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Old 06-24-2009 | 07:10 PM
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MGH_PA
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,298
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From: Cogan Station, PA
Default RE: Are we losing sight?
ORIGINAL: Windwalker7

Well MGH, you kinda gave me a look into your soul

Have you ever questioned why you were so anxious and couldn't sleep the night before the opener?

What were you excited for?

Now if you were to be a first time hunter today, do you think your expectationsmight be let down if you were to go out and maybe not see any deer?

What if most of your outings you didn't see many deer?

Would you still be anxious for that first day for the next few years?

Why?

Kids today want instant gratification. They don't get that hunting today. Maybe 10 years ago, but not today.

Kids today have so many options of things to do ( football,soccer, video games)

Hunting doesnt provide many kids with that unless they are successful at it. If a kid can go out and see deer or maybe even get one, chances are, they'll be anxious to go again.

MGH, isn't that the main reason you were so anxious the night before? You were excited that you just might get a deer. Your confidence was boosted by previous experiences in the woods.

Well kids today don't get that kind of experience. They get bored. They sit in the woods hoping to see a deer and are many times disapointed.

While many of you will blast me for this, deep down you know it is the truth.

If its not the truth, then please explain why so many youth today don't want to hunt. Oh yeah, there are some kids that love hunting. Those kids are the ones that tasted success not the kids that went out and saw nothing.

I have buddies and relatives that have kids and I have kids. I know my buddies and relativeshave a terrible time getting their kids interested in hunting.


The truth hurts!
Sure I was excited about the chance of seeing and/or taking a deer. Aren't we all? I also agree kids these days NEED instant gratification (I'm a high school teacher...I see it all the time). My post wasn't directed toward the recruitment of new hunters as much as it was an observation of the hunters today...those of us who HAVE like you said, "tasted success." Most of the people knocking other's choice of weapons, PGC's management program, and the general state of hunting in PA, etc, are hunters who have all tasted success, but the killing doesn't have to be the only part of hunting...or even the part where the most emphasis is placed.

This observation isn't just limited to PA. Look at the emphasis on record book animals, guided hunts, crazy gear/gadgets promising monster animals, etc.

I just feel that we sometimes need to step back and enjoy the time spent in the woods and with friends and family.

As for the recruitment of new hunters, I know plenty of kids my age that hunted until they were 16 or 17 until they got their first deer, and they were enjoying the experience every year in between regardless. If a kid today loses interest in hunting because he isn't seeing many deer, then maybe his heart isn't set on it. I can go days without seeing deer, and still just enjoy being out in the woods. Maybe I'm just a weirdo[]
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