Greydog, most of us use all the items you mentioned. I know I do. To me the difference is that you have to learn to use them as opposed to just putting out food or using an outfitter.Even most conservation departments put out or pay farmers to plant food plots. I think the hard way that's being referred to is finding the land, learning it,scouting for sign, setting up stands, cutting shooting lanes etc. To me that's thefun and exciting part. Getting an animal is icing on the cake. Just to be able to go into an area considered to be the animals living room, doing all the things correctly, for them to not know you're thereis amazing and fulfilling. Especially if I did it the "hard way".
Spudrow from MO