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Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jun 29, 2013 9:48:12 GMT -5
I have a few more questions for you experts:
1) On your first kill, was it actually the first deer that you had a good shot at? Never killing one, I'm inclined to take that first good shot.
2) On the hunting shows, I see them pass on deer that I would consider a trophy. They all look like shooters to me. If you have already shot an 8 pointer, do you wait until you see a bigger one to harvest? I'm afraid that I'll shoot a 2 year old buck that should be given more time to grow. On your first kill, would you or did you shoot the first buck that you saw?
3) If one butchers a deer at home, does one just throw the carcass in the trash like a chicken?
4) Can one just take meat to a butcher to be ground?
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Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jun 29, 2013 16:18:12 GMT -5
Help me out here. I'll even take the non-experts opinion. :-)
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2013 17:36:36 GMT -5
1. The advice I'd give is to set a goal. The first goal should be to make a quick clean kill. I'd recommend that you shoot a doe for your first deer. As for your buck tag it totally depends on the area your hunting and your overall goals in that area. As you know, the bag limit is multiple deer per year but only one buck, so most people sort of wait for a quality buck. A quality buck for your first one could be what ever size you want, based on what's available in the area you hunt. Or it could be what the personetting you hunt his land will allow you to shoot. The only time you should shoot the first small buck you see is if its near the end of the season. Most likely, if you use some restraint, you'll be glad you did.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2013 17:41:43 GMT -5
2. Again, unless the first buck you see is a good one, just watch it for a while and learn how bucks react in different ways than does. You don't have to kill one like the TV guys do. I would not recommend passing on a two year old, but would on a yearling.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2013 17:43:49 GMT -5
3. Once you remove the good edible meat, the rest is garbage or coyote fixins. Just use caution where you might discard the remains. Be aware of others.
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Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jun 29, 2013 17:45:43 GMT -5
I really appreciate this information timex. This helps me a lot!
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First Kill
Jun 29, 2013 18:10:40 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2013 18:10:40 GMT -5
4. Yes
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2013 18:13:03 GMT -5
Jon, very few of us started out killing big bucks. My advice would be, if it excites you and you get a good clean shot, SHOOT!
I didn't start deer hunting until I was in my early 30s. My first deer was a doe. My first buck was a spike. He thrilled me at the time. No one would give you a hard time for choosing to shoot a young buck for your first. Though, I agree with Timex, a lot depends on the herd where you hunt...if there are a lot of good bucks around, you might end up regretting not waiting.
Generally, most hunters start off not being very selective, then, when they get their feet wet a couple times, they start setting higher standards. As I said, my first buck was a spike. My next was a basket racked 8 pointer. Then I got my first bow kill buck, which was a pretty good 115" 9 pointer. He was my first buck I ever had mounted and I'm still proud of him, though I've killed several bigger ones, he is still my biggest bow kill. I've been lucky enough to kill two bucks that grossed over 150 and netted over 140, but I still don't hold myself to real high standards. If a nice 2 year old walks by me sporting over 120 inches, I'm probably not going to pass him up...unless I've seen better around.
To sum it up, shoot what makes you happy.
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Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jun 29, 2013 18:21:45 GMT -5
:-) This makes me happy you fellas sharing your experiences with me. This is really how I learn best. I'm not afraid to ask stupid questions; I'm comfortable with my ignorance. :-)
I would think that a trail camera will help me know what is in the area. I've ordered another one as I have loaned mine out. I'll share to a fault. It just about made me cry when the guys at work approached me to hunt their land. They're small patches, but I was happy happy happy.
Thank you so much timex and met!
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Post by kirch86 on Jun 29, 2013 21:01:52 GMT -5
I deer hunt for 2 reasons. For extra meat in the freezer and for my own enjoyment. I will shoot whatever deer will bring me enjoyment. You shouldn't shoot a deer to make anyone else happy besides yourself.
I live in town. I always double bag my leftover deer parts and put it in the garbage. if it is awhile until trash day I will put it in the freezer so it doesn't stink.
You can always look on ebay for a cheap meat grinder. If this is something you plan on doing for awhile you will be money ahead.
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Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jun 29, 2013 21:41:33 GMT -5
I deer hunt for 2 reasons. For extra meat in the freezer and for my own enjoyment. I will shoot whatever deer will bring me enjoyment. You shouldn't shoot a deer to make anyone else happy besides yourself. I live in town. I always double bag my leftover deer parts and put it in the garbage. if it is awhile until trash day I will put it in the freezer so it doesn't stink. You can always look on ebay for a cheap meat grinder. If this is something you plan on doing for awhile you will be money ahead. Thank you kirch86! What size grinder works best? I've seen some small ones in the store, but I really don't want to be grinding for days. :-)
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Post by kirch86 on Jun 29, 2013 21:48:00 GMT -5
I am not sure on the size. The grinder I use is an attachment for a kitchenaid mixer. I am sure other guys will chime in.
