Do you enjoy being around most hunters?

[matt schuster]

This post may say more about me than about hunters, but I watched horn porn this morning - which is rare, because I don't have tv at my cabin, and really came to the realization that I honestly don't care to be around most big-game hunters.   I don't have that much in common with them and find myself increasingly irritated at the antlers-are-everything-I-wanna-be-on-tv-always-looking-for-an-edge attitude of a lot of them.   Of course, I am always willing to talk to anyone about bowhunting with a traditional bow and try to fire up as many folks as I can about our sport and I don't attack anyone - I usually just disassociate myself.   Am I just getting old & crotchety or does anyone else feel like this.

[coconutdave]

Matt,
  I understand what you mean. Some of the "big time hunters" are so full of themselves it's almost redicules.  I'm sure you don't want this to turn into a name bashing thread so I won't start it. But it seems that it's all about the trophy and not about the hunt anymore. I work with a guy who hunts and told me he has killed deer but never gutted one and doesn't know how. It's getting to be like the gameboy generation that knows everything about football but has never stepped onto a field. I have my small group of friends that go to the U.P. every fall to hunt. We don't kill a lot of deer, but we enjoy it just the same. I enjoy the memories made mostly, if I get something it's just iceing.
    Dave

[Blackhawk]

"Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company."

George Washington (1732 - 1799)

[Mark Baker]

You're old and crotchety....and I feel the same way as you do!    

[matt schuster]

Dave - you are right, we don't need to get specific.  It is funny how so many folks seem to want to kill something big not for the challenge or the memories, but so they might become "famous" - at least for a moment.   We had a guy down here in Georgia kill a big deer and then started trying to sell calendars and other stuff showing him and his deer.   His buddies got so jealous they turned him in because he had already killed his limit of bucks before shooting the monster.   Funny stuff.

Mark . . lol - you're right and I think I'm getting worse!!

[Bill Shepard]

I must be odd too.  I for one have never had the urge to jump and yell once I've killed something.  To me, it's always been a time to show the animal some respect and give thanks.  

That's probably why I'll never be paid to endorse anyones products.   :rolleyes:

[George D. Stout]

I tried to watch some of those shows again last week one day when the weather was awful.  The shows were more awful than the weather, and my conclusion was that they were all coreographed by the same studio:  Show all the correct logos on the binos, bows and camo; whisper to the camera in the tree that "we've seen some real shooters in this area";  shoot a buck and get half-arrow penetration;  exclaim, "great hit...what a hunt"; high five the cameraman and say, "yes....yes....yes"  and pump your fist.  They really ought to get Viagra to sponsor them.    

I try to distance myself from all but my proteges during this time of year.  That stuff doesn't resemble what I think hunting entails.

[coconutdave]

Bill,
  I agree!  

[Whip]

Interesting thoughts Matt.  Most of the time I enjoy sharing my hunts with one or more partners.  But I am getting more and more fussy about who I want to spend time with.  Hunting partners or camp mates can sure make or break a trip, regardless of how good or bad the hunting may be.  I would much rather spend time on a tough hunt with someone I enjoy being around rather than on a great hunt with a jerk.  

I haven't spent any time with TV type guys, and don't get that channel anymore, but from what I have seen of those shows I really doubt I would want to hunt with most of them.  

One thing I can say is that I've shared some camps with some really great people that I have met here on Trad Gang and am really struggling to think of any I wouldn't hunt with again.  I think it has something to do with the fact that people drawn to traditional archery tend to be ethical and motivated by much more than just killing big animals.

[Jerry Wald]

I agree...I would like to spend time with any of you guys....you might not feel the same towards me though.

I still get a rush though when I take a shot...sorry....I don't kill many things generally, but I go out just the same. If I take a ptarmigan it's a good day, but I will only take one for supper or lunch

I find the getting close the most exciting part. My last bear was at 25 feet. Took me 2 hours to get that close. Then when he was close...no shot. Patience led to the shot. It was over quickly and yes I was proud and he is a beautiful bear. I think I was proud because it was fair chase. In that 2 hours he had plenty of time to wind me...see me...or just wander away.

Don't think that's all bad though

Jer Bear

[Dave2old]

Aside from horn porn, which is disgusting and childish, like a bunch of physically grown-up bullies permanently stuck in teenage neoteny and deep personal insecurity. Aside from those pathetic clowns, whether I enjoy the company of other hunters depends on how we define "most" in your question. If I go to the local wheelie bow or rifle sporting goods shop before or during big game seasons, it's so disgusting I can't get out of there fast enough. One good friend used to manage such a place, a good job he enjoyed, but had to quit due to his growing disgust with what seems a growing Whack 'em and Stack 'em mentality. It's like the average Joe hunter aspires to nothing more than being a horn porn star himself. Ah, but when we move to Milt Beens' Wildcat Canyon trad archery shop ... that's where old friends and new meet. Most of my friends are trad bowhunters. Certainly, not all trad hunters are great people, some sick few even indulge in canned killing behind high fences. Nor are all training-wheelers or rifle hunters weak-minded neurotics. In fact, when I've guided in a wilderness elk camp for rifle hunters I've almost always enjoyed those folks. The primary difference between trads and others is our dedication to the entire sport in the big picture, including honest respect for the game and appreciation for the need to protect habitat -- not just gear, certainly not horn porn, but the whole experience, doing as much of it ourselves as possible. Deep committment. We don't need more hunters, we need better hunters. This is not elitism, but a clearly observable and measurable reality. So yes, I do enjoy the company of "most" hunters, because the only hunters I hang with are either trad bowhunters or trad-minded hunters of other weapons choice. Now quit yakking and go chose them whitetails! dave

