I grew up being taught that game animals were meant to be taken for food on the table. Getting a big buck or bull was just a bonus that rarely happened. Wyoming is forever indebted to the great Teddy Roosevelt. He made Wyo a state of many firsts (national park, forest, and monument). He also created the scoring system for big game animals. Its great what Teddy did but I feel it has gotten blown way out of proportion. Most trophy hunters now days are so worried about getting a big score than they are meat. Hunting is and always will be a tool for survival. I can't stand to watch these hunting shows where hunters leave the deer or elk overnight to recover them. I bet 90% of them are spoiled by then. I'm not saying that trophy hunting is bad, it just needs to go along with hunting ethics. My boss (from eastern Nebraska) hates hunting around here because he says the majority of hunters shoot tiny deer and they don't get big enough. I can't get him to realize that people around here are mostly trying to get food on the table, not antlers on the wall. He won't even eat his deer or antelope, he gives the meat away because he hates the taste of them. Not trying to start a controversy buy just venting a little here. What are your thoughts on this. I'm not totally against trophy hunting, they leave me a lot of extra game in the woods.
Meat hunting vs. Trophy hunting
- Thread starter birdhunter
- Start date
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
I hear you bird hunter, I've even seen "Trophy" hunters take out head & horns first..and worry about the meat later...much later. This was in 70 degree weather and elk was the game. It was a nice 6x6 but the guys in that group certainly had a flippant attitude about retrieving the meat. Letting it lay in the sun for hours.
Im somewhere in between. I start out each season as a trophy hunter, holding out for something big. As the season goes on I will start to lower my standards on the trophy hunting and eventually I just want to have some success and shoot something with my bow. I enjoy the meat that comes from the hardwork of harvesting game, but that's not solely why I hunt. I love the challenge of pursuing the animal, especially with archery gear. Trophy hunting takes more time and patience, and to take down a big mature animal that has been chased by hunters for years is far more challenging than shooting a yearling that has no idea why that two-legged thing keeps following him around the hills. However, that younger animal is much more tasty. This year while archery elk hunting in Wy I had plans of taking a nice bull. The unit was good for them, and I saw them almost daily, but wasn't getting any shot opportunities and the bulls wouldn't come in to any call sequence we tried. After six days of hard hunting I was itching to tag something, and a lonely spike screwed up and stopped 40 yards broadside. Knowing I was about out of time to hunt, I shot the bull and the rest is in the freezer. Whether I am strictly trophy hunting or just out for a little success it's about the hunt for me and always will be. I respect others choice to hunt how they want, and I expect the same out of them.....different strokes for different folks.
This has been discussed many times. I myself am a trophy hunter. For me I love the meat as well as my family. For me what trophy hunting is that when I get a tag I will only take a animal that is mature and is bigger in score then the last Buck or bull I've taken. I will go home without filling my tag if I am unable to find the animal I'm looking for. For me I feel I'm letting the animals grow to their full potential by passing on smaller animals rather then just filling my tag. For me it's how I hunt rite or wrong is opinion. For me I make it a challenge for myself. If I wanted the animal just for meat there is no challenge for me and I prefer to have a challenge when I hunt. As for the pack out I usually pack out the complete animal in one trip. I typically have a friend or two to help. If solo meat first then hide and horns.
I also like you where taught that hunting was for the meat. I still feel that way and will always take care of the meat so I can feed my family. But if I choose to hold out for a trophy then shoot a animal for the meat only then to me it my choice to do so just as it is for you to choose to hunt for meat.
I also like you where taught that hunting was for the meat. I still feel that way and will always take care of the meat so I can feed my family. But if I choose to hold out for a trophy then shoot a animal for the meat only then to me it my choice to do so just as it is for you to choose to hunt for meat.
touchy topic for sure. i love my wild game meat but if that was the only reason i hunted.... would make no economic sense to me, i could by a whole beef and more,for the money that generaly goes to my hunting, that said, i go for the bigger bull or buck not not above shooting a smaller one at end of season. the bigger ones have lived thier lives and are on the downward spiral of thier lives. thats how i justify it
il take head out first if it is big and if temps are right, if temps arent right, meat is first out after hiding head.
il take head out first if it is big and if temps are right, if temps arent right, meat is first out after hiding head.
