The lesser hunters

[kill shot]

Haveing just read two great posts here on tradgang (deer camp to you and recognition due) reminds me of what tradgang is about. I was sitting in a waiting room that had some not so up to date hunting magazines and read a story about a guy who "won" the coveted Weatherby award. Oh boy, a story about money bags who could afford to go to other continents to hunt. Far away places where a group of guys cater to the trigger puller. I see these guys on T.V. T0 me the award winners are the average guys willing to help each other out at the shooting range or in camp. Guys that show encouragment. You guys know who you are. Tradgang is full of award winners.

[GreyGoose]

Wouldn't call myself an award winner, but I think most of us can still call ourselves hunters, rather than buyers, of the experience we seek.

[achigan]

^^X2

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I feel sorry for guys who buy their trophies and kill them on the first sit of an expensive hunt.

They miss out on 98% of the best part and have no real story to tell.

[Sam McMichael]

To each his own.... But I don't covet theirs.

[elkken]

Originally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
I feel sorry for guys who buy their trophies and kill them on the first sit of an expensive hunt.

They miss out on 98% of the best part and have no real story to tell.

If a guy is hunting with a stick and string this may not be as easy and unrewarding as you think ... does any trad hunter who hunts on an outfitted hunt qualify in your over simplification ...

[Bowwild]

If I had the money and time I wouldn't hesitate to pursue many of the beasts those fellows have hunted.

I would do so with my bow though.  I'd buy the opportunity but I'd make the hunt.

[brianbfree]

I'm with Bowwild but I am happy with what I have. If I win the lotto I have a plan if I never do I also have a plan.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Ken, I was a actually referring to guys who buy their trophy before they go on a hunt.  You can go to a  sporting show and have "outfitters" ask you if you are interested in an animal.  Then they Guarantee a  kill.

When you show up, usually you have your shot at The specific trophy within a short amount of time.

I am not referring to expensive hunts, just canned hunts.  If I mistook the original post I still feel the same way. about paying to "pull the trigger" as the first guy posted.

[Roger Norris]

I knew some guys that went caribou hunting with a rifle. It sounded like a great way to gather meat. I killed mine with a recurve. I think about it every day...

I read Don Thomas's description of finishing a zebra with a rifle. It was the ethical thing to do, but he mentioned that it reminded him of how easy hunting with a rifle is.

I have killed my last turkey with a shotgun. When the bird went down, I actually felt a twinge of regret. It was too easy.

I still hunt with a firearm for some things. But if I were going on "the hunt of a lifetime" (and I have, often    ), I'm taking my longbow. That's what makes it a memorable event.

[Mudd]

Originally posted by Sam McMichael:
To each his own.... But I don't covet theirs.

Sam covered it for me as well.

God bless,Mudd

[elkken]

I have a story that might capture the essence of what we are discussing ... a bowhunter who I know personally has a brother that also bow hunts, a few years back his brother finally draws a tag for a super area in Utah, they live in Utah. His brother scouts all his spare time before the season starts and finds a MEGA bull. He lives with this bull waiting for opening day. Opening day comes and his dream bull is shot with a rifle by a guy who bought the Governors tag and could hunt with a rifle in bow season. The guy was led out to the bull by a well known outfitter that specializes in trophy animals. There was no hunting by the successful hunter, only walking and shooting with a rifle in bow season.  

Cyclic Rivers ...       just a good discussion on Trad Gang,  Best to ya

[RedShaft]

If I had the cash you can bet your .... I would be hunting some cool animals in some amazing places. Come on scratch off ticket... Lol

[Flingblade]

Guess I won't be winning any award.  I've never even seen a lesser.

[kill shot]

Flingblade, your award is respect and honer.

[bigbadjon]

If you could just pick up a rifle and kill a Booner we would all have record book entries. Don't minimalize all these hunters accomplishments because they have more money or a different weapon, lots of these guys are great outdoorsmen.

[Flingblade]

Thanks kill shot, you as well!  Just a light-hearted comment; I meant no disrespect to your thread.  I have no problem with awards.  The Michigan Longbow Association has their annual big game awards given to anyone that takes a legal big game animal with their longbow.  I'm not familiar with the Weatherby award but what I am not in favor of are contests that pit one hunter against another.  These are great for the practice range or 3d course but should be left there and not brought into the actual hunt.  The exception I would make there would be bow fishing contests.  Good discussion though.

[Bjorn]

Wow! A waiting room with hunting magazines? I'd go there just to hang out!