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Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Jingles on August 29, 2021, 11:49:09 AM


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Title: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Jingles on August 29, 2021, 11:49:09 AM
I believe most hunters would prefer a trophy over a cull or a doe, myself included, however how many say after a week of no trophy presenting itself  say time to put meat in the freezer? And do you wait until the 11th hour of the last day or feel a doe in the hand is better than a trophy in the brush?
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: boneaddict on August 29, 2021, 12:30:22 PM
I’ve never killed a doe, and won’t unless my family is starving to death.   I suppose it’s changed over the years, but I tend to try for bigs or nothing.  Situations are different, hunting with a kid, the experience etc.  at this point, timing won’t mean much.   I don’t have to notch.  I’d just assume the snappers grow up.   The herd benefits from me not just filling the freezer.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Bob33 on August 29, 2021, 12:35:26 PM
I have very little interest in trophies. I hunt for the experience and meat.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Wingin it on August 29, 2021, 12:44:54 PM
I wouldn’t harvest a doe here in Washington. The deer population is already in shambles, at least mule deer. However there are other parts of the states that carry a large healthy, sometimes even overpopulated herds. I think that in those instances the taking of a doe for meat is just fine. For me personally I much prefer good organic game meat over store bought meat. I also like horns though! I tend to hold out for a big one until toward the end of my hunt and then based on what is going on I may settle for a meat buck. Hunting Washington for me has mostly become helping the young hunters in our crew. I enjoy that experience as much as I do hunting for myself. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to hunt for myself out of state for several years now though.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: SuperX on August 29, 2021, 12:51:25 PM
I go for the same reasons as Bob33 - the experience and the meat. 

I'll shoot the first legal critter that comes into bow range, in my book anytime you manage to kill something with a bow it is a trophy. 
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Cylvertip on August 29, 2021, 12:55:14 PM
I’ve never killed a doe, and won’t unless my family is starving to death.   I suppose it’s changed over the years, but I tend to try for bigs or nothing.  Situations are different, hunting with a kid, the experience etc.  at this point, timing won’t mean much.   I don’t have to notch.  I’d just assume the snappers grow up.   The herd benefits from me not just filling the freezer.
.

 :yeah:  Even though I have never shot a deer. 

Same for elk.  I won't kill a bull smaller than my previous one.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: brokentrail on August 29, 2021, 02:11:52 PM
For me, every animal is a trophy, and I don't hunt horns.   I take the first legal animal I can.  I'm all about eating it.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: hunter399 on August 29, 2021, 02:17:55 PM
Can't eat the horns......
I'll kill the first legal animal.
I know it sounds heartless,but the department that is in charge of management of our game are heartless,are stupid as stupid does.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: BIGDOG253 on August 29, 2021, 02:34:28 PM
I go for the same reasons as Bob33 - the experience and the meat. 

I'll shoot the first legal critter that comes into bow range, in my book anytime you manage to kill something with a bow it is a trophy. 

Yeah for OTC tags, its the first legal animal for me. And if its a big mature critter, that's just a bonus in my book.

Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: greenhead_killer on August 29, 2021, 02:57:23 PM
I think the circumstances dictate what I choose to do. A lot of years I’ve eaten tags, waiting for a big one and some years I have so much going on that I cannot invest in (I don’t like the term trophy hunting as much as mature animal hunting) and shoot the first legal animal I see. Doe management is good in wt areas and I’m not opposed to shooting a doe with my bow. As far as md does, I just flat won’t kill one. No need.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: hunter399 on August 29, 2021, 03:27:29 PM
I guess I'll rephrase.
When a bio ,commission,Department,ECT, sit there and tell me our game numbers are fine and act like I'm overreacting.
I've made it my mission in life .
First legal deer dies .
End of story.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: PolarBear on August 29, 2021, 03:37:09 PM
I raise top quality beef and poultry so meat isn’t an issue. I have never and will never kill a doe, same with my kids. Spikes and forkies are safe as well. I would rather eat my tag than waste it on something small. I don’t get folks who would kill a 6 month old fawn for 15 pounds of meat just to fill a tag. You can’t “fill the freezer” with a fawn.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: 257wbymagkiller on August 29, 2021, 04:05:05 PM
I would agree with brokentrail every animal is a trophy to me. I’m a freezer filler first. Hunting started out as providing food and everything after that is a plus. But on the other side I do understand the “trophy” side of it when there are male animals that are killing younger males but not providing a positive to the populations. As long as it is an ethical kill and you are great full for the animal hunt on!
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Dan-o on August 29, 2021, 05:57:32 PM
I have very little interest in trophies. I hunt for the experience and meat.

