Definition of a Trophy

[Cowboy]

What a "trophy" is defines why we hunt. Ive spent a fair bit of time pondering that without ever feeling like I had it figured out. Then I started thinking about what a trophy isnt and it came to me. This may not seem important to some, but to me it finally makes things clear and lets me enjoy hunting like never before.

A trophy is not defined by the score, how and animal was killed, the kind of animal, what your buddies think is big, or any of that stuff.

A trophy is defined by the anticipation and what a hunter has already accomplished.

A trophy is what makes you save your money, dream about tags, sharpen your knife, zero your rifle. A trophy is something sought after.

A trophy can be hung on the wall, but in so doing it establishes what you have done with your life so far. Its not the end. Anticipation takes over and what you have done forms the picture for what is yet to be accomplished.

So there is kind of a circle in the process. The details are left to the individual.

Sometimes I think we stray when we start using what others have done and anticipate as the definition for our trophy. I found that will screw up your attitude and make your experience poorer. Just one thing that I learned and wanted to share.

 

[graybeard]

I agree with you Cowboy, a trophy for me is something better than what I've already taken. But, I like hunting more than actually killing so for me the "hunt" is also a trophy. The hunt is what I anticipate the most. Steve

 

[RACKMASTER]

Cowboy
I would like to say that I disagree with you about why I do all
the things you said in your post.
1st: I prefer the word "Harvest" as to "Killing" since I will
carefully field dress,process and consome that animal,fowl!
2nd:"Trophy" can be any game animal that ones wants to call
his or hers Trophy. Say that 1st green head that was stoned on 1st shot with that new shot gun, or 1st buck taken ever even if it was a forkie , mine was a three pt blacktail harvested with a bow when I 19yrs(my greatest test to this day).
3rd: Few times we may get a chance to "harvest" a "Book" Buck or Bull in our lives but I think a "Trophy" has two meaning the "Book" and the ones we pull the trigger on!
RACKMASTER

 

[elkslayer54]

Cowboy,
You are right on the money, It is the prep and the anticipation of the hunt, the phone calls with my dad, brothers and friends. The plans that never seem to come all together. Shooting my best rifle in prep for the moment that may or maynot come. The fellowship with my family and friends in the woods overlooking a long sought after campfire. The getting away from the rat race. The handloads I spend hours to perfect. The knife I spend hours getting just right. It is so much more than the animal, it is the huntand the expierence. and if a biggun falls great and if not great aswell. GOD bless all of us this fall!



FEAR NOT FOR I AM WITH YOU! Walk soft and carry a 300 RUM,

 

[RLH]

harvest means you ran over em with a combine. call it whatever ya want, an animal still dies. they ain't a crop. they're wild animals and we make a conscientious effort to shoot em. changing words around reminds of "what is the definition of is?" as long you hunt in a way that is legal and don't leave trash layin' around, you're doing ok.

 

[ICMDEER]

Good thoughts, Cowboy. My definition of a trophy has changed over the years, and much depends upon the specific hunt. I'll do things when my kids are along that I wold not consider while alone. I shot a little 3 point buck with my muzzleloader one time when my triplet daughters were with me, and it is a great memory. Same for some trips with my dad.

The planning, prep and scouting are some of my best fun of the year. I really enjoy the anticipation and sometimes I just don't care if I get anything or not.

 

[manny15]

I appreciate your thoughts coboy, but you already have taken a trophy that will be hard to beat for you, let alone most of us...LOL...so I'm not sure it counts...

Maybe this year I could harvest a buck almost as good as yours then I'll be able to relate much better...

 

[NvrEnuf]

Manny, you're thinking of the wrong Cowboy. The one your thinking of that killed the nice buck in CO last year is spelled Cowboye not Cowboy. Just thought I'd let you know.

Later,

NvrEnuf

 

[30inchbucks]

A true trophy is one that there is alot of planning, scouting, anticipation, and hard work involved along with sacrifices made. Also, one that you actually hunt and hunt hard for. Size doesn't matter but can be the added bonus as long as the above requirements are met. One that is payed for or there it is shoot it, is not a trophy or never will be in my book. I feel these animals should never be allowed in any of the record books under the hunters name. Most of the time, the guides are the ones that met the trophy requirements by putting in the time and not the hunter. Just my thoughts.

