Utah Gov Buck Killed!!

The utah gov buck got killed. he scores 230 and was killed right in here in southern utah on the general unit. they found him in a helicopter first and then went and got him. they killed him in elephant cove ill see if i cant get some pictures later on
33,775
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This post is pointless without pics... kidding. Can't waite to see some photos of this buck!
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DeadI
Ummmm! "They found him in a helicopter first" I hope they did not just land and shoot. I know there are strict rules for searching for game from the air.

Cant wait to see a pic.
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:not-worthy
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He's brute for sure. 37" wide 227". There are better pics than the one in the dark, it doesn't do much justice.

As for the helicopter I'm not sure, but they did kill it on a general unit. My buddies and I were actually camped less than a mile away from where they killed him.
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I don't know.. It seems like to me hunting with Mossback is like hunting a high fence in a way. Ya know? The hunter with them does little to no work, they fly helicopters to spot him, drop the guy in and say.. ok.. here's a buck. We have him surrounded and pinned down, just pull the trigger. Come on. Am I looking at this wrong?
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one hunting fool
Anytime i see Mossback on something i think "Too bad this wasn't taken by traditional means"
what a beautiful animal to be taken by unfair tactics.
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Pathetic.
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It took seven men to find and kill that deer? Must have been a very smart and wiley old buck.
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northern
Wow, i thought that when i put the thumbs down on here. That i would be told to leave. Its a beautiful buck. I feel that Mosscrack is giving hunting a bad name. Big money is taking over. Its good to see that others feel the same.
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MuleyMadness
Okay let me give my take on this or these tags for what it's worth, this comes up every year so not sure why I keep replying...maybe I'll quit after this year.

I'm not sure how much this hunter paid for the tag (although I know the info. is public) so we could easily find out. But I DO THINK these tags ARE good for wildlife and wildlife habitat. If I was rich I doubt I would ever blow that kinda money on the tag. However dumping 200,000 bucks or whatever the dollar amount is to me is a GOOD situation and benefits deer herds and habitat in general which in turn benefits ALL OF US WHO HUNT. So I don't personally have a problem with the GOV. tag. So someone explain to me why this is a bad thing?

It's not like every tag is like this, there is ONE sportsman tag for each species for dirt cheap and ONE GOV tag for MUCHO $$$$$$$. And if I spent that kinda money, I'd want to kill a big stinky buck also. This particular hunter went with Mossback, because they produce and kill big animals whether you like them or not. Is a 230" buck worth that kinda money, NOPE not to ME. But I have no problem with Utah's system in this regard, because the money goes back into helping YOU, ME, and DEER, ELK, etc.

So I'm all for better ideas or better ways of doing things, WHO HAS A BETTER WAY?? Lets hear it.
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MuleyMadness
As for money taking over, yes hunting is becoming more and more of a rich mans sport. But not all of it is and not all hunt for sport either. If Utah says HEY WE NEED MORE GOV. TAGS for MONEY, then yes we have a problem and I'd feel differently than I do.

So what' the problem here, the TAG itself or the fact that the tag holder USED A GUIDE SERVICE.

And what if the service wasn't Mossback, would you guys still be complaining?? What say ye, lets hear it for once and for all. :))
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MuleyMadness
As for the Helicopter, your kidding me right? Bogus info IMO.
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northern
[quote="MuleyMadness"]Okay let me give my take on this or these tags for what it's worth, this comes up every year so not sure why I keep replying...maybe I'll quit after this year.

I'm not sure how much this hunter paid for the tag (although I know the info. is public) so we could easily find out. But I DO THINK these tags ARE good for wildlife and wildlife habitat. If I was rich I doubt I would ever blow that kinda money on the tag. However dumping 200,000 bucks or whatever the dollar amount is to me is a GOOD situation and benefits deer herds and habitat in general which in turn benefits ALL OF US WHO HUNT. So I don't personally have a problem with the GOV. tag. So someone explain to me why this is a bad thing?

It's not like every tag is like this, there is ONE sportsman tag for each species for dirt cheap and ONE GOV tag for MUCHO $$$$$$$. And if I spent that kinda money, I'd want to kill a big stinky buck also. This particular hunter went with Mossback, because they produce and kill big animals whether you like them or not. Is a 230" buck worth that kinda money, NOPE not to ME. But I have no problem with Utah's system in this regard, because the money goes back into helping YOU, ME, and DEER, ELK, etc.




.............................................................................................................

I dont think that having a TEAM hunt down the animal, so that a person that has the money can show up and shoot it is HUNTING. I dont have a problem with the big money tags. But a helicopter, COME ON NOW. These animals have grown to that size to only be killed by big money. I will be looking at a gov tag this year. And I put it out here for everyone to see. And if I am lucky or (wealthy) enough to get one, I WILL NOT use a guide service, Nor a TEAM.........There are places that I would love to hunt but will never be able to draw a Tag throught the draw.


