ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

Do you feel that the industry has spoiled us? In effect making hunting easier for us by not having to use the skills of our fore fathers. Has Hunting become less challenging?

KEEP HUNTING THE GREAT OUTDOORS & GOD ALIVE, PASS IT ON!

RE: ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

I think hunting can be as challenging as you make it.The tools and gadgets are out there for the people that want to take advantage of them.Personally,I don't use them.I have binoc's,a compass,a scoped rifle-that's about as hi-tech as it gets for me.Most of my hunting is with recurves,longbows and wood arrows.It's all about what you're willing to put into it and what you want to get out of the experience.

RE: ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

When they invent a way to beam someone into their stand, then I'll say we are/have become lazy hunters. All that other jazz is just utilizing tools of the trade. It's just like changing a car tire. You can get it off with a open end wrench or an airgun.... Your choice, but I'll bet you (or anyone for that matter) would opt for the easier method.

Those who wish to appear wise among fools, among the wise seem foolish.
Marcus Fabius Quintilianus (35 AD - 100 AD)

RE: ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

The ultimate in laziness to me is ATV's. Do not get me wrong, if you are handicapped or you are setting stands that is one thing, or if it is a couple of miles to your stand I can see it, but to ride an ATV to within 100 yards of your stand or closer is in my book lazy. I am 48 years old and this year my closest stand is about 400 yards from where I will park my truck, my furthest stand is about a mile. To me the further my vehicle is away from my stand the better my odds of busting a deer. I will drive my truck into a field to retrieve a kill, but that is it.

I beleive that a lot of folks do use to many gadgets trying to make up for their lack of outdoors skills, 30 years ago with no camo, scents, calls or cover up scents we killed plenty of deer, I have stepped into a few of the new gadgets, I do use a range finder for bow hunting and do use deer calls, heck I just got my first scoped gun, but to be honest I would not have gotten the scope, but the gun already had it.

Can the industry spoil us? Yes if we let it, but I still feel that the hunter who knows his quarry and knows how to play the wind will still kill more deer than any hunter that has all the bells and whistles and does not really understand his prey.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

RE: ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

I am with Taz on the ATV issue. Unless they are necessary i would not use them myself. To me hunting is just that -you hunt. Driving around to stands or where ever on an ATV is not hunting to me, half the fun is getting there and seeing what pops out of the brush on the way. I want to experiance every thing about the hunt, and to me personally that would take something from my hunting experiance. Plus when i think of some people i know running the woods on 4-wheelers it just puts me in mind of road hunting --which i absolutely refuse to do. Thats not hunting in my opinon.

Any way i think with all of todays gadgets most people spend more time on preperation to hunt or maintaining their high tech equitment. And some people spend more time actually getting ready to hunt, shopping for the right gear, weapons, ect...than they actually do on the actual hunt.

I guess its what you love about the hunt most to each person. I my self do not wish to waste time on any thing that will actually take something from the enjoyment of the actual hunt. I want to spend my time in the woods not getting ready to go. Plus i think to some people it`s more about showing off their new camo, high tech equitment, atv`s or weapons ect...some people would rather revel in the talk of this stuff than to actually be in the woods.

RE: ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

I agree on the atv issue. I do not own one, nor do I use one. However, when I lived up in Alaska, there was certainly a need for one because often times, you must go into the woods for 9, 10, or more miles. An ATV is essential. Especially when you need to lug out 1000 pounds of moose.

however, let's not overlook the over-complicating of game laws. First you must find a place to hunt. then, there hopefully are deer there. then, many places have restrictions on the size of the deer you can harvest. So, When a deer does walk by, it would be nice to ensure the harvest of that animal, cause a lot ofpeople will not get a second chance in that season.

So use 'em if you want. Don't use 'em if you want. it is all the same to me.

