you have to some what manage your deer herd. for example. on my lease, i know i'm ate up with does. they don't always cooperate, to harvest them. but i need to get my buck to doe ratio more in check. too many does and you will not see the bucks (big bucks) they don't have to chase. i have no problem shooting does. they eat very well. the hard part in my county in ga. is that it is a QDM county. both bucks 4 points on 1 side. makes shooting cull bucks hard to do. there is a way, have to contact the county biologist and show him multiple trail cam photos--from over a course of time. not just one day. he can over ride county rules and let you cull that buck.
i have not made up my mind about trophy hunting. I think that should be decided by the man with his scope on the deer. my idea of a trophy will differ from somebody elses. that is why i have never joined a club that is a trophy club. 18" inside spreads or 120 in minimum. and fine you for something smaller. i personnally have yet to shoot "the buck of the woods". have gotten nice ones but, not the big, old mature buck. but, i really don't try that hard. i'm content with going to the woods and putting meat in the freezer. if a big boy comes by- and i get a chance at him. cool. The experience of going is what i enjoy. my bucks haven't been big-- nothing to brag about-- but each one has a story that i will remember for ever.
I've heard and read things like,"Once a cowhorn, always a cowhorn" and other similar sayings that suggest some bucks just don't have the capacity or genetics to grow a larger rack, especially racks like kemster has mentioned, with 4 pts. on one side. That what I understand to be a "cull" buck, one that just ain't ever gonna be a trophy, and that by eliminating him from the gene pool you are strengthening the overall herd and the size of the racks found in an area.
If that is true, how do you determine that a buck is a cull buck, or maybe just having a bad year (under nourished, lack of minerals, etc.)?
normally a buck will be no better(rack wise) than his father. when looking at antlers and wondering whether he is a cull buck or not. you have to try and age him. which can be hard to do sometimes. i have also heard the once a cow horn always a cow horn. which if he is a 3 - 4 year old buck, this will be true. normally a deer that had a hard year (lack of nutrition) will maintain his points and lose mass off his rack. in my trail cam photo post, there is a picture of an 8 point. i'm guessing him to be 2.5 - 3 years old. the genetics are there for him to be a beast. but, he is a legal buck. now, if my boy or Crock was to harvest him, he would be a trophy. granted he is only gonna get better, but who would pass him up, especially if deer movement was down.
although both my wife and I enjoy venison and eat what I shoot, I cannot say I hunt for food. if you added up all the money I've spent over the years on guns, ammo, binocs, clothes, boots, trucks,asst hunting and camping gear, gas going and getting back, motels, campgrounds, restaurants and bars, the cost of that venison is probobly about 500$ a pound. I'd be able to eat caviar and champagne with my surf and turf every nite. it's the freindship/commraderie, peace and relaxation that goes with that fresh air, a chance to unwind and de-stress. that 1 hour nap I take in the woods feels like 14hrs at home. thats what I figure that money is realy spent on, and worth every cent.