The problem I see is mossback is getting way out of hand. When did hunting a animal with a team, paying for the team, and letting them do it for you become FAIR CHASE. The hunter and DOYLE should be ashamed. The buck is a beautiful deer. But using a helicopter? When did helping the animals with selling big tags start hurting the animals. As soon as you start adding in the helicopters, TEAMS. Just think about how much is made by the sale of antlers, videos, repos, etc. The poaching cases are only going to get worse. When the ordinary man can't afford to kill anything this size, and the antlers are now worth more that the animal is alive, some start to do anything that it takes to kill a large animal..........huh?.....now that i think about it .....it sounds just like poaching.......Do anything that it takes to kill a huge buck......does that sound like anyone?......HELICOPTER!!!!!!!!!!!....TEAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Some will say I'M jealous.....I'm not. I love seeing huge deer on the ground.......But do it fair....not like this
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MuleyMadness
Fair enough you voiced your opinion, but the Helicopter part...is laughing stock to me. First off it's illegal and 2nd off why would someone believe this?? Guess that's the internet for ya. I just can't believe people believe stuff like that. So when the truth comes out and they show us the helicopter, you can all call me an idiot and I'll take it in stride. lol

Okay I'm off my rant for now. :)

So are you against all guides and outfitters?

I've seen chute planes pre-season but never during...but Helicopter talk is nuts.
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sneekeepete
Absolutely amazing buck!!!! I have to say that I agree with Brett about the Gov.Tags. I think they are a great way to make money for the managment of our animal herds. I do think that Mossback takes things a little far with their guiding. Such as the "Team guiding" for one person and one animal. I have no problems with people who use guide services and I have no problem with guides I just think some of them are way overkill. Overkill to the point that it makes me question how fair chase it is??? Is it isn't it I don't know but no matter what that is an awesome buck.
My rant is over now too.
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northern
"MuleyMadness" wrote:Fair enough you voiced your opinion, but the Helicopter part...is laughing stock to me. First off it's illegal and 2nd off why would someone believe this?? Guess that's the internet for ya. I just can't believe people believe stuff like that. So when the truth comes out and they show us the helicopter, you can all call me an idiot and I'll take it in stride. lol

Okay I'm off my rant for now. :)

So are you against all guides and outfitters?

I've seen chute planes pre-season but never during...but Helicopter talk is nuts.


I dont have a problem with all guides or outfitters. Just the select few that think all hunters need to bow down to them. Doyle uses tactics that i dont think should be considered fair chase.....But keep in mind it's not just Mossback. There is alot of other guides that are shaddy.....They dont make it as know as Doyle does. And as chute planes. Yes I have a beef with the lazy S.O.Bs that use them for shed hunting........but thats another post........my rant is done now also......
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pram-z
The only thing bigger than that rack, is their cahonnies at calling themselves " sportsmen ". Hopefully the maner and money spent on taking this buck, will haunt these " sportsmen " for the rest of their hunting days.
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*ShedPredator*
I myself don't believe for one second that team Mossback use a helli on this hunt, that's pathetic and only a rumor. And as for the guiding service that Doyle runs, he know's what he's doing and he spend a ton of quality time out in the hills looking for these deer and although i've never once seen a chute plane or any sort being pulled behind his amazing white truck he drives around in i don't doubt that they use them from time to time but not on hunts. They have too much to risk by doing something illegal like that. Although i am not saying i like team Mossback because i'm a definate Muley Crazy fan from Kanab, UT i still think that team Mossback should be given ever credit they deserve for this beautiful general buck. Here are some other pics from another website...
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I don't think the governors tag thing is the issue here, I have no problems with that, they do the same here in Montana. The problem is team Mossback. We all have our lines drawn as to what is fair chase and what is not. For me, a team of guides is not fair chase. That's just me, the sad thing really I think is that Utah is shooting themselves in the foot, because these tactics are dividing sportsmen AND portraying fair chase hunting in a bad light. JMO
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DeadI
Man that is a big ol buck. One that I will probably only ever harvest in my dreams.