 :yeah:

Some of my favorite elk hunts have been cows.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: OutHouse on August 29, 2021, 06:07:43 PM
Depends on how much time you have I suppose. I like antlers, not a trophy hunter, but I have no problem taking a doe provided it’s whitetail. Back in 2019 or so I didn’t have time to hunt so I shot a whitetail doe in archery (many of the 200s units are any deer for white tails in archery). That deer tasted so good
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 29, 2021, 06:14:55 PM
Big bucks have more meat and represent a more rewarding hunt.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: brokentrail on August 29, 2021, 06:58:35 PM
I raise top quality beef and poultry so meat isn’t an issue. I have never and will never kill a doe, same with my kids. Spikes and forkies are safe as well. I would rather eat my tag than waste it on something small. I don’t get folks who would kill a 6 month old fawn for 15 pounds of meat just to fill a tag. You can’t “fill the freezer” with a fawn.

But why do you need "to get them"?  All of us are in different places from a hunting perspective, life perspective, financial perspective, etc.  If it is legal, I throw no shade on anyone for what they harvest, regardless of what I would choose to do.  Everyone's perfect hunt is different and I don't think there is a right or wrong answer.  All three of my boys have shot blacktail does as their first deer, with a youth doe permit.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: swampbear on August 29, 2021, 07:36:08 PM
All depends. I’m not a trophy hunter. A “trophy” animal is a bonus. I do consider any animal I’ve taken hunting a trophy I suppose. I also have some taxidermy because I feel it honors certain hunts. I hunt for the meat, enjoyment of the experience/challenge, and to make fond memories. I have no issue taking a doe if legal. In fact, I have a 2nd deer tag (that’s antlerless) this year. I’ve taken a few legal spike and forky blacktail over the years (I primarily hunt blacktail). With that said, I’ve also passed on a lot of spikes and forkies. Passed on sows and small bears too (2019 I passed on 5 bears). Taken buddies hunting, and let them take what turned out to be the nicest, or even the only buck of a hunting season we saw.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: hunter399 on August 29, 2021, 08:15:09 PM
Big bucks have more meat and represent a more rewarding hunt.
That is true.
About the more meat.
Rewarding hunt maybe not.
I've had seasons where I went every day I could,every min,walked miles,only to whack a forky,or spike the last days
.
I felt pretty rewarding to just get some meat in the freezer.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Tbar on August 29, 2021, 08:55:02 PM
To each their own.  You could ask me this question 10 times during a given year and possibly get 10 different answers. I seek the animals that humble me, this can be a day, a season or even years.  I also have made a choice to feed my family primarily game meat thus creating a need to take a legal animal when opportunity presents itself.  As we sit here pre-season, I dream of chasing and calling mature animals that kick my butt at nearly every turn but when lightning strikes (and I capitalize) it makes the victory all the more sweet. I do agree with the comments about all being trophies, they each represent the culmination of preparation and opportunity that tell a story for years to come.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: JakeLand on August 29, 2021, 09:30:06 PM
If I was strictly hunting for meat I’d tag out opening morning every year , but to me I enjoy playing chess with big mature Blacktails it doesn’t get any better . I will eat my tag before shooting a young buck that’s my game I play
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: bkaech on August 29, 2021, 09:35:55 PM
I lot of the decision depends on the area you hunt and how many opportunities you have. If you have limited days to hunt and when you do hunt not many opportunities present themselves then you will tend towards killing sooner. If you have lots of days to hunt and lots of opportunities then you will tend towards waiting, unless you don't really like hunting and just want to get it over with. That is how I am with fishing, I don't like fishing just catching fish, so I suppose some people might be that way with hunting. To each their own.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: KNOPHISH on August 29, 2021, 09:59:00 PM

[/quote]

 :yeah:

Some of my favorite elk hunts have been cows.
[/quote]

Oh yeah! epic cow hunts are great memories cuz ya know it’s elk and that’s a lot of meat and they taste good too.  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: jaymark6655 on August 30, 2021, 07:09:25 AM
Place I live seems to be overpopulated, I hunt for does.

