Record Books, Would you even register your trophy?

[Gr8bawana]

I personally would not accept a hunt on a high fence operation no matter how big the guaranteed trophy might be. Shooting an animal bred and grown to have artificially large antlers in an enclosed area no matter how big is not hunting.

 

[fackelberry]

This kind of supports my point. How many guys have never even harvested a 160 inch deer. There's probably a lot. Probably even a fair share that have never even seen a 160 inch deer. But going to private property and paying $5,000 for a guided hunt gives you that opportunity. So is that acceptable? What about paying 10,000 and being able to harvest a 180 inch deer. 15000 for a 200 inch deer?
The debate just goes on and on...
There are just varying degrees of one's individual trophies and how others perceive it, if that even matters.

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I'm not trying to argue either about the point. I am just saying that if an animal can't come and go as he desires because of a fence, that's not the hunt for me and I wouldn't be proud to shoot an animal like that. About the 5,000 dollar private land hunt, ya i think it's still fair chase because there is no guarantee that a 160 inch buck is on the ranch, basically he pays for a trespass fee, meals, guides that know the area and where animals hang out, and an opportunity to shoot something. The high fenced hunts GUARANTEE there is a 180, 190, or 200 inch deer, because once again he can't leave. I think SCI isn't bad except the high fenced part. And no i don't think going the Doyle Moss way is hunting, thats called shooting. But the animals were taken fair chase, there were no guarantees the animals would stay around. Hunting to one person isn't hunting to the next! I agree with you totally on that. Alot depends on how much it cost to kill that animal. Some consider it "buying" a trophy, some think it is buying the opportunity. I did the figures one time on the Spider Bull that Denny Austad killed with Doyle Moss, Mr. Austad bought a governors tag that was 30-40 grand, i don't know how much he paid Doyle but i'm guessing 20 grand at least, 2 different flights out there to shoot the bull probably 2 grand total, plus tips for Doyle and the guides probably 5 grand at least. I figured that bull costs Mr Austad 75,000 dollars give or take. I don't necessarily approve of how it was taken but it was all legal that we know of. If Doyle Moss wouldn't of charged a penny for the hunt and Mr Austad had "drawn" the tag and did his own scouting, would it be more percieved as a fair hunt and more ethical? Only you can make that decision! I just know that i have more respect for animals i have scouted and did all the legwork and shot myself. It's alot more rewarding to me.

 

[Montana]

Agreed. All good. Good to have insightful thoughts.

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[ivorytip]

Kind of like fishing on a private body of water that isnstocked with monster fish. I had access to just that and had a blast the first two times. Then the third time I said to my self.... This isn't fishing. This is where you bring a beginner to learn how to fish. You go there knowing that you will land huge fish. On the river you go there hoping to catch a big fish. Just something about the gamble. Catching 2 pound trout on the river was much more enjoyable and rewarding than catching 10+pound stocked and fed trout.

 

[kidoggy]

Kind of like fishing on a private body of water that isnstocked with monster fish. I had access to just that and had a blast the first two times. Then the third time I said to my self.... This isn't fishing. This is where you bring a beginner to learn how to fish. You go there knowing that you will land huge fish. On the river you go there hoping to catch a big fish. Just something about the gamble. Catching 2 pound trout on the river was much more enjoyable and rewarding than catching 10+pound stocked and fed trout.

that's how I feel about paying another to guide me. nothing against those who do it but I would get no satisfaction from it unless I do it myself.
every time I looked at my "trophy " it would just remind me that I couldn't do it on my own.

 

[6mm Remington]

This is a good topic and it is nice to get all the different opinions. My take on it is that I would enter an animal in the books -- I have for 1 B&C elk and 1 P&Y mule deer. I totally understand those not wanting to draw more attention to their hunting spots, but the areas I hunt are huge (covering multiple counties) and it would be pretty hard to pinpoint.

The main reason I'd include a trophy animal, corny as it may sound, is to honor it. Just the same way that I'd write up the story and submit it to Eastmans' for consideration. What a great way to honor the animal as well as the hunt by sharing it with others who probably feel pretty much the same way you do about special animals we love to chase.

Very well stated! I agree that it is to honor the animal and to share it with others.
David

 

[laxwyo]

I wish the trophy clubs would just go away.

I haven't been this way my whole life but I've definitely seen what hunting has become and I'm not liking it. I wish they'd shut down any and all high fence hunts and then also make it illegal to take money in exchange for helping someone hunt. Or we as a hunting community need to do something to reverse the current trajectory of hunting.




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[swampokie]

SCI makes me sick! I don't watch any hunting shows anymore because of obvious reasons. I have a lot of pope and young animals that are not registered. Mainly because of the diluted nature of the whole modern day record book. Nearly all my animals are diy public land animals. General season animals at that. I would never hunt with a guide or hunt high fence. That's just me but when all trophies are judged as equal no matter what the circumstance it doesn't give hunter or hunted proper recognition. Does anyone else get tired of seeing drugged up 300 inch whitetails wondering around stupid at noon on a mid October ohio day? Record book? No thanks.

 

[Gr8bawana]

I wish the trophy clubs would just go away.

I haven't been this way my whole life but I've definitely seen what hunting has become and I'm not liking it. I wish they'd shut down any and all high fence hunts and then also make it illegal to take money in exchange for helping someone hunt. Or we as a hunting community need to do something to reverse the current trajectory of hunting.
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That's never going to happen. You would also have to get rid of all the tv hunting shows, 99% of them are garbage. I can only think of a handfull that are worth watching with Eastmans being one of them.
They have turned hunting into a competition and not just an enjoyable outdoor pastime and they all have to out do the other guy. It's a cash cow for all the sponsors or there wouldn't be so many of them out there.

 

[Jrod]

That's never going to happen. You would also have to get rid of all the tv hunting shows, 99% of them are garbage. I can only think of a handfull that are worth watching with Eastmans being one of them.
They have turned hunting into a competition and not just an enjoyable outdoor pastime and they all have to out do the other guy. It's a cash cow for all the sponsors or there wouldn't be so many of them out there.

You said it; the sponsors are unreal. They are just a bunch of whores on those shows. I cant afford that fancy cable stuff but I have seen it at my dads house and it is just one big commercial with some hunting. Uncle Teds show was the worst, even though I did like him.
Hunting guides provide a service and I don't have a real problem with that but the creeps like mossback have no place in hunting.

 

[Elkhunter96]

I don't care too much about record books for myself, I find the deductions silly. My dad has a mule deer from the 70's that would make it. Also know of 2 big bulls that were killed in the last few years that would be near the top in Utah that aren't in there. I have pics, but not mine to share. But, I don't knock those that do like to add their animals to the books. To each their own.