Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Pond Boss Hunting/Trapping 2014-2015

Thanks everyone, for taking time to post such thoughtful responses. It's much appreciated.

Scott, I completely agree in taking what walks down the trail by chance, including trophy animals. To me, that's an entirely different scenario than deliberately killing the biggest animal.

Dave, thanks for sharing your thoughts so early in the morning. A question if I may... you equate hunting with a camera to kissing one's sister...can I assume from that remark that killing the animal is integral to enjoying the sport? I know, tough question. No disrespect intended however.

RAH, I hear you when you talk about having your own land, and working hard to achieve your goals. I'm right there with you, and know how challenging and rewarding the process is. I do have a question or two, very much along the same lines as what I've asked Dave.

Why do I catch a trophy fish, and you take a trophy deer? "Catch", is a benign word, much like "Take". But that's somewhat misleading isn't it? Catching a trophy fish at least allows for the possibility of releasing that fish unharmed, while taking a trophy deer really means killing it....correct? If I were to take your last post and substitute kill, or killing, in place of take, or taking, would that not paint a more accurate picture of the process? So why use "take" in the first place?

So I respectfully ask the same question of you that I put to Dave: Is the actual killing of the animal integral to your enjoyment of a trophy hunt? We can talk about management, improving the herd, and feeding those who are less fortunate, but in the end is all of that just secondary to the need to kill the biggest, best animal, for fulfillment of the trophy hunting experience?

Again, I realize this may be an awkward question, but then again, if it is uncomfortable, why? And what does that say?