Am I a jerk? (Read before voting)

[thinhorn_AK]

Lol. I will admit I have not read through the entire thread after my first post. However, I have read some posts here Stating that dad was going to potentially shoot a buck on the sons tag. No where in the original post did dad ever state that.

It sound like a buch of guys here want their kids getting "Participation Points" so to speak. What we actually have here is a dad that wants his kid to earn any trophy buck he takes, rather then lead him to one and let him shoot it, setting unrealistic expectations for future hunts. Those trophy's are simply hard to come by, let alone harvest. The bottom line is that dad has put the work in and earned it, the son has yet to earn one.

I get the sentiment though; I often take out new guys, and some older that have not killed a buck at all, or in some cases in years. I have taken them to my honey holes. I have set-up camp prior to opening (tent, ultra light cots, stove fuel... all packed in about 5 miles). All these guys had to do was pack in with their personal gear, sleeping bag and food, and then pack out. They never scouted the spots, never set foot in the areas... prior to their first hunts there. In short, they did not earn anything. Yet, I still openly offered them first shot on anything they wanted to pull the trigger on.

What I see dad doing here, I view as very responsible, in many aspects. But hey, to all you "participation Point" parents, you are entitled to your opinion, as am I.

I just can't imagine being bothered by this. I took a friend moose hunting because he wanted his first moose and he got an absolute toad. Was I bitter??? not at all, I still got half the meat in my freezer. I was a bit jelous of his 63" rack when mine this year was like 58" but I didn't talk trash or downplay it at all.

People who actively don't like to see others succeed have serious issues.

 

[Mike Islander]

I'd love a little bit of what you're smoking. Never in my life have I claimed to Be SWAT, a SNIPER, or even a great shot! I once asked a question "is it the scope or the shooter" is that what you're referring to?

To everyone else, I appreciate the feed back and had a feeling I was leaning that way.

As for the rules the mule deer rule will stand and as we have convinced many neighbors in our area to adopt the same rule. Unfortunately our mule deer population is on the decline and more unfortunate is people continue to harvest small bucks as they are an easy target. So we let immature mulies walk, there are 6 whitetails for every one mulie so it's easy to find on of them to shoot.

I suspect that if a big one walks out I would put I'm on it first, but this community is a great sounding board and I like to get some feed back.

I almost put "am I an ass hole" but I didn't know if the mods would love that!

To ease some of your minds, my kid hunts way more that I ever did at his age, and so far I have only backed him up. I appreciate everyone's comments and feedback!

Hmmmm, must have clicked the wrong link when I was reviewing your content. It was a link to 308 ammo for sale with "no longer a sniper" in it. My apologies.

Sooooo, yes, definitely a douche move to shoot a big deer over your son. But points for asking. Be a better Dad - Be a better Man.

 

[mmac]

I couldn't care less if I ever shoot something as long as I am with my kids and/or their friends and they are able to enjoy the hunt and get something better than me someday. Sorry to say it, but from they way you posted it does seem like you are using the kid's need to learn or earn as an excuse to not get a better buck for you.

When you first went fishing with your dad or granddad, did they just want you to catch fish or did they only say certain types and if a big one you get to reel it in? Seems like you are setting impossible goals and they will just get bored and dislike the hunting with you. Can't be below this size and anything over this size is mine....

Just let the kid hunt and enjoy your time. I would give anything for one more day in the woods with my dad......

 

[thinhorn_AK]

It depends if you want to drive him away from hunting or not, I guess.

When he decides he's rather play video games than go hunting with you this would probably be the reason why.

"Dad won't let me shoot something small and if it's too big he is going to shoot it."

To retain young hunters they need to have early success. Also, do you want him thinking hunting is all about the size of the antler. Let the boy help provide meat for his family.

This is exactly right, I;ve seen several friends drive their kids away from hunting by acting in a similar manner.

 

[Q child]

Nah. You're fine dude. There is a lot to learn from watching a more experienced hunter take a big animal when the pressure is on.

