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RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
I sold my Stevie Ray Signature Strat for personal reasons. I still have 2 beaters.
The reason we all feel a drive is to succeed. Success is gathered thru time and effort. I have a problem with wanting to learn so many things that time will probably never allow. So I just choose to be good at a few things and enjoy life at the same time. Ambition can bring life and kill as well. jmho I will butt out now as this is starting to get off the thread I guess. LT |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
I sold my Stevie Ray Signature Strat for personal reasons. I still have 2 beaters.
The reason we all feel a drive is to succeed. Success is gathered thru time and effort. I have a problem with wanting to learn so many things that time will probably never allow. So I just choose to be good at a few things and enjoy life at the same time. Ambition can bring life and kill as well. jmho I will butt out now as this is starting to get off the thread I guess. LT |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
There are a few things I am very passionate about. One is God, another is ridin my scoot, another is archery, and lastly is long range shooting. And in every one of these things, I see some peoplecome and go. They jump into it on fire and they get robbed of the shear joy of each thing by making it into challenges. Or comparing themselves to others, always insecure of thier status. Needing to be better. I used to be guilty of this just 10-15 years ago.
I have rode bikes with so many guys that had to have a destination in mind before riding. Some even made out iteneriarys. Thats just lame. One reason I would refuse to join HOG. I told them when I lead, I sometimes take 2 lefts for every right. I was serious. It just drove them nuts. I have ended up 200 hundreds of miles from home, breaking out a map trying to get back before my wife worries. I have seen some amazing things off the beatin path, that I wouldnt' have found any other way. Also found some awesome BBQ on the way. Also ended up some places I would rather now. Some of these guys have to attach a mileage to things. I rode with one guy who wanted to have a goal of riding 600 miles in a day. These people never last long. You can watch thier patterns thoughout like, and are constantly jumping from one thing to another to another without satisfaction. Just jump on that bike just to ride for shear joy of feeling the wind and hearin that motor hum. Or just sit in the woods just to clear your head, because you would feel you would go crazy if you couldn't find that quietness. Or just praise God for the shear joy of it, and not worrying what the next guy is doing or if you appear holy to him. Wow, I feel like a 80's commercial. Just do it. |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
oops! Sorry. Double Post.
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RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
BC...Just wondering....how long have you been bowhunting?
Also.....I would say that I am on my journey (the ride)....with no idea of where my destination may be (in bowhunting). Isn't that the fun part? |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
Not sure, probably since 1986. I shot a bear whitetail when I was 12, but didn't really bowhunt until I was 16, and got a fine browning Excellerator Plus.
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RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
I was asking to find out when you knew you wanted to hunt exactly as you do, now. I'm curious to see how long it took you .....and what changes occurred......for you (or anyone) to get to the point they are right now.
I've been deer hunting for 2.5yrs. |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
ORIGINAL: GMMAT I was asking to find out when you knew you wanted to hunt exactly as you do, now. I'm curious to see how long it took you .....and what changes occurred......for you (or anyone) to get to the point they are right now. I've been deer hunting for 2.5yrs. |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
ORIGINAL: bigcountry There are a few things I am very passionate about. One is God, another is ridin my scoot, another is archery, and lastly is long range shooting. And in every one of these things, I see some people come and go. They jump into it on fire and they get robbed of the shear joy of each thing by making it into challenges. Or comparing themselves to others, always insecure of thier status. Needing to be better. I used to be guilty of this just 10-15 years ago. I have rode bikes with so many guys that had to have a destination in mind before riding. Some even made out iteneriarys. Thats just lame. One reason I would refuse to join HOG. I told them when I lead, I sometimes take 2 lefts for every right. I was serious. It just drove them nuts. I have ended up 200 hundreds of miles from home, breaking out a map trying to get back before my wife worries. I have seen some amazing things off the beatin path, that I wouldnt' have found any other way. Also found some awesome BBQ on the way. Also ended up some places I would rather now. Some of these guys have to attach a mileage to things. I rode with one guy who wanted to have a goal of riding 600 miles in a day. These people never last long. You can watch thier patterns thoughout like, and are constantly jumping from one thing to another to another without satisfaction. Just jump on that bike just to ride for shear joy of feeling the wind and hearin that motor hum. Or just sit in the woods just to clear your head, because you would feel you would go crazy if you couldn't find that quietness. Or just praise God for the shear joy of it, and not worrying what the next guy is doing or if you appear holy to him. Wow, I feel like a 80's commercial. Just do it. |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
I think you missed my intent. Did you always hunt with traditional gear?
