I won't shoot a small buck, and the definition of a "small buck" around here is, a buck with 4 total points or less... If i want meat, i shoot does,
That's okay if you can take does legally. In Colorado county, Texas, you can't during gun season. You can in Calhoun county, but I've never shot a doe on my place, there. Things are tiny, most of the one's I coulda shot. There was one nice sized doe, but I shot the nice 8 point that was chasing her. I have killed a few spike deer, a 6 point and a 5 point there just for the meat. If I didn't shoot it, the neighbor would.
My 9 pointer last year was far from anything special, but he's the biggest I've shot there, but he wasn't more'n 3 years old. I got him after a neighbor spooked him and missed, ran right past my stand. LOL!
Location, laws, and the situation has a lot to do with it, I reckon. I have shot some big doe for meat in the past where it was legal.
As far as deer go I will shoot about anything, especially during bow season. Im a broke college kid and from October through February my diet consistents mainly of deer meat and velveeta. I will let a young buck walk in favor of a doe but I am certainly happier when a 10 pt walks by.
I also kill a lot of birds. This is mostly for sport as there is nothing more exciting than calling a turkey in or seeing ducks fly to deeks. I can't imagine shooting them on the ground and I wouldn't hunt with somebody that did. There is something in the fair pursuit of game that makes the bounty taste that much better.
HB
I agree with you on bird hunting, but I'm quite sure you don't flush your turkey before you shoot, right?
As for being a broke college student living off game, I have walked in your shoes many moons ago when tuition and fees were a LOT cheaper, but minimum wqge was a buck 60 an hour. You'll have stories to tell some day.