Not the one I wanted

[elkhuntinfool78]

Anyone else get sick of hearing,

" well he wasn't the buck or bull I was after but at least I didn't go home empty handed"

Or "Not the one I wanted but at least I put meat in the freezer for the family "

Let's be real there's not many folks these days that are out hunting because they need to feed their family, there's far cheaper protein to be had when one figures in tags, gas money, wear and tear on vehicles, etc.

I'm so sick of hearing comments like this, it's so annoying. Seems many just can't go a year without putting that post on Instagram about the hard earned tag they filled. In particular with mule deer I find it pretty repulsive that so many young bucks get shot just so someone can keep their ego sufficed.

And influencers, do we really need to kill multiple bucks and bulls each year so we have content for our viewers? Not saying all are this way but I'd say definitely most are. Yes, Yes, I know the meat goes to a good cause.

Alright enough rambling.

I searched but didn't find a thread to this point already but if there is one post a link and let this thread go cold. Otherwise post your thoughts.

 

[mevertsen]

Coming from an unapologetic forkie mule deer killer..

Because I like the meat.

Hunt the tag, be happy you're hunting

Forget about the following.. Money invested in, license fees, points, and all the time researching areas. If that gives you heartburn, you probably shouldn't be applying for deer in other states. Trophy quality. I would venture to guess less than 1 percent of bucks overall, have the POTENTIAL...

www.hunttalk.com

Edit to add.

Influencers do need to kill multiple each year to be able to get the content and contracts.

And hunters keep feeding the monster.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Anyone else get sick of hearing,

" well he wasn't the buck or bull I was after but at least I didn't go home empty handed"

Or "Not the one I wanted but at least I put meat in the freezer for the family "

Let's be real there's not many folks these days that are out hunting because they need to feed their family, there's far cheaper protein to be had when one figures in tags, gas money, wear and tear on vehicles, etc.

I'm so sick of hearing comments like this, it's so annoying. Seems many just can't go a year without putting that post on Instagram about the hard earned tag they filled. In particular with mule deer I find it pretty repulsive that so many young bucks get shot just so someone can keep their ego sufficed.

And influencers, do we really need to kill multiple bucks and bulls each year so we have content for our viewers? Not saying all are this way but I'd say definitely most are. Yes, Yes, I know the meat goes to a good cause.

Alright enough rambling.

I searched but didn't find a thread to this point already but if there is one post a link and let this thread go cold. Otherwise post your thoughts.

Matt Rinella is that you?

 

[elkhuntinfool78]

Matt Rinella is that you?

Hardly

 

[elkhuntinfool78]

Coming from an unapologetic forkie mule deer killer..

Because I like the meat.

Hunt the tag, be happy you're hunting

Forget about the following.. Money invested in, license fees, points, and all the time researching areas. If that gives you heartburn, you probably shouldn't be applying for deer in other states. Trophy quality. I would venture to guess less than 1 percent of bucks overall, have the POTENTIAL...

www.hunttalk.com

Edit to add.

Influencers do need to kill multiple each year to be able to get the content and contracts.

And hunters keep feeding the monster.

Yes they do, pretty disgusting in my mind. My Dad is rolling over in his grave to see what hunting "business " has become nowadays

 

[kodiakisland]

I agree and disagree. Big game hunts for the trophy animals can certainly be costly, but many of us put meat in the freezer economically. My kids and I put 4-8 deer in the freezer that are killed less than 6 miles from the house. We process the meat ourselves. A license cost $25. I'm definitely putting meat in the freezer for the family as we do not buy beef. There might be a deer I would like to kill, but I want them all in my freezer and am always happy at the end of the season.

As far as influencers and whatnot, I really have little understanding of all of that. I do not do facebook, instagram, etc. and do not listen to pod casts. I don't understand what makes people both do it and pay attention to it. The only influencer hunters I know and interact with are those old timers who brought me along over the years and shared their love of the wilderness and hunting.