I have shot one trophy and two other bucks. One was a buck that scared off a doe that I was about to shoot. It was the only day I would get to hunt that year and I was sitting in the stand with flu so bad I probably should have been in the hospital. I was pissed at that buck. Other was a buck that crossed in front of my car, almost causing a wreck earlier that year. I passed 8 other deer waiting for him to show up.

Other than that all does, no fawns. If I can three or four a year, I don't have to buy any beef. Also reduces pork purchases since I turn some into sausage.

To me old does are more challenging since you can't bring them in using tactics that work on bucks during the rut.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: bearpaw on August 30, 2021, 07:31:36 AM
I hunt for about every reason imaginable, I love hunting, hunting is also my career and it's as much fun for me even when I don't have a tag of my pocket. When I am hunting for myself it depends on the hunt what type of hunter I am. Sometimes I'm a trophy hunter and have passed many very respectable animals with a tag in my pocket. But we eat a lot of game meat, I would rather eat wild game than domestic, it's much healthier, far less fat, and no growth hormones, so I'm a meat hunter too and on certain hunts I'm in full bore "fill the tag" mode. I look at every kill as a trophy regardless of size or reason for shooting. My daughter has a shoulder mount doe in my trophy room, now that her and her husband have their own home when she takes her trophies I plan on replacing that mounted doe with another good looking doe as soon as I get the chance. I try to kill at least one cow a year and I've been considering mounting a cow after my daughter takes her trophies, we already have enough mounted bulls in the house, I think a good looking cow would be a better addition once I have space for it on the wall.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Bigshooter on August 30, 2021, 07:41:16 AM
I don't pull the trigger unless I think it is big enough.  I have ate a lot of out of state tags.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Jingles on August 30, 2021, 08:02:13 AM
Thank you everyone that replied and for stating your reasons for which you choose to do. Where I switched to just archery this year and having set distance limits on myself, the hunting areas being reduced/eliminated by DNR not likely to open before the snow flies have been putting in a lot of time and shoe leather looking for areas that could hold a antlered trophy found one and unfortunately so have half the trail hikers,that think the woods are only for hiking, and their accompaning dogs running loose in the area makes all the deer skittish and even more nocturnal than usual (IMO). Was wondering what others felt about  the subject. Np Iam not planning on shooting the first deer that presents itself in range and will continue hoping the 4 x5 I have cam pis of meanders through the area again but when the 11th hour of the last day approaches feel it is better to put meat in the freezer than eat tag soup.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Bob33 on August 30, 2021, 08:31:12 AM
With few exceptions I don’t believe anyone needs to justify or rationalize the shooting of a legal animal.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Sandberm on August 30, 2021, 08:49:52 AM
Hunting with my recurve during much of the late season I usually get just one legitimate shot opportunity under 30 yards on a legal deer. I take it.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: phildobaggins on August 30, 2021, 09:05:57 AM
I'll normally take the first legal buck if I'm hunting a short season. If I have a multi-season, I normally set rough guidelines for what I'm "looking for" and make the call dependent upon the situation at hand.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Ironhead on August 30, 2021, 09:06:13 AM
I prefer wild game and fish over store bought. So I will usually kill an Elk every year, cow or bull doesn't matter to me.
Mule Deer, I am a trophy hunter. Mature Bucks only.
Whitetail Deer I will kill for meat. I have never shot a doe but I have killed lots of young bucks. I would kill a doe if I wanted to.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: salt n sage90 on August 30, 2021, 09:15:50 AM
To each their own.  You could ask me this question 10 times during a given year and possibly get 10 different answers. I do agree with the comments about all being trophies, they each represent the culmination of preparation and opportunity that tell a story for years to come.

