Each hunter’s motivation is without doubt a personal thing. For some, it is simply being outdoors engaging with nature, regardless of whether an animal is taken or not. For others, particularly those on the land, feral animal control is an outright necessity.
Many are seeking that elusive perfect trophy, while others are out to fill the freezer and provide for family and friends. I find myself firmly in the latter category, hunting primarily for venison, with any head taken being the byproduct, not purpose, of the hunt. As such, I sometimes take a stag in velvet.
Naturally, trophy hunters are reluctant to take a stag in velvet, being mindful of losing a