I am not against any guide or outfitter as long as they abide by the rules. And I agree with you Brett that there is nothing but positives comeing from this tag and the money that it puts towards wildlife. If I had some much money that I did not know what to do with it I would be tempted to buy a tag like that as well. I am glad some one has more money than brains.
Again what a buck, and congrats to the hunter.
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Mularcher
Helicopter? Are you kidding me that's a joke!
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I think you can use aircraft as long as you don't hunt the same day. We found some huge elk in an inaccessible spot a few years ago that you could fly into and setup camp. It would have been $8000.00 to go in and out minimum. Needless to say we haven't done it yet. Publisher's Clearing House may show up any minute though. :))
Mark
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waynedevore
The thing is, the guide service knew where this buck was. Has been monitoring his movements and his location for sometime. [helicoptor?] I would bet, not illegal if not used in the actual hunt. Then with the help of a crew put the hunter in the position to kill the huge buck.
To bad this trophy wasn't killed in fair chase, at least this is not what I call fair chase.
When this much $$$$ are involved it encourages this type of hunting. For the sake generating funds for wildlife? Yeah, I guess better to have it then not.
I think guide service is fine and brings in the $. However the more $ involved the more the questionable activity.
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"waynedevore" wrote: To bad this trophy wasn't killed in fair chase, at least this is not what I call fair chase.
.
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BIG R
:>/ :>/ :>/ for mossback
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NONYA
Another sad situation for Utah. :>/
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I agree 110% with Brett the money is good for the wildlife, and I'd be paying a guide too if I had that much money. I also agree with Brett if Doyle Moss wasn't sitting behind that buck would half of you care as much?

And as for them "babysitting" this buck, wasn't the case they got a tip from a local and where here for about a week till they finally killed him.

And as for the helicopter, a rumor I think. But whats the difference between that and all these guys and their chute planes?

Yes, I'd have like to seen this buck go to a normal guy, as a matter of fact a couple of buddies and I camped and hunted most of the rifle hunt less than a mile away from where this brute was killed, and it is one of the hardest hunted places in the unit if not the state, so yes he was super smart and it was going to take more than one guy to find and kill him.
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northern
:>/ :>/ :>/ :>/ :>/

My other post was removed?........guess I'll leave one here.....so everyone knows how I feel :>/
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I think Pathetic is the correct statement here. :>/
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Governors tag? Okay I guess if you have the money and if it truly goes to the proper place which I know if it was my states govt. it would not.Guide? Not for me regardless of how rich I was or how big the tag but if you need that then okay but if you want to impress me in honor of the deers accomplishment of growing to that size then yes I am very impressed but if you want me to be impressed with the hunter then then he better be DIY. Team hunting? Now you start to really lose me if its a group of friends hunting to help a friend find a sheep in country none of them are familiar with then okay but this situation is a bit much.Helicopter? Not okay but this is probably not true anyway so...I think this is why so many people think record books should not even mention the hunters name and only honor the animal because this hunter does not belong in the same position as a DIY hunter that kills a buck of similar or even smaller size.Just because something is legal doesn't make it ethical or fair chase! I would love to stare at a buck like that on my wall but not sure if I could do it this way.JMHO . Bill
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bigbuck92
Cant we just see it for what its worth. Its a darn nice buck and if you werent there then you shouldnt be spreading bs rumors about it. The hunter lives here in town and from what i know almost everyone he has come in contact with says hes a good guy so lets just drop it and give him the congrats that are due.
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Great Buck....

As for all the backtalk and people bashing.. You are all entitiled to your opinion but just remember one mans opinion is gonna be different from anothers. Do I agree with everything? No, but I also think Doyle gets alot of haters because he is succesful. Have any of you ever had a chance to personally meet Doyle? Be invited into his home? I have.. I was a Doyle hater before, but after personally talking with him I see no reason to hate him the way people do. He was nothing but a gentleman to me... As far as some of the guides he has work for him, thats where I can see he gets a bad name.. Rightfully so, employees you hire reflect on your business...I have ran into Doyle out in the hills a few times and he was doing everything legaly and ethically. He was out looking thru his spotting scope at animals. I know I we would all love to have his job.. Being able to make a lot of money by doing what we are passionate about.. But just take in the beauty of the animal that was taken and the good things that will come from the money raised by the tag for Utahs wildlife..

The dollar will always run how things are operated... No sense in complaining about it.. I just want to say congrats to the guy who shot it.... Awesome Buck!!! Eventho some may not think he hunted it fairly or that he just bought a great buck.. The real beauty of the animal is in the eyes of the person who harvested it. If he is happy with how it was done and how it was taken, who are we to judge? Once again that is an Amazing Buck
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primal215
I have to ask with such a tag why would you need so much help to get a big buck, Isnt that tag good anywhere at anytime! With a tag like that and that many guides its just plain lazy hunting. I sure dont Blame the guide because if some rich guy that wants to look like a hunter came to me after blowing that much on a tag I too would get my hands on a lot of that rich mans money just for guiding a easy hunt.
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Wasatch Wonder
I love seeing big bucks (and bulls) taken on general units. It gives hope to the guys like me that can't afford the private land hunts and haven't been lucky enough yet to draw out on the great limited entry units. What a buck. I personally think most of the hate for Doyle stems from his success. I never read nearly as many negative comments over some buck/bull killed on a private ranch, and those guys are paying $14,000 and up for their trophies. Much like Brett said, as long as the guides are legal, I have no problem with them harvesting these trophies with the Gov. Tag. Besides. Were it not for that team of spotters and guides, the buck likely would have died of old age and I would not have been able to enjoy the photos of him. Let's just hope he got his mojo on big time the last few years to pass on the genes.
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mapleton archer
Brett ,
just wondering .... would you feel the same way if black magic an old wiley buck was taken this way???? this is a serious question i am not trying to be a smart donkey.
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MuleyMadness
Guys/Gals,

Here is the thing, I don't think big guide services are really good for the common folk or hunters. I'm not supporting or defending big guide services in general. But again I don't think this is good for hunting in general or for the average JOE. Do I think Utah should do something or have more regulations/rules on guides? Yea maybe so, to some degree it's getting a bit out of control and it's not just Utah.

