VA Steve
New member
If you didn't get my earlier message, about $100 to ship 90# via air frieght from Indian Valley meats to Dulles Airport in northern VA.
Meat / Trophy Poll
- Thread starter Michael Strahan
- Start date
Alaskacanoe
Moderator
Promote hunting
Promote hunting
I usually don't take an animal anymore unless it is as the backup guy. The experience of watching young and older hunters alike enjoy the sport of kings. It is such a wonderful thing to have these oportunities for our expeditions in the Wilds of Alaska. Watching my Step son take his first big game animal of his life. The way he reacted, The smile that still 8 months later crosses his entire face when I brag about our hunt together. The trophy is indeed to me-- that we have added anouther member to our hunting world. I hope I can be a good example always of true sportsmanship and ethics. That is what brings me the most joy.
Max
Promote hunting
I usually don't take an animal anymore unless it is as the backup guy. The experience of watching young and older hunters alike enjoy the sport of kings. It is such a wonderful thing to have these oportunities for our expeditions in the Wilds of Alaska. Watching my Step son take his first big game animal of his life. The way he reacted, The smile that still 8 months later crosses his entire face when I brag about our hunt together. The trophy is indeed to me-- that we have added anouther member to our hunting world. I hope I can be a good example always of true sportsmanship and ethics. That is what brings me the most joy.
Max
Michael Strahan
webmaster
What kind of animal?
What kind of animal?
Steve,
What kind of animal was this? Did you donate any? Finally, is this 90# of processed?
-Mike
What kind of animal?
VA Steve said:
Steve,
What kind of animal was this? Did you donate any? Finally, is this 90# of processed?
-Mike
Experience
Experience
I was fortunate to go on a sheep hunt last year, with my brother. We have wanted to get to Alaska all of our lives. As much as I wanted to get a ram it didn't matter in the least that I didn't get one. The anticipation of finally going to Alaska helped us through the months of preparation and working out. And when we finally got in the mountains all I can tell you is that it was a spiritual experience. The best part for me was that I had my brother to experience it with me - no amount of photos or talking can convey what we saw and did, but he and I have it with us forever. The EXPERIENCE.
Experience
I was fortunate to go on a sheep hunt last year, with my brother. We have wanted to get to Alaska all of our lives. As much as I wanted to get a ram it didn't matter in the least that I didn't get one. The anticipation of finally going to Alaska helped us through the months of preparation and working out. And when we finally got in the mountains all I can tell you is that it was a spiritual experience. The best part for me was that I had my brother to experience it with me - no amount of photos or talking can convey what we saw and did, but he and I have it with us forever. The EXPERIENCE.
VA Steve
New member
Shipped Meat
Shipped Meat
Mike,
Ended up with almost exactly 100# of boned out caribou meat to Indian Valley meats, which turned into about 90# of processed (with other filler added to hamburger, etc). I kept all the meat we brought out of the field for myself and also had a mount done - that was about $365 to get shipped back to VA.
Steve
Shipped Meat
Mike,
Ended up with almost exactly 100# of boned out caribou meat to Indian Valley meats, which turned into about 90# of processed (with other filler added to hamburger, etc). I kept all the meat we brought out of the field for myself and also had a mount done - that was about $365 to get shipped back to VA.
Steve
6XLeech
Well-known member
Cool. The poll still works.
Interesting thread.
Interesting thread.
kodiakrain
New member
This is not an easy choice for me as the Experience is what I live for, and while in the woods and not hunting, it is clear to me that Hunting Ramps up that "Experiencing," many times over.
So I hunt to Experience the woods in a more detailed, "Tuned In" way,
But I voted "For the Meat" because I do get in the woods in other ways, a lot, Just cruising the coast in the boat, Walking the Woods all the time, just to get "out there".
So when I am Hunting, yeah, realistically, I am after Harvest, and it is all work, serious work to get it down and taken care of well. I don't think you can buy the same quality meat in the store, this is the Best Food for my family. So I have to do it Very Well, no screwing around with Meat Temp, etc. It's definitely not a vacation for me.
I'm almost always a solo hunter cause I don't like to get distracted by the social stuff, etc. Get enough of that in town.
Yep, Hunting is the work of harvest season for me, primarily.
Sure is a nice place to work though, even, in pain, soaking wet, or stretched to the Max,
Definitely, "Smokes an office day" pretty completely
So I hunt to Experience the woods in a more detailed, "Tuned In" way,
But I voted "For the Meat" because I do get in the woods in other ways, a lot, Just cruising the coast in the boat, Walking the Woods all the time, just to get "out there".
So when I am Hunting, yeah, realistically, I am after Harvest, and it is all work, serious work to get it down and taken care of well. I don't think you can buy the same quality meat in the store, this is the Best Food for my family. So I have to do it Very Well, no screwing around with Meat Temp, etc. It's definitely not a vacation for me.
