Killing the future of hunting

[BDann]

Great letter Clay, my thoughts exactly. All the gadgets and gizmos are what pushed me into traditional archery.  My compound bow was constantly needing some adjustment here or there.  The sight on my longbow never needs adjustment...

[59Alaskan]

I took a look at the original "article".  It's clearly a paid advertisement.  There is a big "Scent Control" block in the upper left.  There are pictures of their products all over.  At the end of the "article" is the Trademark for the "Wildlife Research Center" and on the bottom is the comment "For more info: Circle #26 on the Action Insert Card".

Wildlife Research Center is the name of the company that owns the Scent Killer brand.  I agree that's an interesting name choice for a company that sells scent killer.

To me the entire publication wreaks of being a paid advertisement (pun intended).  It's likely how the International Hunters Education Association obtains a signficant amount of its funding.

Actually, every 2 page spread from pages 13 - 67 include the comment "For more info: circle #XX on the Action Insert Card" except for 1 page - and that's the page advertising some type of giveaway they are doing.

1. I am glad there are hunter education groups.
2. I have no beef with anyone who hunts legally and ethically no matter the equipment
3. I have no objection to companies advertising and making money

I think the true complaint here is that the entire handbook portrays itself as educational material but the vast majority of it is actually advertising.  Nearly every "Article" is set up the same way - there is a company that is pasted all over it and the option to obtain more informatoin by circling a # on the "action insert card".

I did not look at the material they use in their classroom.  It's clear that this handbook is given to folks as a "Free" supplement to their hunter education material....at least that's what the intro on the "handbook" states....maybe they discuss field dressing and wind in the actual course material, that I can't speak to.

Snake oil....selling strong for centuries....
Why?  People love technology and advertising can be shown many ways...

To be honest, for me, it's hard to not see that the vast majority of that publication is advertising, not education.

[highlow]

Au contraire, Gerry. Tree stands have been used for decades, perhaps not as widely as today. And, (I have no evidence with which to back this up,) I'm sure our bowhunting ancestors used elevated positions also. Seems to be a natural inclination to get above your game.

[Ron Vaughn]

Clay--The reason your need a side by side for hunting is to haul your ozone machine to your hunting site.

[ChuckC]

I just briefly read thru that issue of the magazine and frankly, it is almost entirely advertisements for supporting companies.  Not only are the articles written to include some activity, but those activities include the use of certain ( named) product lines.  Many of the articles sure make it sound like you cannot do without these products.

I for one am not in favor of that format for that sort of magazine.  Business runs the world, and that, in large part ( I M O ), is the future demise of the world.
ChuckC

[Clay Hayes]

Originally posted by Ron Vaughn:
Clay--The reason your need a side by side for hunting is to haul your ozone machine to your hunting site.

Oh dang, I forgot about that  

[IndaTimber]

Great response!

[bow'narrow]

Whether it is hunting with archery equipment or firearms, fair chase is being pushed to the limit.  Too many people have no intention of giving game a chance.  It's like coming home without an animal means they left their manhood (woman hood?) in the game fields.  Most hunting magazines advertise more gadgetry than Radio Shack that will give game less and less chance of survival.

[Clay Hayes]

Originally posted by bow'narrow:
Whether it is hunting with archery equipment or firearms, fair chase is being pushed to the limit.  Too many people have no intention of giving game a chance.  It's like coming home without an animal means they left their manhood (woman hood?) in the game fields.  Most hunting magazines advertise more gadgetry than Radio Shack that will give game less and less chance of survival.

That's true and it has great implications for the length and timing of our hunting seasons, especially in the west. But the real issue with this publication is that it's being passed off as educational to impressionable young hunters in need of real guidance.

[BFreed59]

These are great responses, and I agree with all of them, even though I am young and have grown up in the instant gratification era. I feel extremely lucky to have had my grandfather as a great mentor for hunting fishing and everything outdoors related, I would go out hunting with him every fall and spend a week in the woods of Vermont and out of 10 seasons only took one doe. His mentality rubbed off on me it was more a way to get out and be closer to nature and enjoy everything it has to offer than it was about killing an animal. To me it seems like much of the market is geared towards a single end (killing an animal) and to me this doesn't feel right the whole hunting experience is more than that and if that is your only goal then I think you are missing the biggest part of why we hunt.

