RE: Are hunters selfish??
 

I think the buck being killed by a car vs. the enjoyment of a hunter killing a buck has been covered so I won't comment on that.

As far as hunters being selfish when it comes to land/stands I guess I'm a little different than most. I get great enjoyment out of setting a friend or relative up with a "charity" buck. If someone I put in a stand on my land is fortunate enough to kill a big buck I feel like I was just as much a part of killing that buck as they were. IMO the hunting part of it was already accomplished by the scouting, stand location, putting them in the stand at the right moment, etc...

Also some of these people that you set up with a "charity buck" may not have the time or money that I am fortunate enough to have in order to do the legwork. I get (almost;))as muchenjoyment out of seeing the excitement I can provide someoneby killing a buck of their dreams as I do when I kill one. Don't get me wrong, I like killing a mature buck as much as the next guy and that's what I hunt for. But, I'm also willing to share what I have with someone that hasn't enjoyed the success I've had over the years or arent' as fortunate to have the same opportunities.

That being said, I can also see the other side of the coin where a trend towards selfishness has taken place in the hunting community. However I wouldnt' stereotype hunters as being selfish for the most part.I still think the unselfish outweigh the selfish in the huntingworld (at least I hope).

RE: Are hunters selfish??
 

NY....... you say that you are different than most .... I say that you are the norm ...... just because a certain guy on here feels one way and states that ALL others feel the way he does, doesn't make it so. I believe most of the guys on here would be happy for others as you stated ....

RE: Are hunters selfish??
 

Amen to that!

RE: Are hunters selfish??
 

After reading this earlier and being in total agreement it got me thinking.A lot of thereplies on this thread say things about "my stand, my land" kind of thing. Nothing wrong with that, but isn't that individual kind of thinking selfish in general, isn't being unselfish thinking about others? Ionly noticed a fewreplies that referenced how we can preserve hunting for our kids, grandkids, great-grandkids,or taking new people hunting. Almost like as long as I can hunt now and I got my spots to go to, then to heck with everybody else(maybe not this extreme). At the rate hunting ground is being gobbled up I am definitely worried about where my kids and their kids will be able to hunt, I would like to think they will have the same kind of oppurtunities I have had but I doubt that will be the case. I also think that as land becomes harder to find new hunter numbers will decline(JMO). Maybe it is not selfishness but rather a sense of helplessness, like awhat can we really do about it kind of thing, I guess I could understand that, but either way it sucks.

RE: Are hunters selfish??
 

So as not to be misconstrued, further.....I'll reiterate....

I'll put anyone who hunts the way I do on a deer.....and rejoice at their good fortunes. I WILL NOT put just anyone on a deer and tell them to "have at it". THAT is what I meant when I gave the "charity" reference.

If you respect the quarry.....hunt ethically and legally.....and put forth the desire to hunt these animals..........

......there's a good chance you'd be WELCOMED in the woods I have permission to hunt.

I'll smile and take your pictures with your kills. Kudos.

RE: Are hunters selfish??
 

Jeff, I hope that you know I was not referring to you with my previous post ... you are one of many that have made me feel welcome .... I really was referring to NY's idea that he feels different than most .... I disagree ... I believe he feels like most of us here .... sometimes the vocal minority shout over the quiet majority .... if any are wondering if I am referring to you ... if the slipper fits, put it on, if not, don't try and shove it on your big toe like Cinderella's sister ;)

RE: Are hunters selfish??
 

I didn't "think" so, PT.....but your PM made that clear. Thanks.

If Im not mistaken....YOU are one of the ones I HAVE invited to share the woods with me. I've made that invitation to several.....and I'll hunt with multiple board members in the coming year.

It's like ANYTHING else......

We surround ourselves with people who have similar interests and outlooks. I wouldn't play on a softball team with guys I didn't respect. I wouldn't like it if we had a guy that showed up late.....disrespected team members.....disrepsected the opponent....etc. he wouldn't be welcome on my team.

I see sharing the woods I hunt the same way. Show your respect to the landowner....the quarry.....and the game laws.....and there's a good chance we can share a hunt and my home/hospitality.

Have a good week.

RE: Are hunters selfish??
 

I have helped a ton of guys out my letting them hunt my stands. Some were nonresidents that didnt have a chance to get set up in my state while others were local friends who had legitamet issues as to why they werent prepared; maybe an illness or family matters. I am not against helping out fellow hunters BUT feel no obligation to do it.It comes down to desire once again in many cases. Those that desire to hunt need to realize that there is more to it than walking out and climbing in somebody elses tree. It has nothing to do with kids and the future of hunting either. Opportunities are there for those willing to do it.

I take this same approach towards many issues in todays society-

Those that desire to live in the United States need to follow our laws and come here legally

Those that desire to eat need to get a job

Those that desire to hunt need to find a hunting area, scout and hang stands

etc etc etc

RE: Are hunters selfish??
 

I agree with the things you said but I would sayit is our responsibility to think about the future of hunting and ensuring not just our kids but hopefullygenerations to come will have some of the same kind of oppurtunities we have now. That was the only reason I mentioned it, and while everything might be good right now that doesn't mean it willbe that way in 50 years. Introducing new hunters and young kids increases our numbers andcan help us to maintain our strength and therevenue created by our sportmuch of which goes to securing and maintaining publiclands to hunt, and thatis very important.I know many of us sacrificeour time and efforts to do these things and most say it is very rewarding.Here is a question we could ask ourselves,if you had a day off to go hunting and everything was lining up just right and then a couple of days before the hunt you are asked by someone (kid, relative, friend, etc) who is a reponsible person who has shown interest in hunting(that maybe doesn't have the same oppurtunities as you) if you might be able to take them out some time, would you(there is really no wrong answer)? Or would you blow them off because you have had your eye on this spot and this could be the day and I don't want some newbie there to spook the deer. And just taking someone really doesn't do much, unless you are teaching them something, how to be safe/responsible, knowing all game laws and state requirements, how to find land to hunt(public or private) when they are ready to hunt by themselves, and a million other things.

That is true, ecspecially for experienced hunters, but for a lot of others a good mentor sure would help, there is no shortage of people to take hunting just a shortage of mentors sometimes.

RE: Are hunters selfish??
 

Yes, if you want to be good/great at anything you have to be a little selfish.

Do I setup up the best spots for LH only shots, Yes, Do I put stands and do not tell others, yes. Do I lie and say "just saw couple of does"When I saw 5 bucks and the big boy, Yes.


I have also bought paid 3 bows, camo and stands for youth hunters.

I have taken them out hunting and scored deer with them, yes

I have won 3 shot guns at dinners and donated them all to youth hunters.

So what the heck is the questions?

Are guys who hunt mature bucks or consistently kill deer are they selfish? Yes or they would not be successful IMO.

One of my good friends will let anyone hunt his land, all those people who hunt his land are the most selfish people I know. They pay nothing, they move and steal each others stands. If me telling folks like that to go pound sand when they ask to hunt my land is selfish, so be it.

I can tell you out of the 110 members at our club, I would hunt with 10 of those guys. Call me selfish, elitetest or whatever you want. There are certain people in the hunting world I stay away from. If you want to be a great hunter, have them as your best friends. It is bound to rub off;)

There is a great chapter in Joe Brooks book about picking a hunting partner.