there are so many important reasons to me....

first and formost is time in the field. i dont do it just to kill animals, i do it to experience animals. of course i want a freezer full of meat, but with all the tags we get here that is nearly a certainty. i want to see it all. i love the camraderie.

i am the first to admit i hold out for the big one (sometimes too much), but i dont think the number of records makes a hunter, most of my biggest animals were my easiest.

i believe you can be a good hunter on private land as well as on public. i believe you can be a good hunter whether ya bring home an animal or not. last year i snuck within 47 yards of a bedded 320 class 6by6 bull, in nearly open country, and spent 45 minutes with him at that range, and he was FACING ME THE WHOLE TIME. i never even drew back on him. however, that was a successful hunt.

i guess being a good hunter is maximizing your time in the field to get the full enjoyment of everything nature has to offer, first and foremost to yourself.

brad