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Deer Hunting: For The Freezer Or The Wall?

By: Ben Gustafson
61 comments In the Crosshairs with Ben Gustafson

Nov 14

I just finished my Minnesota firearms whitetail hunt and harvested a 3-point buck. I know some people will think I’m crazy for killing a young deer, but where I come from filling the freezer is the top priority.

As the small buck approached my effective shooting range, I told myself, Let him pass, he’s too small. Then as he trotted closer yet I told myself, Don’t pass on this one ... he may be your only chance this season. And at this point your freezer is empty. It was as if I had a little devil and an angel sitting on each of my shoulders arguing over what to do.

His trot abruptly stopped, broadside behind a clump of brush. I didn’t want to risk missing, so I held off for a better shot. Suddenly, the buck took off on his trot once more. With no time to waste, I tried to pull out my buck grunt call but it was stuck in my vest. I had to move quickly; he was 75 yards out and moving fast. I led him just a bit, squeezed the trigger, and to my surprise he jumped straight into the air. His 4-foot leap froze me, and I was unable to get another shot off as he barreled into the woods.

With his leap and at the speed he raced into the woods, I didn’t think I hit him. I sat in my stand for roughly 20 minutes and thought, I better go make sure I missed. As I approached the spot where the buck had been standing, I noticed a mass of blood. I got him, I thought as I turned and headed back to my stand to grab my backpack.

Taking my time, I zigzagged through the woods, tracking the solid blood trail. Eventually, I discovered him buried head-first in tall grass. After recovering the buck, I didn’t see where my slug had struck him. I did, however, notice that he seemed to be a bit bigger than I expected.

I pulled him out of the grass and quickly realized that I had lead him a touch more than I wanted to, and my slug landed right in his neck. I also noticed that his antlers seemed a bit weak for his body size. Either way, my freezer is one step closer to being filled.

As of now, our group of nine has only killed two deer, and my deer was the only one shot opening weekend. I’m staying optimistic, hoping the rest of group can fill a few more tags.

The more I think about it, the more comfortable I become with my decison to shoot the young buck. 


Do you hunt to fill the freezer or for trophies?