 

[Bill Zent]

I wonder about those who travel thousands of miles to hunt, pay hefty out of state fees, complain about not seeing any big bucks, then shoot a one year old piss buck just to take an animal home! Duh, just maybe........

 

[Nambaster]

I am no trophy hunter. I hunt because I enjoy the process. The thrill of not knowing the outcome of my hunts and harvesting is purely why I do it.

The day that my pulse doesn’t rise at the appearance of a buck or bull is the day that I stop hunting. Big animals excite me for sure! But I also love the crisp break of my trigger and the trajectory of my bullet and the sweet sound of impact. I love walking up on a downed animal and appreciating its beauty. No 2 animals are exactly the same.

I unapologetically harvest animals to consume their meat, tan their hides, render their tallow and align myself with my natural state.

I am no influencer.

I do encourage the recruitment of hunters and trappers as we are quickly becoming a minority.

 

[elkhuntinfool78]

I agree and disagree. Big game hunts for the trophy animals can certainly be costly, but many of us put meat in the freezer economically. My kids and I put 4-8 deer in the freezer that are killed less than 6 miles from the house. We process the meat ourselves. A license cost $25. I'm definitely putting meat in the freezer for the family as we do not buy beef. There might be a deer I would like to kill, but I want them all in my freezer and am always happy at the end of the season.

As far as influencers and whatnot, I really have little understanding of all of that. I do not do facebook, instagram, etc. and do not listen to pod casts. I don't understand what makes people both do it and pay attention to it. The only influencer hunters I know and interact with are those old timers who brought me along over the years and shared their love of the wilderness and hunting.

I understand that completely, growing up as a kid wild game was our primary source of meat and was done so in large part because of cost, processing ourselves, hunting out our back door.

My grief is with those who comment that they wanted something bigger but settled. Most who enjoy the table fare are also happy to put a cow or doe on the table.

I also am not on Instagram or Facebook but still manage to see and hear enough to make me sick.

 

[brockel]

I wonder about those who travel thousands of miles to hunt, pay hefty out of state fees, complain about not seeing any big bucks, then shoot a one year old piss buck just to take an animal home! Duh, just maybe........

Probably a little bit of wanting to at least get something so the wife doesn’t hound them about wasting all that money to bring nothing home. I know a few people like that.

 

[EastTNHunter]

I hunt for the experience first, meat second, trophy aspect way down the line. I don’t go after the meat to save money, per se, but it is a good byproduct of something that I like to do, and I know where the protein came from as opposed to store bought meat. There are several recipes that I only make using venison. I actually prefer the texture of ground venison in chili, spaghetti, etc, over beef that is just mushy to me. My wife’s meatloaf is 50/50 venison/beef (straight venison is too dry for our taste). Venison is lower in fat.

I still prefer using beef for hamburgers, I like a good rack of pork ribs, and it’s hard to beat a smoked beef ribeye, love chicken in several things, so I don’t eat venison solely, most of our protein is venison.

There are numerous reasons to eat venison over store bought meat, not just cost. I don’t understand hunters who have a hard time seeing that

 

[Nambaster]

I understand that completely, growing up as a kid wild game was our primary source of meat and was done so in large part because of cost, processing ourselves, hunting out our back door.

My grief is with those who comment that they wanted something bigger but settled. Most who enjoy the table fare are also happy to put a cow or doe on the table.

I also am not on Instagram or Facebook but still manage to see and hear enough to make me sick.

I have drawn several cow elk tags. I have yet to ever fill a cow elk tag. I won’t beat around the bush, I straight up love hunting antlered male hard horned animals. It’s rare for me to not fill a tag for a buck or a bull.

The landscape of social media really simplifies the process and only displays success. I crave the challenge of every hunt. I love the camp camaraderie and rescuing other hunters stuck on the road side. Encountering brand new hunters in the field standing over their first animal and observing the bewilderment in their eyes is pure joy!