 

[fatlander]

What’s going to matter more to you on your death bed: daddy killed a big buck that he shot in front of junior, or junior killed a deer with daddy by his side?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[String&stick]

Hmmmm, must have clicked the wrong link when I was reviewing your content. It was a link to 308 ammo for sale with "no longer a sniper" in it. My apologies.

Sooooo, yes, definitely a douche move to shoot a big deer over your son. But points for asking. Be a better Dad - Be a better Man.

Hmm. . .weird. I've never sold any 308 ammo either as I don't have a 308. But I have jumped threads before. NHNF

Thanks for you input

 

[TripleJ]

As a father of 3 boys/young men who have all killed multiple deer, I can personally say I get more joy from watching them kill a buck than I do killing my own buck. If you want your son to hold out for something bigger than a forky that's your prerogative. But in my opinion, you better make sure you can put something in front of him to give him a little taste of success early on. Their attention span is not the same as ours, and there are SO MANY distractions for our kids these days, things that they may find more attractive then going out and being cold and not shooting anything. You run the risk of turning him off to hunting.

As far as shooting a big buck out from under your son, I don't get that one at all. That comes across as selfish, putting yourself ahead of your kid. I've had at least 2 opportunities to do that hunting with my sons, and I can say the big bucks that they killed still put a smile on my face to this day.

 

[String&stick]

Lol. I will admit I have not read through the entire thread after my first post. However, I have read some posts here Stating that dad was going to potentially shoot a buck on the sons tag. No where in the original post did dad ever state that.

It sound like a buch of guys here want their kids getting "Participation Points" so to speak. What we actually have here is a dad that wants his kid to earn any trophy buck he takes, rather then lead him to one and let him shoot it, setting unrealistic expectations for future hunts. Those trophy's are simply hard to come by, let alone harvest. The bottom line is that dad has put the work in and earned it, the son has yet to earn one.

I get the sentiment though; I often take out new guys, and some older that have not killed a buck at all, or in some cases in years. I have taken them to my honey holes. I have set-up camp prior to opening (tent, ultra light cots, stove fuel... all packed in about 5 miles). All these guys had to do was pack in with their personal gear, sleeping bag and food, and then pack out. They never scouted the spots, never set foot in the areas... prior to their first hunts there. In short, they did not earn anything. Yet, I still openly offered them first shot on anything they wanted to pull the trigger on.

What I see dad doing here, I view as very responsible, in many aspects. But hey, to all you "participation Point" parents, you are entitled to your opinion, as am I.

I would say this is where I'm coming from and probably stated in a much better way that I did in the original statement. I do want him to earn a true trophy vs just getting one handed to him. Now that said there is every chance I allow him to shoot a trophy bigger than anything I've shot, haven't been in the situation yet.

Appreciate your comments!

 

[H2PVon]

and I've put in my time and all the work for these spots I deserve a little something right?

Not sure if this has been covered or not because I haven't read all the responses. You've put the work in? He's a kid. Do you expect him to put the work in to find spots and take you there?

 

[fatlander]

I would say this is where I'm coming from and probably stated in a much better way that I did in the original statement. I do want him to earn a true trophy vs just getting one handed to him. Now that said there is every chance I allow him to shoot a trophy bigger than anything I've shot, haven't been in the situation yet.

Appreciate your comments!

Trophy is in the eye of the beholder. The first buck I killed was a single antlered spike, literally 5” of antler. 20 years later, I still remember how I felt that day. Absolutely over the moon, I was the biggest baddest 8 year old on planet Earth. Looking back it’s even cooler that my dad was there by my side cheering me on. In the moment, I was happier about that spike than the 300” bull I killed last month.

Let the kid kill whatever he wants. If your neighbors get bent about a 12 year old shooting a fork, they’re assholes too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[String&stick]

As a father of 3 boys/young men who have all killed multiple deer, I can personally say I get more joy from watching them kill a buck than I do killing my own buck. If you want your son to hold out for something bigger than a forky that's your prerogative. But in my opinion, you better make sure you can put something in front of him to give him a little taste of success early on. Their attention span is not the same as ours, and there are SO MANY distractions for our kids these days, things that they may find more attractive then going out and being cold and not shooting anything. You run the risk of turning him off to hunting.

