Thread: What constitutes a trophy???

Originally Posted by deer243

Yes, i agree theres a difference with renowned herds etc. Places like Fiordland where alot of effort is being done to have a great Wapiti herd and have great trophys isnt really a place
where you go to hunt for a meat animal and shoot whatever you like. Some other places in NZ could be the same and areas as such some restraint is required and thats fair enough.
But generally in other areas the animals out there are for anyone and we all have the right to cull what we see fit for the purpose we want.
As already stated, we all have our own opinions.
Some think shooting a stag in velvet is a waste...waste why? Only because of some antlers that someone else might miss out on as clearly it didnt worry the shooter.
Some on the other hand shoot stags in the roar and only take the antlers and leave the meat as its 'so called crap a stinky stag in the roar""
I personally have a strong opinion whats a waste.. and its not shooting a young or velvet stag over taking just antlers or back steaks...now thats a darn waste.

And the above post about a bullshit excuse for shooting a velvet stag.. Its no excuse mate, i think they are prime eating and im telling everyone i dont give a rats arse what you think, i shoot what i like and you are more than welcome to have your opinion, and thats fine but just because you might think its wrong i dont and thats that.
PS all stags i shoot in the roar i take the meat and love it all. I dont mind if its a little tough or whatever, i find them all tasty. Maybe some need cooking lessons lol

There's a middle ground. Hunting for mature animals doesn't mean wasted meat. And also in some places in NZ it's not possible to get all the meat out by foot. Some of the West Coast catchments and places I hunt You are a legend or full of shit if you say you can get everything out solo. I agree shooting stags and leaving the meat is a waste and I don't buy into rutting stags being bad. I think that you have to be super careful butchering that the oils and piss from the hind doesn't touch the meat at all ie split the cape down the spine not the pissy chest and if you cut the pissy bit not to use that blade on the animal.

I think you will find both sides of the coin agree on 90% of things. And you won't find many guys targeting big stags leaving meat if its possible to get it out but you will find tonnes of guys that just hunt the roar shooting young stags and just taking the heads because like you said they have been told the meat is bad. Its situational as to what can and can't be taken. In a few areas that they are looking at doing a heli cull of deer. I have considered the area maybe needs a bit of selective culling and the prime bits taken to reduce numbers and not introduce choppers into one of the few areas they haven't affected deer habits yet. Its all a balance we can disagree but as long as there's a discussion I'm happy.