ORIGINAL: GMMAT
I won't speak for the author (he's doing a fine job of "defending" himself.....though he shouldn't HAVE to), but LITERALLY.....I don't se ehow anyone could have an issue with this way of thinking.
He's said HIMSELF....right here....that he's not CONDONING spending time away from family and work.....but it stands to reason that those who DO spend MORE TIME in the deer woods (for WHATEVER reason) are going to reap benefits. If you skip the family picnic to practice putting.....you're likely to become a better putter, too. Does that mean that everyone that makes that choice is doing the RIGHT thing? Nope. But to diminish their accomplishments.....BASED SOLELY ON THE FACT THAT YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO MAKE THE SAME SACRIFICES.....is very transparent.
I'm not willing to forego my family's vacations to save that earmarked money for deer hunting gear or trips. Some are. I'm happy with my hunting, though.....and I don't think less of the people who do these type things. If it works, for them.....who am I to question it.
It's easy for us to generalize and criticize others for sacrifices we're not willing to make. Somehow....I guess it helps our egos to think they're doing something 'wrong'.....or taking advantage of others for their own, selfish gain.I don't live in "their" world, though. I'm certainly not going to make light of their accomplishments.....SOLELY on the "notion" that they're obviously bad men for doing the things they do.
That's just petty.
Foget the P&Y references. They mean nothing, to me, and I'm "guessing" they meant nothing to the author's INTENDED purpose forciting them. TheFACTS are....if we'd implement ADDITIONAL, "tried and true trophy buck" "tactics".....we'd ALL have a better chance of scoring onthe best "TROPHIES" "OUR" woods held. The size of said "trophies"IS relative to your woods. That shouldn't even have to be pointed out.
I've ordered your book, Don.....and I've read Joe Brooks.....and related HIS writings to help me find the best deer in MY woods. The deer he cites in his book DON'TEXIST in mine. That has LITTLE to do withwhat a "trophy" deer isthose same woods. I'm intelligent enough to relate the tactics cited.....and apply to my own situation.
Welcome to the forums.....and I'm guessingyou needn't worry about your popularity, here.
Very well said Jeff. I have noticed from a number of your posts that you get it. None of us can fully understand anothers situation without walking in their shoes. It is easy to assume things about others and throw a negative tone towards their accomplishments to pacify our own fragile egos as we hide behind a made up "handle" and a keyboard. Nobody here truly knows my family situation (even by reading a book)nor do I know anyone elses situation. We all have to decide what we want out of deer hunting and balance that with the effort and time we are willing put towards it. If we want more out of it than the "average" hunter, then we personally have to decide where that extra time is going to come from. I have described how I personally gave up other intereststo make more time for hunting butI have no issue with anyone elses decisions until they try to belittle my choices while knowing next to nothing about me and how I live my life. My primary issue comes from people making excuses for someone elses success or their ownlack of success.