Which trophy is a greater accomplishment?

[300RUM]

why kill an immature deer is my question?? Of course I'd kill the bigger buck. That forky could grow into your next 120" deer.. but what do I know

Many would kill a forky because the forky can be venison steak on the grill this year. To some that beats holding out for a bigger buck and ending up with a empty freezer.

[Flatlander]

 

To each their own bud, Id rather kill a 110 inch with a spear but that wasnt an option on the poll.

Shoot a 110" with a scud missle and the forky with a blow dart gun For all I care id still take the 110. I don't think I've ever even seen a 110

90% of guys wouldnt even know what that buck scored at 850 yds. Judging coues at long range is not easy and requires top level glass. So my guess is most of the guys who shoot one at that distance didnt know if it was an 90 buck or a 120 buck.

 

But hey, the last buck I shot was a Forky. We call him king of the dinks. Oh, and did anyone see my WY antelope???

[Delw]

 

why kill an immature deer is my question?? Of course I'd kill the bigger buck. That forky could grow into your next 120" deer.. but what do I know

 

Because you LEGALLY can whom am I to say what someone should kill or not or how.

[trphyhntr]

why kill an immature deer is my question?? Of course I'd kill the bigger buck. That forky could grow into your next 120" deer.. but what do I know

i read somewhere that 70% of the tags are filled with spikes and forks

[BOWUNTR]

Best explanation so far IMO... Ed F

 

"Theres lots of guys around that have been trying for years to get ANY Coues Deer with a bow. A spike can bust you just as well as a 110. Ive killed both with a bow... and been busted by both. Maaaaaany times.

 

You dont get busted at 850 yards by anything unless youre hunting with a marching band."

[oz31p]

 

why kill an immature deer is my question?? Of course I'd kill the bigger buck. That forky could grow into your next 120" deer.. but what do I know

i read somewhere that 70% of the tags are filled with spikes and forks

. In a state where harvest reporting is a joke. How would any one know that?

[idgaf]

Wow, I took a Cwt'er elk hunting yesterday and this 'poll' blew up. Many of the post recently have been "My ____ got it done today at xxx yards" and I wanted to see if that's what/where current hunters mindsets are. Poll essentially is The science of shooting VS the art/craftsmanship of hunting.

[Couzer]

 

 

why kill an immature deer is my question?? Of course I'd kill the bigger buck. That forky could grow into your next 120" deer.. but what do I know

i read somewhere that 70% of the tags are filled with spikes and forks

. In a state where harvest reporting is a joke. How would any one know that?

Its done by social media now 😂🤣😂🤣

[mattys281]

IMO trophy hunting has some very big pluses for hunting overall. People voluntarily going home empty handed while waiting for a biggin keeps success rates lower which in turn allows for greater tag allotment and for an otc archery hunt. I think it’s pretty admirable that some people are disciplined enough to let deer after deer walk by in the pursuit of something special. Good for them.

 

However, they should not take their personal standards and use them as a soap box from which they can look down on the rest of us. We each get to set our own standard and it doesn’t make anybody a lesser hunter or person for shooting a smaller deer. Some people are new to the sport and just excited to be successful, some people have disabilities that physically limit them, some have lack of time, and some just enjoy the meat and don’t really give a crap about the antlers. All are entitled to harvest whatever fate allows and their own personal standards accept.

 

I love seeing the pics of people with their first kills sitting there grinning ear to ear while holding a spike or little forky in their hands. That enjoyment and excitement is the best part of the sport.

[Str8Shot]

Two of the heaviest and probably oldest Coues we have had hanging in our camps over the years were 90inch plus Forks... So the idea that all Forks are young, dumb, and small is kind of idiotic. I personally would take 90 - 100" fork over 110" any day of the week (alot fewer of those big forks out there)

That being said, the fact that size is mentioned at all skews this poll. IMO there should also be an option for under 100 yards with iron sights

[oz31p]

 

 

 

why kill an immature deer is my question?? Of course I'd kill the bigger buck. That forky could grow into your next 120" deer.. but what do I know

i read somewhere that 70% of the tags are filled with spikes and forks

. In a state where harvest reporting is a joke. How would any one know that?

Its done by social media now

? Social media is still a thing?

[Arizona Griz]

just curious what the common consensus is.

Which ever one brings the biggest smile to your face.

[Zeke-BE]

why kill an immature deer is my question?? Of course I'd kill the bigger buck. That forky could grow into your next 120" deer.. but what do I know

 

Funny how I read this stuff and it usually comes from people who already have really decent bucks taken!! Lots of people have no problem shooting one on the last day, or it needs to be a short hunt, put some of the best tasting venison in the freezer, or they just have not had the opportunity to bag many deer in their hunting career !

 

There are 4 type of hunters in my opinion

1-- the love of the hunt, meaning the hunt means more, but trophy's are bonus

2--trophy hunters, rather go home with nothing instead of a small buck (these guy have been around awhile, diehards, complain about people shooting potential future shooters)

3- non committed hunters but love to hunt when its seasoned (your typical crazy hunting stories about people, road hunters)

4-beginners, new to hunting or they go out once every other 5 years

 

Most of us can usually bounce in and out of 1-3 most of the time but # 2 guys got tired of the #1 life and only focus on that and say the same comments above. Most people on this forum though are #1 but try hard with #2 (which I do).

[idgaf]

Two of the heaviest and probably oldest Coues we have had hanging in our camps over the years were 90inch plus Forks... So the idea that all Forks are young, dumb, and small is kind of idiotic. I personally would take 90 - 100" fork over 110" any day of the week (alot fewer of those big forks out there)

That being said, the fact that size is mentioned at all skews this poll. IMO there should also be an option for under 100 yards with iron sights

If all things were equal than the traditionalist side would have an even more lopsided following. By mentioning size it brings nuance/degrees to the equation. Obviously, by increasing your kill radius by a half mile (880 yards) in each direction you will have the opportunity at larger animals. By limiting the buck to a forky for the traditional side it gets your mind wondering if it's the hunt or the animal that's the trophy.

[trphyhntr]

Wow, I took a Cwt'er elk hunting yesterday and this 'poll' blew up. Many of the post recently have been "My ____ got it done today at xxx yards" and I wanted to see if that's what/where current hunters mindsets are. Poll essentially is The science of shooting VS the art/craftsmanship of hunting.

I just don't see how this is even a question. But the answer was the opposite of what I figured. There is a massive amount of cope in that poll