Catch and release debate

[Rich D]

I was on a muskie board and saw a post from a guy looking for a recipe to cook a 50" he caught. Now I suspect this was a troll post, looking to stir things up, successfully I might add, but it got me to thinking...



Most fishermen/women I know practice catch and release and especially with graphite reproductions, more and more trophies are released. I believe in this practice as well, occasionally keeping some smaller fish for the table. Especially when you think of the years it takes for a fish to reach trophy proportions, this makes more sense.



However, why is this theory not popular with the hunting crowd. Most deer hunters I know are looking for that trophy rack. Wouldn't it make more sense to have a camera with us in the stand and when that trophy buck appears, shoot a couple pictures for the wall and shoot a smaller, younger (tastier) deer for meat? To me it makes sense to leave the trophy out there to pass on his genes.



For the record, when I do hunt, I hunt for meat and shoot the first deer I can, buck or doe, large or small rack.



What are your opinions?



Rich D

 

[Tony Payne]

I have yet to actually hunt, but If I do, it will be for the meat and not the "trophy", per se.



That being said, the difference appears to be 2 fold: The most meat for the hunt, and bragging rights. With Fishing, catch and release works because the animal has a good shot at surviving, and with hunting, there's only one way to get the trophy.



If you are managing a herd for trophy potential, then what you suggest would work. However, I have always viewed the deer season as a time to thin the herd, and the bragging rights/contests are to the racks, not intelligent taking.



I honestly think that too much catch and release fishing is as bad to the sport as over-harvest. There must be balance. I think "selective harvest" -- taking only what you intend to eat -- is the key.

 

[Bryan McDonough]

I agree with simnitro. Even the big ones need to be harvested now and then to allow the rest of the stock to grow up. A fish that size will start eating the smaller same species fish. A Healthy lake needs to have some fish removed in order for others to grow up, otherwise you will have over population. Besides that 50" in fish had reproduced many times before. His genes are in that lake.

 

[TOMMY RICH]

Selective Harvest is the ONLY way to go! Sometimes there's not a thing wrong with keepin' a Trophy fish or animal for that matter every now and then...keeps things balanced for guys like me and Simmy (the 10%) LOL!

TEE

 

[Michael Snow]

Why don't hunters try catch and release? No really, go CATCH a deer .



Okay, how about tranquilizers then?



Then again, the fact of the matter is that when I want 100 pounds of edible fish, I go FISHING. Hunters don't have the luxury of the bag limits we do. After all, catfish, crappie and sandbass are all quite edible and have very liberal limits.



I don't have any desire to shoot bambi, or eat deer meat.



I do hunt for large racks though

 

[Rich D]

I agree with selective harvest and see nothing wrong with keeping a legally caught trophy or killing a trophy deer in season. However one adult deer eats basically the same amount as another deer, regardless of the rack, so taking any deer thins the herd and manages the population. I am sure as well that a taxidermist could make a replica head mount from a photo. So again I ask, why not?



Rich D

 

[TrepMan]

Mike Snow - "Why don't hunters try catch and release? No really, go CATCH a deer ."



I don't see what all the gear, hiding, tree stands and such is all about? Catch and release Deer? Do it every day, sometimes a few times a day! In fact my boys are getting better at it everyday, here is one!

 

[fatrap]

Speaking for myself I catch very few big fish around here. Keeping one a trophy every once and awhile doesn't hurt the fishery much at all.

Now someone like Rob or Mac who catch thousands of huge"TOADS" every year would serously hurt a fishery should they keep all the big ones. The saving grace is these guys are conservation minded sportsmen and act accordingly.LOL

fatrap

 

[David Munaretto]

When my father-in-law was a kid his dad used to smoke muskie - says its pretty good!



Just tryin to be a troll...



David

 

[Tony Payne]

How did he lite them? (just trying to be a smart*)



My dad is still annoyed that I release all the fish I catch... he was really upset when I told him about the 8.5# bass... asked me if I knew how many dinners that would make...



just goes to show....

 

[Bob G.]

I catch and release all bass unless they don't look like they will make it, then we'll eat it. As for deer hunting, I hunt in two states and will shoot any legal buck. I try to shoot an adult doe when I have anterless tags. PA went to a 3 points on a side antler restriction last year. I filled my two doe tags on the first day and then got a 9 point buck on the last day of my hunt.



