RE: What defines a great bowhunter??
 

LaxDad, First off, I guess I'm one of the Chest thumpers, because I use # of point's, and P&Y score to explain the size of a Buck I have killed or have seen all the time, it is a means to explain the size of the Buck that is widely excepted in the Bowhunting Community. It is not ment to offend anyone, or to makethem feel like less of a bowhunter. I have been lucky enough to hunt from MI to MD, MD to GA, GA to KY, KY to KS, and back to MI with most state's in between, and I can tell you this, You can't kill Big Buck's were Big Buck's don't live! So my standards change from state to state. My standards are differnt than my 71 year old neighbor, We both hunt on public hunting land right by the house, He tag's out (2 Tag's) every year on anything from spikes to 7 pt's, were I have filled 3 tags in the past 10 seasons on 130 gross class Buck's. He (has never killed a 130 class Buck) is 100% on Deer he set his standards at, were I'm only around 30%, even though I passed up shots on 7 Buck's that did not meet my standards this year. Is he a better deer hunter than I am? I personaly don't believe anyone can answer that Question. I know Fred Bear was a Great Bowhunter and no way would I consider myself in his class of Bowhunter, But I can also tell you that Fred's Biggest whitetail Buck does not meet my standards, were Deer Hunting is concerned!!! So Fred is my example of a great Bowhunter. But you were talking about Deer so my Definition of a Great Deer Hunter would be, someone that can travel to any part of the country and harvest an exceptional Buck for that AREA. You said Great, not successful, or good!!

RE: What defines a great bowhunter??
 

Silverficker, my perception of you is not one of a, "chest thumper". I've always enjoyed your comments and contributions in this forum.Besides, you shouldnt care what I think. You, like all of us need to be satisfied in yourself and obviously you are.

In my opinion, there have been some great (there's that word again) responses in this thread. Most have responded, albeit with different words, that great is defined by a compendium of qualities and not just the results of a kill or number of kills, which may be elements within theirrequirement but not the sole determinant. In addition, most feel that we alone can define our own qualities for greatness and I agree.

To many in this forum, myself includedbowhunting is more than recreation or a pastime. It borders on an ideaology and therefore transcends a kill. It has become almost a way of life to many. A simple analogy may be; are Barry Bonds or Pete Rose great ballplayers. If you look at numbers, yes. If your perspective is broader it may be that they are simply cheaters. Your call...and you may apply the same rationale to bowhunters..as you wish.

Again my call for greatness is to a crochety old man that I spent 3 hours with, saw only one of his kills, never saw him draw an arrow but he had more impact on my bowhunting future than anyone in the next 53 years.

laxdad

RE: What defines a great bowhunter??
 

LaxDad, I understand and agree with that, for I have been lucky enough to have knowna fewpeople in my life, that have left the same impressions.

RE: What defines a great bowhunter??
 

I like both of your arguments and think that both of you are right on everything you say.It really is the same thing but from a different look.

RE: What defines a great bowhunter??
 

Very good post laxdad. I agree with what you are saying but it all depends on where a guy hunts, the time he is allowed, resources available for deer, and usually a good deal of luck. Kuddos to you on stalking within bowrange and harvesting the deer you have, that takes extreme patience to move that slow. Afterall we are bowhunters because we are patient.A lot of us will hunt many years and not take a "Trophy" class buck but in my eyes a doe is even a trophy, i get just as excited arrowing a doe as i do a big boy. I do like to wait for the big ones though, if i want to harvest a deer i will take a doe because we have an over abundance of them and I like to let bucks reach their potential. Mother nature is amazing and bucks wouldnt grow big racks if they hadnt evolved to be more successful that way....ie mating/dominance. I think the genetics that are in some areas are amazing and produce characteristics beyond the forces of natural selection.

RE: What defines a great bowhunter??
 

Heck, I wished I wouldhad someone explain deer to me for 3 hrs when I was 17 which is when I started bowhunting. Being self taught and still learning after 27 years of bowhunting... the deer still show me I am not a great hunter but one who needs to be better. Been a fun 27 years of huntingthough!! :D

Tim

RE: What defines a great bowhunter??
 

GMMAT, sorry it took so long to respond. I was trying to say in my first response with the "intimate knowledge" that the hunting had to be done by the "great hunter." Being a great shooter and killing anything that walks by the stand someone put you in is something else.

DavidMil, after reading this forum for 6 months or so now it seems to me that you are one heck of a hunter. I don't think rack size has anything to do with this argument. I think it is all about the challenges that the hunter takes on and is able toovercome.

RE: What defines a great bowhunter??
 

I am who I am. I’ll go forth and embrace the challenges this planet has to offer, absorbing knowledge at every turn. I weigh, I measure, and I calculate. More importantly, I participate with an educated objective in mind. I’ll open some doors, and I’ll close others. I expect nothing. I reach deep into my heart and soul, as well as my pocket book, in an effort to give back as much as I’ve been given. I am great because I care (has nothing to do with killing)….I try to make a difference, for the good, wherever I am. I love doing it….

RE: What defines a great bowhunter??
 

Wow, some great closing posts. Thank you all for your thoughts and participation.

I agree with huntingson, Davidmil has made some noteworthy contributions to this forum.Regards........

laxdad