I have many other thoughts and feelings on this, but don't have time to get into all of it now. And not sure I really want to anyway.

I personally may NEVER hire or use a guide, but at the same time I would leave the window open to do so if the circumstances dictated. I'm kind of a DIY guy by nature though. But I don't have a problem with those that have or will use guides services and I respect those who choose to do this for a living. At one point in life I WANTED TO BE A GUIDE. I since, came to my senses. :) And changed my mind, I don't have a desire to be a full time guide and will never do so. Some people have thought I should be a guide, some have asked me to or help guide. Some have requested so...I've declined the hundreds of offers. lol That was a joke, it's been small number. :)

I have my reasons for not wanting to guide, but that's another thread...story...time. :)

But people love to bash Mossback, if these photos didn't have a Mossback logo I'm not sure we would have all the negativity. If ANY at all. I know the general location this buck was taken, not sure where he came from but he doesn't reside there year round. So I wouldn't be surprised if know one had ever seen him before until he showed up to his wintering area or for the rut. So really only two people had the chance to hunt him. Sportsman's and Gov. Tag holders.

Maybe someone put a tip in for some cash? (Don't know that) Maybe the word just got out and Mossback showed up to find him (Don't know that) Mossback does employee and have a lot of guides/spotters that work for them. Is this a good thing? Well maybe not, but there crew as far as I know is doing everything within the law of Utah law and rule.

So maybe we should bash Utah's rules as much as anything if one doesn't like the current system. But really bashing, whining, complaining, arguing, demeaning, etc. DOES NO GOOD.

It's one thing to NOT AGREE, that's fine...but as the owner of this site it's my job to police things to a degree and not let either side get out of hand. That's what I'm trying to do here, not defending or support what people feel. Give your opinion, state facts, I'm not a big fan of gossip and rumors (some of which come into play in this thread and it seems almost any thread dealing with Mossback). Quite frankly it's getting old. So just be respectful is all I ask, just try and keep it that way.

I have personally met Doyle and talking with him briefly, I've also talked with his wife. They were both respectful and nice to me (nothing else). I've also met some of his guides (some of which I don't necessarily agree with on a few points). And possibly wouldn't get along with perhaps? But don't know them to well, but the PR of some isn't good IMO.

In regards to Black Magic
mapleton archer
I actually showed him to Doyle in an email the first year I saw him. Never told him where he was, but was just inquiring what he thought of him. His response...cool buck, but he wasn't sure anyone of his clients would want the ugly cactus buck. Doyle actually came over and watched some of my footage of him at a local show a few years back. Would I feel the same way about him, meaning Black Magic?? YES I actually would, my first response might be TICKED off, or what the? Or you got to be kidding me? :) But I would be glad to know who took him, when, where, why, and how. At least I'd know someone wanted him and was happy with the result. I think he will die of old age so I don't have to worry about it anyway. Highly doubt I'll ever get to hunt him. Don't have the tag or money to purchase one. :)

A lot thing can/should be improved in our hunting community, states, etc. Lets come together and improve things. I'm all for better laws, rules, decisions etc. if they are better.

The funny thing is I've had people who work for Mossback come on here and send me PM's and bash the heck out of me saying that I let people bash the crap out of Mossback and they aren't happy about it. I disagree. I've also had people come one here and rip the crap out of me for a deleted post that was bashing Mossback. And I'm not kidding on either side, people that love and defend them think I'm wrong...people that don't like them think I'm wrong. The reality is in life you CAN'T please everyone. I was taught a very wise statement by someone much older and wiser than I some time ago, they said this "You can't please everyone, but if you can get 80% of the people on board your doing good." That's my goal to create a friendly environment, I don't plan to please everyone...I've tried that before and it doesn't work and isn't fun either.

