1.) Swamp Fox - 07/03/2017

I'd like to take a little poll of HC members for something I'm working on.

I wonder how you and your friends describe your catches and kills in terms of weight, size, length, antler points, P&Y or B&C score, etc.

Specifically, I'd like to get a handle on how common it is to 1) note the weight of something like a deer or turkey or similar animal as a prime descriptor, vs. antler points or beard/spur length, etc. and 2) describe a fish in terms of length vs. weight.

For instance, you'll mostly hear lengths when talking to stream trout fishermen, and I wonder if this carries over to how they talk about other things. You speak of lake trout in terms of weight, though, correct? I see muskie and pike described by length; I'm not sure I've ever seen a weight description in stories about them. What about other fish? What are some standards or aberrations?

I'd like to know if any of these habits of description, whether they're your habits or what you frequently hear from other people, might be regional or influenced by some factor you can identify.

For instance, I get the impression it's the standard in New England to refer to bucks by their weight, possibly because if you're in a heavily hunted state or because of genetics or whatever, the antlers aren't usually anything to write home about. Weight seems to some people to be a better indicator of maturity. On the other hand, bears are routinely referred to by their weight all over the country, even though there are long-standing methods of skull and carcass/hide measurement available.

Also, I wonder if anyone has picked up on a recent trend to refer to turkey toms by age. I don't think this was very common even a few years ago, but I think I'm hearing it more and more.

Any insight on what's customary in your area on any of these topics would be appreciated.

Any stories of hunting and fishing "measuring contests" and "who caught what" competition --whether good or bad--would be appreciated as well.

2.) bluecat - 07/03/2017

A 'Hoss' would be considered a really heavy elderly deer.
"Big Sum Bitch" would be considered a nice flathead or catfish > than 20 pounds.

I think most people round these parts use antler points unless it is a trophy then the P&Y or B&C probable score
Most fish are by weight (bass, catfish, flathead). Bluegill and Crappie are by length sometimes.
Turkeys are by beard length and spur length.

3.) Swamp Fox - 07/03/2017

Thanks for that.

Around here we'll use a weight for panfish and crappie, especially the larger fish. Sometimes you'll get full measurements from somebody who's really into it. I've never had anyone tell me just what the length was. "Big as your hand" and "Big as a saucer" are more common. "Big as a dinner plate" is huge, and usually an exaggeration, but sometimes not by much.

That said, I was talking to a guide the other day who gave me every measurement you can take on a crappie, including across the back (thickness). Of course, that was a trophy fish. When I get a pic, I'll try to remember to post it.

4.) bluecat - 07/04/2017

Speaking of panfish, the expression "slabs" come to mind.

5.) Swamp Fox - 07/04/2017

"Slabs" is common in outdoor writing. I use it for crappie. I've only very rarely seen it used for bream.

I think it has recently taken on the implication of bigger crappie, rather than an average fish, but that was not always the case.

I don't think I've ever heard anyone actually say it.

6.) Swamp Fox - 07/04/2017

What's the standard for walleye?

Inches or weight?

7.) bluecat - 07/04/2017

Around here, walleye aren't so common, but weight.

Limbhanger is a southern thing. It's not used here as far as I know.

8.) DParker - 07/04/2017

Large halibut are "barn doors".

That's all I've got.

9.) Swamp Fox - 07/04/2017

[QUOTE]"Open the barn doors, Hal" commanded the captain, but Hal already had the filet knife in his hand and was moving swiftly toward the fish, careful not to look into the creatures' creepy eyes.---[I]2017, A Podunk Oddity[/I][/QUOTE].....

10.) Swamp Fox - 07/04/2017

There are a number of calculations for estimating fish weight. Most recently I saw one for Southern catfish which seem to be a pretty good tool, at least up to the weight class that I have any experience with.

I'm sure some formulas have been around for a while and others have probably only recently become accessible to the average angler. Do you know of any formulas or calculators that work, or are ridiculous?

This might also be a good time to bring up rules of thumb for aging or weighing deer on the hoof, or for estimating meat yield of various animals (deer, bear, hogs, etc.) from a pre-processing starting point. What are the tricks or shortcuts you use?

11.) bluecat - 07/05/2017

[QUOTE=DParker;49793]Large halibut are "barn doors".

That's all I've got.[/QUOTE]

Your barn door is open and the halibut is coming out?

12.) Swamp Fox - 07/05/2017

[QUOTE=bluecat;49803]Your barn door is open and the halibut is coming out?[/QUOTE]


I was gonna say you're confusing flatfish with trout, but decided that wasn't appropriate and I was just wanting to post for the halibut.

13.) DParker - 07/05/2017

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;49811]I was gonna say you're confusing flatfish with trout, but decided that wasn't appropriate and I was just wanting to post for the halibut.[/QUOTE]

Is this our cue to derail the discussion into another themed pun thread?

14.) Swamp Fox - 07/05/2017

It's still almost a free country...LOL (Independence Day theme there, mostly for show :-))---




How's that for a snapper comeback?

15.) Wild Bob - 07/05/2017

[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;49791]What's the standard for walleye?

Inches or weight?[/QUOTE]

I'll bite...

'Round these parts it tends to be weight for most fish; for example, 14 lbs for a walleye is the magic tipping point for a real trophy. The two smaller species of Salmon; Coho and Kokanee seem to be referred to more by length as they top out in the 4 - 7 lbs. range. As you mentioned, lakers and the other salmon tend to be referred to by weight, but they also weigh in a lot heavier. Perch usually by length - again lower on the weight scale. Northerns and Musky seem to be referred to by both weight and length around here.

Deer here: you don't hear of many weight references, unless it was way above the typical average weight. Elk; some times you hear of a cow weight, but again, that only seems to be in extreme situations. My theory on this is that a lot of elk in this area don't get hauled into local processors in the whole... Antelope - I never hear weights mentioned.

16.) Swamp Fox - 07/05/2017

Ha! Excellent. I was hoping you'd chime in, especially as a walleye and elk guy.

I was wondering about salmon just yesterday.

Very interesting about antelope. Good catch. (This is the type of inside information I'm looking for when I poll our vast community nationwide, LOL...Please note, boys and girls.) Not that I've been around them much, but I've never heard of an antelope's weight.

17.) Swamp Fox - 07/05/2017

Going back a few posts to where we were talking about slab crappie, what are some other terms for fish or animals (not necessarily just game) or terms used to describe them that you see in outdoor writing that you never hear someone actually say?

I had someone have a reaction to the term "bigmouth bass" one time. I don't remember if it was spoken or written, but it was like someone had kicked him in the nuts or insulted one of his kids. Very odd, but I remembered it.

18.) bluecat - 07/05/2017

Bigmouth buffalo and largemouth bass. Don't mix and match. LOL!

19.) Swamp Fox - 07/05/2017

Huh! I had to look that up. I don't think we have them here. Although I admit to not being really up on the local chubs and suckers, except that I know a few dirty jokes built around them.

Now I wonder if the guy was from the Central U.S. and hadn't quite adjusted to his new location.

20.) Swamp Fox - 07/05/2017

We could probably do a whole thread on regional and local names for various fish.

Maybe I'll write that down and save it for one of our slower days...LOL


But don't let me stop anyone from jumping in the water right now if they really need to...:p