61 comments

# ckell
Monday, November 14, 2011 11:08 AM
Back in 1987 opening morning I shot a very nice 13 point fairly symetical except and extra brow tine on the left side with two 8 inch drop tines on each side with a 23 1/2 inch spead. I look a him every year as each season starts. Have never seen anything like him since. He has been the topic of many a conversation, but so are the meals I have got from much smaller deer over the years. I shot my first doe last year on opening morning, best deer meat I have eaten. Having a nice head on the wall is nice to talk about after you have had a good venision meal, even if it is a doe. You can not eat horns.
# fbacon
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 1:21 AM
I hunt to feed my family. If its a buck or doe I don't care either way yes the antlers look nice on the wall and I have a few but then I need to dust them off every now and again this means more work for me. Anyone hunting on public land should be happy with any deer they can harvest this can be said for private land that sees lots of preshure as well. Before anyone judges someone for taking a small buck or doe answer this question first: Have you seen the price of beef in the stores lately? You can't eat the horns and doe/young buck stew is better than tag soup any day.
# dino1140
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 10:09 AM
Living in Pennsylvania I am amazed at the amount of hunters that only will shoot a buck and that they complain about antler restrictions. I have never had a problem shooting a doe or even a button buck. If it's legal I'll shoot it. For a hunting and archery liscense that cost $40.00, a small doe or buck is far cheaper than what I could get at the grocery store.
# durantmedic
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 3:58 PM
I have no problem taking small deer. Now that said, I must admit that I passed on a couple of small bucks a couple of days ago. If I'm meat hunting, it's all doe for me. Those young bucks taste just as good too!
# dchedge
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 10:42 AM
Any deer taken legally and utilized properly is a trophy. Good job
# estoker
Monday, November 28, 2011 11:15 PM
I do tend to hunt for trophy till later in the season on the hopes of seeing the monster we all dream of, however, an unfilled tag means an unfilled freezer, and late season becomes all about the meat.
# smillage
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 7:43 AM
Both! Where I hunt in SD I get a couple doe tags with my buck tag so I wont shoot a buck unless he is older. I usually will shoot the first doe I get a nice shot at in the season to put in the freezer. I usually end up with 4 or more deer/antelope in the freezer by the end of the year.
# shoffmannj
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 8:13 AM
I've been wanting to switch from processed meats to venison more since I've started hunting. The argument in my head has been "today's the last day and I'm going to have to do all the processing tonight so I won't be rushed into doing it in the morning before going home." So i shot and spent the entire evening processing. I haven't had the opportunity to shoot for a wall hanger yet...maybe someday.
# tread35
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 8:34 AM
I have shot many a buck and doe. I have a few hanging on the wall and a box of bones collecting dust. They all taste the same (doe's maybe a little more tender) to me. Where i hunt in Pa it has to be 4 points or better on one side to shoot a buck so you can't take a young one and the big ones are smart. Also you can't eat them bones. Unless it's a big one they just end up in the box with the rest
# ILbowhunter1
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 8:47 AM
Both, as well. In IL, when we buy bow tags, we get one antlerless tag and one either sex tag. I immediately use the antlerless tag if I get the chance at a doe. I might be a little more picky using the second tag but I am always thinking that I can go buy more tags if get the chance at some more meat. This year, that is exactly what I did. Two does with my bow means meat in the freezer and I am holding off for a buck with my gun tag. If the last day of gun season comes without a buck then another doe will do! She will mean either more meat in the freezer (if I can find room) or a very nice donation to a good cause!
# jrung
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 9:06 AM
As I have told my children over the years, all the deer we get are trophies. The main thing is we have a safe and memorable hunt. Meat in the freezer is a leading factor in hunting deer, but any excuse to get out in the woods, we'll take.
# rstolte jr
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 9:32 AM
down in georgia where i live the season limit is ten doe or antlerless and two buck one of which must have at least four points on one side of the antler at least one inch long. i will take does to fill the freezer and a nice buck to top it off and hang on the wall but i try to manage the hunt and go more for the mature doe to harvest first then MAYBE if i see a real good older buck at least six years old then take him.