Old Hunter
Banned
Well, since you brought it up. My feelings are even stronger towards trophy hunters as they are for hunters who take long shots. I'm not liked on hunting forums by some, because of my opinions are strong, and i'm not shy about sharing them.
I don't have much use for trophy hunters. For me, it's just a form of bragging, and I was brought up by my dad to never brag. He taught me to hunt to give the animal some sort of chance to use it's natural senses. Which is why I only hunt on the ground with no stands, open sights, and close shots. (still hunting) He also taught me to hunt for meat to feed the family. This is why he never took pictures of the kills, and I never have either. Antlers are left at the kill, unless I have to prove minimum points. Then they are brought back to the kill, and left there.
Hunting shows pretty much make me sick for so many reasons.
That's my honest answer. Can you handle it without being offended? I won't tell you how to hunt, but if you ask me how I feel about it. I'll tell you.
I don't have much use for trophy hunters. For me, it's just a form of bragging, and I was brought up by my dad to never brag. He taught me to hunt to give the animal some sort of chance to use it's natural senses. Which is why I only hunt on the ground with no stands, open sights, and close shots. (still hunting) He also taught me to hunt for meat to feed the family. This is why he never took pictures of the kills, and I never have either. Antlers are left at the kill, unless I have to prove minimum points. Then they are brought back to the kill, and left there.
Hunting shows pretty much make me sick for so many reasons.
That's my honest answer. Can you handle it without being offended? I won't tell you how to hunt, but if you ask me how I feel about it. I'll tell you.
Musket Man
Veteran member
Alot of it for me depends on the area, what is realistic for the area and how hard the tag is to draw. This year Im going to a 2nd choice antelope unit that still has tags leftover. It has good antelope but its not a trophy unit so I wont be as picky as I will be in the unit Im building up points to draw again in a few years. I wont shoot an animal Im not excited about killing. That doesnt mean it has to be a monster, just something Im happy with. I like to out smart them. Making a good stalk and taking them without them ever knowing Im there gets me excited. 1/2 of why I hunt is just to get out in the outdoors away from the rest of the world. I like to punch my tag but it doesnt bother me to come home with it still in my pocket either.
norcalhunter
Member
I'm a hybrid hunter. I usually trophy hunt in the beginning of the hunt and near the end I will try to take some meat home. I enjoy traveling to different states to hunt and trying to find the biggest animal possible. It doesn't matter what you shoot as long as your happy with it and it is done legally and ethically. What I don't understand is, why are meathunters that don't like trophy hunters on a trophy hunting forum. "Eastmans.com THE MAGAZINE FOR WESTERN TROPHY HUNTERS SINCE 1987".
Old Hunter
Banned
It's just a hunting forum. I answer tons of questions that have nothing to do with trophy hunting.
WapitiBob
Veteran member
I shot a 280 bull in AZ unit 1 last week and I shoot Doe Antelope in WY. Guess I'm not a trophy hunter.
I sure have fun though.
I sure have fun though.
I have no problem with the way people hunt for either meat or trophy. I was brought up to hunt for survival. I just wish more people would understand that hunting from the very beginning was always about feeding the family and friends. People 100 years ago and beyond would probably be disgusted at the way some people hunt. With that being said, trophy hunters (most of the trophy hunters on here) are ethical in the way they hunt. I highly doubt any of you waste meat like a lot of the people on tv. I feel tv has ruined a lot to do with hunting. I do understand nonresidents that pay a lot of money to go to a trophy unit. There are instances that require trophy hunting. I hunt in the black hills of Wyoming, where historically, 3 of 5 deer harvested in wyo are from the black hills areas. Many people I grew up with around here shoot for meat and not antlers.
