RE: Are we really hunting anymore?
 

Some one who is a gentleman and can express their opinion while being respectful of others is always welcome! Most all of us live,eat and breathe the hunting experience. Glad to have you participating!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.

RE: Are we really hunting anymore?
 

Well, the way I hunt is legal and works for me. It accomplishes my goal, taking game effeciently. If I wasn't interested in taking game I would use a camera, not a weapon.

I will use what ever means is most effecient for me and works, as long as it's legal.

If you don't aprove, then don't do it I guess.

I'm sorry you feel I'm less of a hunter than you are, but I probably will not lose any sleep over it. Means a lot coming from someone that owns a computer. I mean wanting to do things the hard way and all. I'm sure you would be happier with no electricity, running water, cars or anything like that.

I could explain how much work goes into finding a spot to hunt, scouting the location, hanging the stand and all the other stuff that goes with it, but I'm sure you have already made up your mind about it.

I personally feel it's attitudes like this that will eventually lead to the demise of hunting. Hunters looking down on other hunters will never help our cause. Just my opinion anyway.

Paul

RE: Are we really hunting anymore?
 

Well I know I hunted my behind off this year only to fill a doe tag and no buck. I hunted from the ground, from the trees, stalking, sitting and had many opportunities, just not the bucks I wanted. I don't mind not filling my buck tag. It's not the kill, it's the hunt. There is always next year. I'm happy.

RE: Are we really hunting anymore?
 

Where abouts in the Fingerlakes area laxdad? I hunt around Auburn/Throop/Sennett area.
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West side of Owasco Lake, Aurora area, Moravia, etc..

RE: Are we really hunting anymore?
 

Good land out that way. I am right down the road from you on the west side ofOwasco lake too (the other end). I hunt a couple pieces of land in Moravia as well.

RE: Are we really hunting anymore?
 

Paul,

I tried very hard to keep from pushing my ideas and ideals on anyone else. Evidently I was not successful and if you feel that I, in any way, denigraded your hunting techniques I sincerely apologize. I in no way look down on your efforts as a hunter. Again I'm sorry that I could not express my thoughts in a way that did not offend.

Sincerely,

laxdad

RE: Are we really hunting anymore?
 

It is all a charade folks[8D]

RE: Are we really hunting anymore?
 

Are we really hunting anymore?

Yes. no matter what style you hunt with, it's still hunting. Deer drives, ground blinds, tree stands or stalking, it is all a form of hunting.

RE: Are we really hunting anymore?
 

Man,having one style of hunting is like going fishing with one bait.You dont need to limmit yourself like that.Ill sit in a tree and when the deer stop moving to me ill go to them.Thats how i look at it,I let the deer do all the leg work i can,Im gonna need all the energy i have to drag him out.

RE: Are we really hunting anymore?
 

Laxdad,
I know exactly what you mean, and share your feelings. This forum consists of a lot of different people, and a lot of different hunting styles. However, the vast majority are passive hunters, who are the “bow only” types. They are of the opinion that they are the most skilled hunters since they have chosen to carry a bow as their weapon. I fully understand and agree that if you take any form of hunting, replace the firearm with a bow, you’ve made it more difficult and challenging. But for the most part, these hunters have missed out on a great deal of skills associated with hounding, stalking and running down deer while on the ground. You remind me of my two mentors, my father and my friends father Carl. Neither have ever sat in a tree. They both find the greatest challenge pursuing mature bucks from the ground.
I haven’t been fortunate enough to take a buck from the ground with a bow, and I probably won’t for quite some time. I have taken some nice bucks by stalking them and running them down as well, once they’ve caught on that they were being stalked. To date these have been my most challenging hunts, but they’re overlooked in this forum since I took them with a shotgun. I’ve taken a couple of nice bucks with a bow, while in a tree stand and side with you on the “hunt”. This style doesn’t do much for me. The argument you’ll most likely hear is going to consist mostly of the amount of preparation a successful bow hunter is challenged with, with no real solid rebuttal in regards to “the hunt”, but all forms of hunting take preparation, so I do not see the point or stance of this argument. Most of the hunters here don’t even know how to get to their stand without spooking the deer, so still hunting is simply out of the question. I have attempted still hunting with my bow on several occasions this year, but haven’t had much luck. I’ve been close enough to confidently take shots at some small bucks as well as some does, but I like to let the small bucks walk, and does were not legal on the days that I was able to get into range. I know I’m up to it, but it just hasn’t happened yet, and since I’m raising four children, who are now also interested in hunting, my hunting will be taking a back seat for a while and most of my time is being spent with them. The next few years simply aren’t going to be about me.
I look forward to seeing more of your posts and conversing with you in the future.
KP

RE: Are we really hunting anymore?
 

K.P.
You have some realy fun times ahead for you!There is no feeling in the world like teaching your children how to read the animals,talk to them,stalk them,Etc. Then the hours and hours of prep and practice.Then the day one of your own brings down a big buck!!It all pays off.I taught my sons how to fish,and they took it to another level.I learn alot from them now.I see that happening soon with hunting.Man!...4 kids in the field!Seeing them on the hunt is going to be morefun for you than actually hunting.I leave my gun at home all the time.But then again i could hunt every day if i wanted to.
As far as some of these guys talking about bows being the hard way,I call B.S. on that.My Bowtech is no less accurate than a 30-30.And i know it.Im not trying to fool anyone.I can see a longbow being tougher,and wounding lots of deer............

RE: Are we really hunting anymore?
 

RE: Are we really hunting anymore?
 

Welcome to the fourm Laxdad. Your 71 years of hunting will be a asset to us all.

Hatchet Jack

RE: Are we really hunting anymore?
 

I am 18 years old and this is my first season bowhunting. I thought i should get a tree stand but realized i cant stand to sit still for that long adn the land i hunt is mostly cedar trees anyway. I prefer spotting and stalking because i get to move and have learned alot more about the deer in the area then i would have if i had set up a stand near the trails i had my camera on.

thanks for bringing this point to our attention and i hope to learn alot from your experiences and knowledge