Do you enjoy being around most hunters?

[gregg dudley]

I know exactly what you are talking about, Dustin.  That Christmas party scenario is the exact thing that I was thinking of when I made my post before.  Your lovely wife thinks she is doing you a favor by providing something for you to talk about in an unfamiliar social situation and you end up stuck in a conversation with a guy whose concept of hunting is what he does once a year at some high dollar lodge.  Or better yet, he reveals to you in the first minute of conversation something he has done that you know is illegal or personally unacceptable.  Stuck all night-been there!

[George D. Stout]

Well, at least she didn't say, "this is my husband, Dustin, and he is a bi-polar."    

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Shoe-man, check your NB email account - YOU HAVE MAIL!

[joebuck]

Matt...you need some R & R..Call Sam and ya'll come duck hunting next month..Bring your bows..I call them in close!

[Biggie Hoffman]

yeah sure Joey.......invite Sam and Matt...

I watched a guy shoot a caribou with a compound device last weekend.(on the tube) He made a bad shot in high wind, turned to the other guy and grabbed his rifle and put him down.
That kind of guy, I have no use for. I couldn't possibly have anything in common to talk about.
Bd thing is, seems like there are more and more like him out there nowdays  :-(

[kojac]

its all about wak'em and stack'em because thats all there is on tv and weather we like it or not the tv is where the up and coming bowhunters learn their woodmanship.

In order to change the direction the sport is going we need to produce more of the old school/outdoorsmen type programing to influence the massess. (build and they will come)

[pronghorn23]

I hunt a public land area where there's a lottery in the morning. People line up and draw numbers. During the wait I don't think I've talked to maybe three people while waiting in line in probably eight to ten years of hunting there.

I just don't like the general macho bravado talk. Plus I'm not too sociable to begin with.

The guys at work that hunt are mostly the same way. Only really swap hunting stories with one other bowhunter. The others are most braggers and don't share the same ethics and cares.

[nightowl1]

I grew up hunting with my dad, don't get a chance to do that anymore and I just can't get use to hunting with anyone else.

There has been many days when i could have killed squirrels, rabbits, and dove with my bow ( without using an arrow) and I choose to just watch, learn, and thank God for the moment. I'm afraid if I brought another hunter along I would miss out on those moments
.

[Bill Tell]

Well lately the only people I do get along with are hunters.  They seem to be the only ones that get what life is about!  I will never understand the majority who are so distanced from nature that they think playing 18 holes is getting back to the wild.  That science controls the world vs discovering more about it.  If you don't have a PHD in law your stupid and can't begin to know about what is best for the world.  Most are so arrogant they think they can control their destiny through their jobs and what books they read.

TV in general is a complete waste land.

[MI_Bowhunter]

Originally posted by Biggie Hoffman:
I watched a guy shoot a caribou with a compound device last weekend.(on the tube) He made a bad shot in high wind, turned to the other guy and grabbed his rifle and put him down.
That kind of guy, I have no use for. I couldn't possibly have anything in common to talk about.
Bd thing is, seems like there are more and more like him out there nowdays  :-(

I'm with you Biggie.  

A lot of people have taken up hunting or have learned their attitudes from these shows, most of which put the entire emphasis on the taking of game and more specifically the taking of giant game.   With few exceptions, most of these shows/videos seem to totally ignore the joy of the hunt, the beauty of nature and the comaradery of a hunt camp.  They have whittled down the whole experience and made the kill the primary focus.  

Not to say that those of us here don't want to take big game, but I think we also get more from the whole experience.  We need more videos like the Primal Dreams, The Bowhunters of TradGang, Lettin Loose, etc that try to encapsulate the whole hunting experience and not just focus on the trophy.  The kill is just the culmination of a whole journey of experiences that make up the hunt.  Too many people are missing out on the journey.

[Don Stokes]

My hunting buddies have been winnowed down to two through attrition. One lives in Florida, one lives in Missouri, and I live in Mississippi. We still manage to get together at least once a year for a deer and/or turkey hunt. Otherwise I have practically no contact with other hunters in real time and space.

Sunday my Florida bud is flying in to Memphis, where I'll pick him up for the trip to Missouri. My Missouri bud has 40 acres of prime deer land with an old run-down cabin. We'll stay there for several days and hunt his place and public land in the area with bows and guns, and have a ball, whether we kill anything or not. Most years I just watch and wait for the perfect buck that never shows. I'll bowhunt this year, but I'm taking my smokepole and modern gun too, just because. The objective is fun and fellowship, and reinforcing friendships that just get better.

Matt, it's not just you. Once a hunter reaches a certain point in his maturity, the hunt becomes a means to a different end, a place where satisfaction comes whether blood has flowed or not.