 

[Blueoak]

"If its paid for, its not a trophy" Thats painting with a wide brush. I paid for my dall rams and they a trophys. Many people must pay for the experience. All I know is I must hunt. It is as important as air to me. I think a trophy to me is one thats bigger than the last one I killed! I hunt anything that moves, but deer are my passion. The reason I do it,is because I love it and its the only time I am truly at peace.

 

[30inchbucks]

Blueoak,
I stated most of the time and I repeat most of the time the guide is the one that puts in the time and not the hunter. If you put in the time then so be it. If the guide you used for your sheep hunts just gave you some ideas and you actually hunted for them then that is great. But if you think that just shooting something is hunting then your definition of hunting and what a trophy is totally out of whack! Again my opinion

 

[larrbo]

I write this reply on the "Definition of a Trophy" as I sit in my office looking at several deer mounts hung on the wall. Funny thing is that I don't look at any of the wallhangers and think of them as "Trophies". They bring back memories of past hunts, and the great times that I have had in the field. To me a trophy is something you get when you win or are the best--even though I have killed around 35 bucks in my life, some of the hunts I consider to be my best I failed to get my buck.
I would love to kill that 200+ non typical 35" inch buck someday, but if I don't I will totally enjoy myself trying. The anticipation of the draw, planning the hunt, going hunting with your best buddy, hunting stories.....that' my trophy. I may pass 50 bucks on my Nevada hunt this year, and never see that one buck that I want, or it may be the first on that I see. I know one thing for sure, I'm havin fun just thinking about it.

Larry

 

[RLH]

looks to me like 30 incher is outta whack. every year thousands of folks pay a guide. so the stuff they take ain't a trophy? ain't everybody can afford a bush plane or a string of horses and mules and all the gear needed to go into the wilderness. guess if they can't then they aren't hunters, according to that reasoning. a trophy is what you want it to be. i've seen kids with spike bucks that are trophies. my octogenarian ol' man shot a forkhorn last year and nearly killed himself trying to drag it the 100 yds to the road and probably would have if i didn't find him when i did. that was a heck of a trophy to a guy that's shot probably 100 deer, and some huge ones. a trophy is what you want it to be. i've seen guys from new joisy and philly go home with a dink raghorn and have a smile on their face that wouldn't quit. it's the experience. doesn't matter how hard you worked for it. i worked my butt off last year to shoot a dink 3x3 in Az. it dang sure wasn't a trophy but i wanted a piece o' meat for the freezer and the season was about over. just because some folks don't hunt the way others do is no reason to slam em. i'd love to have a dall head or 2 and hope to someday and i'll have to pay a guide to do it. won't bother me a bit.

 

[Blueoak]

I don't believe you have enough experience to have a very valid opinion. Just my opinion of course. Next time I shoot something I will check the offical 30inch rule book to see if it is a valid trophy. SMHL

 

[Blueoak]

Larrbo, good post. Good luck in Nevada this year! I drew a archery tag for 065, and I'm hoping trophy of a hunt as well.

 

[larrbo]

Thanks Blueoak, you do the same.

 

[30inchbucks]

Let's go back to my original post where I stated "size didn't matter" and "a true trophy is one that there is alot of planning, scouting, anticipation, and hard work involved along with sacrifices made." I never stated that the spike buck shot by a kid on his first hunt wasn't a trophy. All I said was that paying a guide 3000 or more dollars to take you out and say there it is and you blow it over wasn't a trophy in my book. Sorry, a few of you got all bent out of shape over it. By the way, Larrbo great post and I agree with you. Good luck guys on all your hunts this year and hopefully you find the trophy your after.