I'm starting to ramble, enough time spent on this...lets here your thoughts.
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killerbee
guide or no guide, i'll be a little P.O'd if anyone other than brett kills or finds his dead head :>/ as much as you followed that deer, noone deserves him more. well i guess if you helped someone else kill him it would be o.k. :thumb
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MuleyMadness
Thanks Killer, I appreciate the support. =D>

It's official I deserve him and he is mine, hands off. =; lol
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mapleton archer
Fair enough. i appreciate an honest answer to an honest question. i personally do not know Doyle Moss or any of his employees staff etc. and i nor anyone of you unless you helped on this hunt know how the deer was taken. But if it was taken by helicopters and a team of seven guides/ scouts whatever and if thats how they like to hunt then whatever, im not going to judge them. but my opinion is and this is only my opinion it doesent seem like fair chase hunting to me.
Now everyone has a different idea of what that is or what that means
to them. I personally would be very pissed if i spent a bunch of time watching,photographing,putting in time on a buck to find out a team of guys came in for an extended period of time and laid in on said buck so some guy with an expensive tag could come shoot him, again just my opinion thats how i feel but if the law says they can do it and they feel good about it then i guess more power to them. I could never do that because i couldnt feel good about it or enjoy the end result as much. I do not have anything against guides as long as they follow the rules and parameters set for them. And i do agree with you about the money these tags generate just not the way i choose to hunt.
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*ShedPredator*
When it comes to cactus bucks like Black Magic, i dont nessecerily like them. They are definatly sweet too see and take pics of but myself i shoot for typical bucks. But it's good too see you seen BM again Brett and as for being so close you could hear his breathing before you seen him... that's intense. Good luck on getting video of him, maybe you could luck out and grab the tag for him. :thumb
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Huge29
"MuleyMadness" wrote:Guys/Gals,

Here is the thing, I don't think big guide services are really good for the common folk or hunters. I'm not supporting or defending big guide services in general. But again I don't think this is good for hunting in general or for the average JOE. Do I think Utah should do something or have more regulations/rules on guides? Yea maybe so, to some degree it's getting a bit out of control and it's not just Utah.
......

I'm starting to ramble, enough time spent on this...lets here your thoughts.
Well said! The conspiracy theorists will always make up some stories, the real pathetic issue is how many people are so envious and make up so many stories and act so funny about it. I am with Brett, congrats to the hunter and to the guide for doing exactly what they are paid for and doing it in a perfectly legal manner (I heard they actually use UFO's, not helicopters). And also congrats to the state for finding such a good fund raiser where us stiffs have a chance at hitting it big and also provide a great opportunity to those able to spend the big $.
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*ShedPredator*
I looked into BowAddicts sources of the use of the Helicopter and turns out it is 110% false, He over heard from another source a joke being thrown around that the Heli was being use, I just wanted to clear it up so everyone knows the truth.
thanks- ShedPredator
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Brett, thank you for bringing some sanity to this thread... Everyone is gonna have their opinions, but the only person that should really care about how how the animal was taken (if taken legally) was the hunter.. I couldnt agree with you more on everything you said...
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I don't really think its envy. At least it isn't for me. It's just the tactics used to get the animals. Doyle Moss or anyone else. Makes no diffence to me who the outfitter is. I feel there should be more rules put in place on guided hunts in general. It just doesn't seem like its complete 'fair chase' when you have upwards of 5-10 people getting paid to track an animal and having them point it out and the hunter puts in little to no effort and shoots it.
Where's the 'hunting' in it? The hard work on the part of the hunter? Ok, off my soap box. lol
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dahlmer
I'm always amazed at the discussion that arises when a Mossback hunter kills a big buck or bull. Inevitably, accusations of illegal and/or unethical behavior are thrown about with little or no support. I am by no means a Mossback supporter. I have had little association with him or his guides except having seen him/them at a few events here and there. I have very rarely heard similar comments made about any of the many other guide services in the state even though they often produce stellar results as well. I understand and am sympathetic to many of the arguments regarding guiding and big money tags. However, to be honest, short of being green with envy of guys with the resources to buy these hunts, I simply do not understand the full economic picture well enough to be able to judge whether the implications of these tags are outeweighed the benefits they provide.

These discussions always lead to questions about fair chase, creating "guided' vs. "non-guided" divisions in the records books, and the validity of the trophies in question. I just don't see where these questions belong anywhere in the discussion. The proliferation of trophy hunting seems to have created such a competitive landscape that we are starting to look for any excuse to disparage another hunters trophy. My understanding of the record books is to acknowledge the animal taken, not the hunter who took it. It seems today we are more concerned with who took it and with what resources. In my mind that should in no way add to or detract from the animal in question.

Is it frustrating to see some guys be able to hunt these animals year after year because of the financial resources that are available to them? Absolutely. Would I do the same in their shoes? I don't know...I might think not, but I'm not in that position so how can I possibly answer that question? For me, it seems that the bigger part of the trophy is in the hunt. Hiring a guide may diminish the experience for me and I wonder if I might feel differently about a trophy taken under those conditions, but again I don't know. I think maybe we ought to sit back and appreciate this buck for what he is...an absolutely magnificent animal.

