Dead Deer Becomes First Sperm Donor

[silverdalesauer]

I'm all for deer hunting, but I think this is taking it a bit far.  The hunting world has become obsessed with racks and who's got the all time record. This story makes me feel like we're playing "God" with nature and creation. To me, and I may be wrong, it's less about hunting and more about cloning...

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/05/18/hunter-trophy-buck-studded-out-after-death/?intcmp=obinsite

Thoughts?

[DOUBLELUNG]

This happened years ago in Utah with a governor's elk tag.  The hunter was accompanied by two veterinarians who harvested the semen from the 400+ B&C bull the hunter shot, and which was sold for big $ to elk ranchers.  I think it is a very bad idea to translocate genetic stock into an area where it is not locally adapted, too much potential for unintended consequences; it should be a desperation measure only, to try and restore a population that cannot self-sustain, and should use the most similar wild stock for supplementation.

[Huntbear]

As obsessed as hunters have become over the size of the rack instead of just the experience of the hunt this does not surprise me in the least.

It used to be, go out hunting with friends and family, spend time in camp, shoot first legal animals you saw..  have a helluva good time and make tons of memories..

NOW, it is all about quality animals, got to have an opportunity at that trophy every time you step out of your truck.....   The hunting shows and the record book people have really ruined hunting and fishing in that respect... gotta have the biggest, the baddest animal out there... never be satisfied with just what is legal and steps out in front of you.

So yes, in ways the genetics people are playing god...  But there is one hell of a market out there for that...  Just read some of the comments on this forum...

[PlateauNDN]

As obsessed as hunters have become over the size of the rack instead of just the experience of the hunt this does not surprise me in the least.

It used to be, go out hunting with friends and family, spend time in camp, shoot first legal animals you saw..  have a helluva good time and make tons of memories..

NOW, it is all about quality animals, got to have an opportunity at that trophy every time you step out of your truck.....   The hunting shows and the record book people have really ruined hunting and fishing in that respect... gotta have the biggest, the baddest animal out there... never be satisfied with just what is legal and steps out in front of you.

So yes, in ways the genetics people are playing god...  But there is one hell of a market out there for that...  Just read some of the comments on this forum...

   definitely a   

[JimmyHoffa]

Poachers will start swiping sacks instead of racks.

I used to know folks that ran operations for big deer.  They would go to deer auctions and had a modified horse trailer.  But they were always booked for hunting season.  The insurance they paid for their deer was crazy--more than I paid for two cars.

[724wd]

let's not kid ourselves, there have ALWAYS been "trophy" hunters.  But with the rise of the celebrity hunter on TV and the internet, the trophy mindset has become much more visible.  sure, we'd all love to shoot 150" whitetails and 400" elk, but that's not the reality of the situation.  i don't like to hear stories about the genetic manipulation of 'game' animals, but in all honesty, they're nothing more than cattle these days.  i will never the be person to tell another hunter they can't do what they want with their money/time, what's right/wrong, but in my small circle of friends, i do what i can to emphasis the experience over the kill/antler size, especially when it comes to my kids.  that's why i get just as excited to shoot a doe as a buck, big or small!   

[Gringo31]

From the article...

The process can also be used to restock deer populations that have declined – from development, auto accidents or hunting.

How does artificially inseminating does restock deer populations unless that area was devoid of bucks?  If the decline is from development, that is a habitat issue.............are we looking to stock the woods like lakes are stocked?

[Huntbear]

From the article...

The process can also be used to restock deer populations that have declined – from development, auto accidents or hunting.

How does artificially inseminating does restock deer populations unless that area was devoid of bucks?  If the decline is from development, that is a habitat issue.............are we looking to stock the woods like lakes are stocked?

I would imagine this will be more for the fenced hunting opportunities for those once in a lifetime genetic freaks that people crave so much.... I do not see this becoming a management tactic for the game departments at all.  Way to expensive.

[silverdalesauer]

let's not kid ourselves, there have ALWAYS been "trophy" hunters.  But with the rise of the celebrity hunter on TV and the internet, the trophy mindset has become much more visible.  sure, we'd all love to shoot 150" whitetails and 400" elk, but that's not the reality of the situation.  i don't like to hear stories about the genetic manipulation of 'game' animals, but in all honesty, they're nothing more than cattle these days.  i will never the be person to tell another hunter they can't do what they want with their money/time, what's right/wrong, but in my small circle of friends, i do what i can to emphasis the experience over the kill/antler size, especially when it comes to my kids.  that's why i get just as excited to shoot a doe as a buck, big or small!   

I'm right there with you.  The experience, camaraderie and life-time memories are far more important to me and my friends than the "trophy." Heck, I'm just happy when or if I get a deer.

[400out]

This happened years ago in Utah with a governor's elk tag.  The hunter was accompanied by two veterinarians who harvested the semen from the 400+ B&C bull the hunter shot, and which was sold for big $ to elk ranchers.  I think it is a very bad idea to translocate genetic stock into an area where it is not locally adapted, too much potential for unintended consequences; it should be a desperation measure only, to try and restore a population that cannot self-sustain, and should use the most similar wild stock for supplementation.

I hope they do that with me when I'm gone! take me to the mustang and spread me around!!!!!!!! 

[navdoc]

Silverdalesauer, I TOTALLY agree with you.  Looks like some folks don't understand what hunting is all about!

[silverdalesauer]

Silverdalesauer, I TOTALLY agree with you.  Looks like some folks don't understand what hunting is all about!

WHAT! How the heck did you get in on this site! Are you home?

[coachcw]

I donT see the problem with spreading good genetics , heck us guys try it all the time !