What happened to deer hunting?

[Hills of Texas]

I usually keep my opinion on what’s a trophy deer to my self. Im sought out by people all over to mount their trophy and I never judge one way or the other. The trend is getting bigger and bigger. More often than not it’s about the inches not memories. I get it but it’s a sad trend in my opinion. My best memories were made of family and friends getting together, spending time and creating memories. Don’t get lost in inches, get lost in the experience.

[AntlerCollector]

I like both

[Bowtech38]

I agree. My freezer doesn’t care what was on its head or how old it was.

[Pushbutton2]

Originally Posted by Hills of Texas

I usually keep my opinion on what’s a trophy deer to my self. Im sought out by people all over to mount their trophy and I never judge one way or the other. The trend is getting bigger and bigger. More often than not it’s about the inches not memories. I get it but it’s a sad trend in my opinion. My best memories were made of family and friends getting together, spending time and creating memories. Don’t get lost in inches, get lost in the experience.

These is my thoughts as well

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by AntlerCollector

I like both

Yes’r- nothing wrong with this at all

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by Pushbutton2

These is my thoughts as well

Are You thinking AgAiN?

[Burntorange Bowhunter]

There is irony in this post.

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[Pushbutton2]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Are You thinking AgAiN?

Kinda thinking not wandering

[SwampBuck]

For me, I look forward to deer season every year because of my friends and family I hunt with and the good times we have. We share in one another success.

Do I wanna progress and shoot better bucks as time goes? Sure
Would I like to shoot a 150-160? Yup
But it’s doesn’t make or break it for me. And I don’t push my hunting ideology on the other lease members.

[Etxbuckman]

I'm sorry but I couldn't help myself.


Your sentiments are not wrong though.

[Mudslinger]

Agreed 100%!

If and when I shoot a buck, it is a trophy in my book no matter the score as long as it makes my heart skip a beat and starts my blood pressure to rise!

[BURTONboy]

Im stuck in this rut. Not that ive ever even shot a big deer, but finding a deer I want to kill and then having everybody say ‘hes young’ or ‘hes only 4’ or ‘hes only 115”’ ruins it for me. Im about fed up with aging deer and trying to shoot deer over 120”. My biggest is around 125” and ive passed WAY bigger due to age.

So im with you. Im about ready to start doing it for the memories again and shoot whatever walks out that trips my trigger. Because thats how it used to be and that was fun.


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[Anvilheadtexas]

I passed a beautiful 10 pointer a few years back on my place in East Tx… Chip shot. 7 am day 3 of rifle. Would have been the biggest deer I have ever killed and would have been a great memory maker for my brother and my nephew as they were hunting the land that am as well. Instead I felt it needed another year . Never saw that deer again and I regretted that decision the moment it stepped out of sight. I did not regret the score or the antlers or the age or anything stupid like that I just regretted blowing a perfect opportunity for a family memory. We have Decided that this trophy thing is for other people…. We have gone back to hunting for shared memories. That does not mean we are a free fire zone, but… if a family member or a guest likes a deer on the farm then they are entitled to shoot it.

[ttaxidermy]

I agree but you can't mount their memories!!! $$$$

[Hills of Texas]

Originally Posted by Anvilheadtexas

I passed a beautiful 10 pointer a few years back on my place in East Tx… Chip shot. 7 am day 3 of rifle. Would have been the biggest deer I have ever killed and would have been a great memory maker for my brother and my nephew as they were hunting the land that am as well. Instead I felt it needed another year . Never saw that deer again and I regretted that decision the moment it stepped out of sight. I did not regret the score or the antlers or the age or anything stupid like that I just regretted blowing a perfect opportunity for a family memory. We have Decided that this trophy thing is for other people…. We have gone back to hunting for shared memories. That does not mean we are a free fire zone, but… if a family member or a guest likes a deer on the farm then they are entitled to shoot it.

This is what I’m talking about. Take time with your family and friends and enjoy the experience. When the trend switched to inches vs. experience, we lost something in my opinion.

[kmack]

Agree with OP. Some of my most memorable hunts were my first doe, and my daughter's first doe! And most any hunt together with my daughter. I can tell you more about those hunts and the deer that were taken than most of the bucks I've taken over the years. My most favorite hunting story to tell is of my FIL taking a buck one year that I was hunting. Funniest story ever in my book.

It should be about the memories made and the stories those memories make. Especially when those parties in the stories are no longer with us.

[JBJTX81]

Originally Posted by ttaxidermy

I agree but you can't mount their memories!!! $$$$

#facts

Lol

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[JBJTX81]

I want it both ways. And it can be had both ways.

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[HogHunter34]

I agree as well. I have no issue with others chasing those big antlers
I just enjoy being outdoors & sharing it with my son
I haven’t found a recipe yet for those antlers

[texasdeerhunter]

As soon as we commercialized hunting and made a trophy buck a commodity, it changed the perception of “trophies” and hence changed the experience in shooting that trophy. I generally dislike deer breeders for this reason,

[Drycreek3189]

I think television happened to deer hunting.

