If you shot a world record whitetail...

[John Maynard]

...would you publize the fact you got one so that the whole world, even your closest friends, could tell everyone it was a fake because they are jealous?
Would you put up with everyone following you just to find out where you were hunting and they would hunt near you?
Would you put up with all the manufacturers who want to publize the equipment you used but don't care a hoot about you as a person and the hunter because without the XYZ bow you would have never gotten the deer.
Would you put up with everyone wanting you to use their product so they could use you to endorse their crap?
What would you do if you shot a world record whitetail?

[hatracked]

First thing I'd probably do is S^%T my drawers! :D Second I believe I would immediately try and get a witness to the actual kill site and start verifying the legitimacy of the kill immediately.

Your darn right Id put up with the promo deals the interviews and the tour.Why not its a once in a lifetime chance that only a few people have been on.The doors that could open for a guy who is addicted to hunting big game are innumerable so youd have to be an idiot not to get on the bandwagon IMO

As far as the people moving in on my hunting area and questioning my integrity thats a part of being in the spotlight. Would I refuse to play to protect these things and deter prying into my character? only if I had something to hide like a fake antlered deer.

[ncboman]

First thing I would do after pics is contact a leo and get the trophy some protection while a warden and biologist were notified and could arrive for official verification of a legal kill.

Then I would contact a couple of my friends who happen to be attorneys and probably heavily weigh their advice.

I imagine a shell game would follow with my taxidermist and someone that could replicate the antlers.

The promoters, advertising agents, and product promoters would be dealt with as I felt comfortable and per legal advice.

I would not worry about others following me around and trying to hunt my spots, (been there), as you can't kill the same deer twice and I feel it would be a blessing from the Lord and would trust in Him to guide me to make the best decisions regarding how to handle the "help".

Probably the toughest part would be, for me, keeping my mouth shut about it and the story till the green stuff was on the table.

Kind of anti climatic attitude but I feel if the Lord blessed me in such a way, He would want me to make wise decisions for my family and myself and the sport.

Another thing would be to remember the advice I get on these forums as I actually do go to places I feel are capable of producing a W R and I hunt as if he is the next deer coming over the hill. :eek:

That one thought helps me stay in stand all day many times. ;)

[ December 15, 2001: Message edited by: ncboman ]

[Shadow]

I think I have a better chance of being hit by lightning, but I would endure the onslaught. I mean you are talking about quite a bit of money, and tons of promotional hunts and such. I doubt anyone would follow me to my lease. It is nothing but cops tongue.gif Besides, like NC said, you can't kill the same deer twice, and the chances of two being killed are nill. I would feel bad about selling out, but I'd get over it. I would not sell the horns though. I woud sell replicas, but not the real deal. Those would be one of a kind, and the good Lord sent them to me! People can critize my ethics all they wish. I know that I only take fair chase game. Go ahead, feel free to prove other wise, I would have nothing to hide.

[Revclimber]

Heck yeah i would let the whole world know. The chance to hunt all over the world is a once in a lifetime thing. Not to mention all the new stuff I would get!! The money, the immediate recognition among the hunting community, absolutely. All the buzz about it being fake i would leave to the guys that go "hunting" 3days out of the year that wonder why they cant ever get something like that. The green monster causes people to talk. That wouldnt happen to me cause I hunt in jersey with only one place that i believe could produce maybe a state record. As far as people following me to my hunting area, its all public anyway! There are lots of people there now. Wouldnt change much. Maybe I could get my own tv show. Thats a win win situation for a guy like me. I could deal with everything else. Especially the beautiful rack that will be on my wall. :D

[Dick Fuehrer]

Yes, I would try to cash in. Why not get paid for doing what I like to do best? After the Rampala fiasco, though, I would invite any and all x-ray technicians to bring their equipment and have at it.

Dick

[swoop]

I agree with you guys. A deer of that magnitude needs to be shared with all of the "true" sportsman. I would also find out who my true friends are...if they become so jealous as to make up lies about my ethics then I didn't need them around anyway. As for hunters following me...with all of the endorsement money I would finally be able to buy a very substantial tract of land all for myself and my true friends. ;)

[Dan Jackson]

Before I take a buck I make sure it's small enough so that it won't be a World Record ;)

I'd endure it, unless it started to be a drain on my family.