I'm almost always a solo hunter cause I don't like to get distracted by the social stuff, etc. Get enough of that in town.
Yep, Hunting is the work of harvest season for me, primarily.
Sure is a nice place to work though, even, in pain, soaking wet, or stretched to the Max,
Definitely, "Smokes an office day" pretty completely
stevelyn
New member
Meat.
Everything else is part and parcel of filling the freezer.
Everything else is part and parcel of filling the freezer.
strangerinastrangeland
New member
Sometimes I find myself walking or riding, gun slung or in hand , and I'm Hunting, but Im not sure what it is I'm hunting......
Wow, 2006.....I didnt even have a computer then...........
Wow, 2006.....I didnt even have a computer then...........
mr.Montana
New member
wow stanger you pulled this one deep out of the closet? lol but its a good thread and im sure there will be a few new post. on the subject I would have to say since my freezer is normaly full after every season, meat realy isnt a issue, now if it were empty then meat would come first for sure, but as I have never had a problem filling it, as I have 2 and a half freezers that are filled with fish, moose, bou, sheep, deer and some elk, along with a few domestics from the store, I voted for trophy. I know you cant eat the antlers but I sure love em, some would call it madness as some do that come over, and I may be single forever for it but, I have thousands of antlers/horns from everything in my freezer to animals from the lower 48 in the house in every corner. I score em and collect them for personal pleasure and to put in the trophy books, its not the only thing that drives me as i too love to just be out there, but as much time as i put in the collection has built up since I was 12, and game meat has become a lifestyle for me, as i never waste a oz of meat, I live to hunt and hunt to live!!
chico99645
Well-known member
I hunt for the experience, continue tradition and I like the meat. I can't say I do it just for the meat cause I can buy meat cheaper at the store then what it cost me to go get it. I never could understand those that pay money to get their meat processed. To me, thats all part of the experience. But, too each their own. Do I prefer wild game over domestic meat? Most of the time, but I like my Ribeyes also. I do prefer wild pig to domestic pork also. I really miss hog hunting in Texas.
Kind of a tough one to reply to. I hunt because i love to hunt but with out the meat it would not be the same. I dont hunt bear because i dont like bear meat. I shoot yotes when i can get the time to go. thats a blast!
LuJon
Moderator
Wow this is an old one! 6XL gets kudo's for taking the thread dredge to new depths! I think there were mammoth pics in the photo album when this thread was started!
For me I hunt some animals just for the meat but others there are certainly more, dare I say spiritual reasons. I walk miles into the mountains then spend 10+ days in a small tent eating overpriced freeze dried food for the opportunity to shoot a sheep that I will likely share with a partner. That sure isn't hunting for meat, the economics just aren't there in that one. Heck split 2 ways we would be lucky to escape with 35-40lbs of meat each! I hunt Sheep and Goats for the challenge and the spiritual awakening that happens when I pit my resolve against the mountain and the beasts that call it home. After a week or so in the mountains I feel more alive than at any point in the year. Honestly the experience of mountain hunting is my natural high, it lasts for several weeks after the hunt and then inevitably turns into the fuel that drives me to prepare for the next season. I look forward to August 10 like a child looks forward to Christmas vacation. It is a pivotal time and my entire calendar is based on the BS/AS schedule (thats before sheep/after sheep), it's my defacto new years.
When I go out chasing moose I do enjoy it but it is a different hunt. As the "Nuge" would say "backstraps, baby!". That is what it's about. First legal animal that offers an opportunity is as far as it goes. I don't think I will ever mount a moose for display and likely won't do more than nail the antlers to the shed wall if I even endeavor to bring them out. We will eat beef if we don't have moose as it beats going meatless but it is certainly a lower quality alternative, and one that we work hard to avoid.
For me I hunt some animals just for the meat but others there are certainly more, dare I say spiritual reasons. I walk miles into the mountains then spend 10+ days in a small tent eating overpriced freeze dried food for the opportunity to shoot a sheep that I will likely share with a partner. That sure isn't hunting for meat, the economics just aren't there in that one. Heck split 2 ways we would be lucky to escape with 35-40lbs of meat each! I hunt Sheep and Goats for the challenge and the spiritual awakening that happens when I pit my resolve against the mountain and the beasts that call it home. After a week or so in the mountains I feel more alive than at any point in the year. Honestly the experience of mountain hunting is my natural high, it lasts for several weeks after the hunt and then inevitably turns into the fuel that drives me to prepare for the next season. I look forward to August 10 like a child looks forward to Christmas vacation. It is a pivotal time and my entire calendar is based on the BS/AS schedule (thats before sheep/after sheep), it's my defacto new years.