Lots of observers have expectations for easy hunts due to observed social media success. I love the reality of every season when people jump on their devices and beg for pointers and way points. It occurs mid season and it resonates when they learn that there are variables in hunting that make it so that it is never a guarantee.

When people are thunder struck with reality. That’s what hunting is all about! We didn’t always have atv’s or side by sides, or toy haulers or slide out campers at such a high percentage.

Any amount of “dirt time” that the general population commits to is a big WIN! I just imagine all the neglected devices away from the Wi-Fi and cell reception! It’s terrific!

 

[brockel]

Do hunters also hate when a guy goes fishing in his $50k+ boat and doesn’t catch a walleye to put on the wall but brings home a limit of 18” walleye?

 

[JohnCushman]

I just like to hunt. I mostly live on the meat, except for pork and chicken. I've gotten just as much of a rise out of killing a forkie in a good hunt as a branch antlered 'big' buck. It's all about the experience for me. The hunt, the friends, the woodstove in the middle of winter, almost getting snowed in on the mountain, bathing with dude wipes, but most of all, the circumstances of everyday life in elk camp or wherever and whatever I'm hunting.

 

[oxn939]

Or "Not the one I wanted but at least I put meat in the freezer for the family "


And influencers, do we really need to kill multiple bucks and bulls each year so we have content for our viewers? Not saying all are this way but I'd say definitely most are. Yes, Yes, I know the meat goes to a good cause.

Pretty sure most people dislike influencers by this point. Generally narcissistic, take lots and give little to the resource, and have questionable morals at best... all for attention from strangers online.

Look at the recent Mike Lee public lands grab. A lot of them were out there peddling their "merch" but silent about opposing Lee's amendment. Shows you right where their priorities are.

 

[longbow51]

We try to shoot mature bucks, because there's more meat, but don't look for anything huge. You have to really go out of your way to find beef that doesn't contain hormones or antibiotics.

"Professional" hunters and fishers need to get real jobs.

 

[gouch]

I'm old enough to remember when the average Joe hunter who just wanted to fill his tag complained about trophy hunters for giving the sport a bad name. Now its trophy hunters complaining about the average Joe hunter for just wanting to fill his tag.

About the only thing that doesn't seem to change is that people are going to complain about what other people do.

 

[belshawelk]

Don't think for a second my friends who hunt on my property don't give each other crap for shooting the cow with the smaller ears.

I am the last guy ever concerned about horns. I have some big ones hanging through some special opportunities I have had. Other than the bull I shot last year ( Gods Bull thread, and it was a goof that I burned 20 years of points on) I only shoot cows for meat.

Just finished a pronghorn hunt where I spent 12 years of points. Lots of goats everywhere. The one I shot- closet to the truck so I could back up to it. Still average goat for the area but there are some big B & C goats where I was hunting. Mine had a bigger body than usual as he lived in alfalfa fields ( which is what I aim for with meat).

Hunt with me and I will always give you the first opportunity at a legal mature animal. You have a minute to decide or I will for you. A bird in the hand................

 

[Steiny77]

I wonder about those who travel thousands of miles to hunt, pay hefty out of state fees, complain about not seeing any big bucks, then shoot a one year old piss buck just to take an animal home! Duh, just maybe........

I hunted with an expensive quality outfitter in a big buck area of Kansas several years with a guy that would shoot the first basket eight point that came down the trail. Seemed pretty ridiculous to me, but he was happy, just wanted to shoot a deer and go home.

 

[KHNC]

I hunted with an expensive quality outfitter in a big buck area of Kansas several years with a guy that would shoot the first basket eight point that came down the trail. Seemed pretty ridiculous to me, but he was happy, just wanted to shoot a deer and go home.

I know a guy like that. I wont go on a hunting trip with him. I dont go on hunts just to kill early and haul ass home. I will go home a day early if i kill sooner sometimes. Most of the time i like to hang around and see what else there is to do. Or , I will wait till the end and help my buddy if he hasnt tagged out yet.