Years ago, shooting does was the hot topic in the deer hunting world. The common battle cry heard around many campfire discussions was, “You’re killing off all the deer by shooting does.” Over the years, we have found this idea to be false, thanks in large part to the hard work and observation of hunters and game managers across the continent. In today’s times, the stigma associated with shooting does is now gone, and people think of it merely as herd management.
To some, this deer is a trophy; to others, it's not. And sometimes, a trophy is dictated by the circumstances surrounding the hunt itself. Regardless, it's defined by the individual hunter. Photo courtesey of BayouBucks.com member "Grabwad": Atchafalaya Delta WMA.
As sad as it is, antlerless deer still get a second class status when hanging next to a monster buck on the meat pole. Without question, trophy mania has taken over and everyone wants bigger, better, and more inches of bone. The competitiveness and comparison between hunters today runs rampant, and a lot of hunters mindsets have been geared towards believing that big bucks are the only worthy deer, and shooting anything less is a sin. When you shoot a young buck, some hunters think you may have just taken someone’s future trophy, but forget to realize that today it’s your trophy. That demon called “antler” has blinded a lot of hunters, and they can’t seem to realize this. That smaller buck is no less of a trophy to you than a trophy hunter’s buck with a 160″ rack sitting on top of it’s head. I shoot little bucks, but at the same time I don’t fault hunters who choose to wait for older and bigger deer. I don’t feel the rules should be all geared towards my way of hunting, because I believe there are plenty deer for everyone in both styles of hunting. “To each their own,” I say.
Right after he ran an arrow through a hot doe, the author killed this beautiful public land 10-point. At was just lagniappe to an already awesome experience afield.
I’ll admit it. Having dreams of someday getting a big buck to hang on my wall is a fantasy that enters my mind every time I sit on the side of a tree. Even though I will be hunting in Illinois this year trying to accomplish this dream, I refuse to let “antler obsession” cloud my judgement and change the way I hunt. I’m perfectly happy with shooting smaller bucks, and I love the excitement they still bring to my hunting adventures. In the end, we all need to realize that we are all on the same team, and we are a much stronger force together than apart. United we stand. Divided we fall.
23 Responses to: Judge Not
Another Good article Widow, very well written and I would have to agree in every way.
Great Read, Dude.
People evolve as hunters. Your standards change as you get older or wiser as does the weapon you tend to lean toward. It’s all about what you as a hunter wants to get out of your time in the woods.
Thanks for the article man !!!
Another good article man..”to each his own” that’s the truth not only in hunting but in life as well….
These words couldnt be more true, awsome article!
Great article Russ. That is the main reason I don’t watch many hunting shows on TV anymore, I am just burnt out on the trophy thing. Almost every show is geared towards killing only huge bucks. Maybe that is why I still watch Spirit of the Wild with uncle Ted when I can find it on.
Great read Widow! Couldnt be a truer statement!
Great article Widow.
Awesome man!!! you are dead on with this one dude!!!!
Nice article man!!
Any deer I take with stick and string I do so proudly. I love to shoot does but some are very smart. I will take a young buck cause I can. I hunt for a good buck but I also hunt to harvest. I have had Widowmaker tempt me to pull the trigger on some that I have let walk. It is a choice I make when I am in the stand. The freezer level has a lot to do with it. I can’t believe you can be a writer too. Good work again Mr. Widowmaker MAN!
Well put Russ! It can’t be said any better!
Great article Widow! I was subject to being knocked down when I killed my first deer when I was young. I hunted consistently for weeks during my Christmas break from school and managed to get a 4 point on my last morning to hunt. It was a trophy of a lifetime for me, but some guys back at the camp just didn’t see it the way my young self did. If it wasn’t for the oldest guy in camp recognizing my accomplishment and sharing in the excitement with me, I’m not sure if I’d still be a hunter.
Great Article Widow!I agree the Choice should be the hunters everytime he is in the stand…
OUTSTANDING!!! …and I totally agree.
Great article Widowmaker! For some, the precious time spent in the field and harvest any deer (especially on public land) in Louisiana is trophy enough. Thanks for the insight!
Totally agree. Although it would be nice to kill a trophy buck, it’s the thrill of the kill that keeps us going back to the woods. Great article.
I have to admit I love antlers. But I set one rule in stone, “Don’t make any decision on what to shoot until I am in the tree”. Last year I had one buck in mind that I wanted to get. When it came out under my tree I decided to let it walk. I beat him at his game and I didn’t need to put the arrow in him to prove it. It was a great hunt.
Thanks for the response everyone!!!!
Great article Widow.
Awesome article Widow. I have a nephew that just started hunting with a bow last year. He said that he was going to let all the little deer pass by and only shoot a mature trophy buck like on T.V. I talked to him in depth about what was important about hunting, what makes the animal a trophy and being in the wonderful woods God gave us to enjoy. I got to take him hunting late last season and I got to share in something that will last me a lifetime. He stuck his very first deer and done it with stick & string. He was so proud of the doe he had just killed and then told me that I must have been right a along because this was a real trophy and no one could every say any different. I am proud of him and he now understands what makes the trophy to the hunter, is not how big a deers rack is but the time shared in the woods and the memories made along the way.
Well said Widow. I agree with your point of view. I was upset today when I read some posts on the site. Bassnbucks harvested his first archery deer and it happened to be a small button buck. They had some negative post regarding the size of the deer. Those negative attitudes take away from the thrill of the hunt and could discourage others from partaking in this great sport. People get to hung up on “antlers”.
Best article I’ve read in years. Used to quit my job to chase bucks across the country, it was like it became a job(a fun job), but there were some times where I had realized pier pressure had affected the kind of careless shots I had made(wounding deer). I would actually get depressed and finally realized I didn’t owe anyone a thing. It was ok to be me and relax.
HAHA ,,,after getting to know this Clown and all his baby deer shooting he’s done over the years!!!! hehehehehehe,, Just messing with you GOAT BOY!!!! Good stuff!!! We all graduate to different levels in our hunting,, bottom line and we are the only ones we need to please..