When I go out chasing moose I do enjoy it but it is a different hunt. As the "Nuge" would say "backstraps, baby!". That is what it's about. First legal animal that offers an opportunity is as far as it goes. I don't think I will ever mount a moose for display and likely won't do more than nail the antlers to the shed wall if I even endeavor to bring them out. We will eat beef if we don't have moose as it beats going meatless but it is certainly a lower quality alternative, and one that we work hard to avoid.
pinehavensredrocket
New member
without sounding like sour grapes ( remember aesop?) the trophy is nice, and the meat is certainly good, but the experience is the best. with a photo or two and my journal, the hunt can be revisited year after year. as most of them yield a "trophy" of sorts, some hunts are exceptional because of events or relationships that make them so.
many of us have passed on a shot, for any number of reasons, that are as memorable as some of the shots taken. non-hunters will never understand..........
many of us have passed on a shot, for any number of reasons, that are as memorable as some of the shots taken. non-hunters will never understand..........
the nikster
Member
Generally, I hunt for the experience. That's why I hunt in Idaho and Montana and my first couple of hunts to Alaska. I must admit, however, that my 2 most recent hunts to Alaska were trophy hunts. I had great, wonderful hunts and experiences that will color all the days of my life. I Kept all but a small portion of the caribou I harvested, but in the end it was a battle between the trophy Gods and myself. Now I will resume hunting for experience sake but I am no more worse the wear for having gone on a couple of trophy quests.
willphish4food
New member
I remember the experience. I live for the experience. The trophy, whether a bear claw, a rug, an ugly misformed fork, or massive rack, helps revive the memories of the experience. But I get out in the woods because animals have meat on them. If I end up without meat, I talk up the experience. But I justify the hunt, and feel the need to hunt, because of the quality meat that I hope to harvest. I passed up some small bucks on Kodiak and some decent ones as well one year, holding out for a booner. I tagged out on does the last 2 days because I value the meat so highly.
Tough question, as all 3 are intertwined into making a hunt the wonderful experience it is.
Tough question, as all 3 are intertwined into making a hunt the wonderful experience it is.
Bushwhack Jack
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It was a really tough choice between meat and experience. Trophy is really not a big deal. I chose meat, because it is very important for our family to have healthy meat in the freezer. However, I am not opposed to hunting for the experience either. Or for predator control. Hunting is a way of life and great recreation. Interesting post. Thanks Mike.
.338WM
New member
I had to answer "for the experience", fortunately that experience when successful, includes meat 
roud:. I very much prefer eating wild game over the celophane and styrofoam wrapped variety.
Secondarily, in the context of the question, would be for the meat.
Lastly, the trophy. I have only had this choice a few times, some while caribou hunting and having great numbers of animals passing through over many days. Still the primary reason I was on that hunt was for the experience, then the meat. I have to include sheep hunting in this as I feel any sheep is a trophy by virtue of the awesome experience and challenge of hunting them. They don't taste too bad either :topjob:.
roud:. I very much prefer eating wild game over the celophane and styrofoam wrapped variety.Secondarily, in the context of the question, would be for the meat.
Lastly, the trophy. I have only had this choice a few times, some while caribou hunting and having great numbers of animals passing through over many days. Still the primary reason I was on that hunt was for the experience, then the meat. I have to include sheep hunting in this as I feel any sheep is a trophy by virtue of the awesome experience and challenge of hunting them. They don't taste too bad either :topjob:.
I was a little split between the options of "meat" or "hunting experience", but once I thought it through, "meat" won out. When I go hunting, it is for the meat. I went a number of years where the only thing I brough home were cows because either that was what my permit was for or that was the legal animal that presented itself to me and I wanted to make sure to get meat in the freezer. Don't get me wrong, if given the decent opportunity, I will choose a trophy animal over a non-trophy, but I won't wait around for the trophy if it isn't looking all that likely.
My thought process for this question was going through what my feelings are if one or two of the other options did not happen, how did I feel. If I got a nice trophy, but had a miserable trip due to rain or other problems, I was fairly happy since I did get what I went out to get. If I got meat of any kind, but had a miserable trip due to rain or other problems, I was still happy looking back. If I had great weather on the trip, but came back empty handed, I was not all that happy. If I got meat on the trip, but it wasn't a trophy, I can't recall evey being dissapointed at all, so I guess that would rule out the "trophy" vs. "meat" debate for me.
Regarding the "hunting experience", I get most of that when I go camping. I enjoy those trips fully, but when I go on a hunting trip, camping out is not the primary reason for the trip.
My thought process for this question was going through what my feelings are if one or two of the other options did not happen, how did I feel. If I got a nice trophy, but had a miserable trip due to rain or other problems, I was fairly happy since I did get what I went out to get. If I got meat of any kind, but had a miserable trip due to rain or other problems, I was still happy looking back. If I had great weather on the trip, but came back empty handed, I was not all that happy. If I got meat on the trip, but it wasn't a trophy, I can't recall evey being dissapointed at all, so I guess that would rule out the "trophy" vs. "meat" debate for me.
Regarding the "hunting experience", I get most of that when I go camping. I enjoy those trips fully, but when I go on a hunting trip, camping out is not the primary reason for the trip.