Agreed. Circumstances change, schedules limit, hunting partners and experience levels dictate expectations. Its all good. I appreciate those that feed their families with a meat deer just as much as those that have the fortitude to hold out for a big one and possibly eat a tag.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: C-Money on August 30, 2021, 09:51:35 AM
Some day I'd like a quality classic 4pt mule deer buck. I have tagged quite a few good size 3pts, but never a decent 4x4.  I've passed up quite a few bucks hunting private land, but on public, if its legal, I'm tagging it. I am more of a meat hunter. My family applies for doe tags. Someone is gonna draw the doe tags, may as well be my family. Nothing better than grazing on home processed venison.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: metlhead on August 31, 2021, 06:18:13 AM
Meat wears no hat 🤤
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: huntnnw on August 31, 2021, 06:51:14 AM
way to many variables from year to year on why id take a animal or pass. I too do not shoot does. Lots ride on how the freezer is looking, what tags are in my pocket and how many days to hunt each tag etc. With whitetails its hard for me to shoot a buck under 150 or atleast get excited. Elk on a general hunt I am usually taking the first legal animal. Permit elk I am holding out its the whole reason I apply and I am not shooting whatever.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: 7mmfan on August 31, 2021, 06:56:58 AM
Everyone's goals for their hunts change over time as well. Most hunters that stick with it for life go through 4 or 5 phases during their hunting career. Mine went something like this.
1: There was a time when it was all about making the kill for me. I'd shoot spikes, 2 pts, whatever, there was no legal animal safe from me.
2: Then I got older and it became less about killing something but more about bringing that meat home. I think we're on a cool decade now of eating only game meat minus chicken and bacon in my home.
3: More recently, last 3-4 years, it's become more about the adventure, the camaraderie, and hunting more mature animals. I'm confident enough in my abilities now that I will pass legal animals now looking for a grade better. Later in the hunt, sometimes not much later  :chuckle: , I'll still kill a smaller animal to make sure I'm bringing home meat for the family.
I can see #4 on the horizon now that I've killed a few bigger mule deer and gotten a taste of hunting bulls out of state. I also have a new hunter hopefully rising in the ranks that will be getting trigger time in a few years so my priorities will shift dramatically at that point.

Anyway, there's no right or wrong answer, it's different for everyone and that's great. You do you, don't worry about everyone else's reasoning.

I know a couple of guys that are getting up in years that were tremendous deer and elk hunters in their day, but are now very content killing small bucks close to the road.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Angry Perch on August 31, 2021, 07:41:44 AM
I don't have/ choose to spend the necessary time to consider myself a serious hunter, but definitely a meat hunter. Interesting to me is that possibly my favorite part has become butchering. It's very interesting and satisfying to go from hunks of meat to cuts you might recognize in a butcher shop. Also trying to use more and more pieces and parts.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: MeepDog on August 31, 2021, 11:29:10 AM
I hunt the modern rifle general season. I had a year where I hunted hard 9/10 days in an extremely pressured unit stacked with whitetails and all I saw was 50 does. Not a single buck (with visible antlers) walked out in front of me let alone the 3 point minimum for that unit. A month before big mature bucks were frolicking in front of my trail camera and they dug holes and hid underground one the season started. For this reason, I will shoot the first legal deer I see. That season I drove the same road so often that I noticed when a deer was hit by a car fresh and pulled a permit and yoinked it into the trunk.  :tup:
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Stein on August 31, 2021, 12:05:55 PM
I'm certainly in the meat camp although if I somehow had a great tag in my pocket I might switch gears for that hunt.  This year, I'm not sure I'll even get a tag for myself.  For our MT hunt, my son will have a tag for the first time, my brother and his kid.  I doubt we will fill 3 much less 4 tags so I'm perfectly happy being spotter, guide and packer.