[Fritz]

There is probably only 1 or 2 close bowhunting friends that I even talk with about hunting during the season.  We do get together for a couple of hunts during the season, but I thoroughly enjoy hunting by myself.  I in no way consider myself better than anyone else who chooses to gun hunt or whatever.  It's just seems like I don't have much in common with them.  Of course, my wife always says I'm just anti-social.  As far as hunting shows go, I used to watch Fred Eichler's show, but he rarely shows up on the new episodes. Guess he's too busy.

[blueline]

Do you enjoy being around most hunters?

NOPE!!!

"Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company."

George Washington (1732 - 1799)


I wholeheartely agree

I have never been a "AAA" person.

I think I will just watch Vid's from Buff and others here.

Blueline

[adkmountainken]

there are VERY, VERY few others who i enjoy to be around and hunt with. i think think of 4 who i hunt with and 2 that i ENJOY hunting with. this is not counting any Trad Gang hunts becouse i enjoy the company of everyone then!

[Swamp Pygmy]

definitely not.

I'd like to have some hunting friends but honestly I'm scared of who might show up.

Not that I'm saying I'm so great. Different strokes for different folks. I'm sure most of them would like to hunt with me about as much as I'd like to hunt with them.

But no, it makes me hesitant to look for leases too.

I hope it doesn't come across as bashing. I'm not against these people even if I don't like most of them. We are all in the woods for different reasons and my reasons are simply too different from theirs in too many ways for us to gel. But put me in a room with a handful of other hunters and I'll probably be clawing at the door within a half hour.

[reddogge]

Good hunting partners are few and far between.  If you have or ever had a good one, cherish his company.

[kojac]

I never use to feel that way until I hunted with a guy that talked a little wierd and handled himself in a crotchety manner....      

in all honesty, I do love to hunt for big trophy class animals in whatever spiecies I hunt but I also like to spend this time with company that I like to be around.

I also tend to get a little excited when myself or a hunting partner get something that would be considered trophy class.

So to answer your ?, I think your observation are right on track and comman.... but it has more to do with comman interest of the hunting partners and the hunting styles than the hunting itself.

Personaly I think these hunting shows are showing to much of the in your face style of hunting (techno-wack'em and stack'em stuff) and it is time for the less in your face style of hunting personalities to step up to the plate or should I say camera and produce more hunting shows. This is a little more difficult for the trad guys because our tools of the trade rely more on woodmanship than manufactured stuff. Its know secret when you watch the programing that the companies that produce this manufactured junk I mean stuff are the ones putting up the money to produce the shows.

So:
Yes, I agree
Yes, your crotchety
No, horn in not porn

[Shakes.602]

I kinda Pick My Battles anymore!! Some Good, Some Not-So Good!
 Interesting because about 4 Years Ago, my Son and I were Just tooling Along,When He Spots a Deer "Check Station", and ALL of the Trucks. I asked him if he would like to go back "YEAH DAD!! CAN WE??" I couldnt Say NO to That Face!!
     We sat there or wandered around the Hunters and Their Prizes. He had "Petted" almost ALL of the Deer.
     My Feets were getting Cold and he had a Rather Stern Look on His Face, so we Moseyed on Home. Then He Looks ME Dead In the Eye,and Says "If I Ever Get A Good Deer, I Sure Wont Carry On Like Those Guys Did, its Disrespectful For Those Fine Animals".
    "Out of the Mouths of Babes" Talk about Old Dad Swelling Up with Pride!! He Might have been 13 at the Time, and Was Just Sickened By The Way Grown Men had Acted. I DO Love That Young Man!!

[woodchucker]

YES I DO!!!!!

I must REALLY be the "odd one" because I enjoy EVERYONES company!!!!!

I have friends who Bowhunt,(with both tradtional and compound bows)Gun hunt,Turkey hunt(with both bow and shotgun,I even have a friend who will ONLY turkey hunt with his compound)Rabbit and Squirrel hunt,Bird hunt with dogs,etc.

It has been my experiance that persons of admirable qualities,carry those qualities over into hunting and everything else that they do also.

If a person is a turd,I don't hunt with them!!!!!

(I don't associate with them either)

[Jacko]

The best bowhunters I know and hunt with are salt of the earth souls who have a passion for archery and bowhunting and work bloody hard at what they do .

I think that Swamp Pygmy has it right in saying we are all in the bush for differant reasons . In my veiw the line between shooters [ only interested in kill and trophy ]and hunters has become blurred and it appears to me that the general public who see the video's and TV shows you speak of do not know the differance .

regards Jacko