 

[Bura Nut]

30inchbuck: I have a question for you. My wife has a elk tag in a premium unit here in AZ. I have taken her out two weekends in a row and she has been fortunate to pass on 3 bulls because her desire is to shoot a pretty good sized animal (probably in the 300 class) as her first and maybe only elk. My question to you would be this: Since she is not paying me or the other people helping out, but without help she more than likely would not kill an elk, is what she will kill this coming weekend any less or more of a trophy than say someone who drew this tag who lives out of state and more than likely paid a guide?......just curious about your response...... Thanks, Allen Taylor......

 

[30inchbucks]

Bura Nut,
The trophy is up to the individual who takes the animal. I stated it wouldn't be a trophy to me to pay someone to show me where it is and then blow it over. Then thinking I'm great plastering my picture all over the place and then entering it in the record books. It's just my opinion. It might be a trophy to your wife or the out of stater. By the way, not all out of staters hire a guide. My question to you is how does your wife have a tag when the draw hasn't happened yet for the fall hunts in Arizona? How can she be hunting elk in June when their antlers are not at full growth yet? Hunting elk in June is that really fairchase? Is it a private ranch or what? Just curious.

 

[RLH]

i saw a big buck on the cover of a magazine awhile back. some guy bought the tag from the gov. of utah. spent big $$ on the tag and the guide and shot a huge typical. netted over 200. i don't care what 30incher or anybody else says, that buck is a "TROPHY". also don't care how much money someone spends on a fair chase hunt. so now whatter we gonna do, have different classifications for trophies? unguided, under $1500, under $2500, under $5000, $10,000+, etc. what a buncha BS. get a tag, go huntin', pick up after yourself, obey the laws. whatever it takes is ok with me. if a guy needs professional help, so what? that shouldn't have a damn thing to do with what is a "trophy". sounds like 30incher is jealous o' rich guys. if i had the bucks, me, all my kids and my pals would hunt the san carlos for elk every year. we'd hunt mexico for muleys, alaska for everything we could, and then go south of the equator in the summer. and i'd pay big bucks to guides to do it. go huntin', enjoy yourself.

 

[30inchbucks]

Yes, I do think there ought to be seperate record books for guided and unguided in answer to your post RLH. That deer in Utah was shot on the winter range and what kind of challenge is that? Was that fair chase shooting the thing off the winter range in December? Why is it now all of a sudden I'm jealous of rich guys? I don't think so. If that is a trophy to you and everyone else then great, go kill it and start your bragging. LOL!

 

[stanley]

30inch, I suspect that Bura's scenario is 'hypothetical'.... ;-)

S.



PS: I think we all know that there is no single definition of what a trophy is. It's going to be different for each individual person....

 

[nmtaxi]

30inch, I've always looked at the record books as a way to honor the animal, not the hunter. Just because somebody paid a lot of money to shoot it, does not make the animal any less awesome.

 

[Blueoak]

That hit the nail on the head. Nice one nmtaxi.

 

[Cowboy]

Well see fellas...some of the above posts reflect what I am trying to say. Its not how someone else defines it...its how YOU define it. No matter whether you are 15 years old, an out-of-stater on a do it alone hunt, a millionair who wants to be taken care of, a house-wife, a handi-capped person, an old gummer, a seasoned veteren etc.

My point is dont let the pictures, stories, bragging, commercialism etc get to you and YOUR definition of a trophy. Define it how you want to, live for the hunt, and then do it all over again. Its what makes us alive.

 

[30inchbucks]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-21-04 AT 06:35PM (MST)[p]nmtaxi, if the record books are all about honoring the animal as you say then there are sure alot of poached animals that are left out. Last time I looked the hunter has to sign a fair chase statement in order to enter the animal in the books. If it was all about honoring the animal then why isn't everything in the books? I don't think the head on the nail has been hit.

 

[huntsonora]

If you ask 100 people this question you will have 100 different answers. I have seen hunters on a guided hunt go for 6 or more days hunting their arses off and finally kill a big deer. I knew the the country and was the "guide" but the hunter in that particular situation worked as hard as I did and killed a deer that should be a "trophy" in anybodys book. This was a deer that was featured on the cover of Eastmans Journal and I am sure that there were a few that were quick to dismiss that deer as "bought" without knowing the facts. That deer was earned, not bought. I have also seen do-it-yourself hunters go out and through blind ass luck kill a giant deer. Where is the skill in that? Does that make the deer any less of a trophy? I guess that depends on what his or her definition of the word trophy is.

