RE: Are we really hunting anymore?
Laxdad,
I know exactly what you mean, and share your feelings. This forum consists of a lot of different people, and a lot of different hunting styles. However, the vast majority are passive hunters, who are the “bow only” types. They are of the opinion that they are the most skilled hunters since they have chosen to carry a bow as their weapon. I fully understand and agree that if you take any form of hunting, replace the firearm with a bow, you’ve made it more difficult and challenging. But for the most part, these hunters have missed out on a great deal of skills associated with hounding, stalking and running down deer while on the ground. You remind me of my two mentors, my father and my friends father Carl. Neither have ever sat in a tree. They both find the greatest challenge pursuing mature bucks from the ground.
I haven’t been fortunate enough to take a buck from the ground with a bow, and I probably won’t for quite some time. I have taken some nice bucks by stalking them and running them down as well, once they’ve caught on that they were being stalked. To date these have been my most challenging hunts, but they’re overlooked in this forum since I took them with a shotgun. I’ve taken a couple of nice bucks with a bow, while in a tree stand and side with you on the “hunt”. This style doesn’t do much for me. The argument you’ll most likely hear is going to consist mostly of the amount of preparation a successful bow hunter is challenged with, with no real solid rebuttal in regards to “the hunt”, but all forms of hunting take preparation, so I do not see the point or stance of this argument. Most of the hunters here don’t even know how to get to their stand without spooking the deer, so still hunting is simply out of the question. I have attempted still hunting with my bow on several occasions this year, but haven’t had much luck. I’ve been close enough to confidently take shots at some small bucks as well as some does, but I like to let the small bucks walk, and does were not legal on the days that I was able to get into range. I know I’m up to it, but it just hasn’t happened yet, and since I’m raising four children, who are now also interested in hunting, my hunting will be taking a back seat for a while and most of my time is being spent with them. The next few years simply aren’t going to be about me.
I look forward to seeing more of your posts and conversing with you in the future.
KP