re: So, hadn't been able to hunt all year . . . (crybaby rant)

I have only 2 (sometimes 4) days to rifle deer hunt in MO each year. My family has all 10 days. I handle a lot of the upkeep on the farm for deer hunting, as does my sister.

I've asked hundreds of times for my family not to kill anything smaller than a 4.5 year old 8 point. I've done what I can to emphasize that if we manage the deer population, the hunting will get better (there are some bad genetics).

They get in to their stand late in the afternoon, nearly driving right up to it, while I'm in my stand and can see them plain as day. They kill young 8 points, small does, and let friends do the same. Occasionally, a non-hunting family member goes out there with a borrowed rifle and kills a large buck.

After years of being eaten alive inside about it, I now just say frick it. There's nothing I can do about it, though I've tried.

I'm content to kill does and older spikes, and a decent buck every 5 years, and get yearly pics from them showing off their "trophies," joking with me because I didn't kill one (though I let several small does and small bucks walk) and pics from my friends who own land surrounding our farm showing off their 150" and up 10 and 12 points.

I love my family, and if part of it is allowing them to have their fun, then so be it. I'm thankful that we all enjoy the same sport, have an opportunity to do it, and have fun doing it.