Then do it. That's what Tred did.

I'll say this, too.....

If Tred were as good a shot as Fred Eichler......he'd likely have more fans, too.

Jeff

Never meant to imply that you didn't personally practice. Just wanted to show a comparison.

Ihave no idea what you mean by this general statement. But let me explain what I think of outfitters/guides.
I'm a flatlander, but I lovewilderness huntingin themountains when possible. Yes, I use a guide. Usually one guide to my partner and myself. One of the reasons I use a guide is because you are walking, climbing, horse riding miles from camp. I do not kow the land, the guide does. I do not have the resources or time to scout the land before my hunt. I do not own decent wall tents or horses/equipment. Getting lost is a real possibility in the wilderness and a guide is prepared for it. Not making it back to camp for the night is always a possibility. It's harsh out there, and I feel more comfortable withsomeone who would really know what to do. There is also a real safety factor to consider. Ankles get twisted, arms get broken, and again the land is unforgiving. I have no wrangler skills. I can ride horses and had lessons when I was young. But a guide/wrangler knows what to do when a horse throughs a shoe. After a long day of hunting the mountains, I am tired when I get back to camp. I don't have the energy to cook after being in elevations that I am not used to. Again, the cook or guide is ready for this. I have even had a meal prepared for me, but I'm too tired to eat.

Before bashing guides/outfitterspeople need to getsome experience/knowledge about what they are there for. Yes they help with the calling/set ups, but it's not a done deal. You still have to shoot straight if the opporunity presents itself.

I won't argue that point with you Greg, a compound is a more precise weapon.

Following your logic why would anyone useANY bow over a gun? A gunCAN (in the hands of a proficient, ethical shooter) certainly be more humane than a bow. Why do you use a bow? I think it's because you get more out of your hunt when you use one. Same reason applies to traditional. Neither one is the "right" answer for everyone. In this case it is relative and everyone hopefully finds their own niche that they enjoy, and they are able to have fun.

Actually, I'd love to try and hunt with a spear. There are some real nice ones that are still being made. Unfortunately, in most states it is illegal. But, there is always flint knapping to keep me busy someday.



Well said!

LOL ......... few people can shoot that well with a recurve/longbow. You do realize that IF you can shoot that well you're in a very elite company, right ?

And they hunt game farms and livestock too. But yeah, I agree with the above

well there you go, Tred Barta is doing it the hard way, you're doing it the easy way by your own admission.

personal challenge. Its not the killing that makes hunting, its the HUNT that makes hunting

the bowhunter wounds and loses, never the weapon. I'd love to downgrade to a self bow, and I've read lots of stories on spear hunts for hogs, and one man names Sasha Semiel (sp?) who spear hunted Jaguars in South America. Very cool stuff, but I'm not there yet.

BobCo19-65I've done 12 wilderness elk/mule deercamps, mostly backpack or llamas, with each person having 50# to 75# of gear. The camp has been anywhere from a small one man pup tent shared by 2 guys to a luxurious 10'x10' Cabelas tent, eating dried foods and dried soups etc. I've been there and I've done that, and never used a guide and killed elk consistantly with a compound and muzzleloader. Backpack elk hunting is one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.

That said yes, it can be dangerous. I damn near died one year because of my own negligence. But that element too makes the hunt - me personally ? I don't want my hand held. I don't want luxury camp, all my meals served, and someone to point at where I should shoot etc. I want to do it all myself.

So like I said I've been there and done that.

I have never watched Tred's show. I'm not sure when or what channel it is on. I have watched Fred Eichler and I do enjoy his show for many reasons.........on being he uses stick and string.

I have never spent much time using a trad bow, but it looks much more difficult than a compound.........especially in real hunting situations.

I hear a lot of QDM'ers talk about the "maturing process" of a hunter and to some degree I agree with that. Rather than holding off for a boonie, I see myself wanting to mature and get back to the basics.......... using trad equiptment.

I'll give respect to anyone who chooses to hunt with stick and string vs today's rocket launcher bows. It just has to present more challenges..

I guess I might feel that way if I was single. But when you have others that depend on you, it's a very wise idea to keep things as safe as possible for their sake if not for your own. Of course if I was more in tune with the area, scouted it, had the necessary equipment, could breathe in higher elevations just as I could atlow elevations, had wrangling experience, and decent survival skills, I'd do it myself also.

But all that stuff still isn't gonna keep me away from the hunt. And I feel it wise for myself to proceed with a guide and outfitter when wilderness hunting.

Most definetely!