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Post by dbd870 on Jun 30, 2013 6:01:58 GMT -5
First deer I shot was a spike as well. It was the first one I had a shot on; my only advise to a first time hunter is pass the yearlings and after that go for it. The hunting shows are not reality, they hunt the best managed properties around, average Joe hunter is not going to be in a similar situation at all. I would suggest do what make you happy and who cares what anyone else says. A 2.5yr old 8 is going down if I see it.
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Post by squirrelhunter on Jun 30, 2013 10:04:47 GMT -5
The first deer I shot was an 8 pointer and every since then it's been does.To me it's no difference than squirrel or rabbit hunting,the sex doesn't matter.They're both edible. But if I see a group I'll take the largest if I can simply because of more meat.
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Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jun 30, 2013 10:24:49 GMT -5
The first deer I shot was an 8 pointer and every since then it's been does.To me it's no difference than squirrel or rabbit hunting,the sex doesn't matter.They're both edible. But if I see a group I'll take the largest if I can simply because of more meat. Hello squirrelhunter, Wow, I'd be tickled pick with an 8 point buck, basket or not. Yes, I'll eat it. I think I have a plan, I'll shoot what makes me happy. :-) I just get paranoid about doing what is ethical. It's probably difficult to say what I'll do in the moment. I'd hate to pass on something that I may never get another shot at.
Hey, I have some questions for you. I have never shot a squirrel, but have eaten them. They taste good to me. :-) I'd really like to hunt squirrel this year, and don't know the best way to go about it. I have a nice .22. Will you give me some pointers?
I have squirrel in my yard, but seem to only see them on nice days. Are they like me and want to stay dry?
Also, I was a little concerned about disturbing my deer opportunities. I don't want to go in the woods shooting squirrel if it will ruin my opportunity for deer. Is this a possibility?
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Post by tenring on Jun 30, 2013 13:10:11 GMT -5
Stick around here for awhile, and you'll find out if you want to see deer, spend your time squirrel hunting. If you want to see squirrels, spend your time deer hunting.
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Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jun 30, 2013 14:32:19 GMT -5
:-)))) That's good tenring.
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Post by elmo on Jul 1, 2013 5:58:03 GMT -5
Well my story started 3 years before I killed my first deer.(that's the bad news) My first deer was a button buck. I was sitting by a tree in Big Oaks and a doe ran by and stopped. I was getting ready for the shot when she looked back over her shoulder. I decided to wait and see what she was looking for. Then he came out and stopped broadside at 10 yards and I just couldn't pass him up. At Big Oaks you can kill 2 deer per day so we went and checked him in and ate lunch and went back in. I got the opportunity to shoot a basket racked 8 at about 30 yards and then I had gone from none in 2 seasons to 2 in the same day. I can tell you that the first deer that you have a good shot at will be the first that you shoot. The adrenaline will take over and you won't be able to stop yourself. Don't let it bother you just be happy that you were successful and enjoy the moment and remember to thank the Lord for the opportunity and the ability to have this animal.
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Post by Genesis 27:3 on Jul 1, 2013 6:32:41 GMT -5
Jon I did shoot the first deer I saw when I first got into the sport. It was a doe. Only restriction I put on myself at that time was no fawns. My first buck was a 4 1/2 year old mature buck only because the property I hunted, at that time, was being managed for large whitetails. But my first bow kill was a 2 1/2 year old. Proud of it and had it mounted! I do manage my place a little tighter these days looking for 3 1/2 year olds or older. After I cut my deer up, I take the carcass back to an open field well off the roadway. And yes, I take my meat to a butcher to have it ground for burger and other specialty meats like sausage. That being said, I have taken a few first time hunters out with me and tell them no fawns, but the rest is fair game. I want to see people succeed and enjoy their time in the field. To me hunting is more about making memories then killing things. To others it's just the opposite. Good Luck out there and make the most of it!
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Post by gillgrabber on Jul 11, 2013 9:50:06 GMT -5
1) My first kill was 30 years ago on a young forkhorn that offered a clean broadside shot. I was hunting for meat so I took it and have no regrets. 2) Deciding on what to shoot should be a personal standard set by you alone. Anything I take is a "trophy" to me. I'm not a wealthy man with a big budget TV show that allows me to travel to hunting lodges with guides who have done most of the work in advance and told what of deer are/aren't on the property. I get a few days a year to hunt and usually go for the meat. For that reason, I'd almost rather shoot a younger deer than an older/tougher deer. 3) I don't home butcher so I can't answer the question about disposing of the carcass. I've bought a couple of videos on butchering and intend to try it this year, but the Wife can't get past the idea of me cutting my own deer in the garage. Maybe I'll try it when she's not around and sneak the meat into the freezer. 4) I know there are butchers in my area that will take meat already cut to make ground or sausage, but I think it's cheaper in the long run to buy your own grinder if that's what you intend to do with it. I have a lot of my venison ground as my Wife finds is easier to put into different recipes...and I LOVE venison chili.
These are just the thoughts of a no-name hunter who will never have his own TV show, write articles for outdoor magazines, be a household name but I thought I'd share my thoughts anyway for what they're worth.
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