I guess my point is this; I find it very irresponsible to label what is a trophy and what is not a trophy based purely on whether the hunt was guided or unguided. Especially when talking about free ranging mule deer. We all know how difficult it is to kill a "trophy" buck and I for one will not pass judgement on the hunter or the animal but leave it up to each individual person to decide.

Drummond

 

[hornaddiction]

huntsonora,

"blind ass luck"..............being an outfitter doesnt make you a better hunter than a do-it-yourself hunter.

horn

 

[huntsonora]

If you will go back and reread all of the posts I think you might have a little better understanding of what I am trying to convey. If you still do not understand let me know and I will try and simplify it. I have never stated, nor would I, that I am any better hunter than anybody else on this board. In fact, there are a ton of guys here that would probably hunt circles me. Hell, I've never even killed a mule deer, just helped people kill a few.

Drum

 

[mondomuley]

I think what Cowboy is saying is that its the whole experience of the hunt which is the definition of trophy. I aggree

I am not new to this forum even though I have never posted a response. I value everyones opinion and point of view. I have hunted extensively in my home state of AZ and throughout the southwest and mexico. I have scouted, patterned and killed a trophy buck (187)in AZ that I happened to kill because of blind ass luck. I don't know of a hunter who hasn't gotten lucky. We hunt and kill on the animals terms. I have never seen a guide have an animal tied up for the hunter to just blow over. Because I apply to 7 different states and three different species I have to rely upon some guiding. I have killed a 220+ buck on a guided hunt and it was one of the toughest hunts I have ever been on. Every animalI have every killed has been a trophy and I have killed "pinters" but I respect and value each animal. My hunting past time is precious so I only want it to be of trophy caliber and that caliber is between me and what I am hunting.
PS Hornaddict
I don't think Drummond was saying that guides and outfitters were better hunters than anyone else.

 

[hornaddiction]

Guess it struck me wrong when I read it. Sorry if I offended you huntsonora!


horn

 

[huntsonora]

No worries, I think that sometimes we all have a hard time trying to decipher words that are written down and posted on a computer screen. Its difficult for me to understand the context in which these words are written.

Drum

Oh, for the record, I would much rather be lucky than good any day of the week.

 

[BCBOY]

"Trophy value is not always a measure of tine and beam. It may be just a measure of hard, solid hunting in which both man and deer conducted themselves well, so that neither was shamed."
-John Madson, "Why Men Hunt"

 

[B_F_E]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-21-04 AT 11:30PM (MST)[p]Good to see a lively debate around here, in my opinion, that's what makes it real.
One of the funnest things about hunting for me is;
after a long days hunt.. over a campfire & a cold-one, BS-ing & debating life's intricacy's, with no concern for political correctness or if anyone else shares your opinion. thats true relaxation, not giving a Rats azz about your PC quotient.

Hunts.. even though I have disagreed with you on many other things, I couldn't agree with you more on this on,

I think when someone does not reach their personal threshold for trophy status, & see others that do, it is a cop-out, to dismiss other trophy's as bought or ill acquired, because they scored when you did not, dismissing their trophy's as somehow cheapen because they didn't hunt as you did...
If it was truly that easy, go ahead and guide for a while, then tell me it's like shooting ducks on a pond.
Muleys, are never consitently easy & if you think so
you can kiss my , azzzzzz........(PC term for cornhole)

 

[Cowboy]

BFE,

That is my point exactly. There is so much of that envy crap going on that guys cant really enjoy their own hunting. I must admit that I was a victim of it too...even though I knew it wasnt right. It takes some maturity to sincerely congratulate someone for the product of their effort...no matter whether the effort was what we would have or could have done...or whether the product is what we would call a trophy. When you finally see that its like taking off a pack full of rocks.

 

[bobcatbess]

YA

AND TO THINK,IF WE COULD ALL TAKE 32" BUCKS THIS YEAR EVERYBODY AND THEIR DOGS WOULD WANT 35'ERS NEXT YEAR!!!

