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So, now to the question itself: What makes a great hunter?
Does it involve skill, technique, instinct?
Does it matter by region, religion, or politics?
Is there a sort of ranking system among professional hunters?
How are hunting valued in your life?
Does equipment matter?

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First off every hunter will give you different answers on all questions. But one thing that we will all agree on is that it takes a lot of heart and dedication to be come a great hunter. It isn't something that just happens.

As for ranking, there is really no system. Elder hunters that have been hunting longer are at the highest order and from their it is just more based on respect.

Hunting in my life, and this is where you will get different answers, is absolutely everything. My family hunts, my friends hunt, my pets are even bred hunting dogs. That isn't to say that I don't take a break every now and again and pursue other hobbies. But for the most part unless previously engaged with another opportunity I will hunt at the drop of a hat.

As for equipment, to some it matters to others it doesn't. For the first few years I was hunting my dad used a 40+ year old side by side 12 gauge for bird hunting and still uses the 30+ .30-.30 bolt and 7mm for deer and hogs and Audad. For example, one thing that I like to have, but not everyone else, is a really good pair of Binoculars.(sp?) So in a short version equipment is essential, but not necissarily the type of equipment, if it's reliable, sturdy, and works well for you then that is all that matters.

And region does play a very big role in the type of hunting and the size of the animal. Religion is a little bit more touchy, some religions in the world say some animals are sacred therefore it would go against it to kill that particular animal. Politics are more and more playing a role in hunting. What with new regulations and all that kind of stuff.

I'd write more now but I have to get to class and I have a puppy that is tryin to get used to the crate. This is a great forum to learn about hunting, you might also try the deer hunting part at the top of the main screen, there are a lot of knowledgeable hunters there.