Guess the age of this deer... - Page 3

Wildfire · #31 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 10:51 AM

What about the hunters that don't care about antlers and just want meat on the table? What do you tell the hunter that are only able to get out one weekend, they'd been sitting on the tree all day and the only deer that is about to walk by is a small 4x4?

If I were only able to get out during one weekend this entire season and a deer walks by it's going to get the shaft...regardless of the size. But that's just the kind of hunter I am. To each their own I guess.

bowonly · #32 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 10:59 AM

[quote=Wildfire;55230]What about the hunters that don't care about antlers and just want meat on the table? What do you tell the hunter that are only able to get out one weekend, they'd been sitting on the tree all day and the only deer that is about to walk by is a small 4x4?

Wait about five minutes and I will guarentee you will see a doe. Theres hundreds of em. let the little ones go.

bowonly · #33 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 11:07 AM

Most people know to shoot more doe's. We need to let the forkies and spikes walk and thats all there is to it. Cant get big if we dont let them.

goose133 · #34 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 11:15 AM

I let a father and son come hunt our place for one weekend in dec. I put them in stands and told them we have big deer and wait for the monster. I know more get back to the truck and BANG. WOW that was quick. I go back and here is the dad all smiles with a 100lb 3x3. To him it was a monster and he was happy as heck. Now how do you put the guy down. He has a valid permit and he is happy with his harvest. To me thats the bottom line.Would I have liked him to hold out-yes. But thats what would make me happy not him.
Myself and my family and friends hammer the does and a few small bucks taken here and there really makes no difference to the overall picture. We want people to go home happy, thats what got me into hunting and fishing, going home feeling better and less stressed than when I got there!

Goose

Pro-Hunt · #35 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildfire

What about the hunters that don't care about antlers and just want meat on the table? What do you tell the hunter that are only able to get out one weekend, they'd been sitting on the tree all day and the only deer that is about to walk by is a small 4x4?

If I were only able to get out during one weekend this entire season and a deer walks by it's going to get the shaft...regardless of the size. But that's just the kind of hunter I am. To each their own I guess.

This is one reason why I am in favor of one long season use whatever weapon you want. It would let people like you feel not so pressured to shoot the first thing you see. If there was a long season you would be able to get out more than one weekend and you could surely shoot a doe instead of that little buck.

HAMMER · #36 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 11:44 AM

Another change that would help is to let any unfilled rifle tags be carried over to be used as an antlerless only tag. Think of how many last minute spikes and other small bucks get shot just because the hunter wanted meat. Let them carry that tag over and let them shoot a doe with it. Or better yet, two does.

One more tool to harvest more does and sell more antlerless tags would be to make it easier to donate the carcass to a good cause, ie. a food pantry. Right now, the way I understand it, is you have to pay for the processing and than donate it. Who really wants to do that.

Just my thoughts.

Pro-Hunt · #37 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAMMER

Another change that would help is to let any unfilled rifle tags be carried over to be used as an antlerless only tag. Think of how many last minute spikes and other small bucks get shot just because the hunter wanted meat. Let them carry that tag over and let them shoot a doe with it. Or better yet, two does.

One more tool to harvest more does and sell more antlerless tags would make it easier to donate the carcass to a good cause, ie. a food pantry. Right now, the way I understand it, is you have to pay for the processing and than donate it. Who really wants to do that.

Just my thoughts.

I can definitely get behind the carry over idea!! Very good idea. I think a lot of the really good ideas will not happen as the G&P is afraid of losing out on some money. I know they need all they can get but their first concern should be the wildlife then worry about money. I realize that they go hand in hand some though.
If we could get a 1/8 of 1 cent sales tax passed like MO has then it would ease the money fears of the G&P and they could focus a lot more on the right thing to do instead of 'the right thing to do without losing money'.
This would also help with the donating of meat as there would be money to help fund the processing.