# blazinem
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 10:33 AM
I hunt for meat. I hold off on the does until close to the end of the season. I want them around to reproduce but if I see a fat slick one I will put her on the table. Hunting doe is new to me as in California it is illegal. Here in Louisiana we get 3 & 3 but I only shoot 2 maybe 3 as that is all we need in the freezer.
# skiman71
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 12:30 PM
Although i never shot a "Trophy" deer I would love to shoot one, like the majority of hunters. However if the opportunity arises to take a small legal deer i will, it is still meat on the table, trophy antlers or not.
# Carter Miller
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 12:47 PM
I shoot all does early in the season, in sc usually does are breed by the last two months of deer season, and i hate killing one with little ones in her.
# NelsonH
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 4:10 PM
I shot a 3x3 in Eastern PA yesterday (first day of the season) it was the second buck that I saw, but the first I could identify as legal. Where I hunt on state forest land the racks tend to be smaller, the largest I have ever gotten was a 3x4 in this area. I have harvested 5 bucks there in the last 11 years and know that if I do not take what I see I might never get another chance during the season. I, too want to fill the freezer more than hang a big rack on the wall especially since holding out usually means tag soup.
# npaul
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 4:21 PM
In Washington you only get one deer a year unless you draw a second deer permit. I hunt for the freezer. If a big bruiser is the first, legal, deer then I'm happy.
# tcrews1
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 4:41 PM
I primarily hunt for food. I enjoy the experience plenty but I am not concerned in finding a trophy buck. I try to shoot a nice one but here in MT you can satisfy your a tag with a doe if you choose. My 4x4 this year had a 20 inch spread. He was respectable but he had AMAZING body proportions. He is easily the heaviest buck I have ever shot and I am totally happy with him over a 5x5 who would be skinnier or the meat less satisfying. I am feeding my family, avoiding the pitfalls of meat that comes out of packing plants, saving money and teaching my sons how to provide.
# bullsi
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 4:44 PM
food,yes i",d eat the trophy
# trucker ed
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 6:16 PM
i hunt for food. i have shot some nice big racks, but they don't taste any better than a doe or spike.
# annika706
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 8:01 PM
Where i live in PA there aren't many deer. I'd love to shoot a wall hanger but with limited time off work, land leases where its brown its down, and mennonites moving in and shooting everything that moves really limits my choices. I need meat so i'll take what i can get. fill some jars and loin in the freezer. i even take shoulders and necks from people that just want loin and steak. cold packing is the best.
# SFARRIS
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 10:51 PM
I hunt for the meat. Never ever shot a nice buck. Seems like something always goes wrong on the opportunities I have had.
# dzachow
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 5:55 AM
Does for meat? Yes. Young bucks for meat? No. Way plenty of does in this state. $2 per tag, unlimited purchase (In many areas). The last time I shot a year and a half old buck I was about as happy and pleased as I was the last time I shot a squirrel. No young bucks for me at least. I'm also curious as to why some hunters sugar coat their young bucks by saying "He was a nice 'fat' one." What? Fat? Who wants fat?
# mistoferin
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 8:10 AM
I'm a carnivorous creature so yes, I hunt for meat...but more importantly I hunt because it's me doing my part in fulfilling my responsibility to the conservation and management of the animals.
# chriswhite_3
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 9:42 AM
I refuse to hunt for horns until the freezer has at least one deer in it, maybe two.
# stewart
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 9:48 AM
I hunt for the meat and if you don't want the meat you can donate it to the hungry as there are plenty of people out there that really need it
# mpalmiter
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 11:21 AM
teabones Wednesday, November 30, 2011 12:09 pm I enjoy the sport of hunting, and it would be great to have a huge set of antlers hanging on my wall, but you cant eat them. They dont even make a good soup. The firearms season started here in Md. this past Sat, and I watched my friend and hunting partner shoot a nice 7 point close to my ladder stand< while I was in the process of cleaning the doe that I had shot 20 min. prior. The next day was a Sunday hunt and I shot a small button buck from the same spot. I like the meat
