Who hunts for horns and who hunts for meat?

Dogleg did a great job of summing it up for me as well, hunting means a lot of different things. When I was 16-17-18 I hunted probably 300 days a year, after work and on weekends, all stat holidays including Christmas. It wasn't about either trophy or meat at that time, just the love of hunting. Nowadays I give the meat away and trophy hunt a lot but I still shoot non-trophy animals from time to time and give the meat away. Not so much anymore, but I still love to hunt just for the sake of hunting. I am a true predator and make no apologies for it.
Just to be crystal clear, I hunt within the game laws at all times!!
This is such a special privilege we have in this country to be able to do this. I have travelled over a lot of this world and seen how difficult and/or impossible it is in other countries to even own a gun let alone hunt. I revell in this privilege and have taught both sons to do the same. I don't think it is important why you hunt as much as it is THAT you hunt.
 
I hunt mainly for meat. If it has a nice rack, it's just a bonus. I find way to many people only care about rack scores, it seems almost like they don't care about any other part of the animal. Hardcore trophy hunters disgust me really, but it's not any of my business to tell them how to hunt.
 
I rarely take immature animals. I am an extreme Blacktail trophy hunter and chase big racks all season. However , Blacktails in the middle of the rut are not like a big stinky Muley and are still the best tasting red meat on the planet as far as im concerned. If i was chasing a diffrent speices i might be more concerned about getting a mature animal early season for a better tasting animal. I couldnt imagine a post hunting season with out morning sausage for breakfeast... not cool !
 
buck2012.jpg

Judging by the picture I guess I hunt for the meat hehe.

We've been seeing a lot less big bucks in our area lately (in the past ~3-5 years, nothing on trail cams, low success rate amongst our group), and apparently here's why:
http://tvanouvelles.ca/lcn/infos/faitsdivers/archives/2012/11/20121128-094102.html
Basically, 55 poachers arrested recently... the pictures speak for themselves even if you don't read French.

A lot more presence by the SQ and "agents de la faune" during this hunting season.
 
If its deer season then trophy hunting till last day and then I shoot a dry doe. Moose season young bull, I hate chewing on rubber so no monster bulls for me let two 50-60 inch bulls walk this year. So I guess I hunt for meat except for WT season till last day just on my way out to shoot my doe, last day of the season so I need some jerky meat dry doe it is.
Cheers
Geoff
 
I hunt for meat but if there happens to be a set of horns attached thats bonus. I do tend to pass up fawns if we already have a few deer hanging (Controlled Hunt) but otherwise seeing as its a group effort I do my best to bring down any legal deer. I can't imagine what it was like when my Dad started hunting deer 30 years ago in a 3 day antlered only season and they considered it a successful hunt if they saw a buck. How things have changed, hopefully we never return to those days. FYI I'm in Southern Ontario.
 
Meat.
I don't care what's growing out of their heads. It's nice to get a nice rack, but I only notice that after the beast is down.

Edit-oddly enough, I'd say I've shot more bucks than does. Just luck of the bush though.
 
Last edited:
For meat, and trophy's My last hunt was 2007, I only target shoot now. Moved to the city from the country, when the family needs are less I plan to go back out. I miss country living.
 
Vittles.........and if they are wearing a nice hat, bingo.
This year I think I need to replace me can opener.
Lots of fur, just at the wrong time......dang it.
 
I'm willing to wait for the fellow who's best breeding is behind him and now just has this big, heavy old set of bone on his head. He may not be as tasty as a young buck or a doe, but puttin' my hand around those heavy horns makes it all worth while.
Geoff
 
I am essesntially a meat hunter, and will take a tasty younger animal by choice.

That being said, after 50+ years of hunting, I have taken a few decent Bulls/Bucks.
I have two very respectable muley racks, and one Whitetail as well.

I have shot two moose over 50", and one very nice Elk. Beams are huge at the base.

My freezer is first now days, and a cow tastes as good as anything, lol.

Regards, Eagleye.
 
Maybe we should re-word the question ie: If a at 50 yards and broadside, two whitetails, one a chubby, young spike-horn and the second his chewy 6 1/2 year old grandfather with a 170+class rack...both unaware of you, which would you kill??? Come on, be honest boys.
Geoff
 
longbranch* said:
Maybe we should re-word the question ie: If a at 50 yards and broadside, two whitetails, one a chubby, young spike-horn and the second his chewy 6 1/2 year old grandfather with a 170+class rack...both unaware of you, which would you kill??? Come on, be honest boys.
Geoff
Click to expand...

The 6 1/2 year old cause once it's canned or sausaged it all tastes good, but if I was looking purely for table fare the chubby forkhorn gets it between the eyes.:p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom