BLACK_PREDATOR
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LAST EDITED ON Apr-05-05 AT 04:30PM (MST)[p]In a recent conversation with a new friend/hunter that I will be hunting mule deer with this fall, we were talking about goals and sizes of mule deer in the area we will be hunting.
We both commented on how we practice what some call the
"ladder of hunting" which is never shooting any buck smaller then the last one you shot. We feel this way, not only are we allowing bucks to mature, but also providing more opportunity to those that are less experienced or have yet started hunting.
In our hunting "careers" we have both moved passed the "need" to harvest a buck as far as damaged pride is concerned.
And neither of us use the excuses of "filling our freezer" or "I need to kill this two point buck to feed my family" to make shooting that smaller buck justifiable.
Some might call the ladder of hunting, "trophy hunting", but I think it defines it better in regards to our age, experience, what we have harvested already, and choice of weapon.
Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with a 14 year old killing a two point buck, that's great! But I'm a little concerned about an experienced 40 year olds definition of hunting and calling themselves a sportsman/conservationist when he/she kills a two point year after year.
So my question is: How many of you are practicing the "ladder of hunting" and if you aren't, Why not?
Travis Black
Blanding, UT
We both commented on how we practice what some call the
"ladder of hunting" which is never shooting any buck smaller then the last one you shot. We feel this way, not only are we allowing bucks to mature, but also providing more opportunity to those that are less experienced or have yet started hunting.
In our hunting "careers" we have both moved passed the "need" to harvest a buck as far as damaged pride is concerned.
And neither of us use the excuses of "filling our freezer" or "I need to kill this two point buck to feed my family" to make shooting that smaller buck justifiable.
Some might call the ladder of hunting, "trophy hunting", but I think it defines it better in regards to our age, experience, what we have harvested already, and choice of weapon.
Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with a 14 year old killing a two point buck, that's great! But I'm a little concerned about an experienced 40 year olds definition of hunting and calling themselves a sportsman/conservationist when he/she kills a two point year after year.
So my question is: How many of you are practicing the "ladder of hunting" and if you aren't, Why not?
Travis Black
Blanding, UT