Do you shoot forks?

Megabites · 10-01-2002, 06:26 PM

Just read a thread on Blacktails and it touched on whether or not you would shoot a forked deer or go for the big guys. What is your opinion? Also include the gerneral geographic area that you hunt.

My personal opinion depends on the amount of time I get to hunt. I hunt for meat but don't mind a big rack as well. The rack is second priority to me. Better to go home with a small deer then no deer. You can't eat horns anyway.

While we are at it lets see those trophy pictures I know you all have. I wonder if Jennie would be interested in adding a Members Photo's page both for hunting and fishing. Maybe I'll drop her a note. What do you think?

WaterDog · 10-01-2002, 06:47 PM

I hunt the trask,stott, and alsea units. Shoot a fork? yup. Wouldnt even think twice. If I got a doe tag, I'll bag her. You cant eat antlers, although Bait O Eggs must have a good soup recipe for antlers since his animals dont even need to be alive.

I'm meat hunter and the reality is I dont enjoy hunting near as much as fishing. Besides, pound for pound, I can put more pounds of fish in the freezer than I can vension.

Bait O' Eggs · 10-01-2002, 07:15 PM

I will shoot a fork if I have a coastal buck tag and not a lot of time to hunt. With a wife and kids I seem to find myself with less and less time each year. I have passed on a lot of forks in the past looking for more horns. It looks like I will take the first fork home I find this year, I hope it is alive when I find it.

I drew eastern tags for several years in a row and a fork wasnt even an option to shoot at.

Given a choice I will go hunt big bucks.

10-01-2002, 07:50 PM

Unless it is small. They eat good.

lor · 10-01-2002, 09:03 PM

I'm a bow hunting trying to get my first kill.
Deer haven't come easier enough for me to be picky.

I'll shoot at the first legal animal which offers
a responsible shoot in my effective range.

mudsucker · 10-01-2002, 09:14 PM

Well i have a habit of horn hunting the first of the season and passing on small forks and it has been known to pay off. After the first half of the season is over i don't get so picky though. And i primarly hunt the saddle mt. unit.

Lured In · 10-01-2002, 09:43 PM

I have primarily hunted the Rogue, Evans Creek and Applegate Units for deer. I usually muzzleloader hunt which is a hair tag in some units. My personal opinion is that does, forks and monster bucks are all fair game. I don't have time enough time or opportunity to be picky and I love venison. :grin: After all that is why I muzzleloader hunt, I would rather shoot a doe or cow elk that go home without meat.

On another note, keep in mind that if QDM goals were an issue, point miniumums would be in place that eliminated the possibility to shoot forks. I can only hope that ODFW is keeping an eye on not only the buck to doe ratio, but the ages of the bucks as well.

I have no issue with those that want a bigger rack and choose to wait, but don't mock those that choose to take meat home.

Tacklebuster · 10-01-2002, 11:04 PM

I hunt the trask and stott mountain units regularly. I opt to shoot a fork early in the season so I can get back to my fishing. The worst tasting deer I have ever had was a big 4 point that was in full rut

The forks eat real well.

I also am a big fan of anterless tags that myself and my wife put in for every year for those units. One of us will draw an antlerless tag so we always have a doe to chew on. Matter of fact, if it was like it used to be (hunters choice) as the season drew to an end, I would opt for a doe. A lot easier to drag and they eat yummy!

I grew up on 300 acres of land back in Alabama and have shot my fair share of big racked whitetail deer. Anymore I like the meat and like the idea of getting back to my fishing.

Chris

pdxkevin · 10-02-2002, 05:08 AM

I'm in out there to put meat in the freezer, so... yep. I'd pop a fork given the chance.

KingFisher85 · 10-02-2002, 05:25 AM

I will take a fork, meats meat. The smaller they are they better eating they are.

Salmon Stryker · 10-02-2002, 05:53 AM

It is too early in the season for me to want to take a fork. I have an advantage of knowing I can go out to my dad's property and shoot a buck in the last week of the season if I need to. Until the last 3 days of the season I hunt the real woods and look for 3 point plus deer.

Holding out usually pays off, though last year I had to take a fork at my dad's place. Good eating though.

Cast'n'Blast · 10-02-2002, 05:54 AM

2 years in a row, and they sure eat well

OneLastCast · 10-02-2002, 06:46 AM

If I am hunting East of the Cascades then I won't shoot a fork until the very last day.

Over here on the Coast I will shoot the first forked horn that Mudsucker passes up.

OneLastCast

Zen Leecher aka Bill W · 10-02-2002, 07:13 AM

I bow hunt in WA state. Sure I'd shoot a spike with my bow... but not with a rifle. It's no challenge.

willametteriveroutlaw · 10-02-2002, 03:17 PM

I enjoy the meat, But I won't shoot forks. If you don't shoot them this year, then next year they are 30-40 lbs heavier and have a little better rack. I shoot mature 3 points that have antlers wider than their ears. All it takes is paitience and a little scouting to accomplish this goal every year. Now if I could just spend some of that time practicing for those long shots..

RichH · 10-02-2002, 04:49 PM

Only if I see em'.

24 on/ 48 off · 10-02-2002, 05:09 PM

Boom!

Dead forked horn. Trask and Wilson Units.

--spud-_

mudsucker · 10-02-2002, 05:13 PM

Well onelastcast you always need someone to point them out for you anyways so i'm always glad to help. :grin:

OneLastCast · 10-02-2002, 07:14 PM

Yeah Mud....just quit waking me up for the does.

OneLastCast

jet · 10-03-2002, 06:55 AM

Yup

Jet~~~

chromebright · 10-03-2002, 09:07 AM

Just shot one about 2hrs ago. Sure is going to taste yummy.

SureSet · 10-03-2002, 09:49 AM

Westside- I'd take one anytime. Eastside- depending on tag drawn, hunting conditions and success observed - I might wait until the last day or if it's hot and slow anytime after opening AM.

SureSet

OR Coast Range · 10-03-2002, 10:11 AM

It depends on how far I have to drag the thing. I've got no problem dropping a fork if its relatively easy to get to and drag back to the truck. If I have to drag 100lbs of dead weight for 4 miles then at least 4 or 5 of those lbs had better be horns! :grin:

nerta · 10-03-2002, 03:37 PM

:grin: Is that a fork yup bang tender viddles this year :grin:

No Wishin Just Fishin · 10-03-2002, 07:34 PM

Headed for Clarkston area next weekend. Cannot shoot a fork in Eastern Wash 3 pt or larger only. Hope the big oones are there again this year

Dogfish · 10-03-2002, 11:11 PM

If I draw a special permit tag in a limtied draw area, I'll hold out for Mr. big. But if I am hunting with the masses, first legal deer drops, even does, when I use my muzzle loader.

Andy