ALOT OF PEOPLE AIN'T HAPPY TILL THEY HAVE THE BIGGEST AND BADDEST ON THEIR WALL OR SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY,KNOW WHAT I MEAN???

THE ONLY bobcat WAITING FOR A LE TAG BEFORE I GET TOO EXCITED ABOUT A TROPHY!!!

 

[freedivr2]

I'm kinda thinking on the same lines as huntsonora with a couple of personal comments. To me, a trophy can be defined in a couple of ways. A "trophy animal" would be a critter with outstanding mass, tall tines, high points, you know, standard B & C stuff. But something I would treasure as a "personal" trophy wouldn't be a critter like that which was standing 50 yards from the road as I drove by. It would be a fair racked (170 or better) mature, alert critter which I worked hard and smart to locate, stalk and cleanly dispatched. Basically a good critter that I'd earned through a combination of skills and savvy. Course, I'd take the easy 30" buck by the side of a road and feel purty good about it, I'm just sayin I'd feel a WHOLE lot of personal pride from taking a 26" 170 class muley that I earned, that's all......

Good question, BTW.

 

[nmtaxi]

30inch, I guess I should have said what the record books should be, and not what they're about. It's too bad that there are so many awesome animals out there that get looked at differently because of the manner they were killed. B&C has so much bs politics going on, it's ridiculous. Right now, there is a world record typical mule deer out there, that was killed fair-chase, unguided, by a very ethical hunter, but is not recognized because of who now owns it. There is a world record NT elk from San Carlos that is not recognized, for no good reason that I know of. The list goes on and on. B&C isn't about ethics, they're all about politics. The books should be about the biggest, baddest animals out there.

 

[30inchbucks]

nmtaxi,I guess we both just disagree about what manner record books should be kept and that is ok. I agree there are some awesome animals out there that are not recognized but I feel it's for good reason and not politics as you say. Boone and Crockett, Pope and Young, and Longhunter promote fair-chase and ethics when it comes to entries in their records. For animals that are taken illegally to be recognized they need to be separated from others taken legally. They need to have their own book maybe call it the Poacher Club. LOL! Because of the honor system used and the fact there are dishonest people in the world, I'm sure some of the entries in the books were illegally taken. That's why I agree with Boone and Crockett about the supposedly new typical record book deer not being able to be entered, because of the past history of the guy that owns it. That's not a matter of politics it's a matter of ethics. Letting a guy with a past history of unethical behavior enter a record would in my opinion destroy everything that they are trying to represent. They are about ethics and fair-chase as far as what they can control. If they were to open the flood gates letting all animals be entered into the books then what are we promoting here. Heck, lets just make hunting out of season with spotlights legal. Just my opinion

 

[nmtaxi]

30inch, I understand where you're coming from. I don't condone poaching, or unethical hunting of any sorts. But where is the line drawn? You were the one saying that guided hunters on wintering ground shouldn't be allowed, even though they've done nothing illegal. I just think it should be about the animal, and the animal alone. The WR NT whitetail was found on the side of the road dead. If that's allowed, why not the others. The "hunters" of illegally taken animals should never be named in the book, but I think the rack deserves it's place.

 

[30inchbucks]

nmtaxi, I also understand where you are coming from. I feel the Utah Governors tag deer on the wintering grounds is question of fair-chase is all. It's all up to the hunter that takes it. If they feel it is ethical and fair-chase then they will be the ones that have to answer for it and live with it. I think there needs to be some kind of separation or different book for the racks in question. It sounds like you feel the same way.

 

[Blueoak]

Hey 30inch I bet most of the bucks in the book were killed in the rut. That used to be the season.

 

[ELKMASTER101]

The huge monster i found hiding up on top tof the mountain while hunting elk 2 years ago.
stickers and drops and junk hanging all over it.
when it first stood up i honestaly thought it was and elk.