[upatree]

I enjoy sharing camp with others.  Talking over a fire, speaking of the days events.  I like to hunt with people that are not territorial.  I can not stand when hunting an area and another hunter (friend) tries to over hunt an area that you have scouted and seen deer but want's you to stay out of "there" spot.  
I enjoy hunting with a few people.  My father, and a few friends.  I am always willing to go hunt with anyone and take anyone hunting.  I have started to distance myself from other hunters that do not want to help, and share in an enjoyable hunting experience.  I want to kill a deer like everyone else but there is more to hunting than killing.

[Brian Krebs]

Unless I am elk hunting; where teaming up on elk is a good hunting method; I might go hunting with someone; but rarely hunt ~with~ them.

 I have met quite a few really wonderful people on this site that have come out and hunted with me; and I enjoyed their company.

 I second Ray Hammonds notations about Tom Nelson; he used to work at 'Anderson Archery' in Grand Ledge Michigan; and he was a good guy then; would bend over backwards to find the right bow for you; and the right arrow- and he remains a good person on his show.

 I have to admitt; that other than Fred Eichler; and the giggles of Tiffany; most shows are boring and do not represent most hunters out there.

 I watch guys and gals sitting in a blind over bait waiting for a big buck - and apologising for shooting does... and remember that traditional bowhunting has lasted for over 9000 years - and what we see on TV... is already circling the drain.

 I actually like Jim Shockeys show over most; as it demonstrates good hearted people that hunt.

 I have enjoyed hunting with other bowhunters; but even the nicest best friends that are new to hunting: have wrecked chances to take game- more than anti-hunters ever have. I like to help people get started in bowhunting; but it does require sacrifice....it does have it rewards though.

 I have to say that some of the best hunters I have met have been rifle hunters. I mean in the sense of figuring things out; putting together minds; and getting shot opprotunities. Of course; there are bowhunters that do the same; I am just not excluding rifle hunters.

 I acutally am sickened at this point in my life by seeing animals shot with guns on tv. I don't like it. I do not see someone as shooting a 'bow and arrow' - when they draw back five minutes before the animal shows up; and comment that they: 'can't wait to pull the trigger on that buck' or exclaim: ' I smoked him !'.

 I do realize the importance of gun hunting; just don't like it at all anymore.

 I do live in an area with tons of gun hunters camped out everywhere; and most guys are having fun; and are decent people. I do enjoy talking with them because they are hunting and I am a hunter.

 But there is more to hunting than killing.. and unless that is part of another hunters persona- no I really don't like being around them.

[ddauler]

Matt you are just starting to act like Joe Buck and Biggie I sure hope I never get old as you fellers!

[joebuck]

Look what the rat drug in.........DDauler!!!!!!!!...Douglas!!....Woodbow Extordiare!!!....mr. cranky himself.........Ole Matt needs a wife...it would change his life!!!!

[Jerry Jeffer]

I like hanging out with trad gang hunters.    
Last NJ winter bow was a good time.
I hunt at my Dad's camp during rifle, and even though I've know these guys most of my life, it's just not my crowd.

[ddauler]

Joe Buck, this ole woodbow rat can't even seem to kill a critter with his widow this year. I reckon your gonna have to send me one of them recurves you been makin!

yea a wife would certainly slow his huntin down and then he might preciate the hunters more when he does go!

[CRS]

I have to admit that I share some of those feelings.  As a general rule, no.  I do not like to be around most hunters.  I am very particular about who I hunt with.  That doesn't mean Trad only for me anymore.

After being a died in the wool traditional hunter for a number of years I have gotten back into all types of hunting with all weapons.  This is due to the fact I just wasn't having fun anymore.  I also had some personal and work issues come into play. Since I have changed, I have had more fun and more personal success's (not measured in inches of antler BTW).

I have gotten away from the Traditional only, traditional is right diehard mentality. I fully support those who choose that philosophy, as I have been there done that.  In fact, I am humbled by the guys doing it.  Many of you on this site.

Hunting is very personal to me.  It is my personal mindset that matters, not the weapon, season, species, or what other hunters think.

I have hunted and spent some time with some of the "big names" in traditional archery.  Some I prefer to not be around, while others I would hunt with every chance I get.  So equipment alone does not make the man so to speak.  

Lately I am into experiencees, I want to try it all, hunt everyhting using different techniques, styles etc.  IIn doing that I like to create small personal challenges.  To prove to myself and no one else.

There are three conflicts:
Man vs Man
Man vs Nature
Man vs himself.

The last two are the reasons I hunt.  The first is what turns alot of us off, but also provides a primary drive for most of the hunters that we prefer to not be around.

 I have been around a few bowhunters that use traditional equipment that happen to use the man vs man as a primary drive.  As a general rule, I detest hunting with those types and avoid it at all costs.  Being traditional in my mind has nothing to do with ego's.  It is all about personal challenges.  

As far as horn porn, (man VS man) I love watching those shows for seeing the actual animals/scenery.  But some of those hunters/scenarios make me want to puke.  I use our DVR liberally and it is wonderful to skip the garbage.  And there is a lot of garbage out there.