**HailCall** · #38 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 06:39 PM

I am all for shooting does I average around 7 of them per year and a slow year brings me about 5. I will shoot bucks deoending on several conditions, if it is going on my wall, it is unique enough that I want it skull mounted. I accidentally misjudged it had that happen 3 years ago I though he was 150's glanced didn't look back at the horns made the shot killed him dead got up to him and he was a 9 pointer that scored around 125. I really was mad at myself but hey he was legal and I was climbing down the stnad when he showed up saw the tree on his head with the 5 point side and let him have it. I like people to selective harvest but if someone else feels it is a trophy who am I to argue and rain on their parade.

bowonly · #39 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 02:58 AM

All a hunter can do is manage his own hunting land, you can preach to other landowners but they dont have to listen. We could have this same conversation over and over again. No certain person is going to think like the other, just wont happen. Now I may or may not be right but I do not think there is a chance in he_ _ that the buck in the picture is 1 1/2 years old. I would love to see that bucks molars, then I could tell his age for sure. He has to much age on him to be that young , that buck is at least 3 1/2. If that buck is 1 1/2 years old then I would hang up my bow.

Wildfire · #40 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 10:25 AM

[quote=bowonly;55235]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildfire

What about the hunters that don't care about antlers and just want meat on the table? What do you tell the hunter that are only able to get out one weekend, they'd been sitting on the tree all day and the only deer that is about to walk by is a small 4x4?

Wait about five minutes and I will guarentee you will see a doe. Theres hundreds of em. let the little ones go.

I would believe you if I was on your private land or anyone else's. But when you hunt 100% public land, deer are harder to come by. I would love the opportunity to have a selection.

Wildfire · #41 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pro-Hunt

This is one reason why I am in favor of one long season use whatever weapon you want. It would let people like you feel not so pressured to shoot the first thing you see. If there was a long season you would be able to get out more than one weekend and you could surely shoot a doe instead of that little buck.

BTW, I failed to mention this earlier, but that's a really nice buck in the picture. Good hunt!

One long season would help. But how long? Earlier than Sept? Later than Jan? I would be in favor of having late season go from Jan 1st to 31st.

There are different hunters out there that just don't care about big deer or they'd rather have tender meat than have to chew and re-chew hard old meat. They're are many different type of hunters out there for many specific reasons and I respect them all....even if they all come walking underneath me on a deer drive.

DBL BULL Assassin · #42 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pro-Hunt

This is one reason why I am in favor of one long season use whatever weapon you want. It would let people like you feel not so pressured to shoot the first thing you see. If there was a long season you would be able to get out more than one weekend and you could surely shoot a doe instead of that little buck.

Would I be able to use my rifle on Sept. 15? If so, I'd be for it.

This is how I read your statement above. Then you would have alot of guys go right out and shoot the big bucks that have had 9 months to "relax" and get ambushed right off the bat. Then where would the big bucks be for you to hunt the rut with your bow?

Discuss.

DBL BULL Assassin · #43 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 05:53 PM

One more thing, nice buck you got.

Surprised on the answer for its age, too.

**tmrschessie** · #44 (**permalink**) 07-19-2008, 07:23 AM

Lots of good ideas, need a little more thought though. Also,

Wildfire writes....or they'd rather have tender meat than have to chew and re-chew hard old meat....

the younger AND the oldest deer are the most tender. It is the middle aged bruisers that chase doe and fight trees and each other that produce that "shoe leather" meat

Good discussion. Tom

DeerSlayer · #45 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 11:30 AM

Small does always taste better. its like the "veal" of deer meat. Those big bucks you shoot are so full of testosterone it makes the meat taste a little different, and the meat is tougher just like a cow- you can go buy a cow slaughter, you will get a 14 month old cow. You go to wal mart and buy your meat, you get roughly a 2 year old cows meat.
Selective harvest is strongly pushed at us experienced hunters who have the privledge to discuss this sort of stuff and learn from others. Most hunters in nebraska dont belong to sites like this- they go out, shoot their deer, and wait til next year. People that go to a website to talk about it are the ones with the true passion of the sportsman, and are for the most part more educated than the average hunter.
And Wildfire, not saying you are wrong at all, but during the late season there are a lot of hunters that dont know the difference between a Drop and a big doe. I shot one 2 years ago about 150 yards out, you shoulda seen the bases on this guy. Selective harvest is really the only option, the season dates are fine IMO; However I am no biologist.