RE: Gen X Turkey Hunters
I am only 23 and I have seen my friends that hunt shrink from every friend, to only about two. It is VERY hard to find guys that are around my age that are still hunting. It really scares me when I think about how hunting is going to be when i am 50 or so. IF there is any such thing as hunting. Habitat destruction is killing our animals and we are too dumb to see it or don't care. Our population is booming to the point that we are about caught up with China. Its aweful. Even in the deep parts of the country, wal-mart, malls, houses, all sorts of developments and industries are being built in our forests. The logging industry cuts a forest and plants nothing but pines. Animals need food.
I grew up hunting, here in the South, you start the kids early. So by 15 or so, I could hang with the best of them. Granted, I am still learning new things today.
I think that its normal that once you reach my age that people start to get onto "real life" so hunting has to go on a back burner for a little while. Myself, if I'm not hunting, then I'm not happy. So, I've learned to include it in my life.
The thing that bothers me is just like this past deer season. I seen more deer than I ever have in my life, but I had no one to share it with. I have no one to hunt with. I killed a nice bird last year, had no one to share the story with, to show the pictures to. It is very depressing.
As for the older guys not likeing the way we hunt. That is life. Its called a generation gap. Just like your dad wants you to do everything the way he does it and nothing you do is right. Its been there since God put us here.
I do think that the newer hunters in general try to rely on the new technology and gadgets more than they should. They try to get a gun that will shoot a turkey at 100 yards instead of working on their calling. I am not an exception. Its just that I was brought up in the time of every time you turn on the tv or go to a froum it some "new and amazing" product coming out.
Just my opinion.