Here are a couple more pics of my two huge ones.

[Jmax]

Just joking on them being huge. But they are some good eating as I have already tested them. emoHungry These are a couple more pictures taken at the camp. You can see our set up for hanging them and then we skin and quarter the deer for the coolers. If anyone is wondering I broke the six points leg loading it onto the four wheeler. I am kind of like Richard Simms, I just want to get a couple to eat, don't go after horns any more. emoGeezer Jmax

 

[owtdoorguy]

Ha.
Good looking deer there. And a nice setup.

 

[hookset]

A couple of nice looking bucks for the freezer, congrats. Good looking hanging post set up as well.

 

[Liveliner]

Looks great.. Don't you just love all this?

 

[churly]

Do you think the antler point restrictions put in place by the state have improved the age structure of your heard in arkansas?

 

[Fish Hunter]

That is a nice set up!

 

[Jmax]

churly - 12/6/2012 3:03 PM

Do you think the antler point restrictions put in place by the state have improved the age structure of your heard in arkansas?

Yes, I think it has for the ones who follow it. But there are still issues. One problem is the kids do not have that restriction. Before anyone jumps me let me tell you what is happening. Some of the larger deer camps who run dogs often are doing there normal thing. They surround a large area, release dogs into the middle of that area and what ever runs out they shoot at. Now some of these roads that divide these back wooded areas are barely big enough for a small truck, you kind of wonder how in the world they can count three points on one side as the deer is hauling by them at a high rate of speed. emoScratch The truth is they don't. They just make sure there are a couple kids hunting with them and if someone hits the deer jumping across the road the dogs will find it. If it is not a legal buck they just say a kid shot it. emoAngry

Other times it is shoot first and look later, if it is not legal, well.... they just say they missed. emoAngry

It is not perfect but I will say I see a lot more bucks now with horns. I think it has helped. We let the non-legals walk and just shoot a doe if nothing else. With that in mind I know some camps like ours is following the intent of the rule. emoThumbsup I think if I had the time to hunt down there more I would be more selective and be able to kill a better deer. That was a nice six point, you can see he was better bodied then the small seven. If I had the time I would have let that seven walk and ended up killing that nice eight the following day but when you only have three days to hunt and travel 18 hour to do it I wanted to come back with coolers full. Who knew I would see that nice eight the next day. It is kind of a roll of the dice, last year I lost cause I passed and came home empty, this year I shot the first two legals and missed out on shooting a big boy. emoDoh You never know. I am still very happy with the two I took. emoHungry Jmax

 

[churly]

People that "ground check" deer are not real hunters. People that shoot deer for the kids are creating a generation of useless hunters. Thats very sad. I would think that the people in that area would realize that if you keep the doe numbers in check and let the young bucks walk, there would be available food, and the natural processes would work to create greater heard health and age structure.

My philosphy; if you need meat or want to watch something die, shoot a doe!!!!!! Even if you arent a trophy hunter it leads to better heard health. And in most places in TN, especially unit L, it is not hard to shoot a doe. Now for the kids, let em blast whatever, but make sure they are the one pulling the trigger.

One more thing, That ole saying I hear from mullets all the time; "if i dont shoot him my neighbor will" dont cut it with me, because he damn sure wont be getting any older if you pop him, and you dont know that the neighbors will.

I could go on and on, but I will step down off my box which I have resisted standing on all season.

 

[Jmax]

Churly your a good man. You stick to your convictions and I do admire that. I also like the three point rule and would love to see them use it here in TN. I wish those clubs in Arkansas that cheat would stop but they have been doing that for years and years with dogs. It is like their heritage, it is hard to change folks from thinking that way after they have done it all their life and their dads and grandfathers did it. emoRolleyes It will come with time, it was not too long ago that "Catch and Release" was looked at that same way. emoToast Jmax