 

[Bura Nut]

3Inch: you need to grow up and figure out some things for yourself instead of just popping off. You seem to really have an issue with anything "you think" is questionable instead of whether it is legal. Blueoak just pointed out something you should consider and that is many many hunts in the past were rut hunts. In your thinking, those bucks arent taken under fair chase.....it really appears that you want to judge first and find out facts later.......If you put as much time into figuring out how to kill big animals legally as you do judging others then maybe you wouldnt have this chip on your shoulder......... Allen Taylor......

 

[30inchbucks]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-22-04 AT 06:13PM (MST)[p]Bura Nut, who's the one with a chip on their shoulder? you must be a guide. LOL! Yah alot of hunts are in the rut and in November even to this day. Mostly primitive weapons though. Hunting in December is what I said above the last time I looked, and the guy had a rifle. I don't really recall any rifle hunts in the past in December for mule deer. There is alot of difference between November and December. The deer are alot more vulnerable in December because of snow here in Utah. Quit jumping to conclusions! By the way, you never did answer my questions above and I never mentioned all hunts in the rut were not fair-chase. In fact I never mentioned the rut at all in any of my posts above. It's funny how I'm accused of something I never even mentioned.

 

[BCBOY]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-22-04 AT 06:14PM (MST)[p]Up here there are 4 point or better seasons that go well into Dec and you can use any weapon you want to use. In my area the season ends Dec 10th. I have hunted deer in belly deep snow in Dec. I have hunted deer in belly deep snow in Nov. I have hunted deer in belly deep snow in Oct and I have hunted deer in belly deep snow in Sept. Don't see how that makes any difference to whether an animal is taken ethically or not. Trophy mule deer amaze me where they choose to live. I have hunted bucks on the last day of the season while post holing up to my waist in powder just below the alpine. The big boys sometimes never come down. I have picked up sheds in areas where the snow depth gets deeper than 10 feet in the winter. Those big boys are still up there. I guess if I ever pull the trigger on one of those big bastards on the last day of the season I should feel bad about entering it in the Books.

 

[30inchbucks]

Here's the bottom line. I never mentioned all late hunts everywhere are bad and not fair-chase. If the hunts were late in December every year I'm sure the deer would adapt eventually to the change. But here in Utah they are not and I don't think they have ever been unless it was 50 years ago. If you all think that giving one guy a tag and then a guide calls around locates a big buck on the winter range(in December,in December) when they are suppose to be safe except for predators and poachers. Then the guide drives out and looks at it calls his hunter and he flys in. They both hop in the pickup and they drive out there. Look, there it is and he blows it over is fair-chase. Then there has gotta be something wrong with you all!!! Again just my opinion. By the way, BCBoy stay out of it,your in Canada. It's a whole diffent world when your hunts are the same every year. I'm sure there is more than one tag on your hunts and the deer up there have adapted.

 

[BCBOY]

Why should I stay out of it? I enjoy our lively debates. LOL! I think maybe you need some different perspective sometimes just to open up that narrow mind of yours.
I feel the whole idea of a trophy is in the eye of the beholder. When I was a kid, any size animal was a trophy. I still vividly remember my first deer, which was a spike whitetail. I actually still have the rack mounted on a plaque. As I have grown older my defination of a trophy has changed. Size Does Matter to me now, not because I somehow want the glory of having my name in the Books, but because I find the more selective I am, the more I can hunt. And Lord knows I love to hunt. Why cut my tag on opening day and sit out the rest of the season. I would rather eat tag soup holding out for that buck of my dreams even on the last day of the 3 month season. I have a whole memory of bucks that I could have killed had I wanted them. Many that I didn't raise the rifle on. Others that I took the safety off, put the safety back on, took it off, put it back on. Just not quite what I was looking for though so I let them walk. Many times that decision has been right, many times it has haunted me too. Fact is though, I still had an uncut tag and continued to hunt. And everyday I hunt, I learn more about these ghostly creatures we call Monster Mule Deer.

 

[huntsonora]

I would still like to hear you try and defend what you said about guided hunts.

Drum

 

[30inchbucks]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-22-04 AT 07:34PM (MST)[p]BCBOY,let's rumble. LOL! Hope your not still bitter about that chuteplane issue. LOL! Great comeback. I have had many of the same experiences as you. I would also rather have tag soup holding out for the buck of my dreams, and have had it many times too. Great post.