# okherp
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 11:47 AM
Yes! Food is the primary reason, but I do like to shoot larger deer as well. I have never shot a true "trophy", but I have shot a couple of nice 8 and 9-point bucks. I have decided on my personal property that I will not shoot a small buck, but I will never pass on a doe, and I will shoot small bucks on other properties and public land.
# RGESTEWITZ
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 1:40 PM
Everything I harvest is a trophy. Be it fish to Big game.
# marxhunter
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 3:17 PM
I have always hunted with the idea of filling the freezer first. Several years ago I had my Dad with me. I saw a big doe standing looking my way. I stopped and told Dad to shoot it and I would dress it out. He declined so I told him I was going to shoot it. As I put my gun up, a buck walked out about 10 yards from me. It was at least 14 points and the rack was around 30 inches. (these proportions came from the landowner who fed regulary). As I started to shoot, my Dad said "watch it, watch it.) I paused and he said, you might hit that doe!!! The buck went off a ridge and I never saw him again. I was too mad to talk, later in camp he said "if I had kept my mouth you would have killed that buck." I told him yes I would have, and I never took him deer hunting again. He told me that all the years of not killing does had ruined his judgment.
# sticklady1
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 3:50 PM
Meat, Meat, Meat! My main concern during hunting season, whether deer hunting or small game hunting, is putting food in the freezer and on the table. I am a 45 yr old widowed mother of two who is also disabled, so finances are usually tight. The game that we put in our freezer is crucial to our well being. I have to fill tags and unfortunately in my area we only get one 'doe' tag, so if I see a young buck, yes it usually ends up in my freezer. This year I was lucky and got a nice 9 point that many outfitters would consider a management buck, but to be honest, if a spike or any other legally antlered deer crossed my path I would have taken him just as I did the 9 point. I love hunting and my health doesn't always allow me to get out there, so I have to take what I can when I can. Any meat I can put in my freezer to feed my family is a trophy and appreciated as much or more as any record book buck. I am grateful that I was able to take a doe during bow and another doe during shotgun, the only other tag I had was a buck tag and where I'm from, any buck will do. I am thrilled that my disabilities seem to be ok so I can get out and hunt and I am looking forward to going out with my oldest in the next few days so he can hopefully shoot his first deer. I am also looking forward to muzzleloader season so I can hopefully fill one more tag, buck or doe.
# roscoe4
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 5:53 PM
Every year I buy the extra doe tag. This is my first priority to fill. If I do so, I hunt the rest of the season for a mature buck. If that doe tag is not filled, and I have no venison in the freezer, I harvest what I need for the meat I want. If a mature buck comes along first, then my tag is filled and I can use my doe tag on an eater later on. I would rather have a good eating deer in my freezer than a buck that hangs on my wall. Don't get me wrong, I do have a trophy on my wall, but it just doesn't happen every year, so the meat is what I hunt for.
# Michigandeerhunter
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 9:26 PM
MEAT!!!!! I have shot many mature wall hangers in my years but meat is always first in Michigan where I hunt we are allowed private land doe tags a day I hunt an 80 acre parcel of woodland that backs a swamp on one side and a corn field adjacent to it so the deer are always big this year was no exception during bow I stuck a doe that dressed 193 lbs that was only 3 years old and the 3rd day of rifle I got a nice shot on a year and a half doe that weighed 146 lbs dressed tonight was the last night of rifle and I got a nice 5 point that is about 175 lbs once muzzle loader starts I will hunt for my trophy buck
# mrugg1
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 10:41 PM
i'm a meat hunter,so i go for the meat, not so good at the big bucks,and as nice as thay are to look at,it would be nice to hang one up,but eating is inportent to me
# maurice13
Thursday, December 01, 2011 7:04 AM
My primary reason for hunting is to fill my freezer, if I'm fortunate enough to get a nice buck so much the better.Where I hunt in North Carolina the deer are fairly plentiful, so I usually let the small bucks go and take does for eating purposes. Four deer will get me through to the next season, after those four I'm usually more selective. If I were trophy hunting I would let everything go early in the season waiting for the big buck, but I'm not.
