What does "traditional hunting" mean, to you?

[GMMAT]

No reason to draw a line. I'm aware.  I'm not trying to define the term for anyone.  I'm simply asking what the term means to YOU.

I see a lot of "traditional" bowhunters utilizing more "traditional" methods while hunting (I.E. spot and stalk; exclusively ground hunting; even apparel worn; etc...).

Where do you fit in? Do you draw the line @ simply the weapon of choice (i.e "I'm a stick and string hunter")? Or...are you seeking to go back to a time before treestands, trail cams, et. al.?

I don't plan on changing a thing when I transition from the compound, other than the weapon/tackle.

For now.

So....what does HUNTING "traditional" mean, to you?

[beaver#1]

traditional hunting to me really does not that much to do with tradition.  the era that most of us would say that our "traditional" opinion is bassed upon that the people in those were using bows and aroorws made from wood, horn, or other nautral products.  they were using the newest things they could think of because their lives depended on it.  todays "mainstream" hunters are so unethical, wasteful, and greedy have peverted hunting all together.  i use "traditional" equipment because it represents a time when people eat what they kill,  did not hunt for horns or antlers, and because it teaches dicipline like no other hunt method out there. there is something romantic about using wood and string to hunt with.

[bill langer]

Keeping the wind in your face, shooting a bow with limbs that bend and making sure your family and friends are along for the adventure!

[ozy clint]

tring to leave a lot of modern aids behind giving the quarry a greater sporting chance. my brain is my rangefinder, sign on the ground is my trail cam, (not that i've ever owned one), i use a weapon with one string and no sights. i don't use any scent aids, except the wind. but i do use binos so i guess i'm no indian. i just try and keep it simple. the enjoyment of the whole experience is my goal not world records.

[Mitch-In-NJ]

Stick and string with no sights is, to me, the requirement.  Everything else is a plus.  Wooden arrows are more "trad" than carbon or aluminum.  Natural blinds trump pop-ups.

That said, the more "trad" I can be the more I enjoy it.  So, when I can, I spot and stalk and use natural cover.  I cut and fletch my own arrows (aluminum) and, if I had the time I would try making my own woodies and fletching.

The reality is that I can't always do the things I want.  There are only so many hours in a day and the convenience of aluminum arrows and pop-up blinds has its appeal.

If I had the time I would probably go so far as to make my own glue, bow, arrows, etc.. but I don't so stick and string with no sights works for me.

For what it's worth.

[Plumber]

I think for me its about gettin close with a longbow recurve or selfbow.I will shoot al. carbon or wood arrows.Iam not intrested in hunting with a stone point an homeade arrow.only because Iam simply not that good. Ifeel I need straight arrows an good sharp heads to be effective.so I am a modern- traditionalist in some respect.how ever the biggest gift might just be its simple. an self reliant.

[jim ratcliff]

glad this came up,i use scent killer whenever im in the woods. usually i have my rangefinder when bow or muzzleloading.and dont forget my "leafy suit" and a 20 pound tree stand on my back!
 i guess part of this trail ive taken is actually having fun again.i have retired my 7mm-08 and ordered a ruger 44 magnum (handgun) to hunt with in gun season.removed the scope from my frontloader,and really enjoying shooting the old recurve!
 the bow was to strong for my son so i may use it to hunt with,its only 40# but i will embrace the challenge! im curious to see where this thread goes...ive already been thinking what i need and dont need.

[KSdan]

I am not sure there is such thing as "traditional hunting."

Not even sure there is such a thing as "trad" equipment.  My stuff is made with modern materials. . . so. . . .

I guess "trad" to me is recurve or longbow.

[Ricoh]

Traditional to me means no wheels, cams, sights, drop away rests, release aids, rangefinders etc.. It means taking my recurve and scouting, stump shooting, cutting my own feathers, building my own arrows and spending quality time in the bush with my brother and my son. If a deer gets in the way that's a bonus and too bad for him.

Rick

[Frenchymanny]

it's an attitude, and it is not limited to hunting

F-Manny

[Biggie Hoffman]

I see a lot of "traditional" bowhunters utilizing more "traditional" methods while hunting (I.E. spot and stalk; exclusively ground hunting;

Excuse me but where did you get the idea that ground hunting is a more traditional method than any other type of hunting?

[SteveB]

Other then the bow I use - no wheels,cams, etc - I don't use the term.

Steve

[Biggie Hoffman]

Opps....don't want to start that argument...my question is offically "withdrawn"

[IB]

OH MY...                      


     Biggie

[broketooth]

lol biggie that was funny, any how , traditional means just that traditional. all this gps , scentlock,3d camo,popupblind, treeclimberscentblocker doe in rut buck lure is all corparate crap to get you to spend your money. the tv shows they have is a marketing tool to get you to beleive all that crap works. you do your homework in the woods and you'll bag what your after. all the other stuff is just marketing bull that just surfaced within the past 30 yrs

[xtrema312]

To me traditional hunting is killing for food with the best weapon you can make or buy.  Trad hunting is picking some point in time, and hunting with the weapons and methods of that time, when legal that is.   I am a traditional hunter that likes the challenge of shooting low tech bows just because that is all I really need to shoot deer at the ranges I generally shot them.  Once you can shoot a compound bow with constant accuracy twice the distance you would consider taking a shot on live game the fun of shooting kind of goes out the window.  Trad bows make it fun again to shoot.

[Adirondack Bowman]

"Traditional"- old Indian word. Means" NO COMPOUNDS!".

[bill langer]

Nice one!

[woodchucker]

If you have to ask.....

You haven't "been there"  

[Irish Archer]

Pretty loosely, I look at it as "no wheels". That doesn't mean that I'm anti-wheels. I've killed critters with compounds and crossbows also, and make no apologies for either. Are they as cool as my sticks? No way! Did I enjoy them? You bet! But, ain't nuthin' like the longbow and recurve in my opinion.