit and say I shot the deer with the bow and the next year shot one with the rifle equally big at the same distance. Is the one from the 2nd year less a trophy. I've stalked a 180 plus non typical in its bed to less than ten yards and couldn't get a shot. I continued hunting that same deer all year with a gun, Never got it. I wouldn't have looked at it any different if i would have killed it with a shotgun, bow, or muzzle loader. Do I judge the whitetail I shot in Wyoming with a 270 at 35 yards or the muley at 80 with a 06 or the antelope at 485 any different? Nope they are all trophys to me. And they are all dead. Is a 200 inch whitetail with a bow not a 200 inch with a rifle? I think maybe you missed my point on does it matter as the topic heading. Was really trying to say that no it doesn't matter and that we all need to get passed all the infighting about weapons. I wanted to make a point that there are more important thing in life than a deer. Each time we fight one another it just adds to the anti fire and splits us. Its not just Indiana. Hunters fighting over others using black rifles. Guys wanting to shoot does. On and on in every state. Think about how powerful the hunting and shooting lobby would be if we all stuck together. I have had hunters and shooters belittle me and tell me that there is no reason I should own an ar. Why not. If it's legal who cares? We are tearing ouselves apart from the inside. I have seen guys talk down to young hunters that shot an "inferior" deer to them. Should have let it grow couple more years. Oh you got a deer. Lets see. Oh just a spike. All comments I have heard as im sure many have.
Bottom line stick together. Stick up for one another. Take a kid or non hunter hunting and above all else have fun. Hope to see ya all in the woods someday.
|
|
|
Post by INDeerhunter on Jul 31, 2011 20:09:29 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by hankhunter on Aug 1, 2011 8:08:37 GMT -5
I agree and I'm glad someone finally said something. The only ones that tell me how to hunt my land is the guy who pays the taxes which is me and the guys in the green uniforms. If you don't wear a green uniform I don't care what your opinion is.
|
|
|
Post by tickman1961 on Aug 1, 2011 8:10:01 GMT -5
Dead is dead regardless of legal weapon or legal tactic. Maybe there is hope. Too many hunters are selfish people who cannot see outside their own comfortably numb box and are jealous of others success.
|
|
|
Post by steve46511 on Aug 3, 2011 16:06:42 GMT -5
I agree with what you are saying about sticking together and not judging and have done so all my life. I agree the xbow argument is moot. The state is going to do what they feel will put the most in their pocket and shoot the most deer.......period, nor will I downgrade a friend of mine that I will help set UP a crossbow. It is his choice to try and see if he likes it. However, for the sake of any new hunters out there reading this I will reply to this "Is a 200 inch whitetail with a bow not a 200 inch with a rifle?" The answer is an obvous yes......in PHYSICAL size only. If a tape measure is anyone's method of judging a trophy......so be it but what it is not TO anyone I have even known......is "equal", at least not to us and feel that is the same in any outdoor sport within hunting or fishing. It's the extra effort/skills/time whatever you wish to call it that makes a fly fisherman prize a bucket full of one lb bluegill over the same taken with live bait. It's the same for those whom test their limitations without all the gimmicks available hunting deer, the same for the wingshooter whom prizes a limit of quail or 100 straight at skeet with a 410 instead of a 12 gauge. It's IS about the amount of difficulty one challenges himself with. NO.....before blasted, it is NOT "easy" to shoot a 200 inch buck......at all. Yet one from the ground with a traditional bow is 100 times more difficult.........and 100 times more prized due to that factor. Simply considering ONLY the "size" of a rack judging a trophy buck ignores, totally, the method of taking such unless worrying about if it's B & C or P & Y. There is nothing wrong with hunters putting a goal on shooting such and such inches of antlers and I hope they reach the satisfaction they search for.........but no, two two hundred inch bucks taken one with a rifle and one with a longbow from the ground (for instance) is NOT equal nor "AS BIG"a trophy to literally hundreds of hunters I have been acquainted with. Yep, if out with my smokepole and a new state record walks by......I AM going to shoot it and give thanks for such but ............FOR ME.........it's value would be drastically jaded enough that it would not ever be entered IN the record book yet that does not mean that OTHERS shouldn't enter theirs at all or not be tickled silly with it. Ask 100 people who took a truly trophy buck with a gun if they would have PREFERRED to shoot it with a bow at close range. The answer is obvious to most of us and I'm betting 90 percent of them would also say the same. That HARDLY makes the other 10 percent "wrong"....and I am not saying so but for the average deer hunter HOW the animal was taken, does INDEED factor into the value of the animal trophy wise. Your post's main point of sticking together is a great one, well put and I agree wholeheartedly yet let us just agree that "I think differently" about if a 200 inch buck is a 200 inch buck? Again, no offense intended, just an honest reply that I know for a fact, every single hunter I know locally would support. God Bless Steve
