Ha, ha! I’m laughing this morning because of mostly opposite perspectives on what is important to deer hunters. Just nine days ago I posted a story entitled, “It’s the Meat Stupid” where surveys conducted by Responsive Management showed that more hunters hunted for meat rather than for antlers.
Today, we have a story that’s all about the antlers and how every hunter dreams of bagging a big set of antlers. Bob Humphrey, outdoor writer in Maine, while presenting an excellent piece about the whys and wherefores of antler growth in deer, I’m not sure actually how many hunters might dream of that mighty rack but the reality is they want meat.
In fairness to Humphrey, he doesn’t present the desire for big-antlered deer as generally some obsession and makes the statement, “There’s little question that every hunter’s dream is to one day bag a trophy buck…” I will agree that it is a dream but how many obsess on obtaining that dream? Even Humphrey says that few hunters will pass up meat: “most hunters are satisfied with shooting any antlered deer.”
It’s the meat, stupid! And should a hunter take a buck with heavy body weight and/or a large brush pile on top of its head, what a bonus.