Old Hunter
Banned
Like I said. I don't care if you hunt for the eyeballs. Just don't ask me what I think of it.
Some can't handle that someone doesn't like the way they do it. Long range shooters are the same way.
Some can't handle that someone doesn't like the way they do it. Long range shooters are the same way.
tdcour
Veteran member
I guess I would have to say that I am both a trophy hunter and a meat hunter. I will not shoot a deer unless we are going to eat it. End of story. The bigger the rack, the better, but for me its more about the hunt. That is the actual reason why I hunt. It gives me a chance to be outside having more fun than anyone should be allowed to have. If you want to hunt for the horns, be my guest, but get the meat out first. Take care of the meat, then the horns. You can always have your taxidermist put a different hide on your mount if the hair slips. My dad always taught me to respect the game; which, to me, means there is no reason to kill an animal if not for the meat first, and second, the rack if it has one. Each person has their own reason of hunting, but there is a reason there are laws against wasting meat which I feel should absolutely be enforced.
Never in Doubt
Active Member
- Jul 9, 2012
- 304
- 0
Every year I dream of shooting a 'trophy' animal in the zone nearest where I live. It's what gets me up at 2 am on a day off after a 60 hour work week, to hike up steep mountains. If all I wanted was meat, I'd sleep in and go to the grocery store. It would certainly be cheaper.
So while I dream of shooting a 'monster', reality sets in and I'm contented to simply get a buck at all. I enjoy venison and simply getting a buck is still a big deal for me. I never seem to dream about shooting a plump forky for the freezer though....
So while I dream of shooting a 'monster', reality sets in and I'm contented to simply get a buck at all. I enjoy venison and simply getting a buck is still a big deal for me. I never seem to dream about shooting a plump forky for the freezer though....
I think it is important to realize that for some of us the trophy is not necessarily only about horn size. I enjoy going after a particular mature animal and the sense of accomplishment that I feel when all of the planning and stalking and LUCK work out for me to actually take him. That being said, I was raised that you don't kill anything that you aren't going to eat. That is one of the reason I am not a duck hunter (not trying to start an argument over there table worthiness, but I don't care for the taste). I know the only gripe that I have is when someone kills an animal of any sort, with any weapon and then isn't proud of it. Every animal that I have been lucky enough to take has provided me with memories and meals that make me look forward to the next season!
Timberstalker
Veteran member
When I started big game hunting, 30 years ago, the meat was very important to my family. Now that I am older and have a family of my own, it doesn't seem to be as important. Don't get me wrong, we eat everything I kill, but wild game is not the preferred table fare for my wife and 3 daughters. With fuel prices as they are, the distance I have to travel and the fewer oportunites for me to hunt I have become a much more selective hunter. I really don't want to shoot the first legal animal I see, unless it's the last day if season before I see it, even then I have let little ones walk. Being more selective has taught me patiance and made me appricaite the quarry much more. The anticipation of the hunt is what keeps me awake at night, not the backstraps. With this mindset I have killed far less animals than if I was strickly a meat hunter, I also wouldn't have a subscriptions to EHJ and EBJ if all I cared about was the meat.
Timberstalker
Veteran member
When I started big game hunting, 30 years ago, the meat was very important to my family. Now that I am older and have a family of my own, it doesn't seem to be as important. Don't get me wrong, we eat everything I kill, but wild game is not the preferred table fare for my wife and 3 daughters. With fuel prices as they are, the distance I have to travel and the fewer oportunites for me to hunt I have become a much more selective hunter. I really don't want to shoot the first legal animal I see, unless it's the last day if season before I see it, even then I have let little ones walk. Being more selective has taught me patiance and made me appricaite the quarry much more. The anticipation of the hunt is what keeps me awake at night, not the backstraps. With this mindset I have killed far less animals than if I was strickly a meat hunter, I also wouldn't have a subscriptions to EHJ and EBJ if all I cared about was the meat.