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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6978857
12/01/17 05:09 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,658
redchevy
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I think it comes down to as you age and change as a hunter you want different things. You need to hunt amongst people who are in the same stage as you.
Like any guy I like a big high scoring buck, but I'm happy to shoot a good solid 8pt too. I do like to strive for mature deer, but shoot does with little regard for age and culls at whatever age we identify them as such and are able to get them. They are culls, but they are as fun as anything to me. To me the management just adds more to it, it doesn't take it away. I see some of the deer that we are letting get older and it gets my heart pounding etc. just seeing them I don't have to shoot them, but hopefully one day me or my dad or brother or one of our kids will.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6978990
12/01/17 07:04 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,919
maximum
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. . . . Not a trophy in anyone's eyes, not even mine. . . . a trophy is what you make of it. i've killed a bunch of "trophy" does and pencil racks
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: Nogalus Prairie]
#6979096
12/01/17 08:36 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,170
Jimbo
THF Trophy Hunter
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Lots of guys hunt, but their focus has turned to killing, antler size, and gear these days. Why? It’s all they know because they didn’t grow up outdoors and time doesn’t allow them to really spend much time just roaming the woods/brush/hills.
Most guys spend more time talking about hunting than actually hunting. It’s not their fault, just the way it is these days. Life moves fast in the 21st century.
Thursday at 12:45 PM #33 Once i learned that i didn't "NEED" to kill something, and that if i did kill something all the fun stopped and work began, i was a much better hunter.
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: rob valle]
#6979220
12/01/17 10:50 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,172
txtrophy85
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beating ourselves up over 5" of antler or 1 year of the animals age has gotten to the point of ridiculousness and has zapped the fun outta the sport moreso than anything else
You are not kidding. I know some deer leases down south where you are heavily fined or kicked off the place if the deer you shoot is one inch less than 140". Or 150". Or whatever standards they set for themselves. Same goes for the deer's age. Shoot a three or four year old buck and it's adios for you. The whole experience is nerve wracking, and not fun at all. I know they are trying to grow big deer, but paying a 1500.00 fine on top of the 6000.00 + you paid to get on the place just sucks. I know of a ranch in south texas. 5k acre not crowded and they kill some big deer. Price isn't bad either Rule is you have to video a buck you want to shoot and take it back and review it with the lease boss before you get the go ahead Forget that noise I'd rather kill deer at will
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6979227
12/01/17 10:56 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,553
Creekrunner
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I know of a ranch in south texas. 5k acre not crowded and they kill some big deer. Price isn't bad either
Rule is you have to video a buck you want to shoot and take it back and review it with the lease boss before you get the go ahead
'...that.
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: Creekrunner]
#6979229
12/01/17 10:58 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,045
Western
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I know of a ranch in south texas. 5k acre not crowded and they kill some big deer. Price isn't bad either
Rule is you have to video a buck you want to shoot and take it back and review it with the lease boss before you get the go ahead
'...that. Yeah no joke, that's shopping at IKEA like IMO.
If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..
"Don't trust everything you read on the Internet"- Abraham Lincoln Dennis
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6979441
12/02/17 02:27 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
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Yeah I’m out on that. Lol I’m only going to see one I want once - if I’m lucky. Can’t relate to that “video and show it to the lease boss” mess.
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: Nogalus Prairie]
#6979576
12/02/17 09:49 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,170
Jimbo
THF Trophy Hunter
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Yeah I’m out on that. Lol I’m only going to see one I want once - if I’m lucky. Can’t relate to that “video and show it to the lease boss” mess. I've heard about that happening on a lease a relative was on, and the lease manager ended up killing the deer after being shown the video. The lease manager became the ex lease manager shortly afterward but for other reasons.
Thursday at 12:45 PM #33 Once i learned that i didn't "NEED" to kill something, and that if i did kill something all the fun stopped and work began, i was a much better hunter.
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: Jimbo]
#6979587
12/02/17 10:59 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,553
Creekrunner
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Yeah I’m out on that. Lol I’m only going to see one I want once - if I’m lucky. Can’t relate to that “video and show it to the lease boss” mess. I've heard about that happening on a lease a relative was on, and the lease manager ended up killing the deer after being shown the video. The lease manager became the ex lease manager shortly afterward but for other reasons. Yep, I would suspect it's more about a power trip and "right of first refusal" than any true management goal. The goal there is "me first". Makes me appreciate the guys on my lease.
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6979700
12/02/17 02:47 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,041
Vern1
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My "heyday" is located in Central Texas and is still going and betting better.
Back in the first half of 1900, most folks still hunted for meat. As refrigerators started showing up, there was a shift in meat consumption from wild to domestic raised meat. The true hunters continued to hunt.
When hunting in the 60's, the deer population was down from hunting but showing signs of recovery. They were still few and far between - you might go the entire season only seeing tracks. The deer were extremely wary from being hunted for centuries and would bolt instantly.