Should we discuss the benfits vs. drawback of these tags? I think so, there are certainly a lot of issues surrounding them. But, let's not throw other hunters under the bus in the process of the discussion.
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MuleyMadness
dahlmer well said, thanks!
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79Ford
One heck of a buck! Congrats to the hunter. :thumb

This thread seems like a lot of BS to me! Congratulate the hunter and move on. Nobody condemns the the winner of a Nascar race for winning because he had a better tuned car, nor does anybody condemn the winning team because they have a better quarterback. If its all legal then it's all good. You may not like that the other team is beating the crap out of your favorite team, but grab your cajones and be a man about it. If it's legal and you still dont like it then do something about it to get the rules changed.
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killerbee
"dahlmer" wrote:I'm always amazed at the discussion that arises when a Mossback hunter kills a big buck or bull. Inevitably, accusations of illegal and/or unethical behavior are thrown about with little or no support. I am by no means a Mossback supporter. I have had little association with him or his guides except having seen him/them at a few events here and there. I have very rarely heard similar comments made about any of the many other guide services in the state even though they often produce stellar results as well. I understand and am sympathetic to many of the arguments regarding guiding and big money tags. However, to be honest, short of being green with envy of guys with the resources to buy these hunts, I simply do not understand the full economic picture well enough to be able to judge whether the implications of these tags are outeweighed the benefits they provide.

These discussions always lead to questions about fair chase, creating "guided' vs. "non-guided" divisions in the records books, and the validity of the trophies in question. I just don't see where these questions belong anywhere in the discussion. The proliferation of trophy hunting seems to have created such a competitive landscape that we are starting to look for any excuse to disparage another hunters trophy. My understanding of the record books is to acknowledge the animal taken, not the hunter who took it. It seems today we are more concerned with who took it and with what resources. In my mind that should in no way addsto or detract from the animal in question.

Is it frustrating to see some guys be able to hunt these animals year after year because of the financial resources that are available to them? Absolutely. Would I do the same in their shoes? I don't know...I might think not, but I'm not in that position so how can I possibly answer that question? For me, it seems that the bigger part of the trophy is in the hunt. Hiring a guide may diminish the experience for me and I wonder if I might feel differently about a trophy taken under those conditions, but again I don't know. I think maybe we ought to sit back and appreciate this buck for what he is...an absolutely magnificent animal.

Should we discuss the benfits vs. drawback of these tags? I think so, there are certainly a lot of issues surrounding them. But, let's not throw other hunters under the bus in the process of the discussion.

very well thought out post, i agree.
when i see a picture with "the crew" behind these big animals, i'm the same as most- "it's just not the same". but i honestly dont know where i would draw the line? i used to guide for 10 yrs, we sometimes used 2 guides to help a hunter kill his bull - is that to much? is just using a guide to much? should it be any more than 5? or just anyone who hunts with doyle moss??

hard to say, i know i will always respect a self guided- do-it-yourself , public land trophy over anything else. but there is more to this hunting world and even though it might not be the way i would do it, i'll still enjoy looking at pictures of the trophy!
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Tonoonyi
That is one magnificent buck 10sign:

I wasn't there so I don't have much to add to the discussion, but I hate to see the discussion go so far south that it takes the attention away from such a fantastic buck.
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i guided for two years and be hopefully doin a nother here (for a fairly big size outfit in the flattops wilderness ) and im not sure what ya'l know bout guiding, but during the summer months its a non stop scoutn. we will ride miles and miles and miles in the back country (with horses) and we will spend days mapping and gathering knowledge on where the big bucks or bulls hang out. then during huntn season if we have a clint we will take them out for the day to where we know the big bucks or bulls are and we will put him on it. its the same as mossback now i might not like the guy but his outfit seams to me is run legal. it kinda sounds like most of ya are mad at the hunter for shootn the buck . who knows that hunter could have saved up of years and years for a hunt like this. im just thrown in my two cents here but congrates to the hunter AND GUIDE
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My issue wasn't with Doyle.

Some people just have different standards when it comes to taking a Big Game animal. I personally could never put a deer or elk on my wall knowing that I did very little of work needed to take down such a great animal.

I think we all agree that Mossback isn't a horrible guide service. I know just about everything it took for them to take down the spider bull (I talked to the guy who shot it, right when they brought it off the mountain) They put they time in and its all legal.

