Question about late evening trophy kills...

[snooker1]

When I killed my first deer I had no idea how to clean/dress it. There was no internet, youtube, goggle or smartphones. Just what I had seen in an old Field and Stream magazine. Me with my trusty Buck 110 knife, I did a very bad job. I got very lucky on my second deer, I had meet a gentleman named Jack who was a butcher and also processed deer. He showed me the correct way and the next couple of deer I killed I would take to his place and gut, skin and quarter by myself. I had so much fun I actually would help him with other deer. Jack is one of those people you meet in life and you take them with you until the day you are called home. Not a day of hunting goes by when I don't think of Jack and the time he took to help of a 16 year old boy. R.I.P

 

[ddd-shooter]

It has been said on here that if you don't process your own deer, or at least have vast experience doing it, then you are not a "hunter." Just trying to see if the kid that raised a pig for the FFA, but didn't slaughter and dress it themselves was still a future "farmer", or if we needed to petition to have the name changed the FFFA, for Future Fake Farmers of America.
My aunt raises cows and occasionally has one butchered at the local packing house. To my knowledge she has never dressed one herself, but she still has a sign at the road with her last name and then FARM behind it. Didn't know if I needed to tell her to take it down since she sent the cows to the packing house and didn't do it herself.

You keep saying what we’re not saying.

It has been said on here that if you don’t KNOW HOW to process your own deer...you’re not a COMPLETE hunter.

Maybe its because we want to encourage hunters to not cease their hunting journey. Maybe we want others to find fulfillment with continuing their knowledge of the sport we love.

 

[rugerfan]

You keep saying what we’re not saying.

It has been said on here that if you don’t KNOW HOW to process your own deer...you’re not a COMPLETE hunter.

Maybe its because we want to encourage hunters to not cease their hunting journey. Maybe we want others to find fulfillment with continuing their knowledge of the sport we love.

Amen to that, the journey does not end with the pull of the trigger.

There is so much more to it. I don't care what anybody says, buying a hunting license, buying a stand, buying a gun , shooting a deer are just the beginning steps.

THE WORK STARTS Before AND AFTER THE TRIGGER IS PULLED .....bottom line !!!!!

Just because somebody can afford to hunt, does not make them a complete hunter. Killing a monster buck does not make a person a complete hunter. Just makes them lucky. Unless they put the "real work" into getting that buck.

Not that I am trying to deter people from taking up hunting, just saying there is more to it than just the fun parts. That is what makes a person a complete hunter.

Things that are being talked about in this thread are what what makes a complete hunter. Plus a little woodsman-ship, understanding the sign, understanding how the deer work an area. Am I a complete hunter? Not even close. Getting there, but I will probably not live long enough to get there.

 

[rugerfan]

Great, I hope they do as well, but that is not what was said. I’m not saying you shouldn’t process your own deer, and as I have mentioned before, I’ve done more than my fair share. But making stuff fit your own personal narrative is ignorant. There is nothing in the definition of hunter remotely related to processing game. To say that is a requirement is dumb. Is it good to know how to change a tire, change your own oil, and do basic maintenance on car, yes. Are you not a driver because you can’t do this things, no. I just think is hilarious that you all want to draw the line where you want to draw it. If a guy learns to hunt and never ever guts a deer, great by me. It’s one more hunter than we had before. If he wants to learn, I will be happy to show him. But I’m not going to down him if he doesn’t. He can be a great hunter and a terrible processor. You can be a great
Processor and terrible hunt.

What if the Amish said you guys aren’t real men because you ride around in a truck and don’t build your own house from timber you cut yourself. It would be just as dumb. Life goes on and times change. Just because one guy doesn’t choose to move with it as fast as someone else doesn’t mean either one is right or wrong. I just get a kick out of the opinions on what makes someone a “real hunter.” They are honestly hilarious in most cases.

The Amish would be right!!!!! I am just stirring the pot with that statement. I just think there is a right of passage that is being lost in most cases. Teaching young hunters that there is no sacrifice in success is just absurd in my mind. The sacrifice and failure is what makes the success so much sweeter. Just my honest opinion. I mean it is not that dang hard to process your own deer. Do I do it all the time, no I do not, but I know how.

Not saying that everyone has to do it all the time, but I think it is a skill that should be explored.

Not go out and sit in the stand with dad, drive the 80k Ford Turbo Diesel to where the deer died, load it up, go to the processor, and then head to the house.

It has a lot to do with life's lessons as well. If it comes easy, it wasn't worth it.

 

[mattech]

As a former staff member here (long time ago) and staff member at a much bigger site, I don't think it is appropriate for mods or staff members to post critical/condescending/challenging/acrimonious/insulting or otherwise bellicose opinions that are going to troll up controversy, whether it is intended or not, apology notwithstanding. It happens here quite often. Staff should moderate controversy, not contribute to it. My $0.02

Totally disagree (respectfully).

