RE: What have you done?
 

One last post on this and I'm done.

Let's start with the ego comment I made. One dictionary defines ego as "The self, especially with overtones of self-importance; The most conscious part of the mind, which mediates with one's surroundings". Ego is not just bragging to others what you have have accomplished, but also validating to yourself your importance. Every time I have a great hunt or catch a really nice fish, I take a photo. I put that photo in a folder on my computer and once and a while take a look at them. When I do, I remember what I did to get that game. It's almost like taking inventory. Drag was set right, worked the fish before trying to land him, took my time getting him out of the water as not to snap the line, etc. This is all part of ego. There is the bragging part andI know people who "hunt" just to put something on the wall and no other reason.

Next, there are many people who hunt other than their home territory for friendship. That kind of thing is great. That is why I ran that no frills contest last year that Vikesfan353 won. When he gets his tag, I will set him up for hunting some prime land here. I also let several people know that if they wanted to come to Iowa to hunt, I would do the same for them, but Vike has priority. Then there are those, who would be willing to poach a trophy buck and travel to another state to do it. There are those who who do it for the bragging rights. There are many types of people and reasons they go to other areas to hunt. Here in Iowa, since that world record non-typical was taken, I have seen more and more poachers and trophy hunters coming into the state.

As far as my comment on "too much money", that there is plain and simple jealousy. I didn't make a whole lot of money serving in the military and what I did make went to keep my wife and kids fed, sheltered, and clothed. Soon after the youngest left, I retired with my 20+ years in due to medical reasons and am not sure how I'll continue to keep just my wife and I's heads above water. I've had several offers to go hunt elsewhere and would love to do it, but I have to think realistically and accept that my hunting days will be limited to "home".

I in no way meant to offend anyone and ifI did, please accept my apology.

RE: What have you done?
 

Thanks for your assumptions, but you couldn't be more wrong. I talked to 6 people who had been to that place, and they all flat out lied to us. Turned out, they were all part of the same group from Vermont, and were given a discount every year to be references. Over the phone, they gave rave reviews or everything from the lodging to the quality of the hunting, all of which sucked. We just got hosed, no matter how you slice it. We didn't want to believe it ourselves, but after 3 days of 0 deer sightings, things started to click into place. We did the proper research, but the outfitter had done his homework too.

RE: What have you done?
 

I pay big money to kill big deer. At least it's big money to me. It is half the price of a guided or semi-guided hunt but it's still pretty pricey. I use to pay for week leases in Illinois where all I got was access to the ground. The farmer showed be the property lines I and I did the rest. We have free run of the farms. We scout it hang our stands etc. just like you would with any other lease. I killed 3 P&Y bucks in 4 years doing this. Why, b/c if you want to kill big deer you have to hunt where they live and it isan awesome experience to be in the midwest during the pre rut and rut. I think it's something that every whitetail hunter should experience at least once. Having deer coming in to the can, and the horns, and grunting and rattling up multiple bucks at a time and seeing more deer and more big deer in a week than you ever have in a season where you live makes it worth the price of gas, lease, and license. That being said, I have killed 2 P&Y deer where I live and also. They are just MUCH fewer and further between here.

RE: What have you done?
 

I paid to whitetail hunt out of state one time but went to an area (Alabama)where I knewthat the general rack size would be smaller than what I have at home.

I was not disappointed in this regard. I didn't see anything that I even considered drawing back on. The fee to the outfitter, if I remember correctly, (its been a few years back) was avbut $1200 for a 3 day hunt.

Why did I do it?I was down there on business already and I wanted to do something different and see some different country. It had nothing to do with trying to kill a big buck. In this regard, the hunt was a success.

Would I do it again? No, but not because I didn't see a big buck, but because I did not like the "guided" hunt scenario. Friendly folks and good amenities, but I kinda felt silly having another grown man "walk" me to and from thetreestand every outing. Not knocking it, just isn't for me.

I always DIY hunt out west each year for mule deer and elk. But I don't have near the "trophies" as some of my friends who go on guided hunts in the same general areas. But again, that is okay, as the "trophy" within itself is not my primary motivator, but yet it is still a motivator as long as I can DIY hunt.

Case in point. I have paid bigdollars ($2500 plus $760 for thetag)for elk landowner tags on multiple occasions and as recentas last year,just for the right to do a DIY hunt on public land in a particular unit that is one of the "Illinois" of elk hunting.

Other years such as the upcoming season, I will opt for an OTC tag in Colorado for about only 15% of the total cost (tag about $450)of the landowner tag hunt in New Mexico.

For the most part, I enjoy my Colorado hunts just as much, but I know and accept that my chances at a big bull are also only about 15% as that of the Gila area of New Mexico as well.

But I qualify my assessment with a "for the most part", because I have to admit that I still get more excited and the adrenaline flows much heavier when trying to draw on a 350" bull in the Gila and still be unsucessful as compared to bagging a 225" Colorado bull that may be as good a represenative as the area has to offer on a consistent basis.

Call it ego, horn lust, stupidity,or whatever you want, but obviously I am in the majority in this feeling, hence why they can sell the pernit for $2500 and in most cases even more.

So comparing my "elk" actions over to deer, I would have to say that I would probably pay to hunt an area that had big bucks if it was a DIY scenario, and ifI didn't already live in an area, that while not the best, does have its share of bigger bucks.

RE: What have you done?
 

I travel out of state every year to hunt whitetails unguided.There are many reasons why I do this,friendship with fellow hunters,beautiful country,seeing species of animals that I would never see at home (Elk,moose,wolve's).I able to hunt a much more balanced herd with a much more natural age structure,so as a consequence I get to hunt a much more exciting pre rut and rut.Every year I see bigger bucks than I have ever seen in my home woods and mountauins.I will also say that ego has nothing to do with it for me,I hunt for my own satisfaction and challenge not to boast or show off in any way!
If I had to select the primary reason I travel it would be the uninterrupted time,10 days of hunting with no business phone calls or responsibilities and absent other family life responsibilities.All I have to do is focus on hunting and enjoying the surroundings and camraderie.

RE: What have you done?
 

Would I go to another state and arrow a bigger buck than what is the norm here? Yes
Would I spend my hard earned money (and a sizable chunk I presume) to do same? No

Some just have more money than common sense. Others have nothing else to spend their money on I guess.

To each his own I suppose.

LT

RE: What have you done?
 

My one word answer is "Vacation". :D

I'd rather be out hunting then on some beach or casino!

RE: What have you done?
 

Never any truer words....I'm not even really interested in going to the beach anymore unless I can drag my boat with me. I'd rather use my time hunting/fishing. Which is the reason I am leaving next wednesday for 10 days of bowfishing on the gulf.;)

RE: What have you done?
 

That won't be the first time I've been wrong.While I'm sorry for the hose job you encountered on your hunting trip, I didn't assume anything. I stated that what you said led me to"believe" that was the case, not that it wasfact.Sorry if my statement was misleading.
If you did the proper research as you stated, you wouldn't have spoken to 6 hunters all from the same state who were in cahoots.That was foolish! You want to talk with hunters from various states (different people/different expectations)to get a more diversified opinion of the service's/quality of the hunt thatthe guide in question offered. Sorry for my candidness, but choosing a guide is serious/costly business.

RE: What have you done?
 

When i went to Canada to bear hunt I met some great new freinds! That and itself was worth the trip!;)