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RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
Jeff its not really a different stage of hunting like you said. Its a different way of hunting. Its a way of hunting that not many people care to try. Lots of folks say yea I'm going to try it but most never do. Deer hunting is challenging with a shotgun, compound, recurve/longbow, ML, pistol, etc. Each way you hunt represents a different challenge then the other.
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RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
ORIGINAL: GMMAT BC...Just wondering....how long have you been bowhunting? Also.....I would say that I am on my journey (the ride)....with no idea of where my destination may be (in bowhunting). Isn't that the fun part? Total Burnout..I predict you'll be totally out of the sport in 3 years. It would be a shame. But I kinda agree with Jim you're searching. You, unlike anyone I know, make it a task, a duty, control the doe, worry about the neighbors, kill the sick/wounded. You've had too much success, so in your mind it must be too easy..go traditional..after whatI hope is a painless learning curve you'll succeed at that, then what?? Forego treestands, get down on the ground again succeed..and then..?? I hope before you run through the Gauntlet of equipment, you go to a massive expanse of woods and terrain and challenge yourself with the quarry instead of the equipment. Perhaps then you will find the x factor. Your want to challenge yourself, it's not in the equipment. You can control that! You say; why leave an area that's been productive?? The same could be said of your equipment. The challenge is out there. |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
Good post, I really believe folks don't know how to actually just hunt and enjoy it! To much to prove. Times have changed, unfortunately! Like VA posted the tradition of hunting is going by the wayside! People don't hunt a certain way because it's not the cool thing to do! Always worried what the jones are shooting...... so to speak...Too much to prove to the next guy striving to be accepted! Curious. |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
You know I have taken alot of lessons off you Schultz. I buy and sell bows all the time in the past year. but thier you are in your avatar with that monster and that old beat up recurve. Gettin the job done with a smile a person couldnt' knock off with a 10lb sledge. I guess since this baby (my wife is due) has been on the way, I have felt the need to buy as much stuff as possible is one reason. But I know I need to find a bow I can shoot and stick with it. I got that lesson from watching you this past year. Because getting new bows every day and constantly fiddling with them and buying doz upon doz of arrows is not that fun.
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RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
Schultzy,
Maybe you should try hunting with your car. It seems to work well in your area.[:'(]:D |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
ORIGINAL: GMMAT I think you missed my intent. Did you always hunt with traditional gear? |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
ORIGINAL: bigcountry You know I have taken alot of lessons off you Schultz.  |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
BobCo, if you need to quit, then quit.. I may not be making myself clear. Hunt for your own reasons, I stated that in my OPINION people are getting into the hunting scene for what I BELIEVE are the wrong reasons. Deer are always a challenge to me, never have I walked into the woods and said to myself, "this is going to be easy". That's just me, others may find no challenge in it what so ever, it is easy to them, so they go out and try to make it more challenging wether that's changing weapons, or areas, etc.. I don't look for the challenge in it however, I just hunt b/c I love every minute in the woods, if it's a challenge great. If not, I still love it. I just don't think someone should feel they have mastered deer hunting and go about looking for a challenge. The bowhunting is not about challenge to some either. It's just what weapon they connect with, is it more challenging, probably, but that's not why I or some others do it, we may just love the actual closeness of the hunt. Again, MY OPINION, not gospel!
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RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
GR8.....I'm gonna hunt new woods this year. We'll see.
Whats wrong with this...... go traditional..after whatI hope is a painless learning curve you'll succeed at that, then what?? Forego treestands, get down on the ground again succeed..and then..?? I'd LOVE to hunt a little with the LB.......then maybe become selective with it. Then maybe take one off the ground.....then....(like you say)......?????????????????? How can you decide what you like/dislike.....until you've tried it? I don't see this as a bad thing. Jeff its not really a different stage of hunting like you said. Its a different way of hunting. Its a way of hunting that not many people care to try. Lots of folks say yea I'm going to try it but most never do. Deer hunting is challenging with a shotgun, compound, recurve/longbow, ML, pistol, etc. Each way you hunt represents a different challenge then the other. |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
ORIGINAL: magicman54494 Schultzy, Maybe you should try hunting with your car. It seems to work well in your area.[:'(]:D |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
Kyle- Thanks for the compliments, it makes a guy feel pretty damn good coming from guys like yourself!! Don't change a thing about yourself or your way of hunting. Its excellent!! Your parents and your Grandpa sure did well with you.
