"Trophy"

[SC Hunter]

I have shot some older deer but I've also let old mature deer walk just based on the fact that he has made it this long slipping by hunters I did my part to let him live out his days. I let a 110 inch 8 point walk 2 mornings in a row 2 years ago that was as old as dirt! I almost felt bad for him he was so old. Ears torn up, limping, grey hair all over just an old old buck that I had pictures of for years. That was the last year I ever got pictures or saw him.

I've got a 140 inch deer on the wall that was 4 years old that I'm proud of but I counted coupe on that old buck and he never knew I was there.

To answer your question I would be equally as proud of either one. It is all about the hunt and the experience to me.

 

[bowhunterdavid]

I would be happy with either one if they came into bow range, but if i had a choice it would be the 150 inch four year old.

 

[elfiii]

My trophies are meat in the freezer, pictures, and memories. I certainly have some critters hanging on the wall as reminders of epic hunts, but scores are irrelevant to me. We have official Boone and Crockett measurers in every region across the state, but I'm not one of them by personal choice. I pride myself on helping folks achieve their deer management objectives whatever they may be; antler growth, quantity, health, damage reduction, or hunting experience.

My reward is the hunt and pursuit of an animal, whatever hangs on the wall just gives me a daily reminder of that experience I enjoyed.

Well said Charlie. In my declining years I have become exclusively a bone hunter but I celebrate every kill by my fellow hunters as a trophy.

 

[DeoVindice]

In all honesty I would be happy with either one. Those old bucks are the crown jewel of hunting, though, in my humble opinion. Some bucks with huge racks are not very intelligent, and some bucks with smaller racks are the most wily creatures in the woods. This isn't always the case, of course, but it is sometimes true. If we had a way of measuring the intelligence of a certain deer, that would be the true yardstick of a trophy...Again in my humble opinion. I've seen mature does that were as smart as some mature bucks. Also, I have hunted some very intelligent individual bucks, and considered them trophies just because of the way they moved around and did things. Their antlers had little to do with my quest to take them. I love it when I come across a buck's signs and know, just by the signs they leave, they are intelligent.

At 4 years old most bucks have learned a lot and are pretty smart. I consider a 4 year old buck, no matter his antler size to be pretty much of a trophy. They are going to be a greater challenge to kill than the average 2 year old...For that reason, if I had to choose between the options given, I choose the 4 year old that scores 150", simply because of his antlers. If that makes me wrong, I don't want to be right.

 

[six]

I guess it would depend more on the circumstances which led up to me pulling the trigger or releasing the arrow.

If I went to a new spot, randomly sat down and killed the 7 year old 110 incher. And then went to a familiar place and killed the 4 year old 150 incher that I had countless close encounters with over the last couple of years and finally everything come together and I got the kill shot, I'd me more proud of the 4 year. Reverse the scenario and I'd be more fond of the 7 year old. B everything being equal I feel more sense of accomplishment with the 7 year old warrior. Time and effort scores more in my personal book than age and inches.

 

[swamp hunter]

I been thinking on this for a few days now after my orginal post.
I'd be more excided to take the 4 yr. 150...and more Honored to take the wise old Survivor..
I'd have to place a fresh branch in his mouth and thank him for awhile.

 

[blood on the ground]

I can't answer that question.

I'm sure I will get laughed off this forum for saying what I'm about to say but,
I have changed since I've gotten older. I almost feel bad, dethroning a king, wether it be a big Tom turkey or a old buck!

 

[Nicodemus]

I'm sure I will get laughed off this forum for saying what I'm about to say but,
I have changed since I've gotten older. I almost feel bad, dethroning a king, wether it be a big Tom turkey or a old buck!

That`s because you respect the animal. I feel a certain sadness for any kill I make.

 

[saltysenior]

location and circumstances........what would be the ''biggest'' trophy ???, a 157'' buck shot in a small high fence, high priced hunt ??, or a 176''buck shot as a business guest at the Bass Ranch in TX. that Pancho and Juan drove you up to and pointed to which one you could shoot ???, or a 109'' buck you shot out of a stand you set up your self at Di-Lane??

 

[saltysenior]

I'm sure I will get laughed off this forum for saying what I'm about to say but,
I have changed since I've gotten older. I almost feel bad, dethroning a king, wether it be a big Tom turkey or a old buck!

 

[saltysenior]

yes, me and you both......I'm 80 and hunted a lot since I was 15.....things have changed in my thoughts about it , and to a small degree have become almost an anti....especially with the commercialism that set in and the ego factor that now exist..

 

[MFOSTER]

If you letting 150 free range deer walk in ga,you been watching to many hunting shows if you a trophy hunter.

 

[DeoVindice]

I'm sure I will get laughed off this forum for saying what I'm about to say but,
I have changed since I've gotten older. I almost feel bad, dethroning a king, wether it be a big Tom turkey or a old buck!

No laughing here.

 

[MYRX]

Hunting in my area of GA, I would rather have the 150.

 

[Mike 65]

I'm sure I will get laughed off this forum for saying what I'm about to say but,
I have changed since I've gotten older. I almost feel bad, dethroning a king, wether it be a big Tom turkey or a old buck!

I get it.
Me and a couple others on neighboring property have been after one for years and can’t get nothing but night pics. He’s easy to identify cause he stays in velvet and has a typical rack.
We age him between 8 and 10. Last season we finally got daytime pics and he’s on his way down as well as slipping up to be moving in day light.
After all these years it would be a shame to kill him cause he’s getting senile.

 

[Gbr5pb]

If I ever get to the point where I let 150 inch deer walk on purpose in Georgia remind me to stay home and save gas! As Mfoster says above y’all been watching to many hunting shows

 

[mallardsx2]

 

[blood on the ground]

That`s because you respect the animal. I feel a certain sadness for any kill I make.

Thought I was going to get blasted for my comments.

 

[Buckstop]

150" would be the holy grail for horns in my neck of the woods, but I'd be very happy with both.

These days my favorite ones are my last one and the next one.

 

[Mark K]

Guess I look at taking the older ones a little different. I’d rather take them quickly rather than them starving to death or the possibility of them being eaten alive. They’ve lived their life.