In your letter you referred to old bucks using thermals and air currents.  I hunt old bucks in NW Iowa. Mature deer especially old does use more than that to guide their daily routines. I am so sick and tired of the program hunting techniques and how everyone, even on public land, thinks all they need to do is duplicate what they read and see on TV, that I refuse to stake out a claim on the public and private parcels that I hunt and call it my own.  If I get a deer, it is on the ground.  
  A word about thermals and air currents. I was after a big handsome buck last year.  It was impossible to set up in front of him. He followed his nose and any human scent would just move him to a different route.  I ended up hanging up where I could maybe see him first and then attempt a wind in my face stalk to match the situation. Being partially disabled, I am not the graceful stalking cat that I used to be. My trophy for the year was that I got within 70 yards of him twice and he got by me twice without being spooked by my efforts.  Too much stratagem takes the adventure out of the hunt, certainly some is required, but who wants to play a game when the deck is always stacked in your favor?

[Swinestalker]

Most beginners would do well to forget the gimmicks and seek to be a better Indian.

[Charlie3]

Dissenting view-

I'm OK with gullible people being led astray...more deer for me!  

[Adirondack Bowman]

We're doomed. While in Newfoundland hunting moose last October my guide was telling me of  another outfitter he knew who
was experimenting with drones to help to spot moose from the air. Proably won't be to long  before drones catch on as another hunting tool. We have met the enemy and he is us.

Should I use a blunt or a broadhead for a drone?
I have heard talk of someone getting one, so they can check on deer without getting out and walking to areas that they cannot drive to.  Actually, I am all for restricting the use of any digital or mechanical device for detecting or harassing game on public land, as well as a rule to remove tree stands on a daily basis from all public land. We cannot leave decoys out for waterfowl, why should we be able to leave our junk in the public woods when we are not there?  Normally, I do not agree with more rules, but a leave no trace rule is actually one that frees up the resource for everyone else and can help keep hunting an adventure open to more people.

[Clay Hayes]

Originally posted by bow'narrow:
Whether it is hunting with archery equipment or firearms, fair chase is being pushed to the limit.  Too many people have no intention of giving game a chance.  It's like coming home without an animal means they left their manhood (woman hood?) in the game fields.  Most hunting magazines advertise more gadgetry than Radio Shack that will give game less and less chance of survival.

That's true and it has great implications for the length and timing of our hunting seasons, especially in the west. But the real issue with this publication is that it's being passed off as educational to impressionable young hunters in need of real guidance.

[jonsimoneau]

Kind of off topic but I think we are going to have a real problem on our hands concerning the use of drones. My brother-in- law just got one to survey his crop fields. He was showing it too me last night and promptly ran it up to 400 feet and had a birdseye view of a huge area complete with zoom ability etc all in amazing detail. He controlled it from his iPad and the clarity of what he could see was astounding. He doesn't hunt and knows absolutely nothing about it but once he got it up there he looked at me and said "Think how easy it would be for you to find deer with one of these!"  I told him I'd never in a million years and he honestly did not understand my reaction.

[ChuckC]

yup. I agree.  And of course, then comes herding the deer past you or your paid hunters.  No mistake, it IS gonna happen.  People are people, nuff said.
ChuckC

[McDave]

Jon's reaction to drones is pretty much what I've heard other places.  I'd like to think that it would be obvious enough to the powers that be that drones have no place in fair chase hunting that they would be outlawed.  Or, alternatively, that a lot of them would have unfortunate accidents.  Unfortunately, we tend to get numb to this kind of thing after a time, and then, like crossbows, they creep in.  People who have a buck to make from something don't give up, they'll be right back making their pitch next week, next month, next year.

I am in the process right now of pushing those powers that be to get to work on outlawing drones for hunting and for getting automated cameras off of public hunting areas.  Years ago the powers that be here didn't think I had any grounds for my complaints about tree stand misuse.  It took a couple of years, but we got a tree stand law, now we need a refinement of that law as well.  The only real difference between them and us is that they are more worried about getting their suits dirty.