I do like the butchery and eating part though, by far more enjoyable than the shooting part for me.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: ghosthunter on August 31, 2021, 12:47:05 PM
First legal animal I can find. I see nothing but steaks.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: BKMFR on August 31, 2021, 02:09:42 PM
Trophy all the way or tag soup. If I shoot a trophy, I totally enjoy all the meat and mount is then enjoyed for years. What a trophy is to one will differ from another. I like older mature animals and enjoy the challenge, the meat, and the hide or horns.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Craig on August 31, 2021, 02:16:55 PM
Nice buck or it’s tag soup for me. I have ate Lots of Washington general buck tags and $600+ Montana non res tags.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Mtnwalker on August 31, 2021, 02:17:50 PM
Everyone's goals for their hunts change over time as well. Most hunters that stick with it for life go through 4 or 5 phases during their hunting career. Mine went something like this.
1: There was a time when it was all about making the kill for me. I'd shoot spikes, 2 pts, whatever, there was no legal animal safe from me.
2: Then I got older and it became less about killing something but more about bringing that meat home. I think we're on a cool decade now of eating only game meat minus chicken and bacon in my home.
3: More recently, last 3-4 years, it's become more about the adventure, the camaraderie, and hunting more mature animals. I'm confident enough in my abilities now that I will pass legal animals now looking for a grade better. Later in the hunt, sometimes not much later  :chuckle: , I'll still kill a smaller animal to make sure I'm bringing home meat for the family.
I can see #4 on the horizon now that I've killed a few bigger mule deer and gotten a taste of hunting bulls out of state. I also have a new hunter hopefully rising in the ranks that will be getting trigger time in a few years so my priorities will shift dramatically at that point.

Anyway, there's no right or wrong answer, it's different for everyone and that's great. You do you, don't worry about everyone else's reasoning.

I know a couple of guys that are getting up in years that were tremendous deer and elk hunters in their day, but are now very content killing small bucks close to the road.

This is pretty spot on for me as well. I've gone through a few major phases, lately its been more about wringing the most out of the hunts I get to go on and spending time with those I enjoy hunting with. I have an easier time passing on mediocre bucks these days but also shot one of my smallest bucks ever last year  :chuckle: so I guess it's situational. Still not so good at passing on elk.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: mburrows on August 31, 2021, 04:33:37 PM
depends on the species and tag for me. Washington OTC whitetail its about meat in the freezer so long as its a legal buck and Ill be stoked with whatever I get. I cant hold out for a 130 or greater buck because there isnt one in there. Special permit in WA or another state Im holding out for my version of a trophy whether thats a big cool 2 or 3 point or a true giant (i've not gotten yet), just depends.

Whatever you pull the trigger on, enjoy the moment and experience, that's all that matters.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Ingwe on August 31, 2021, 09:08:55 PM
I am a black tail hunter. I am retired and can hunt every day. I decided about 40 years ago to hunt for big bucks. When I was younger I got a big buck almost every year. At 72 I can’t hunt as hard as I used to but I still go everyday. I just really enjoy being out in the woods. Last year I had a special permit to hunt during early November. With regular season, I think 17 days of permit and late buck I hunted 5 weeks for deer. I saw many bucks, many 2 and 3 points but I never fired a shot. But I considered it a very  successful season
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Jpmiller on September 01, 2021, 06:48:28 AM
I've always been first legal animal.  I passed up a whitetail doe two years ago and regretted it as soon as she was out of bow range. In my deer hunting area it switches to antlerless or 3pt on mulies halfway through but I've never actually been in there that late in the month but I do think I'd have a hard time killing a mule deer doe.

I've got a second deer tag this year so I'm going back and forth on taking a doe during general if the option presents itself since I have a multi season tag and a second deer tag, we will see what happens in the moment I guess.

Someday the first legal animal will be a big buck I hope but until then, or something changes with me, I'm a meat hunter.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: predatorG on September 01, 2021, 08:05:50 AM
I think there’s something to be said about improving as a hunter, and as a human. I think that as people we should show that we grow, change and improve. It’s healthy. For me, I enjoy when I can reflect that in my hunting. Bettering a trophy BT in his home turf with a bow is a superior feeling. I’ve passed many BT does, all of them in September. Can’t say I would do the same on December 30th. The idea of having the patience to hold out in hopes of finding a mature animal that knows the woods far better than I do appeals to me. In a couple weeks I’ll be trying to fill my archery elk tag in Idaho. First couple days will likely be spent looking for a trophy bull. After that, non res tags aren’t cheap enough to come home empty handed.