[Anvilheadtexas]

Originally Posted by Hills of Texas

This is what I’m talking about. Take time with your family and friends and enjoy the experience. When the trend switched to inches vs. experience, we lost something in my opinion.

Glad thst you get it. My brother and I are both in our mid 50s and we’ve realize that although we’re still climbing trees in Summit climbers, there’s not many years left to do that. That being said if somebody wants to sit out in the woods for 2 1/2 months waiting for some thing that they think is going to impress everyone then that’s their right. How ‘bout it!

[Smart]

Originally Posted by ttaxidermy

I agree but you can't mount their memories!!! $$$$

True but when we die.....those mounts won't make a **** to anybody. Probably end up in a storage unit or dumpster somewhere. I struggle with that every time I send away $700-800 for some wall decoration. Kids and friends will remember us though for their lifetime for taking them hunting with them...

I like shooting for personal "deer goals" although my goals are much smaller and less important than some on here.....but the excitement of friends/kids killing their first deer and the campfires are where its at for me these days. I'll take experiences over inches all day long.

[freerhunter16]

I like both. I love every aspect of deer hunting. Growing big deer is my passion. Killing them is a bonus. I love the years I don’t kill a big deer just as much as the years I do.

That doesn’t mean I don’t want to continue growing bigger deer each year.

[Hills of Texas]

Originally Posted by texasdeerhunter

As soon as we commercialized hunting and made a trophy buck a commodity, it changed the perception of “trophies” and hence changed the experience in shooting that trophy. I generally dislike deer breeders for this reason,

This last year I had 4 of the top five texas trophies hunter deer for our region. Don’t get me wrong, big deer are big deer and that’s what some people are after. There’s nothing wrong with that I just feel like we are out of touch with things. There was a thread a couple weeks ago about MLD ruining deer season. It wasn’t MLD it was us losing focus on what’s important.

[rtp]

Originally Posted by Hills of Texas

Don’t get lost in inches, get lost in the experience.

I used that line many times in my younger years.

[MBV77]

Seems like folks make hunting way too stressful by trying to figure out if a certain deer is big enough to take and how they’ll be judged by others if they do take it. People pay a fortune for some leases and I don’t think they really enjoy one minute of the season.


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[Hills of Texas]

Originally Posted by Smart

True but when we die.....those mounts won't make a **** to anybody. Probably end up in a storage unit or dumpster somewhere. I struggle with that every time I send away $700-800 for some wall decoration. Kids and friends will remember us though for their lifetime for taking them hunting with them...

I like shooting for personal "deer goals" although my goals are much smaller and less important than some on here.....but the excitement of friends/kids killing their first deer and the campfires are where its at for me these days. I'll take experiences over inches all day long.

This

[cameron1507]

couldn't agree more

[bphillips]

I can have all that experience and memories without shooting. For the actual deer I’ll continue to have goals

[RUNNING BEAR]

Am I being shamed for wanting to shoot big deer?

I can live with that.

[aoudad]

Originally Posted by Smart

True but when we die.....those mounts won't make a **** to anybody. Probably end up in a storage unit or dumpster somewhere. I struggle with that every time I send away $700-800 for some wall decoration. Kids and friends will remember us though for their lifetime for taking them hunting with them...

I like shooting for personal "deer goals" although my goals are much smaller and less important than some on here.....but the excitement of friends/kids killing their first deer and the campfires are where its at for me these days. I'll take experiences over inches all day long.

Well said, but it would be bad *** to have my grandpas or great grandpas deer hanging on the wall with a picture. Something my grandkids will have.I agree better in this life to share the memories

[Bucknaked]

Nothing happened to hunting as far as I am concerned! It’s all about choices at any stage Everyone is different! “ you can’t eat the horns “ really cracks me up! At least for now I can remember every deer I have ever Killed , where I was at, the conditions, the Family or people I was blessed to be surrounded with , the groceries we ate, the camaraderie , everyone taking part in growing a deer herd !
This can all be done with awesome memories and when I look up on my wall every evening my mounts / pics take me right back to those wonderful times! I’m good with people scoring deer and aging them - I take part in it and our Families love it! So I’m certain nothing has changed! It’s whatever You want and what makes you happy. For me it’s the whole kit and caboodle;-)

[Aggiehunter08]

I think most forget what it takes to grow big deer. I enjoy trying to make things better than they were when you found it. Making memories on killing young deer isn’t being a good steward of the land. Some of my favorite memories are chasing mature management bucks with friends.

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by Hills of Texas

This last year I had 4 of the top five texas trophies hunter deer for our region. Don’t get me wrong, big deer are big deer and that’s what some people are after. There’s nothing wrong with that I just feel like we are out of touch with things. There was a thread a couple weeks ago about MLD ruining deer season. It wasn’t MLD it was us losing focus on what’s important.

Brother, I feel you are basing the most of this off of a Forum - just don’t get caught up in it!

[PassnItOn]

Originally Posted by bphillips

I can have all that experience and memories without shooting. For the actual deer I’ll continue to have goals

Nailed it!