I see nothing wrong with keeping fish to eat. All deer and turkey hunting is strictly "shoot and eat"!



Bob G.

 

[Rich D]

Actually, muskie is pretty good. I have eaten it twice. Once when my dad fished a tournament in the late 70's, before CnR and again when a buddy couldn't get one revived. My Dad's neighbor at camp was so shocked he couldn't speak when he saw us releasing walleye after walleye one day. Another neighbor was upset when three of us kept our limits for a fish fry. Like I said as long as it isn't poaching, I don't have an issue with it.



Rich D

 

[Ranger 519]

You guys can take pictures of that big trophy buck...If he crosses in front of my stand, he will be hanging on the wall.

 

[Bill McElroy]

"Catch thousands of huge TOADS a year?!"....Dude,..if I did that,..I wouldn't have to draw them all the time!! LOL

 

[Travis Smith]

The only reason I kept my 42 inch pike is that i probobly not catching another one that size 'specally here in michigan...Another reason is that he had probobly at so many small bass that yu could even think of...





Im not even gunna go into the deer hunting thing because for me it would be a whole new post....







T.S.

 

[Travis Smith]

The only reason I kept my 42 inch pike is that i probobly not catching another one that size 'specally here in michigan...Another reason is that he had probobly at so many small bass that yu could even think of...





Im not even gunna go into the deer hunting thing because for me it would be a whole new post....







T.S.

 

[Steve Rizza]

Trep--nice picture,I bet they are hell on the flower beds.



Keep an eye out for ticks on the kids.Deer ticks are major spreaders of Lyme desease.You would be amazed at the amount of ticks that can be riding on a deer.



Steve

 

[Staci Matheis]

I used to hunt.....

I used to keep fish.....

Sometimes still do if a friend asks me to for dinner.....

(Smoked trout! M-m-m-m-m!!)

But I just got to where I got absolutely no enjoyment from taking a life.....



With Catch and Release - both the fish and I win!

 

[TrepMan]

Steve R. - Yes they are hell on flower beds, new trees and shrubs! But i'm into Less is better and natural is easy when it comes to lawn/yard maintenance! IF I had my way, no grass to cut, no shrubs to trim, no flowers to plant! But my wife likes all the basic stuff so we plan the flowers inside the fence where the deer can't eat them!



We have found an AMAZING array of wildlife in just 6 months in our new house that backs up to 100's of acres of wildlife preserve. Here is a short list incuding the large RAT that decided to make her nest in my BBQ!!



Deer, Coyotee, Fox, Snakes, Lizards, Owls, Hawks, Squirels, and every kind of insect including SCORPIONS!!!

 

[Bill McElroy]

Well,..when the scorpions and rats start playing the banjo everytime you go outside...it's time to say goodbye to GA!!! LOL

 

[Staci Matheis]

Only if the rats are blind!

ROFLMAO@Mac!!

 

[TrepMan]

The Rat I kind of expected at some point, we've seen and killed a number of mice right after we moved in. But i was the stupid/nice guy and let it escape. Beka is yeling at me after the kids went inside "Why didn't you just FRY it by turning on the gas grill!!!" Oh, I thought she was trying to tell me to let it go!! DUH!!



The Scorpions are another matter. We've had the house/property treated so they've decreased but every week or so we go into the bathroom or kitchen and there is a good sized one (maybe 2 inches long) cruising across the floor and Beka is barefoot!!! The GA ones are not deadly but from what neighboors have told us that it stings like a bad wasp bite! Hopefuly the chemicals will get them all soon!



Now if I could just get out of the "office" to catch some fish! That would be good!

 

[Bruce Freeman]

Sounds like a Smorgasborg to me... I gave up hunting for Lori..Now the ***** is gone so I am ready to start again.. Two legged first then maybe twins..LOL.. I only kept the cats to keep out the varmits. I have had the pleasure of both Lyme and Rocky Mtn spotted fever.. Not to fun. Trep if you are going to let you kids pet the wild animals have them shot (DR type) I live in the sticks and have had to shoot *****,Snakes (my personal fear),Fox and other vermon to protect my home..

Best shot.. Fly on paper at 50 yds,still have the target,was setting the scope on a 22lr and saw a spot on the target..could not tell it it was a flier or a fly.. Took a shot at the dot..and the wings and legs are still there..

2nd best shot.. Got a snake and frog in 1 shot.. The frog was in the snakes mouth..

BF