I think there is something special about knowing that you might come home empty handed, but still deciding not to shoot a small animal in hopes of finding a better deer. Showing that you have the patience and determination to either come home with the best or come home with nothing. Still, like many have said, it depends greatly on the circumstances.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: buckfvr on September 01, 2021, 10:00:38 AM
Meaning whats technically a trophy or actually a trophy ?  I dont pay attention to potential score when Im hunting.  I look for mature deer, some score well others dont and never will.  I look for unique deer which means unusual horns.

Mule deer has to be a mounter mature buck not dependent on score.  Whitetail has to be mature.  I find no challenge or interest in killing young bucks, just way too easy.  Elk is meat.  I love being in the woods in the act of hunting.  It always ends too soon, so I prolong the seasons by being picky.  Id rather eat my tag than be done the first couple days.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Ronquillo08 on September 01, 2021, 11:47:19 AM
Meaning whats technically a trophy or actually a trophy ?  I dont pay attention to potential score when Im hunting.  I look for mature deer, some score well others dont and never will.  I look for unique deer which means unusual horns.

Mule deer has to be a mounter mature buck not dependent on score.  Whitetail has to be mature.  I find no challenge or interest in killing young bucks, just way too easy.  Elk is meat.  I love being in the woods in the act of hunting.  It always ends too soon, so I prolong the seasons by being picky.  Id rather eat my tag than be done the first couple days.

 :yeah:
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: NOCK NOCK on September 01, 2021, 02:00:11 PM
Hmmmmmm

So as usual, most folks have less of a problem shooting female elk than deer. 

Why?
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: bkaech on September 01, 2021, 02:05:03 PM
Hmmmmmm

So as usual, most folks have less of a problem shooting female elk than deer. 

Why?

Bigger animal, more meat!?
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: pianoman9701 on September 01, 2021, 02:11:06 PM
Although I'd love to have that big rack on the wall, I want good and tasty meat in the freezer. Any legal elk and legal buck for me.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Rainier10 on September 01, 2021, 02:19:55 PM
With a raffle elk and an entiat late archery buck tag in my pocket I'm a trophy guy this year.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Norman89 on September 01, 2021, 03:17:10 PM
I'm known in my family as the spike shooter, middle brother is the Forky, big brother shoots the bruisers. Never by choice, we all hunt for meat and that is almost always been the way we are each presented with our shot at a legal animal. Black tails are tricky critters and each one is a trophy to me. Years ago I switched to archery to escape the crazy numbers of people in the woods during modern and the solidarity is very compelling to keep me in the woods more often. Iv only passed on legal animals that didn't give me a ethical shot opportunity, but since I got into trapping I spend far more time in the woods and sometimes won't even bring my bow while running my line. Beaver meat taste akin to good grass raised beef, so venison isn't as critical to have. I can fill the freezer with as many beaver as I feel I want to go trap so a few more deer have walked away while I wasn't packing my bow. Still have not shot an elk, come close but no shot opportunity. Feeding the family is and always will be number one priority and any success harvest of a grey ghost of the coast is an absolute win in my book, and iv only shot 2 in ten years. The meet in the freezer and the memories and exsperiences are amazing and I can't wait for the days I get to take my 2 sons out and teach them all I have learned
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: dilleytech on September 11, 2021, 09:41:02 AM
My favorite part of hunting is the experience of a successful hunt and the meat in the freezer. A Doe or a 2 point is still a really good day to me. Sure I always prefer the biggest rack in the woods but I enjoy every kill. Out of state I’ll be selective. At home in Washington I’m always happy to just get a chance at a legal animal.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: kselkhunter on September 11, 2021, 10:21:35 AM
In the west doe tags are few and far between, and usually are for blacktail or whitetail doe's (mule deer doe's would be a no-go for me now given the dwindling herds).  In some midwest and southeast states deer are so overpopulated you can harvest multiple doe's.  So depends on what state you are hunting.  My policy is the doe has to be without fawn, which my best friend and I actually ate our tags the one year we had doe tags in a blacktail unit as every single doe we saw that year had a fawn (which was a bit surprising that year, you'd think we'd find one without fawn given predation....was a weird year....but good for the deer herds in that unit).  Bucks, we hold out for 4pt or better but on the last day will shoot a forkie if it's legal in the unit we're in.  Can't bring myself to shoot spikes anymore (which you can west side blacktails here)....they're dumb as a box of rocks and haven't really developed their fear of humans yet.  Archery elk my favorite unit is any elk and will happily harvest a cow as long as she doesn't have a calf.  Otherwise for any weapons bull seasons we prefer a mature 6pt, but will happily take a raghorn to put some meat in the freezer.   This year I have a muzzleloader cow tag in Utah to get some meat for the freezer, so likely will try to hold for mature buck/bull on my tags here at home. 
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Jingles on September 11, 2021, 11:45:24 AM
So far every doe I have seen has had at least 1 fawn with her seems, at least with the mulies, it was a bumper crop for twins. As much as I want meat in the freezer, will not be able to take a doe with a fawn, even a whitetail and where I am there are plenty of those.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: kselkhunter on September 11, 2021, 11:56:04 AM
Seeing lots of twin fawns for the mule deer here in my neighborhood.

