#2021158 - 08/07/10 06:22 PM
"Trophy" Bucks and Recogniton
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102
10 Point
Registered: 08/01/02
Posts: 3650
Loc: Tennessee
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Please allow me this rant. With all this trophy hunting talk, I'd like to add my feelings on the topic.
I guess that if you hunt long enough, and kill enough deer, you might eventually experience about all that deer hunting, indeed BOW hunting has to offer. Fortunately for me, I am NOT there yet.
Though I've been at this for almost 3 decades, I still manage to get a surprise or three EVERY year.
That said, it NEVER ceases to utterly AMAZE me how different almost ALL of us are as hunters, at least where it concerns how we "qualify" or "quantify" certain aspects of our hunting experience.
For example, why is it that MANY hunters tend to measure another hunters skill by the number of big antlered "trophies" on their wall?
I have written this before but I think it merits repeating. The amount of luck involved with the killing and recovering a huge antlered, MATURE, TENNESSEE whitetail is ASTOUNDING. And to do this repeatedly with a bow...is almost (ALMOST) expecting TOO much. But then, there are those, "ODDS". And there are CERTAINLY Counties in Tennessee where the odds are MOST definitely put in the hunters favor. Unfortunately, most of us will never hunt those counties.
So it all boils down to what is an equivalent "trophy" for the area of Tennessee that YOU get to frequent?
For most bowhunters, a 115 inch buck is INDEED a TROPHY. And there are reasonable opportunities for Tennessee hunters to take such trophies.
Still, every year, hunters take to the Tennesse woods with hopes of killing UNREALISTIC bucks for the areas they hunt.
My favorite example of what makes a great deer (bow) hunter is best described by me as one who is consistently capable of legally and HUMANELY killing, and RECOVERING MATURE deer (buck/doe). I know several GREAT hunters who have yet to kill the FIRST buck over 120 inches of antler, yet consistently kill 4.5 year old PLUS does and bucks. These hunters simply DO NOT have access to property that holds mature deer that characteristically carry 120 inch plus head gear.
Does the fact that these friends don't have ANY bucks in the P/Y or B/C books mean that they are any less capable than those who do?
ABSOLUTELY NOT. And similarly, those who don't kill 3.5 year old plus deer consistently aren't necessarily any less of a hunter either.
Some of the toughest challenges I personally have experienced in bowhunting were not ALWAYS the big mature bucks or does. In fact, few of my biggest deer were that tough to kill. The TOUGHEST shot I ever took on a whitetailed deer was a BUTTON buck I mistook for a doe. It was at AEDC in 20 degree weather on a dark, cloudy evening at about 37 yards. It was WINDY and the Pine tree I was hanging on to was swaying to and fro. I had pneumonia and carried a big towel to cough into when the wind blew. Even though I mistook this for a doe and knew it was an honest mistake, I still caught heck for the kill. I still find this one of the MOST satisfying "TROPHIES" I've ever killed.
So this season, my hope is that you all have a safe and successful hunting season, filled with sightings that both please, and fulfill your REALISTIC expectations.
102
_________________________
God, Family, Job, Bowhunting
Luck is where Opportunity and Preparation MEET!
When in doubt...back out!
SCAPAS.stay calm and pick a spot.
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#2021173 - 08/07/10 06:38 PM
Re: "Trophy" Bucks and Recogniton
[Re: 102]
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gator-n-buck
16 Point
Registered: 10/22/08
Posts: 14908
Loc: Knox, TN / Palatka, FL
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fulfill your REALISTIC expectations.
102
This is the one line I think a lot of hunters have a problem with... Don't get me wrong, theres nothing wrong with having goals but if you are fishing in a pond only full of minnows. Theres a pretty good chance your probably not going to catch a 10 lb bass. I don't know if its this new generation of hunters or all these hunting shows that might of clouded up the waters a little... All I can say is just hunt, have fun, and enjoy the outdoors.... Good post 102...
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#2021187 - 08/07/10 06:46 PM
Re: "Trophy" Bucks and Recogniton
[Re: gator-n-buck]
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Football Hunter
18 Point
Registered: 10/22/07
Posts: 24550
Loc: Wilson Co/Perry Co
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fulfill your REALISTIC expectations.
102 This is the one line I think a lot of hunters have a problem with... Don't get me wrong, theres nothing wrong with having goals but if you are fishing in a pond only full of minnows. Theres a pretty good chance your probably not going to catch a 10 lb bass. I don't know if its this new generation of hunters or all these hunting shows that might of clouded up the waters a little... All I can say is just hunt, have fun, and enjoy the outdoors.... Good post 102...
_________________________
The best day to plant a tree,IS TODAY!
