I admire any trophy hunter that doesn't lambast hunters who kill younger, smaller deer. We have several such trophy hunters that regularly post on this site, and I say, "More power to them." Heck, I'm a borderline trophy hunter myself in that I hunt specifically for bucks 3 1/2+ and try vigorously to kill mature bucks (4 1/2+). But I'm not a true trophy hunter in that I hunt for age, not antlers. I'll quickly shoot a small-antlered buck as long as he is of the required age.

Again, I have nothing against trophy hunting or trophy hunters.

What I do have a problem with is hunters claiming what other hunters are kill is affecting their success. There is no evidence this is true. In fact, all the evidence points at a growing mature buck population in TN. Now if we had truly liberal buck limits and hunters were taking advantage of those liberal limits by pounding a high number of yearling bucks to the point older buck harvests were low or declining, I would be right there with those pushing for lower limits. But that push would be based on actual evidence, not baseless opinion.

What I do have a problem with is hunters claiming what other hunters are kill is affecting their success. There is no evidence this is true. In fact, all the evidence points at a growing mature buck population in TN. Now if we had truly liberal buck limits and hunters were taking advantage of those liberal limits by pounding a high number of yearling bucks to the point older buck harvests were low or declining, I would be right there with those pushing for lower limits. But that push would be based on actual evidence, not baseless opinion.

Well according to TWRA my county harvests less than 1% 4.5 (.069% i believe) and 0% in age classes above that. Now that seems pretty accurate if you run trail cams and hunt around here. Evidence is pretty clear that older buck #s could improve here.