# SocialMediaEditor
Thursday, December 01, 2011 8:09 AM
Thanks for all of the comments. It seems as though most of you would make the same decision I did. Although I still would have rather taken a doe. All venison tastes good when you make it into various kinds of sausage.
# jaegerjohan
Thursday, December 01, 2011 9:44 AM
First, I'm jealous of the ability to take does as well as bucks in those states that have overgrown deer herds. In Arizona, the only doe tags are for junior hunts on the North Kaibab. I've allways been a meat hunter first and my trophy desires only grow when the freezer is full. However, I'm not one to pass up a good trophy as my 4 entries in Pope and Young proves.
I have a problem with "trophy hunters" that have very little concern for the meat. Sure, they may bring it out and donate it, but it's not getting treated with respect and probably losing good meat in the process. I even see this on hunting shows where they'll wait till the next day to track a trophy animal to make sure not to lose it. Often this is done in warmer weather and I question the quality of the meat on the underside of the animal after laying there 8-12 hours. I don't like seeing this on any show. Meat should always be the primary concern.
# shartgrave
Thursday, December 01, 2011 4:16 PM
This season so far I put a Doe in my freezer and my Wife was so happy. The meat is so tender. She had to be about two years old
# kappestrano
Thursday, December 01, 2011 5:50 PM
I like venison and typically look to fill the freezer. Shot an adult doe this year and the previous two years a couple of young bucks, what I guess to have been a four pointer and a six pointer as they both had broken antlers. The 4 pointer had 2 points on 1 side and the other side was totally broken off and the 6 pointer was broken on both sides and had 6 points remaining. A few years back I passed on some deer and never saw another deer the remainder of the season. I actually let a doe and fawn go, as well as, a 4 point buck prior to shooting the doe this year.
# dragon52
Thursday, December 01, 2011 6:31 PM
Trophies look great on the wall and make you feel good, but meat in the freezer in the thing that feeds the family.
My Colorado Elk hunt for a cow was a success this year and last. This year, I did a West Virginia deer hunt and filled the freezer with a good size doe.
Trophy hunter? NO!
Meat hunter? any time.
Be safe out there! Good hunting.
# batkins1
Thursday, December 01, 2011 8:27 PM
I always look for the monster that we want on the wall; but if a nice fat doe comes out, you can bet she'll land in the freezer. The second weekend of gun season here is western KY between 10 of us we had six does on the game pole. Lots of good eating. I don't care how long you boil those antlers, they won't taste half as good as a tenderloin out of a doe.
# Cherokee
Thursday, December 01, 2011 10:48 PM
I only shoot deer for the meat not the rack so if a nice legal buck comes into range and ,I know ,I can get him in the first shot then its meat for my family.. Im an american Indian so, I only shoot to feed and keep my family warm with the furs..
# sniper
Friday, December 02, 2011 10:23 AM
I my opinion it's the trophey hunters who have messed up this pasttime of deer hunting for the rest of us. They don't want the meat. They just want to kill a huge antlered buck so they can go back to thier big cities and brag to thier buddies in the high rise offices about the "giant buck" they shot. To most of us regular joes if we do manage to kill a nice ten pointer then yeah we are happy as hell. Even if we kill an 8 or 6 pointer we are still happy. But we also take our deer home and butcher it or take it to the local butcher shop to have it done. So if all the different hunting magazines and clubs were to stop glamorizing "TROPHY HUNTING" Then just maybe the antis would shut up!! I don't know. Just my opinion. If this comment makes any trophy hunter mad as a hornet then I may have struck a nerve, huh???
Oh well.
# bturner10
Friday, December 02, 2011 10:52 AM
I do both. I hunt for bigger bucks in some spots but on the last weekend of the season I may shoot a management buck but I also shoot my share of does for the freezer.Got a really nice 150 class 11 ptr. last sunday & have taken 2 does so far this yr. Here in Ok. we can take only 2 bucks total for the yr. all seasons combined so you want to be more particuler what bucks you shoot.They let us shoot plenty of slick heads though to make up for it so I do.
# woodman.in
Friday, December 02, 2011 2:27 PM
In most locations there are an overload of does so it makes sense to harvest does for the freezer and to be more selective before taking a buck. I understand that if the season is coming to a close and there isn't a deer in the freezer you would make the choice to harvest whatever comes your way. On the other hands the more selective hunters are taking bucks the better the quality of deer in the area. A 5 year old buck usually has a nice set of horns and when the competition amongst bucks is high the stronger, better bucks get the does and genetics is a big factor for trophy bucks.