2nd part to the question - Would you sale the rack to someone?

[hatracked]

After the rush was over and I had a satisfactory copy of the rack darn right Id sell it. Big antlers are neat to look at but are they worth three excellent college educations for my kids ? Not around here.

Id keep em as long as my face next to the real thing was worth more to me financially than someone elses desire to own em and fondle em.Id much rather roll around in 100 grand than a big set of antlers.

Ya'll ever see how much racks get sold for over on ebay?? Ridiculous, some of those racks bring 500-1000 bucks at certain times of the year.Maybe thats what Rompola should do m auction it off on ebay bet hed get a mint for it.

[John Maynard]

I agree with hatracked. After I milked all I could from them I'd sell them.

[Shadow]

Don't think I would sell them. I would have enough money from the endorsements to keep me happy. I don't want to be rich, just financially comfortable. Those horns would be pretty rare, and would only increase in value the longer I held them. Now, selling replicas??? In a heartbeat!

[Revclimber]

I dont know if I would sell them. I would like to be rich. More time to hunt tremendous places. Maybe I would, after all, its not the real deers head anyway. Just a foam block right? What does it matter if I have cast antlers. I'll cross that bridge when I get there. :D

[Dan Jackson]

I like shadow's idea, sell replicas...maybe Wal Mart would like to have a set of replica's in all of it sporting goods section - or maybe Dick's Sporting Goods ;)

You could also do the Hunting Expos like Milo Hanson did...

[ncboman]

Barring some type of family calamidy, I could not see myself selling my antlers...then again, everything has a price.

Selling replicas would probably be the tact. smile.gif

[Weeeelz]

Heck yeah, for a hundred grand a year? Be able to quit the job and hunt the world? Get to travel from show to show all over the country and let people ohh and ahh as you tell your story(when the truth is that it was probably just luck!). You bet I could do it.

My dream is to get my picture on a little can that goes BAAAAAAAHH! :D :D

[Twanger]

I'm a terrible at lying, so it'd be tough to say something other than "Well, I just happened to be sitting in this tree, and a big buck came by, so I shot it!" I've got no stinky stuff to promote, no bow or arrows to sell. Heck, I'd like to take the money, but would I lie about how much that MQ-32 factored into the kill? I can just see myself up there on the stage saying "I never coulda made that 10-yard shot without my MQ-32!!!". :D :D :D Gag. I guess I might stoop that low for money, but I wouldn't feel good about it!

-Twanger

[Revclimber]

Id feel real good about it Twanger. Matter of fact, I would never feel better :D

I'd be walking around a poster board. i would have to gain weight so i had room for more decals and patches! :D

[DaveHawk]

Hi all. been hunting allot so I haven't been around much. Killed #14.
. Anyway I would seel the rights, It would give a trememdous way to get new hunting oppertunities.
. Twanger, Jack Pool sells his deer head's for $600 not to shabby considering he shoot it over 15 years ago.

[Twanger]

Davehawk - Are you refering to that huge non-typical in the back of the store at Pooles? If so, I can't believe it wasn't more than $600. That thing is enormous! :eek:

-Twanger

[DaveHawk]

THAT'S WHAT JACK TOLD ME HE SELLS THEM FOR. THIS PLACE HAS SOME ALSOME DEER IF YOUR WILLING TO LOOK FOR THEM. WE HAVE ONE RUNNING OUR HUNT CLUB OUT IN POOLSVILLE NOW. HE HAS BEEN SEEN SEVERAL TIMES BUT NOT BY ME!

[Twanger]

Dave - Yeah, this area can sure produce some nice deer. That huge (about 160) typical that I saw in October while bow-hunting in the WMA has been seen by 4 other hunters. As far as I know no-one has gotten him. I'm guessing that now that the rut is over he's going underground until next year.

-Twanger

[ December 20, 2001: Message edited by: Twanger ]

[Drew]

I probally die before I get the thing out of the woods from hootin and hollern to my self. But heck yea i would tell every one and I would keep the horns and hide them in a special place just in case some one tried to steal them and say they got it :D