|
|
|
Post by randolphcounty on Aug 3, 2011 20:28:46 GMT -5
I agree with what you are saying about sticking together and not judging and have done so all my life. I agree the xbow argument is moot. The state is going to do what they feel will put the most in their pocket and shoot the most deer.......period, nor will I downgrade a friend of mine that I will help set UP a crossbow. It is his choice to try and see if he likes it. However, for the sake of any new hunters out there reading this I will reply to this "Is a 200 inch whitetail with a bow not a 200 inch with a rifle?" The answer is an obvous yes......in PHYSICAL size only. If a tape measure is anyone's method of judging a trophy......so be it but what it is not TO anyone I have even known......is "equal", at least not to us and feel that is the same in any outdoor sport within hunting or fishing. It's the extra effort/skills/time whatever you wish to call it that makes a fly fisherman prize a bucket full of one lb bluegill over the same taken with live bait. It's the same for those whom test their limitations without all the gimmicks available hunting deer, the same for the wingshooter whom prizes a limit of quail or 100 straight at skeet with a 410 instead of a 12 gauge. It's IS about the amount of difficulty one challenges himself with. NO.....before blasted, it is NOT "easy" to shoot a 200 inch buck......at all. Yet one from the ground with a traditional bow is 100 times more difficult.........and 100 times more prized due to that factor. Simply considering ONLY the "size" of a rack judging a trophy buck ignores, totally, the method of taking such unless worrying about if it's B & C or P & Y. There is nothing wrong with hunters putting a goal on shooting such and such inches of antlers and I hope they reach the satisfaction they search for.........but no, two two hundred inch bucks taken one with a rifle and one with a longbow from the ground (for instance) is NOT equal nor "AS BIG"a trophy to literally hundreds of hunters I have been acquainted with. Yep, if out with my smokepole and a new state record walks by......I AM going to shoot it and give thanks for such but ............FOR ME.........it's value would be drastically jaded enough that it would not ever be entered IN the record book yet that does not mean that OTHERS shouldn't enter theirs at all or not be tickled silly with it. Ask 100 people who took a truly trophy buck with a gun if they would have PREFERRED to shoot it with a bow at close range. The answer is obvious to most of us and I'm betting 90 percent of them would also say the same. That HARDLY makes the other 10 percent "wrong"....and I am not saying so but for the average deer hunter HOW the animal was taken, does INDEED factor into the value of the animal trophy wise. Your post's main point of sticking together is a great one, well put and I agree wholeheartedly yet let us just agree that "I think differently" about if a 200 inch buck is a 200 inch buck? Again, no offense intended, just an honest reply that I know for a fact, every single hunter I know locally would support. God Bless Steve Steve, that Sir was an great post and I could not agree more, I too think differently about a 200 inch buck is a 200 inch buck..... as i said in an earlier post, I am not a antler trophy hunter, I hunt for the enjoyment it brings and to help feed my family, don't misunderstand, I have nothing against those who are out to get a Booner, I wish them all the luck in the world, what I don't like is when some of them want to look down on me, tell me how I should hunt or assume I am less of a hunter because I don't care about the inches of bone on a bucks head........ as you said, there is something to be said for getting up close and personal with the deer...... at least for me, to each their own.......
|
|
|
Post by span870 on Aug 3, 2011 20:33:56 GMT -5
Steve.. I would disagree with you that the "average" hunter would say he would rather the bow kill. Maybe the average bow hunter. I think whether its killed with bow, gun, or whatever it should be cherished. 200 inch or a doe. I would go as far to say that if the new state record is jaded by killing with a muzzleloader maybe it should walk. Never look down or be "jaded" by any animal killed by any legal means. I guess we will agree to disagree. Your mind is set and so is mine and I don't want this to turn into what many discussions turn into. Good hunting.
Maybe informal survey. How does everyone else feel?
|
|