Between then and now, folks started moving out of the cities and spreading into the country. More and more farms and ranches were converted to wildlife management. Feeding the birdies and wildlife became a way of life. Since they feed them, they become pets and not targets and the deer adapted and thrived. And got a lot less wary and much more tolerant of people.
This has increased the deer population exponentially in this area. Along with more deer comes better deer up to a point before they reach saturation. It seems like we are almost to the point that they need to increase bag limit.
In the 60's, you might see a deer track so you knew they were in the area. Today, I have them sleeping in my yard and built a high fence to keep them out of the garden. You simply can't grow a Jalapeno in the open around here as they seem to have a weakness for them...leaves, peppers, stalks and ALL!
While everybody is feeding the deer, I have seen an increase in the turkeys and my favorite target, pigs!! Now if we could do something with the fireants so Quail would return.
Cheers, Vern1 Texans since The Old 300 in 1824 NRA Lifetime Member
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6980493
12/03/17 03:26 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,159
tlk
THF Trophy Hunter
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,159 |
been at it now for around sixty years - you could apply the changes in deer hunting to anything else in life over that many years - things change - some for the good and some for the bad- welcome to life
I do not hunt like I did when I was a teenager but then again I was hunting 100 inch 8 points. Now I hunt differently but I hunt deer pushing 200 inches on LF ranch - I miss some of the old days and other things I do not miss.
As long as it is fair chase and legal then I am all for progress - Why? Because you nor I can stop it
You can't fix stupid
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: Western]
#6980539
12/03/17 04:15 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
rifleman
Sparkly Pants
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Sparkly Pants
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461 |
I know of a ranch in south texas. 5k acre not crowded and they kill some big deer. Price isn't bad either
Rule is you have to video a buck you want to shoot and take it back and review it with the lease boss before you get the go ahead
'...that. Yeah no joke, that's shopping at IKEA like IMO. Obviously, it’s STX, no real woods.
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6980620
12/03/17 10:52 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 266
bass101
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 266 |
I enjoy bringing my kids more than hunting alone.
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6980763
12/03/17 02:19 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 760
SmallTownHunter
Tracker
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Tracker
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I don't think that my "heyday" has passed already, I hunt pretty much every single day during deer season and I used to not be able to. I killed my first deer at age 7 outside of Albany, Tx with a open sight .30-30, crazy amount of deer around there in the early 90's.
Hunting has been my passion in life since then and there is no way I could only drive out on the weekends/holidays to be in the woods, I enjoy it too much. Some people in my family say I'm obsessed but I don't care, it's what keeps me going.
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6981309
12/03/17 11:34 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,156
Phantom
Pro Tracker
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My passion has changed somewhat. I love to hunt I love the deer. I have been fortunate to hunt the world over. I bow hunt and love the outdoors. This past few weeks I have had the chance to help my daughter get her first deer as well as my nephew. their excitement is pure and not caught up in anything buy pure hunting joy. I felt like I was 7 again. that is my future in hunting and will get me excited again.
Good is the enemy of Great
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: rifleman]
#6982513
12/04/17 09:40 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 32,172
txtrophy85
OP
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OP
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I know of a ranch in south texas. 5k acre not crowded and they kill some big deer. Price isn't bad either
Rule is you have to video a buck you want to shoot and take it back and review it with the lease boss before you get the go ahead
'...that. Yeah no joke, that's shopping at IKEA like IMO. Obviously, it’s STX, no real woods. You must be of those guys who wants to get patted on the back because you killed a deer in east Texas.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6982546
12/04/17 10:01 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
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I don't want any pats on the back, but videoing a deer and then knowing you can kill it later ain't gonna happen on my place in east TX. Period. It don't work that way and ain't never gonna work that way. The first time you see a mature buck is very, very likely the last time you will see him.
All the talk I see on here about "herd history", photos of bucks that are later shot, "letting the herd age/knowing your herd", and basically all manner of other stuff where mature bucks are known like cattle and can be shopped for like groceries is all foreign to me. I have trail cam photos of deer I have and will likely never see. I see mature bucks that I do not have a single trail camera pic of and have never laid eyes on every year. There are a few that hang around enough to get familiar with from year to year (through TC pics), but very few. Even those you may not see but once a year - if you see them at all. I have owned the place for almost 15 years and my family hunts it exclusively.
East TX is a different world than most everywhere else in TX - in almost every respect.
I like it that way BTW....
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6982588
12/04/17 10:15 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,111
Red Cloud
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: Red Cloud]
#6982809
12/04/17 11:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,644
SnakeWrangler
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Done with my kids....soon to be working on the grandkids......
I believe in science and I’m an insufferable [censored] Actually, BBC is pretty damn good "You Cannot Simultaneously Be Politically Correct And Intellectually Honest!"
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: Nogalus Prairie]
#6982883
12/05/17 12:40 AM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 586
ErnestTBass
Tracker
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I don't want any pats on the back, but videoing a deer and then knowing you can kill it later ain't gonna happen on my place in east TX. Period. It don't work that way and ain't never gonna work that way. The first time you see a mature buck is very, very likely the last time you will see him.