My pathetic comment was about the helicopter. If it turns out that its not true then I take it back.
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*ShedPredator*
"*ShedPredator*" wrote:I looked into BowAddicts sources of the use of the Helicopter and turns out it is 110% false, He over heard from another source a joke being thrown around that the Heli was being use, I just wanted to clear it up so everyone knows the truth.
thanks- ShedPredator
Again post this for everyone too read, the rumor about the hellicopter is false and was just a joke being thrown around that was over heard and took literally.
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Beautiful buck but I could never take an animal I didnt work for. Whether the helicopter rumor is true or false he still had guides working to locate the buck. To me that isn't hunting. Fair chase DIY is hunting.
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so what your saying is im not a real hunter. i am a hunting guide and i have used guides on my hunts but that dosent make me a "not"real hunter. do you know what time efferet and sweat it took for them guides or "not" real hunters? a long time they study the area get to know it thats why it seems like they just got out of the truck and shot it. sounds to me like most of ya are just mad and cause you cant kill a buck like that. now the diy hunts yea i love those hunts but dont call some one a real hunter or a not real hunter because there form of hunting is the same as yours
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killerbee
hey Coloradobuck, do you have any cool pics of your sucsessful guided hunts? love seeing more pics! what outfitter have you been working for? i know a few guides in that area you should know. what part of the flattops are you in?
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*ShedPredator*
Well said Coloradobuck! 10sign: I couldn't agree with you more, I don't believe people actually know or realize how much hard work and time go into guided hunts. And when people start saying that it's not fair when it comes too a big team like in the picture.. take into consideration i doubt every single one of those people were chasing the buck threw the tree's, i'm sure they were posted up glassing in the area in search for the buck yes but i dont have any doubt in my mind that it was a fair chase hunt IMO that is.
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thanks ShedPredator yea its tough. and yea i work for budges flattopswilderness lodge on the south end of the flattops and i can get some pics of the hunts
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heres some work photos
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colorado i dont know if you're post was aimed at me or not but i'm going to answer anyways. I absolutely was not saying you are not a real hunter. I'm merely saying that the only way to hunt, for ME, is DIY fair chase. I have nothing against guides or people that use them. I just don't find any joy in letting someone else do the work for me. Just my personal preference and I meant no harm by stating it. Sorry if i ruffled your feathers a bit. Those are some awesome pics too.
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primal215
Right on Coloradobuck well said! I prefer a DIY but we cant always do that, like If you went lion hunting in Africa you would have to have a guide, that sure wont make you less of a hunter just more of a oppertunist. Anybody in the sport (except colehouse ) is a hunter and we need to unit and stop hating each other and focus on the anti-hunter
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one hunting fool
Guides are fine. paying land owners to not allow others to hunt on their land (the Monroe mountains for example) and using a rumored helicopter to find your animal are effective for you and your client to secure the best animal for your hunt. But ethical i would think is not a good word for it. when i was a kid i found that a rainbow trout was stuck in a pool of water that it could not get out of the water was enough for it to live a comfortable life there until the spring waters sent it from one lake to the other.
But I tell you this Rainbow was probably 10 lbs and 30 “ long. It was living under an old stump on the bank below a waterfall and you could fish above the waterfall and catch fish but you had to hope they would not get off when pulling them the 5 feet up to where you where standing. Well one day i hooked a fish and as it started to struggle I saw the big fish for the first time. He came and attacked the fish i had caught and busted my line taking my fish with him. I tried for weeks to catch that big bugger with no luck. So i came on a new plan. I took my dads net and put on my swimming shorts and took my swimming goggles. I thought if i can't catch him I'll net him.
On old Indian who use to live below our house saw me as i passed and asked what i was doing, so i explained. He looked at me and said “sounds like a good plan! That's how the White Man would do it.” I asked what he meant and he said “the white man came and took what ever they wanted never thinking what it does to the surroundings or the wilderness. The Indian would try and out think the animals the fish using there knowledge of them. If they where better than there prey they came home full if not they came home hungry. It is the way of the people”
I took back my stuff feeling ashamed because i knew he was right. That fish got that big by being smarter than all the other fish and if i was going to catch him i needed to be smarter than him.
Needless to say that fish probably died of old age cause I could never catch him. But in everything i do when hunting I remember the old man and what he told me.
Some on here say that we are jealous. I say Congrats to the guy that pulled the trigger because he is a stud and a true Bruiser” but to me a trophy is something you get when you won not something you get for participating..
just my 2cents
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Great buck. But yeah, it's hard to swallow when you consider how it was done. If I had the money I might have a team of guides too, but I'm not in his shoes. I just think about how much better it feels when you've accomplished something like this yourself.
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I can only pray for an ethical opportunity for such a majestic creation, during my life time!
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my two cents! a net out smarts the fish ! does it not! it wouldn't surprize me to see a native american use a net, if it were legal! lol lol lol
All joking aside, that is an awsome buck 10sign:
i personally only hope that it was taken fairly [-o< [-o<
If it wasn't, they whomever involved will pay sooner or later!
For now i can only pray for an ethical chance at an amazing animal like that!
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I say congrads to the hunter, that's a helluva buck!

Way to go!!!!!

