Deer, the meat or rack?

I think I have said this before but the "it's brown it's down" comment drives me crazy and adds fuel to the notion that hunters are just out to kill anything. No problems with those out for just the meat but aren't we all eating the deer we shoot? It would be nice if we managed for larger bucks I think. If you are out for meat shoot a doe or management mature buck. Would be nice to see some of the spikes and 21/2 year old bucks passed to see what they turn into. Never understood why anybody shoots fawns as I am sure they taste just as good the next year as a doe and they provide more meat. Can't get a chance at that deer of a lifetime if you shoot the first thing that walks by.

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Originally Posted by Sudsee

I think I have said this before but the "it's brown it's down" comment drives me crazy and adds fuel to the notion that hunters are just out to kill anything. No problems with those out for just the meat but aren't we all eating the deer we shoot? It would be nice if we managed for larger bucks I think. If you are out for meat shoot a doe or management mature buck. Would be nice to see some of the spikes and 21/2 year old bucks passed to see what they turn into. Never understood why anybody shoots fawns as I am sure they taste just as good the next year as a doe and they provide more meat. Can't get a chance at that deer of a lifetime if you shoot the first thing that walks by.

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I understand what you are saying however.

I hunt for many reasons,the meat,to be outdoors,to get away from life's problems & to spend quality time with friends.

I have very limited time to get out & I don't have the time to dedicate to pass on smaller bucks. I am lucky to be able to get out bow hunting maybe a handfull of times in the season. If I pass on a smaller buck I will probably not see one again & no meat for me. I won't starve but I can't stand store bought meat.

However I have been very lucky over the years & the first buck in range turned out to be a mature wall hanger... :)

Meat for me!!

I'm perfectly happy to hunt for does for meat; I have shot some decent bucks but it was just happenstance, or I only had a buck tag.
I'm perfectly happy to let a mature buck walk; as my wife said once, "why do hunters insist on taking the best animals out of the gene pool?"
I think the idea that shooting a buck is somehow "better" than shooting a doe to be ridiculous. That said, I think anyone who wants to hunt for mature bucks only, and will end the season without a deer rather than take an easy deer, has made a valid point about being a skilled, selective hunter.

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Originally Posted by Kilo Charlie

I'm perfectly happy to hunt for does for meat; I have shot some decent bucks but it was just happenstance, or I only had a buck tag.
I'm perfectly happy to let a mature buck walk; as my wife said once, "why do hunters insist on taking the best animals out of the gene pool?"
I think the idea that shooting a buck is somehow "better" than shooting a doe to be ridiculous. That said, I think anyone who wants to hunt for mature bucks only, and will end the season without a deer rather than take an easy deer, has made a valid point about being a skilled, selective hunter.

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A 5 year old large buck has his gene pool all over the place, no problems there. By that point his children and grand children have their gene pools all over the place too.

Meat!!! If it's brown its down and I don't care who doesn't like that statement!!!

Deer, I hunt Deer. I have been around long enough and have spent enough time out there that if I have a deer standing broadside calm at 30 yards, I take it now.
I'm past all the other stuff, it shouldn't be about glory and high fives.
It's very time consuming for me and I have limited opportunities.
I shot a doe last week and I was thrilled!

I've met a few guys who shoot just for the rack then give the meat away. That gives hunters a bad name far more than 'if its brown its down'.
Meat here first. Can't eat the rack no matter how big.

I might hazard a guess that there are far more people who hunt for the freezer than the wall. And most of the middle ground that I know are perfectly fine with hunting for consumption, not so with "Trophy Hunting".

Have never understood why hunters have problems with the "brown it's down" approach. Especially when the majority hunt for the table, and most of the middle ground are ok with it. If its legal it's good, same thing I tell non hunters who are dead set against Trophy Hunting.

Myself?
Freezer first and when in camp "if it's brown it's down".

Mo too, If its brown its down (at least for the first deer).....then the second tag try to hold off for a nice buck but as the season gets closer to a close, any deer does the job for the freezer....