We've got a large LF place in the western hill country. I do get some repeat older bucks on cameras and at feeders, but by and large if you see a big old deer (over 5), you damn well better shoot him and fast. You very well may not ever have any sort of shot at him again, or ever see him again on foot or camera. The idea that you could videotape him, take it back for people to discuss, then go back and check him out (as in the grocery store) is nowhere near our reality.
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: ErnestTBass]
#6982904
12/05/17 12:51 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,910
txshntr
T-Rex Arms
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T-Rex Arms
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I don't want any pats on the back, but videoing a deer and then knowing you can kill it later ain't gonna happen on my place in east TX. Period. It don't work that way and ain't never gonna work that way. The first time you see a mature buck is very, very likely the last time you will see him.
We've got a large LF place in the western hill country. I do get some repeat older bucks on cameras and at feeders, but by and large if you see a big old deer (over 5), you damn well better shoot him and fast. You very well may not ever have any sort of shot at him again, or ever see him again on foot or camera. The idea that you could videotape him, take it back for people to discuss, then go back and check him out (as in the grocery store) is nowhere near our reality. One of the places I hunt is a LF place and around 6500 acres of leased land. Almost every deer that is shot, I have a tc picture of or have seen in person. There are a few exceptions. Most the pictures come from one of 5 stands scattered across the property. Typically, I can go back and find the deer from the previous years also. I would never personally hunt a place that I had to get video approval prior to pulling the trigger, but I truly enjoy watching progression from year to year and everything that I can learn from those deer.
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: txshntr]
#6982915
12/05/17 12:59 AM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 586
ErnestTBass
Tracker
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Tracker
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I don't want any pats on the back, but videoing a deer and then knowing you can kill it later ain't gonna happen on my place in east TX. Period. It don't work that way and ain't never gonna work that way. The first time you see a mature buck is very, very likely the last time you will see him.
We've got a large LF place in the western hill country. I do get some repeat older bucks on cameras and at feeders, but by and large if you see a big old deer (over 5), you damn well better shoot him and fast. You very well may not ever have any sort of shot at him again, or ever see him again on foot or camera. The idea that you could videotape him, take it back for people to discuss, then go back and check him out (as in the grocery store) is nowhere near our reality. One of the places I hunt is a LF place and around 6500 acres of leased land. Almost every deer that is shot, I have a tc picture of or have seen in person. There are a few exceptions. Most the pictures come from one of 5 stands scattered across the property. Typically, I can go back and find the deer from the previous years also. I would never personally hunt a place that I had to get video approval prior to pulling the trigger, but I truly enjoy watching progression from year to year and everything that I can learn from those deer. Usually, when someone shoots a mature buck, I've got it on camera. But not always. And sometimes it's just a pic or two in the middle of the night from a different place. And there's dang sure no certainty you'll go back out and find him again. I do not think this is because neighbors shoot them necessarily. It's just a wild place, and we don't tend to see the big boys unless they're chasing a doe and getting dumb. Rarely would we have a mature buck habituated to a feeder. I don't know why. But that wildness/mystery of what might or might not show up is a big part of what makes it fun for me. I would not enjoy it nearly as much if I knew with a reasonable level of certainty what was going to show up at a feeder. As answer to the question, to me the wildness/mystery of the outdoors is what really makes it fun. I am not as much in my heyday as when I was hunting huge LF places with my grandfather. But I also haven't lost it. I try to keep it together as much as I can for kids and friends. While I do want to take good care of the herd, I also don't want to put a bunch of rules on it that take the mystery and fun out of it. Some people (especially youngsters and new hunters) need to be able to shoot deer and have fun.
Last edited by ErnestTBass; 12/05/17 01:05 AM.
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6982961
12/05/17 01:25 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
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+1000 on the “wildness and mystery” on what is out there and might show up.
Deer being known so well they are something awfully akin to livestock is not something I would ever want to be a part of. It has apparently become almost the rule rather than the exception from a lot of the stuff I read on here.
I’m glad I hunt where it’s not possible even if one wanted it to be.
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6982988
12/05/17 01:36 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
rifleman
Sparkly Pants
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Sparkly Pants
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461 |
Yeah no joke, that's shopping at IKEA like IMO. Obviously, it’s STX, no real woods. You must be of those guys who wants to get patted on the back because you killed a deer in east Texas. Just making the most of the IKEA reference.
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Re: Has your hunting "heyday" came and went?
[Re: Nogalus Prairie]
#6983164
12/05/17 03:04 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,910
txshntr
T-Rex Arms
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T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,910 |
+1000 on the “wildness and mystery” on what is out there and might show up.
Deer being known so well they are something awfully akin to livestock is not something I would ever want to be a part of. It has apparently become almost the rule rather than the exception from a lot of the stuff I read on here.
I’m glad I hunt where it’s not possible even if one wanted it to be. On 200 acres, there is a lot of unknowns. On 10k acres, they pretty much live on you. Knowing your deer is not akin to livestock...smh...
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