 Bigcountry- I've learned a ton on the Tech side of these Traditional bows from you. I'm stupid on the Tech part and I've gained allot of knowledge from yourself. Don't sell yourself short my friend, you've have done me wonders and I thank you for that. I do need to get another recurve for a back up in case I have problems with mine. Any suggestions? |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
I just like humble people I guess, I think it is wrong to go about hunting as a game of challenge that needs to be mastered. I may be wrong, but I will believe this til I die. Let me say it this way, hunters are a band of brothers, everyone is welcome, most of us have earned our stripes with great dedication and disappointment over several years,sometimes we are rewarded but most of the time we are not, with an animal that is. I began hunting for the love of the woods and nature and for the occasional kill if I were so blessed, I still hunt for the same generalreasons I did when I was 12, I love the freedom and possibilties. Hunting is not about mastering or conquering game, it is not all for the challenge, it is for the love of our tradition and history of mankind. If you think Im wrong fine, I think your wrong, so what, that is how most of the world is, my feelings are not hurt, Im not angry. Very thick skinned!!;)
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RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
VA......do you shoot 1.5 yr old bucks?
Why or why not? |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
I don't know, don't age deer. why??
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RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
Why do people want to kill an elk? Bear? Moose? Aren't whitetails challenging enough?
VA....I think you get where I'm headed. I'll ask it another way.... Why do a LOT of hunters pass on juvenile bucks? Why do they pass on jakes? |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
ORIGINAL: GMMAT Good post, I really believe folks don't know how to actually just hunt and enjoy it! To much to prove. Times have changed, unfortunately! Like VA posted the tradition of hunting is going by the wayside! People don't hunt a certain way because it's not the cool thing to do! Always worried what the jones are shooting...... so to speak...Too much to prove to the next guy striving to be accepted! Curious. |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
ORIGINAL: GMMAT Why do people want to kill an elk? Bear? Moose? Aren't whitetails challenging enough? VA....I think you get where I'm headed. I'll ask it another way.... Why do a LOT of hunters pass on juvenile bucks? Why do they pass on jakes? |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
I guess we can't, if their reason to hunt is having to prove themselves to the next guy then if they enjoy that, I say to them go for it. Why have you target mature animals MM......foresaking taking juvenile bucks? It may be easier to laugh it off than answer it. |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
I don't know, for me it's not that they are not challenging or difficult, I just have bigger deer in my area and would rather shoot one of those or a doe as I would one of them. I have shot many small bucks and many nice bucks too, depends on the type of year Im having. Jeff, you know I don't get into all the management stuff, I think big bucks will be big bucks. We have hunted 1200 acr for 30 yrs and never managed a thing and yet we killed monsters every year, so I don't really manage anything. I see where it is beneficial though, that's another thread.
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RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
Why do a LOT of hunters pass on juvenile bucks? Why do they pass on jakes? |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
I still see the taking of a whitetail deer......as a huge challenge and accomplishment....and this isn't meant to diminish that feat. But if people were honest (I think)....they'd say that the pursuit of the mature buck vs. taking the juvenile is ALL about the challenge. |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
ORIGINAL: Vabowman I just like humble people I guess, I think it is wrong to go about hunting as a game of challenge that needs to be mastered. I may be wrong, but I will believe this til I die. Let me say it this way, hunters are a band of brothers, everyone is welcome, most of us have earned our stripes with great dedication and disappointment over several years, sometimes we are rewarded but most of the time we are not, with an animal that is. I began hunting for the love of the woods and nature and for the occasional kill if I were so blessed, I still hunt for the same general reasons I did when I was 12, I love the freedom and possibilties. Hunting is not about mastering or conquering game, it is not all for the challenge, it is for the love of our tradition and history of mankind. If you think Im wrong fine, I think your wrong, so what, that is how most of the world is, my feelings are not hurt, Im not angry. Very thick skinned!!;) |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
It's also the "in" thing to do now, and it's easier to do now then it has ever been (25 years ago you might not see a buck during the season), It's all you see on TV and read about in mags so some people feel they are inferior if they aren't in the wooods for a trophy.
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RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
Good post bowhuntingfool.
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RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
I think for most of us, that (a mature buck) in itself is enough of a challenge. Even if you succeed one year, can you do it again? I've shot deer with everything I own except my handgun. Would I like to do that? Yes, but I'm not going to go out with it and try to bag a giant. I'll take a doe with it some day and be satisfied. But I'll continue to carry my compound until I can't pull it back anymore because I get 4 months out of the year to be in the woods.