This is a discussion board, sometimes discussion is heated, or controversial. Why would anyone be a part of a group and put up with all the headache involved in moderating a bunch of grown men if their opinions aren't welcome. I moderate a facebook hunting group with 10k members, I can promise you I share my opinion, and I welcome anyone elses, I've literally only removed one member of the group (besides obviously hacked/fake accounts). I removed her from the group because she literally spammed the group all day everyday over the same nonsense. Ive had people message me with threats, harrasment, you name it because I deleted a comment of thiers. I still keep em in the group, honestly those folks get weeded out by everyone else. If you say something against the norm, expect to be called out. If you can't handle it, either keep quiet or take it like a man.

 

[mattech]

As a former staff member here (long time ago) and staff member at a much bigger site, I don't think it is appropriate for mods or staff members to post critical/condescending/challenging/acrimonious/insulting or otherwise bellicose opinions that are going to troll up controversy, whether it is intended or not, apology notwithstanding. It happens here quite often. Staff should moderate controversy, not contribute to it. My $0.02

Totally disagree (respectfully).

This is a discussion board, sometimes discussion is heated, or controversial. Why would anyone be a part of a group and put up with all the headache involved in moderating a bunch of grown men if their opinions aren't welcome. I moderate a facebook hunting group with 10k members, I can promise you I share my opinion, and I welcome anyone elses, I've literally only removed one member of the group (besides obviously hacked/fake accounts). I removed her from the group because she literally spammed the group all day everyday over the same nonsense. Ive had people message me with threats, harrasment, you name it because I deleted a comment of thiers. I still keep em in the group, honestly those folks get weeded out by everyone else. If you say something against the norm, respect to be called out. If you can't handle it, either keep quiet or take it like a man.

 

[mattech]

I'm amazed this thread is still going. Where are we as a hunting community that a discussion about what makes some or doesn't make someone a hunter is based on their skill level of chopping it up lies. However actual discussions about deer hunting, tactics, tips etc get 5-10 posts on average. Am I the only one seeing a problem with this? Like seriously, we would have a way more productive conversation is someone created a thread with Info. Yes, I know I could find that info if I used the search function, but with that logic, we may as well shut this forum down, I'd be surprised if there isn't a topic that hasn't been discussed.

 

[ddd-shooter]

Great, I hope they do as well, but that is not what was said. I’m not saying you shouldn’t process your own deer, and as I have mentioned before, I’ve done more than my fair share. But making stuff fit your own personal narrative is ignorant. There is nothing in the definition of hunter remotely related to processing game. To say that is a requirement is dumb. Is it good to know how to change a tire, change your own oil, and do basic maintenance on car, yes. Are you not a driver because you can’t do this things, no. I just think is hilarious that you all want to draw the line where you want to draw it. If a guy learns to hunt and never ever guts a deer, great by me. It’s one more hunter than we had before. If he wants to learn, I will be happy to show him. But I’m not going to down him if he doesn’t. He can be a great hunter and a terrible processor. You can be a great
Processor and terrible hunt.

What if the Amish said you guys aren’t real men because you ride around in a truck and don’t build your own house from timber you cut yourself. It would be just as dumb. Life goes on and times change. Just because one guy doesn’t choose to move with it as fast as someone else doesn’t mean either one is right or wrong. I just get a kick out of the opinions on what makes someone a “real hunter.” They are honestly hilarious in most cases.

"My own personal narrative?" You mean thousands of years of hunting history? Lol
The analogies are hilarious. The whole point of driving is to get somewhere, right? Would you say someone was a driver if everytime they arrived somewhere they used a valet? I mean, why go through the trouble of parking when someone else can do it? It really slows you down, and what if you hit a car? I don't have time and I can afford to pay someone to do it. We can get people to valet everywhere! Start a new industry catering to the modern driver! And you can still be a proud driver! It's not like you don't know how to go down the interstate. One more licensed driver on the road...

 

[livinoutdoors]

Here is a couple of definitions of the word hunter i found, and can sum up the differences people are having i think.
Hunter- a person who hunts wild game for food or for sport.
Hunter- a person who searches for or seeks something.
I know which one fits me, hope everyone else can find what fits them. Good luck to all!

 

[JustUs4All]

As a former staff member here (long time ago) and staff member at a much bigger site, I don't think it is appropriate for mods or staff members to post critical/condescending/challenging/acrimonious/insulting or otherwise bellicose opinions that are going to troll up controversy, whether it is intended or not, apology notwithstanding. It happens here quite often. Staff should moderate controversy, not contribute to it. My $0.02

I agree. On Woody's moderators do not resign their privileges as members when they take on the extra responsibilities of moderating but they should assume the extra duty of setting a good example for the membership. A moderator can disagree with conviction publicly but should do so while showing both courtesy and respect.

Old detective Columbo locked up a lot of people and was nice to every one of them.

 

[RamblinWreck]

I made a mistake coming back to read the deer hunting forum. What a waste of time. I'll stick with fishing - too hot to hunt right now anyway, and too many annoying little pesky gnats buzzing about. Good luck to all you hunters.