Had two fawns in my back yard last week when I went to let my dogs out in the morning to do their business. One fawn was staring at me 15 feet out the glass sliding door.   So had to go out and coax it and it's twin out of the yard so I could let the dogs out (momma doe was in the neighbors yard).  Little moron tried running through the hog wire fence....bounced off and turned around and looked at me.....not the sharpest tool in the shed.  But eventually got the little guy turned around to exit out the front (where my fence is down during this garage expansion project, which is how they walked into the back yard).   Lots of mule deer in the neighborhood this year.  Couple of bucks like hanging out at the neighbors front porch.  Wife got a video of them practice fighting a few weeks back in the front yard, that was pretty cool.   
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on September 11, 2021, 06:39:14 PM
Depending on the situation, I have no problem taking a legal buck or doe. I am at my core a meat hunter. But I will pass on smaller animals early in the season, not because they don't meet a certain standard, but because I don't want my season to end right away. I love being in the woods and especially being in hunting camp with friends and family. So I will hold out early especially when I have just one tag.  At a certain point I'll make a harvest because that is the reason I hunt.  When I have multiple tags such as when I lived in Alaska where we got 5 every year, I'll save one tag for a chance at a bruiser, and fill the rest with does and younger bucks.  This year I have a Washington multi season deer tag and two tags for Idaho. So I'll probably fill one or two of those tags with whatever offers itself earlier in the season and save one tag to try for a big boy.  We'll see how the season plays out.

It's up to the bios to decide what is legal and what is not. They have more info than I do and I won't second guess them. And I won't second guess a fellow hunter who takes any legal animal.  We all have different reasons for what we do.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: dilleytech on September 12, 2021, 07:00:06 AM
Hmmmmmm

So as usual, most folks have less of a problem shooting female elk than deer. 

Why?

Because it’s 4 times the amount of meat obviously. Or maybe they like a cow elk rug on the wall more then a mule deer rug? No probably all that premium meat.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Caseknife on September 12, 2021, 07:47:52 AM
Hmmmmmm

So as usual, most folks have less of a problem shooting female elk than deer. 

Why?

Because it’s 4 times the amount of meat obviously. Or maybe they like a cow elk rug on the wall more then a mule deer rug? No probably all that premium meat.
You are correct Dilleytech, at least in my thinking.  Hope to bring home two cow elk from out of state hunts this fall.
Title: Re: Trophy or meat?
Post by: Machias on September 13, 2021, 12:19:19 PM
My wife is going to shoot the first legal deer that walks by, so we'll have meat in the freezer and I'll hunt for a big boy the rest of the season.
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