I love a challenge as much as the next guy, but I look elsewhere for them. |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
I have read through this twice before contempalting a response
I think a lot of valid points have been made First back to the original question, I think technology allows people that may or may not be capable of bowhunting an oppurtunity - the challenge for me starts every year as land comes and goes - so it is a lot of scouting etc and then hopefully if you made the right decisions - you will have your deer- each individual has there own fundamentals that drive them My comment about technology - Is I believe without the invention of the compound - there would not be near the numbers of bowhunters there are today - which ultimately would hurt our sport - traditional archery requires a huge amount of dedication, time, effort, and patience - I started out this way - took a few animals - it requires three times the practice to keep your senses in check - I may get back into it at some point - I recently sold my last rifle because it did not appeal to me anymore, I was born to bowhunt and will die bowhunting -hopefully the discussion has taken some twists so i am going to comment on that as well, in the last four years I have become bigger buck selective - Before that I shot spikes, 4 points, you name I shot it and you know what I enjoyed it --- I progressed to the point I am at now - my concern is that the message is getting relayed through tv, magazines, boards, etc - that you need to take a certain buck to be considered a succuess- this is having a negative effect on our sport kids are thinking unless they kill a 130 they have failed - horsepoo Kill what you want, do it for the right reasons, and do it however you want and watch the sport grow |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
ORIGINAL: Schultzy Bigcountry- I've learned a ton on the Tech side of these Traditional bows from you. I'm stupid on the Tech part and I've gained allot of knowledge from yourself. Don't sell yourself short my friend, you've have done me wonders and I thank you for that.;) I do need to get another recurve for a back up in case I have problems with mine. Any suggestions? I know I like the chek-mates, zippers, and of course the black widows for t/ds. But I know you are not a man of flash like me. I am an exotic wood snob. Not quite as bad as Matt, but close. |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
As has been eluded to, challenges in bowhunting or any other sport can be pursued in different ways. For bowhunting purposes, changing equipment (i.e., compound vs. trad) is of course an option, but there are other ways to challenge yourself.
What aboutplanning a DIY out-of-state hunt in the mountains in December, with nothing more than your gear and maybe a horse. That is tough to do, but worth it if you are successful. Another challenge would be to do all your own work on your bows and arrows. That takes alot of determination, but it is rewarding when you do it right. Try leaving the treestands at home and spot and stalk or use natural blinds. Tough, but it can be done. The options are endless if one continues to push the envelope and if that is what a man chooses to do then good for him but keep it in perspective, it is hunting afterall. |
RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
First, brknarrow, Alla, Amen, !!!! you hit it on the head. Sooner, couldn't agree more. If someone wants to hunt with a recurve let them, they may see it as a challenge, but they may see it as a connection to the weapon. It's like saying that a compound is more challenging than a crossbow, is it? maybe, but then we get into elitism. It may be a connection the crossbow for someone . Do I think trad is harder than compunds, absolutlely and I say it on here often. I began shooting a bow at the age of 10, my first bow was a recurve, I could group well at 20 yds when I was 12. I picked up a compound when I was 14, and never went back. But I think if you ask Schultzy why he hunts with a trad bow, he will tell you that it's about the connection with the weapon, it just feels rightfor him to do it this way. Will he say it's more challenging? maybe, but he will also tell you that he is no more or less of a hunter b/c of his weapon. I really just don't of hunting for a challenge, I mean change it up, make it interesting if you have to, but don't say that you need a challenge out hunting. If you need a challenge, climb Everest!!
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RE: Another take on the "stages" of a hunter....
Here's some quotes from the board, recently. I think hunting for the "Challenge" has been and will be alive and well for a long time.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ “I have to agree with him that hunting is personal, and that we cannot dictate our values to others.” “Nice, way to stack em up old school style. Good luck on laying the smackdown on a longbeard. That is an ultimate challenge.” “I trophy hunt for the personal challenge.” “I am never satsifed, I'm just a driven individual when it comes to deer hunting. I am a trophy hunter and hunt for the ultimate trophy (and that too is very personal, situational, and subject to change). Reaching stage 5 doesnt mean you are at the end of your hunting career, and considering yourself a stage 4 doesnt mean you should no longer take trophy deer. But, I view them as goals and dreams because I am always looking to improve. Again, just a thought.” “even though I don't have access to big bucks on a daily basis I have shot quite a few deer and now find myself more interested in the "method" as he puts it......which has landed me smack in the middle of traditional archery. I like the romance of it andthe challenge and also hunting with good friends and the entire experience is more important to me than beating myself up over having to shoot trophy animals.” Hunting for the challenge is why people choose to hunt turkeys without a blind......take a deer from the ground........passon that 1.5yr old buck ......that jake.......pass on that doe fawn. .......hunt with a bow......;) |
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