You wont know,if you dont go!
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#2021192 - 08/07/10 06:51 PM
Re: "Trophy" Bucks and Recogniton
[Re: Football Hunter]
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gator-n-buck
16 Point
Registered: 10/22/08
Posts: 14908
Loc: Knox, TN / Palatka, FL
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fulfill your REALISTIC expectations.
102 This is the one line I think a lot of hunters have a problem with... Don't get me wrong, theres nothing wrong with having goals but if you are fishing in a pond only full of minnows. Theres a pretty good chance your probably not going to catch a 10 lb bass. I don't know if its this new generation of hunters or all these hunting shows that might of clouded up the waters a little... All I can say is just hunt, have fun, and enjoy the outdoors.... Good post 102... I guess 51 ptr did just that,just saying
Every once in a while someone will win the Powerball (lottery).... The problem is, if everytime you buy a ticket and expect to win.... Your going to be VERY disappointed.........
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#2021215 - 08/07/10 07:13 PM
Re: "Trophy" Bucks and Recogniton
[Re: gator-n-buck]
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BSK
Jerkasourous of the non-typical kind
Non-Typical
Registered: 03/11/99
Posts: 59548
Loc: Nashville, TN
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I don't know if its this new generation of hunters or all these hunting shows that might of clouded up the waters a little...
Bingo! We have a winner! TV hunting shows are the worst thing to happen to hunting in a long time.
_________________________
"Know where you stand, and stand there" --Jesuit Father Daniel Berrigan
"There is no reasoning someone out of a position he has not reasoned himself into." --Clive James
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#2021218 - 08/07/10 07:15 PM
Re: "Trophy" Bucks and Recogniton
[Re: Football Hunter]
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BSK
Jerkasourous of the non-typical kind
Non-Typical
Registered: 03/11/99
Posts: 59548
Loc: Nashville, TN
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I guess 51 ptr did just that,just saying
Yup, and he hunts the top big buck area of the state. Big difference between the Nashville Basin and places like high in the eastern mountains or in the endless ridge-and-hollow hardwoods.
_________________________
"Know where you stand, and stand there" --Jesuit Father Daniel Berrigan
"There is no reasoning someone out of a position he has not reasoned himself into." --Clive James
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#2021248 - 08/07/10 08:06 PM
Re: "Trophy" Bucks and Recogniton
[Re: BSK]
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RKenney
10 Point
Registered: 03/15/08
Posts: 3633
Loc: Maury Co.
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I think TV shows really affect younger hunter's expectations. As
far as I'm concerned though, I've deer hunted so long that I
know what's real for our area of Tennessee and what ain't.
If I had a youngster that insisted on wathing those shows, I
would have a reality talk with him or her before and after the
shows.
If anything is good about the shows, I guess it could spark some
interest in going deer hunting. I guess you just have to be sure
that they understand how and where these films are made and for
what reason.
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#2021255 - 08/07/10 08:22 PM
Re: "Trophy" Bucks and Recogniton
[Re: BSK]
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NBF7240
8 Point
Registered: 08/16/06
Posts: 1495
Loc: Tn
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I don't know if its this new generation of hunters or all these hunting shows that might of clouded up the waters a little... Bingo! We have a winner! TV hunting shows are the worst thing to happen to hunting in a long time.
I like to watch those hunting shows, but I know what there all about. I watch tv to be entertained, not to be educated.
_________________________
"Those who hammer their guns into plows, will plow for those who do not" Thomas Jefferson
Facebook Collins Farm Beef
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#2021257 - 08/07/10 08:23 PM
Re: "Trophy" Bucks and Recogniton
[Re: BSK]
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Bone Collector
12 Point
Registered: 09/09/09
Posts: 6110
Loc: Murfreesboro, TN
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I don't know if its this new generation of hunters or all these hunting shows that might of clouded up the waters a little... Bingo! We have a winner! TV hunting shows are the worst thing to happen to hunting in a long time.
Amen to that. They can be entertaining or a good way to pass time, but I think too many people set goals based on them.
_________________________
Don't let the screen name fool you spikes are made of bone too  Semper Fidelis! The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. - Thomas Jefferson
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#2021259 - 08/07/10 08:24 PM
Re: "Trophy" Bucks and Recogniton
[Re: BSK]
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elauwit
14 Point
Registered: 12/01/07
Posts: 8256
Loc: Near Bull Run
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I guess 51 ptr did just that,just saying Yup, and he hunts the top big buck area of the state. Big difference between the Nashville Basin and places like high in the eastern mountains or in the endless ridge-and-hollow hardwoods.
_________________________
Covert Ops
EAST SIDE MAFIA TCB
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