As far as shooting a big buck out from under your son, I don't get that one at all. That comes across as selfish, putting yourself ahead of your kid. I've had at least 2 opportunities to do that hunting with my sons, and I can say the big bucks that they killed still put a smile on my face to this day.

We have no problem putting him on deer bigger than Forkys in our area especially whitetails. Here's his bigger buck from last year.

Thanks for your comments, appreciate the input.

 

[Eyeman]

Are you going to share the results with your parents....lol

 

[*zap*]

Kids have it way to E-Z these days.....stick to what YOU feel is the right thing to do. Have a good season.

 

[WCB]

Lol. I will admit I have not read through the entire thread after my first post. However, I have read some posts here Stating that dad was going to potentially shoot a buck on the sons tag. No where in the original post did dad ever state that.

It sound like a buch of guys here want their kids getting "Participation Points" so to speak. What we actually have here is a dad that wants his kid to earn any trophy buck he takes, rather then lead him to one and let him shoot it, setting unrealistic expectations for future hunts. Those trophy's are simply hard to come by, let alone harvest. The bottom line is that dad has put the work in and earned it, the son has yet to earn one.

I get the sentiment though; I often take out new guys, and some older that have not killed a buck at all, or in some cases in years. I have taken them to my honey holes. I have set-up camp prior to opening (tent, ultra light cots, stove fuel... all packed in about 5 miles). All these guys had to do was pack in with their personal gear, sleeping bag and food, and then pack out. They never scouted the spots, never set foot in the areas... prior to their first hunts there. In short, they did not earn anything. Yet, I still openly offered them first shot on anything they wanted to pull the trigger on.

What I see dad doing here, I view as very responsible, in many aspects. But hey, to all you "participation Point" parents, you are entitled to your opinion, as am I.

So a 169" buck walks out the kid shoots it great congrats....but if a 170" class walks out the kid didn't earn it and is just participating. You know how stupid that is. Also dad says he gets a Mule Deer tag once every 3 years or so and the kid gets one every year as of right now. So if dad isn't allowed to shoot it no one is? WTF I could not imagine telling my kid "geeeeez that is the biggest Mule Deer I have ever seen...too bad you are the only one with a Mule Deer tag guess we will see if he makes it another couple years so I can kill it"

I am the last person to believe in "participation points" But you are out there deer hunting the kid has a tag...Some of us just don't protect our ego that much to care if someone shoots a bigger deer than us. God forbid the kid eat food that his father bought from working hard...damn kids wanting participation points.

 

[dsotm]

Sounds like dad has a real fragile ego

 

[String&stick]

Are you going to share the results with your parents....lol

Probably, it will make them laugh and feel good!

 

[String&stick]

So a 169" buck walks out the kid shoots it great congrats....but if a 170" class walks out the kid didn't earn it and is just participating. You know how stupid that is. Also dad says he gets a Mule Deer tag once every 3 years or so and the kid gets one every year as of right now. So if dad isn't allowed to shoot it no one is? WTF I could not imagine telling my kid "geeeeez that is the biggest Mule Deer I have ever seen...too bad you are the only one with a Mule Deer tag guess we will see if he makes it another couple years so I can kill it"

I am the last person to believe in "participation points" But you are out there deer hunting the kid has a tag...Some of us just don't protect our ego that much to care if someone shoots a bigger deer than us. God forbid the kid eat food that his father bought from working hard...damn kids wanting participation points.

I understand it's a long thread and you probably skipped over some. But I stated later any year I don't have a tag my kid would obviously get to shoot any large deer because I can't! I'm not making him let it walk if I don't have a tag to put on it. And I'm not saying I'm not wrong in my thinking.

Also nobody can measure to the inch on the hoof it was more guidelines saying he can still shoot some pretty damn good deer, but I hear what your saying!

Thanks for the comment

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Aren't ALL white tails pretty much gimme's??? I mean you sit in a tree playing on your phone until a deer walks by.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Deer hunters crack me up.