 

[fin little]

The name of this thread is "Definition of a Trophy". I would say it's all about perspective. If your a guide or a wealthy client the definition is way different than average joe. Thats just life. To me its all about the way the buck was earned. The guy that spends his whole life making mistakes and learning, or the guy that spends years waiting on that coveted tag,works hard and does his best,and the guy that just lucks out after countless failures gets it.The guy that pays his way in and ups his odds may get the trophy but he doesnt get the satisfaction of really earning it. In my opinion you can increase your odds of that once in a lifetime trophy with money but it will never mean as much as it does to the hunter that sacrificed effort and time. Thats life. After years of chasing a once in a lifetime muley and never closing the deal, my definition is a great time spent with family and good friends. Hunting deer to me has just become an excuse to spend time in the fall with people I enjoy being with.I admit its always sweeter with a high lama tag in my wallet.

 

[crazyaboutcoues]

This is one of my definitions of a "Trophy".

Seeing the smile on my sons face and the look in his eye.

 

[stanley]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-23-04 AT 08:17AM (MST)[p]Bingo Tom! You nailed it! That's a true 'TROHPY'!!!!

S.

 

[30inchbucks]

Wow! fin little you've got game! That is the best post I've seen on this site! I more than 100% agree with everything you stated. Your post summed it all up, enough said, thread over. On to the next. Great post.

 

[bigbull1]

Drummond- By being skilled don't you create more opportunities to be lucky?

 

[Hunt4lyf]

From the first sunrise to the last sunset, the smell of sage, pine, campfood and woodsmoke, the feel of an ice cold rifle barrel in your hand, the sight of the sun cresting a far off ridge, melting the frost that has collected overnight, these are ALL trophies, a trophy is in the eye of the beholder. To some it's about a backbreaking hike into the high country with the hopes of a 30" mulie dancing in your dreams, others it's snow covered plains in november, still others it's all about the kill, an animal on the ground, the first thing done is a tape put to their antlers to see how they'll score. The meaning of a "trophy" is an extremely personnal and heartfelt one known only to the one beholding the trophy at hand. To some it has to make the book or it just isn't worth even looking at, to others it just has to be legal, the majority fall somewhere in between those two definitions of trophy. I get my trophy every single year, whether or not I KILL an animal or not. Last year it was a smallish forky that stood in the open, posing for a doe who had no interest in him at all. For 20 minutes I watched this and at the end of those few minutes, when my crosshairs were on his chest and my finger was on the trigger and he walked over the top of the ridge and out of sight, I knew I had my trophy for the year.
Dennis

 

[bigbull1]

Fin Little-Your definition of a Trophy has changed to "great time spent with family", which is fine. I too have spent the last twenty years for my once in a lifetime trophy and my definitions also changed. My father in law used to routinely kill big bucks 20-40 years ago, and I thought that my day would as easily come, but hasn't. I have intensified my desire, attitude and efforts greatly in recent years. By reading, networking, becoming a connservationist by joining The Mule Deer Foundation and RMEF among others, exercising, expanding application states, etc., I am making every attempt to get closer to my Trophy. I am looking as well for a guided hunt. Trust me, I will find total satisfaction if and when it happens. Each dollar I will spend on a guided hunt will be hard-earned and could easily go towards many other worthwhile family endeavors or bills. I do and will continue to spend quality time with my family yearround forever.
Just another perspective of our common ground.
Thanks, Ed

 

[five_point_buck]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-24-04 AT 04:40PM (MST)[p]This post should have been titled "definition of a hornets nest"
It cracks me up reading through some of these posts. Many of you argue about one persons ideas being better or worse than the others. Listen carefully, AND DO AS I SAY....

push away from the desk, take your little nubs of the keyboard, put down the code red mountain dew, and take a deep breath (or inhaler hit if asthmatic).....

Cowboys point has been proven 56 times in 56 posts. Pick a cliche'....
"the beauty's in the eye of the beholder"
"different strokes for different folks"
"can't shoot a big one if you shoot a littel one"... yada yada yada.