[ttaxidermy]

Originally Posted by Smart

True but when we die.....those mounts won't make a **** to anybody. Probably end up in a storage unit or dumpster somewhere. I struggle with that every time I send away $700-800 for some wall decoration. Kids and friends will remember us though for their lifetime for taking them hunting with them...

I like shooting for personal "deer goals" although my goals are much smaller and less important than some on here.....but the excitement of friends/kids killing their first deer and the campfires are where its at for me these days. I'll take experiences over inches all day long.

I 100% agree.. It is about the memories!!!

I have a couple of customers that I have done 30-40 pieces for over the years. Their trophy rooms are huge.. A bunch of $$$$$$. I've asked them "what will happen to all of your trophies when you die"?? They get a blank look on their face. It's something no one wants to think about but it won't end well for the mounts most of the time... Sold for pennies on the dollar OR trashed..

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by ttaxidermy

I 100% agree.. It is about the memories!!!

I have a couple of customers that I have done 30-40 pieces for over the years. Their trophy rooms are huge.. A bunch of $$$$$$. I've asked them "what will happen to all of your trophies when you die"?? They get a blank look on their face. It's something no one wants to think about but it won't end well for the mounts most of the time... Sold for pennies on the dollar OR trashed..

When we die? It won’t matter because we’ll be dead

[ttaxidermy]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

When we die? It won’t matter because we’ll be dead

Yea but....

[Smart]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

When we die? It won’t matter because we’ll be dead

My wife, should she outlive me, will have to mess with all of them, especially if she moves into something smaller and easier to take care of, so it will matter .

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by Smart

My wife, should she outlive me, will have to mess with all of them, especially if she moves into something smaller and easier to take care of, so it will matter .

Come on Smart- she’ll make big $$$ off of them when she puts them on EBAY!

[Smart]

Originally Posted by ttaxidermy

I 100% agree.. It is about the memories!!!

I have a couple of customers that I have done 30-40 pieces for over the years. Their trophy rooms are huge.. A bunch of $$$$$$. I've asked them "what will happen to all of your trophies when you die"?? They get a blank look on their face. It's something no one wants to think about but it won't end well for the mounts most of the time... Sold for pennies on the dollar OR trashed..

Knew a guy that probably had 100 plus mounts. Even built a trophy room separate to house them. It was awesome. But when he passed, I don’t think his kids wanted anything to do with them. Not sure where the collection ended up but we asked for a few mounts that were killed on our place for the ranch house and never heard from them. Probably in storage, a restaurant or the dump, sadly.

[Anvilheadtexas]

Originally Posted by Aggiehunter08

I think most forget what it takes to grow big deer. I enjoy trying to make things better than they were when you found it. Making memories on killing young deer isn’t being a good steward of the land. Some of my favorite memories are chasing mature management bucks with friends.

Respectfully, there is a whole lot more taken into consideration when determining whether someone is a good steward to the land other then decisions made on whitetail deer management. I respect your passion, but we’ve got to keep this real.

[Smart]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Come on Smart- she’ll make big $$$ off of them when she puts them on EBAY!

Sweet so you volunteer? She has never Ebayed in her life.

[Aggiehunter08]

Originally Posted by ttaxidermy

I 100% agree.. It is about the memories!!!

I have a couple of customers that I have done 30-40 pieces for over the years. Their trophy rooms are huge.. A bunch of $$$$$$. I've asked them "what will happen to all of your trophies when you die"?? They get a blank look on their face. It's something no one wants to think about but it won't end well for the mounts most of the time... Sold for pennies on the dollar OR trashed..

I could care less what happens to them after I die. We only walk this earth once

[Fishndude]

This is part of the reason I love pig hunting so much. They’re all trophies with the bow. See a pig? Shoot it!! No worries about age, score or size. Just the memory of launching an arrow and eating delicious sausage.

[Smart]

Originally Posted by Anvilheadtexas

Respectfully, there is a whole lot more taken into consideration when determining whether someone is a good steward to the land other then decisions made on whitetail deer management. I respect your passion, but we’ve got to keep this real.

Great point.

[Bone Thug]

I have a huge passion for archery and deer. I enjoy every part of both. I enjoy the year around WORK, feeding, watching deer, learning and I really enjoy bowhunting. I enjoy singling out a buck and chasing him but I also have fun stacking up a truck load of doe every year as well.

I do it for the memories!!!!!

My question to you is …. how do you know what people are hunting for and why? Are you saying trophies and memories can’t go together?
Just curious what you are basing your info on.

I look forward to all the hunting stories/threads here on TBH. I’m happy for people when I see their success. I’m trying to think off the top of my head and I haven’t noticed here what you are referencing to.

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by Smart

Sweet so you volunteer? She has never Ebayed in her life.

Absolutely! I won’t even ask for a Commission
You’re all set

[Olympic Recurve]

If it gets my heart rate up there’s a good chance I’ll pull the string back. I’d much rather sit with my daughters and let them have a chance at something that gets them excited. Making memories is what is all about ��