This is the same place Im at in my hunting career. I have killed more nice bucks than I probably deserved. I try not to shoot young bucks but sometimes chit happens. As a group at our place we are split almost in half with the guys that don't care to shoot small deer and guys that are still in the killing phase. They will shoot the first doe they see or the first little 6pt that walks out. After that they will hold of on small bucks but its one of the hardest thing for them to do. It used to eat me up that these little bucks were being killed bu I realized these deer were trophies in the guys eyes because they were fairly new hunters and these deer made them very happy. Once I realized this, it puts a smile on my face now to see them enjoying the hunt. We also have the one guy that's gonna shoot a deer just because if he goes hunting somewhere he's gonna shoot a deer. He's been like this his whole life and I don't think he will ever change. He can go to Missouri and kill a 150" buck and than turn around a go to our place in bama and shoot the 1st 1.5 old buck that has 6pts or more and we know he will do it every yr. once he kills the 1st one he will hold out for an older deer. I guess I said all that to say this. I know what deer I'm looking to shoot and if someone shoots the deer that makes them happy,I'm happy for them and we gonna celebrate it. Whether it be a 5yr old 10pt or a 1.5yr old 6pt.

To me, the problem arises when people want 'their' little spot to be a Trophy Hunting Mecca and feel that they must control all other hunters in the State for that to happen.

That is not the case.

I am personally aware of a property near me that is under 1000 acres and has several REALLY big bucks a year killed off it although it is in an area that is hunted hard all around it. The owner has done a lot of habitat improvement and plants a lot of food for the deer. Then, he hunts his other small properties, Hunting Club and land in IL until mid-Jan. There will be multiple mature bucks seen on every hunt as they cruise and chase does. And, he can be very selective of what he shoots. I know this for a fact......as I have witnessed it myself every year for the past 6 or 8 years that he has done it.

I am sure some of the bucks shift their home range to his property. But, most are already there. You can just SEE them due to light/non-existent pressure.

But, most people do not have the opportunity to do this. And, even more lack the discipline to do so!

Good post but why do you think you're seeing a lot of bucks? Could it be that immature bucks are protected to some degree? You're not seeing a lot of bucks because your hunting club members are blasting away at immature bucks!!!

However, I realize that there are circumstances of the kill and certainly, some immature bucks harvest is justified. But the mature hunter that kills all the immature bucks he sees, IMO, ain't a hunter. At some point, do what's best for the herd and you don't HAVE to kill a buck to have a successful hunt.

To add to my point... you're right... Trophy Hunters can be downright awful. I have found that hunting mature bucks has far been more fun and challenging than hunting "Trophy" bucks. But I think that anyone that has hunted land with buck restrictions and hunters' kill discipline will agree that the hunting is MUCH more fun and hunting is better. Greed hurts us all.

Young kids... yes, let them shoot but teach them to "invest" in their hunting future by learning to pass immature bucks.

It's just about being a good hunter and conservationist.

It's also about harvesting what the situation will or can absorb. Everybody can't go out and shoot every buck they see! Immature bucks are WAY too easy to kill.... but only if they exist!

IDK... my club shoots mature bucks and allows kids one 3.5 yr old buck per season and the rest of their allotted bucks have to be 4 yrs old or older and we see bucks on just about every hunt. Unless it's a first time buck hunter, we do NOT shoot bucks under 3 yrs old and everyone in my club is happy about the hunting and seeing bucks.

I only shoot mature deer. I've been in a few clubs that shot anything that walked. When I would let the young bucks walk I just knew they would get killed later. I would only kill a mature deer about once every 3 years or so, and it wasn't because I didn't know how to hunt, it was because there were hardly any bucks making it to mature age. We all like to kill deer and brag to our buds, but it makes no sense why a guy that has a room full of small racks still insists on killing small deer. Now a kid or someone that has never killed any or many is a different story.

I know a father and son who put anyone down who kills a yound buck or smaller eight point, jake turkey, etc. But i have seen them with both and they come up with some excuse. They are very greedy and jealous people and want all the deer and turkeys for themselves. The dad is president of a hunting club and will kill a four point with a crossbow but put hunters down for killing a 2.5year old eight point or jake. He thinks if he gets a person to start passing them up he can kill it later on. Very sickening situation.

Man alive... you know what you're talking about!!! Your last sentence says it all. Just because I shoot mature bucks, don't paint me into a corner as certainly, there are exceptions. But if you're a mature hunter and you shoot three (or more) basket racked 2 yr olds and you think you've done something, I ain't hunting with you next year.

I guess like-minded hunters should hunt with other like-minded hunters.

I could never go back and hunt in a club where mature hunters shoot immature bucks. Those type hunters seem greedy and in-fighting occurs and it's just a bad deal.

Give me a hunter that can demonstrate restraint and not be selfish and I'll show you a happy hunting club! And, a mature 4 pt is a trophy! MATURE being key.

Matt nailed it with this one.

I don't specifically hunt big deer every hunt all the time but I am selective. And the rest of what he said, yeah. Definitely 100 percent.

You're apologizing and your should NOT! You're not a "trophy hunter" but it seems like you're a mature buck hunter. And shooting at that buck while your little girl was with you is great. Just do what's right and what's best for the herd and the future of the sport.

Those are some stud, block-bodied bucks!!! Wow!