# mreinheardt
Friday, December 02, 2011 3:32 PM
i hunt for food for the table.just a month ago i dropped a doe and a 1 year old and its a start to filling the freezer
# annika706
Saturday, December 03, 2011 3:40 PM
If you think buck meat is too gamey or tough then beat a couple eggs, add enough milk to cover the meat, and let it set in the fridge overnight. Tender and tastey!
# dragon52
Saturday, December 03, 2011 7:57 PM
annika706,
That sounds good, but try buttermilk. It does the same thing and the Enzymes will help ternerize it.
Once gain, congratulations to Ben Gustafson for a successful hunt.
# dstephensjr
Sunday, December 04, 2011 12:42 AM
I hunt for the freezer first and then after I fill my first two tags I spend the rest of the seasons hunting for the wall.
# LBshooter
Monday, December 05, 2011 12:04 AM
This year so far I took a doe with my long bow, and three days later took a spike. I thought I was going to be drawn and quartered based on all the grief I got for shooting a spike from fellow public land hunters. Well as I told them all if its a deer I am shooting, period. All the guys guessing age and letting deer walk is getting out of hand and I am getting sick of it. There is only one reason to hunt and that should be food and not antlers, but then again I geuss the money wouldn't roll in if wydell and the rest of the "tv stars" were shooting deer for food. Just my 2 cents.
# obie1
Monday, December 05, 2011 10:47 AM
For me it is about filling the freezer first and foremost, then i can hunt for the wall
# njimandnancy
Tuesday, December 06, 2011 12:31 PM
I have been a licensed hunter for 53 years and have been on Sheep, elk, goat, caribou, mule deer, whitetail, turkey hunts. Might have forgotten a few. In the early days it was about following my father with the beagles to hunt rabbits, grouse, pheasant and deer in Pa. Later on after college it was all about Big Game hunts, which were costly at the time, but nowhere near what the costs are today. Back in the sixties we ate everything we shot. Today I still eat everything I shoot and still enjoy local hunts for pheasant, stocked by clubs and deer here in NJ if you can find a place to hunt. I love a nice day in the woods whether I shoot anything or not. I would be lost if I could no longer hunt and fish and enjoy our outdoor adventures. Hope I have another 20 years left to enjoy the hunting sports.
Jim
# jlajeunesse1
Tuesday, December 06, 2011 1:43 PM
The wall is a "Nice-ity", the freezer is a necessity. Nice to have something to hang on the wall, but the main reason is to have meat in the freezer.
# jsmith253
Wednesday, December 07, 2011 8:31 AM
I killed a small 6 point buck thanksgiving mornin and it in da frezzer!!
# 30-06
Thursday, December 08, 2011 10:30 AM
Freezer first and second. Trophy is last.
# teubanks2
Thursday, December 08, 2011 8:44 PM
A doe should be shot early in the season to fill the freezer. They can be very useful during the rut for bringing in larger bucks. Late in the season they are with pregnant so ur going to lose at least two deer. as for small bucks if everyone would allow those deer to walk until the following year they would all mature to larger deer. I agree that the freezer is important but lets also do it with the best interest of the deer population.
# dhoover12
Saturday, December 10, 2011 7:35 PM
I hunt for the pure joy and peace I find in the solitude of the woods. Any deer I am able to kill, I view as a special gift, regardless of whether it's a buck or doe. My wife actually prefers a doe - says they are more tender (I can't tell the difference). Bottom line, sure - I would like to get a real trophy one day, but meanwhile I'm quite content to just fill the freezer with nature's bounty.
# Yamaha 400
Thursday, December 22, 2011 9:07 PM
Dont think twice, its brown its down
# jcarter24
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 5:47 PM
I hunt for meat I have a family of 6 to feed and I have iow paying job so for the way to feed my family is to hunt for some of are meat and you can't eat horns. And in Va. it is hard to see a trophey and a lot of trphey hunt only hunt for horns and i see deers laining inthe wood so people need to getover it
# mmiller49
Friday, January 06, 2012 5:26 AM
I hunt for both , whatever walks in front of me gets shot. I shot a nice 9 pointer that scored 154 4/8ths, my oldest son shot a doe and his daughter also shot a doe. For now the freezer is full but it won't last long. My oldest son and his family,wife,and three daughters only eat deer meat,no beef very little pork. So we go for meat first rack second.
# RAbear51
Thursday, March 01, 2012 11:20 PM
Deer have ANTLERS..cattle have horns..I usually take a baldy every year from my land here in the NC Mtns. and then wait out a buck. the order is not as important as getting the meat early on. A deer is a deer is a deer is a deer......It's the hunting part I crave.

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