:thumb
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It should be remembered that the tactics used by some guide services such as Mossback are illegal in other states. A primary one being that you can't use radios to pursue game in states like Montana. From what I understand, guide teams don't really work if you can't communicate over a 2 way.... you have to rely on hand signals which often doesn't work... it's the little things that make a difference to ensure a fair chase hunt....
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NONYA
thats why they arnt operating in Montana,90% of their 'tactics' wouldnt fly here and they would be run off,apparantly Utah is Ok with it judging by the responses that wernt deleted so let em stay in Utah,they love em.
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Springville Shooter
Nonya's right, being a liberal state, Montana does have way more rules and regulations. I'm sure that Utah is headed that direction and will be just as regulated as Montana and California soon enough. Until then, fair chase hunts will be ruined by guides weilding two-way radios. Insane!------shooter
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I guess I’ll offer my opinion on the subject as well. I’ve noticed in years past when Doyle’s squad takes a buck out of the North end of the state, I give it very little thought. On the years that the team shows up and takes a buck out of my home turf it creates a knot in my stomach. I suppose the old adage, “out of site out of mind could apply.” Whether or not Doyle is a nice guy is irrelevant. With this amount of money at stake I’m certain someone would take the job and follow through. I’m very thankful I don’t make a living this way. It just doesn’t set right with me. I’ll never understand what exactly the wealthy shooter gets out of the whole spectacle. Sure it was an amazing animal. However, I think the key word here is “was.” The old buck is just dead now. Maybe the guy that made the shot enjoys looking at big deer and doesn’t really care about how it was obtained. I don’t blame anyone for this fiasco except for the State of Utah for allowing it to proceed. I know some people rationalize it by saying that the money generated will be put to good use and therefore honor and integrity towards the animal can just be tossed out the window. Yes, I know it’s legal but, really should it be. I find most people I talk to don’t like the program. And then there’s the trickle down economic effect where quite a few individuals capitalize off the agenda. And of course they are all in favor.
Brett asked earlier to offer suggestions instead of complaints. I think a five or ten dollar mandatory habitat stamp would easily replace the almighty approximately two-hundred thousand dollars being raised in the current method. And would remove the animosity the program is creating between sportsmen. I wonder after “administrative” fees how much of this money actually hits the dirt. Is it enough to justify splitting of sportsmen whom will need to stand together in the future during tough battles with anti-hunting groups? Quite frankly, the whole governor’s tag programs darn near turns me anti.
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one hunting fool
Well said Conch.

However throwing money at a hole in a sinking ship will not plug the whole. (i.e. the habitat stamp) Utah had one and ended up implementing it to the tag fee. Like other government offices. they need to control spending and cut costs, while still gaining the directives being sought. (i.e. habitat and sustainability) without this you just keep increasing the tag rates with little to no solution to the problem. the Governors tag is a quick and easy fix. however with such a tag you should be held to a higher standard. not just open the state to "whatever it takes" mentality.
as for what Nonya said about Doyle. your right the state needs to come up with better laws to govern fair chase. I love having my radio so when my son shoots his deer i can get to him without yelling "MARCO" while wondering through the woods. but i hear these guys telling each other where the deer is and which way its running is not very ethical or fair chase for the animal. IMO.
I have friends that guide Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, and they have over 90% success but they spend months preparing and scouting. my hats off to anyone that put in the time and scores big..
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NotEnufTags
I believe that part of the Boone and Crockett definitionof fair chaise is that no radios were used to guide a hunter to the animal. Maybe I read it wrong but thats what I got out of the rules on the back of the score sheet. When I see the pics of a hunter and multiple guides behind the animal it makes me believe that there must have been radios used and that the trophy should be ineligible for the books. The other thing it does is completely detract from the trophy. You find you eyes wandering from the magnificent animal to the faces of each of the guides. These photos have their place in a guide service photo journal or even on the guide service advertising site but I hate to see them posted as a tribute to the mighty hunter. I personally only like seeing the animal with the person that pulled the trigger. Maybe add a dad or a son in if they were a significant part of the experience. Otherwise I don't like the "crew" photo.

I don't mind the idea of a guide service for the inexperienced hunter that wants to learn how to hunt a new species. I'm not a real fan of the guide service that is only in it for the trophy animal.

Like conch said I too worry about how many of the dollars from these tags go to purchasing WMA lands or actually improving the quality of hunting verses how much of it goes to hiring more administration resulting in more regulations that actually decrese hunting opportunities for the regular Joe hunter. I would like to see 100% of the proceeds from these high dollars auction tags go towards buying acreage that is open to the public for hunting and wild life viewing.

As far as the buck that was taken its amazing. I was camped next to a mossback camp and got to talk to a hunter who took a buck that is everybit as good. It had double drop tines. The hunter and people in the camp were very nice. He even let my boy hold the antlers. When I said thats brave of you after buying an auction tag and spending thousands on mossback guide services, he said what does it all matter if the youth don't get excited for the sport. Hopefully your boy will be a hunter some day. The guy was very genuine. He just happened to be filthy rich. I don't think money has anything to do with the way he responded to my concern. I told him the buck was amazing and that he'll have a hard time topping it. His response was I don't know, if business continues to be good the state may get some more of my money for another try. I can't fault a guy for making a lot of money. He treated us as fellow hunters and has my respect.
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