This ^^^^ I'm taking it a step farther, we'd bow hunt, gun hunt first week then shut the place down, NO HUNTING at all till rut. If you wanted to run cameras you better put them up by December 1st and they better have big cards and hot batteries, because you won't be stinking the place up checking them every few days. Then we drag out the full grown uns!

I love hunting and I am trying to hunt a mature deer but I haven't had an opportunity to kill ANY mature deer in the 40+ years I have been hunting. Most of my hunting has been on public land in North Alabama. I have taken a couple that I am proud of but they were not 4+ yr old deer. I have killed several young bucks but never more than one in a year. I have killed a decent 7 pt and a doe with my bow and one doe with a rifle his year. I have enjoyed seeing several small bucks killed by young hunters in the past few years and hope to enjoy more of that in the future. I also agree that the 3 buck limit has helped me to see more 2 or 3 yr old bucks and I love seeing the mature deer posted on here. I figure that my odds of getting a real mature deer are increasing every year. I never liked to see someone with a bucket of small antlers just because they could, but it was legal, so it was really none of my business.
I have been in a small club with friends for the past 5 or 6 years and we are getting pics of a few mature deer. I see a few tracks and am now hunting a mature buck. I hope to have an opportunity to at least see him before January 31.

Everyone have a wonderful Christmas!

That's the way some of us "up North" feel about hunters in the other parts of the state controlling our doe limits.

I mess with the "meat hunters" by telling them that you can get a lot more meat out of a 180-200 lb buck than you can a 130 lb buck.

Make your 250 a sanctuary with food. Don't shoot does if the neighbors are. Don't worry about what the neighbors are doing. Stay off till rut, then go in , hunt smart and kill big uns!

Don't even get me started on killing does. Where I hunt we have a lot of does, but not overpopulated in my opinion. We allow 3 does per member but I still cringe when they are killed. I remember when you could ride the roads or walk in the woods and see does/deer everywhere. Now, not so much, even in areas with what we now consider high population properties. Does are like bucks when hunted. I'd like to go back to doe days, but that's just me.

Serious question:

Why do you think that the hunters in South AL had anything to do with the reduced doe harvest?
I do not know of the first person who cares one iota about it.

And, it was not reduced in synchronization of some agenda that South AL hunters was pushing. I think you need to look around at your neighbors, Area Biologists and CAB members. The 'Blame Game' is silly when you think about it.

I hunt for food not trophies. But I do only shoot 8 pt it better , but do kill my share of does, yearlings etc.

Have been practicing for years. I have multiple properties with different peak rut dates and I stay off of them except for s two week window during the peak. Been killing them for years

Im in the same school of thought as Squeaky, Matt Brock, 2dogs and others.

Heck...well y'all know I AM a trophy hunter. And Im not ashamed to admit it.

I pass on a TON of bucks every year, many that are 3 yr olds and over 120 inches....but that is MY choice.
Heck, I even pass on 130 inch bucks in other states. Again, it is my choice.

However I also ONLY eat wild game I harvest....so If the season starts rolling down, Ill shoot a 3 yr 8 that scores 100 pretty quick before I go hungry.

With just my wife and I at home, 1 good buck or possibly 2 is all I need to eat. Since I only really need 1, then I CHOOSE to be really picky about that 1.

Luckily I also get A HUGE amount of time off during the season as I run my own businesses and would rather work long days before the season to bank time off. And luckily I own my own land.

So my choice is to WATCH deer...and not shoot them.

Sometimes I see 20 + deer a day..heck sometimes a sit..but dont shoot any. Some so close I can spit on em. Again, thats my choice.

Im usually just looking for that one good buck over 4 1/2 , usually one that I know and have watched grow or have pictures of. Thats the game I personally have liked to play. It is a hard game TO play...and pushes me to hunt better, harder, smarter.
It also provides me with A LOT more knowledge on deer, especially bigger bucks as I WATCH deer all the time, and really try to study and figure out big ones.

Im sorry, but young bucks do NOTHING for me. And I just dont shoot does PERIOD. Ive only shot 2 ever since I was 16. But again, that is my choice. It doesnt make me "better" than anyone else...It just means I dont like shooting does. Why is that bad?

But in the same regard I dont condemn others that have their own opinions and choices.
If people want to shoot young bucks or does..that THEIR CHOICE. Not mine.

I dont condemn them for it either. They may not get much time to hunt, or hunt tough hunting land without seeing many deer, or may have to feed a family of 8!

I dont know, and I really dont CARE.

However, what I dont get is why people CARE that I only want to shoot 1 or 2, and want them to be mature 4 1/2 year old or older.

Why does that make ME a bad guy? Why must I be condemned for being a "Trophy Hunter"?? Like its a bad word?

And why do so called "Meat hunters " even care??? I just leave more deer for them?

So my feeling is "to each their own".

Though I do like management minded neighbors and luckily have them, you "meat Hunters" go and enjoy yourselves. Yall dont bother me at all.

But please dont condemn us so called "Trophy Hunters" because we like to do things our way.

We all need to get a long and respect EACH OTHERS ways, without condemning each for theirs. Just my opinion.

The majority of complaining seems to come from LA. You don't have to look hard on Aldeer to see that.

I did speak to the area biologist, he said he wasn't asked and would not have recommended changes in NA's doe harvest.