Put your wee-wee's away and stop the pissing contest. Your all in the right, a trophy is a little different in all of our little one track minds!!

30 Incher, a few questions and thoughts.... You calling out some folks with some pretty heavy duty reputations...tread lightly.

One more thing....
Quote "Wow! fin little you've got game! That is the best post I've seen on this site!"
....obviously your a little green when it comes to the knowledge, craftiness, humor, and experience of the folks here at MM. Stick around, it gets a whole lot better than that. And please don't ever say someone "has game", this isn't MTV.

Please return to your regularly scheduled posting.

Take er easy
five_point_buck *

 

[OSOK]

LMCornholioO

 

[BCBOY]

5 point,
Now that is some funny $hit!!! LMAO!!! This site has been lacking the humor as of late. Time to bring back the fun and laughter. Almost makes me think we should pick 30 inch as our next CASS project to pick on. He sure seems like he has the same hoof in mouth disease anyways

 

[five_point_buck]

Now that I got that off my chest, here's my definition of trophy.

A trophy for me is any deer I helped another in my hunting party get. Last year I didn't pull the trigger but put in a lot of time helping my Brother, Dad, and best bud get on good bucks. I bumped brush, hiked my arse off, spotted, hand signaled, my way to three bucks totalling 450 inches. The look on their faces and the stories of our hunts together will forever be better than anything I can hang on a wall.

Take er easy
five_point_buck *

 

[30inchbucks]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-28-04 AT 01:56PM (MST)[p]Five point, oooo I'm scared. I didn't know I was calling out some guys with some heavy duty reputations. What is that suppose to mean? Who are you Kurt Gowdy? Give me a break. LOL!

 

[five_point_buck]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-28-04 AT 02:52PM (MST)[p]1. What are you sooooo scared about?

2. Nice ?Kurt Gowdy? smack! Good one!!! (by the way it's spelled Curt with a ?C?)

3. Obviously your not calling them out, it's a figure of speech. After all, nobodies ever got their butt kicked over the internet, which is the reason ?geeks? enjoy posting from the confines of their parents attic and running their pie-holes excessively. I don't think this example refers to you, (unless its true).

4. ?Guys with heavy duty reputations? refers to some of the guys you were arguing with. A few have actually killed 30? bucks, and have a vast degree of knowledge the average hunter will never attain. Maybe your equally as talented, time will tell.

5. Have fun here at MM, good luck on your hunts this year.

Take er easy
five_point_buck *

 

[30inchbucks]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-28-04 AT 03:48PM (MST)[p]Five point that is some funny stuff. LOL! Is that you in front of the computer screen? Just kidding. Last time I checked, killing a 30 inch buck didn't automatically make someone a great hunter. There are alot of ways of getting that trophy including unethical ways. I know alot of hunters that I have alot of respect for and I consider them great hunters that have never killed a 30 inch buck. Again my opinion. Good luck on your hunts too. Hope you get that trophy your after.

 

[five_point_buck]

True that many of the greats have never killed a thirty inch but but it's hypothetically the "benchmark" of monster muley sucess. Your handle is "30inchbucks" thus lending me to believe that the hallmark 30" may be a benchmark for you. It's that simple, try not to read into things so much.

I'm gonna leave the whole unethical thing alone, that's a whole 'nother hornets nest.

Take er easy
five_point_buck *

 

[five_point_buck]

[No message]

 

[RLH]

i heard that 30inchless went to see "dodgeball" and was rootin' for the purple cobras. he said that whiteman got robbed.

 

[AndymanSavage]

We see nothing wrong with the way 30inch expresses himself.
Sincerely,
Oldoregon, cass, paul c, and Elkmaster101

 

[TheKnack]

A trophy can be a doe for all it matters.
If the hunter is happy and got what they wanted then who cares?
I will congratulate any hunter who connects no matter what size the game animal they take.
On the other hand I will pray that the ego maniacs never see another big buck if they are "too good" to congratulate others for shooting deer that do not meet their standards.
Best,
Jerry