Thoughts on this? Agree? Disagree?

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Killing some animals like Coyotes , Groundhogs , and Raccoons in my opinion is a public service . Hunting and killing animals like Deer , Wild Turkey , Rabbits , or Squirrels provide a resource for meat . In addition , a large male Deer or Elk can can also make a very handsome trophy .

If hunting is not your thing , then don't do it . Yet don't annoy those that do . [angry]

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No.
I have a few guns but I don't hunt. Mainly because I didn't learn as a kid and it's too difficult to tag along with skilled hunters.
There are more than a few nuisance critters out there. A friend of mine went hunting prairie dogs a few years ago. In SD they are vermin. Ranchers are glad to have hunters on their property helping rid them.

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To me, any deer is a trophy. If I saw a big buck, and could make the shot I would take it.
If I have an antlerless tag and see a doe, I'd take it.
Antlers don't make good soup, but if I can take a buck legally, the meat is good.

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I see a difference between hunting and having a trophy made, and hunting for the sole purpose of a trophy. I also see a difference between hunting and shooting. For me hunting is more than just the days I am able to get out and actually hunt. It is year long sport. It involves, scouting the woods, seeing and trying to learn where the deer are coming and going from and when. Trying to determine the best spots to setup. Clearing brush and trees to hopefully steer the deer where I want them to go. I have probably not seen or shot deer in more years than I have, which makes the occasions I can get one more special.

I don't understand how people can pay to go to a ranch, be put in a box stand and wait for deer to show up over a pile of feed to shoot them. It just doesn't seem sporting to me. Some of the "trophy hunts" in Africa seem a lot the same way, there is skill involved in actually making the shot but it is missing all the preparation that I see as the biggest part of Hunting? The shot and kill is just the climatic end to a long journey.

I have also have eaten the deer I kill or the fish I catch. I am going to be expanding on that though to use even more as food and treats for my dog. Any organs that I would have left to the birds will be made in to jerky for dog treats. Ribs will be cut up for the dog. I plan on taking up Bow fishing and will use anything I get for the dog as well.

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Packfanwithtwins, it sounds to me like you were brought up right. I have the same values you seem to have.
I don't know how old you are, but if I had a son, I'd want him to be like you.

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