Beej

RE: ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

This is a great subject which requires more than a yes or no answer. I think TAZ and Annie were right on target. I don't think it makes us lazy hunters. You still have to do your scouting, setup your strategy etc, but what today's hunter (may) do that other hunters in the past didn't do, is to rely on all the new technology that has appeared on the hunting scene in the last few yrs or so. I'm not talking about scopes, GPS systems, and all the new advances in rifles, bows and muzzleloadeers. Because Yes, years ago, folks just grabbed their trusty rifle, threw on a wool jacket and went into the woods. Hunters today need their scent eliminators, attractant scents, scent-Lock suits, field-cams, off-road vehicles, rattling bags, grunt tubes that are designed to call any age or size deer etc. I think some marketing folks are making a "killing" from the hunters of today. I am certainly not saying not to use these items, or that they don't work, but all in all, it comes down to woodsmanship and knowledge of deer that will make you a successful hunter year after year. It is certainly OK to use some or all of these things, but don't ever use it as a substitute. It's hard enough for me to shoot a deer every year here in New England (and I don't), and I honestly feel that relying on these products goes against how I was brought up to be a hunter. Give me someone that knows the woods, understands the lifestyle and patterns of a deer, and has the determination to hunt long and hard, and I'll show you a hunter. It's not the number of deer you have shot, or how many new high-tech products you use, it's how you use what you have learned over the years that makes you a good hunter.

RE: ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

Taz you do ride in your truck to where your going to hunt don't you so I guess were both lazy . I get there on the atv and you in your truck. Personally I have never sat in a treestand in my life I was saving that until I got to old to still hunt . What weight cushion do you need for your treestand so as not to incur sores on the backside ,all this info is for later of course ,I'm only 65 .Everyone hunts different ,who are we to judge as long as they are legal .

RE: ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Personally I have never sat in a treestand in my life I was saving that until I got to old to still hunt.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

Consider trying it. I prefer to still hunt also. But I've used my stand many times. I think it has a place. Stand hunting is not a thing to do just because you're lazy. It is a tool you use when still hunting is not feasible (for whatever reason). I do both, enjoy them both, though enjoying a sunrise high up in a treestand is a wonderful thing.

RE: ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>The ultimate in laziness to me is ATV's. Do not get me wrong, if you are handicapped or you are setting stands that is one thing, or if it is a couple of miles to your stand I can see it, but to ride an ATV to within 100 yards of your stand or closer is in my book lazy.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>
I totally agree with above, ATV's have there place getting deer out, setting stands before season, handicapped but all to often I see LAZY hunter using them to get to stands and ABUSE as far as laws and regulations go.
What bothers me most is ATV users lack of respect to other hunters.

A few years back I was in stand during Ohio rut and had huge mature 8pt coming down trail following two doe’s that just passed me coming straight to me at 3pm. As this was happening an ATV user decided he was going to scout for deer sign by riding his ATV along same field edge I was hunting .Both doe’s and buck didn’t return.

RE: ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

[quote]

Do you feel that the industry has spoiled us? In effect making hunting easier for us by not having to use the skills of our fore fathers. Has Hunting become less challenging?

It's the law of supply and demand. We are the ones who fork over the dough. So it's our fault.

RE: ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

Swampmonster I'm not putting down treestands they just don't work very well around here or in much of the country I hunt . My point was that if I drove my truck there I'm no different than if I ride my atv . How you use either one would tell if you were lazy not because you do . I see all kinds of things done by 4x4 trucks that I don't approve of ,but I don't belittle all 4x4 drivers because of it . I've had a few hunts spoiled myself but I can't find fault with all the riders just because of a few.

RE: ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Swampmonster I'm not putting down treestands they just don't work very well around here or in much of the country I hunt . My point was that if I drove my truck there I'm no different than if I ride my atv . How you use either one would tell if you were lazy not because you do . I see all kinds of things done by 4x4 trucks that I don't approve of ,but I don't belittle all 4x4 drivers because of it . I've had a few hunts spoiled myself but I can't find fault with all the riders just because of a few.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

No problem there at all. I don't use an ATV because where I most often hunt, it just wouldn't work. But hey, if it floats yer boat, is legal and doesn't ruin hunting for others, I say have at it.

RE: ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

In some cases,yes, and in other cases, no. The issue of ATV use is a good example of how we might have become &quot;lazy&quot; in some sense.

As long as this post doesn't turn into an &quot;anti-technology&quot; thread I will agree that in certain circumstances we have gone overboard.

RE: ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

ATVs are like jet skis(PWC). I don't mind folks using ATVs as long as they don't mind me stringing piano wire 4-feet above every trail within a mile of my hunting area. PWC just get Rattle Traps on 30-lbs test line.

Heaven is best viewed from a deer stand at sunrise in the forest

Favorite Sticker: Vegetarian is Indian for Lousy Hunter

RE: ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

I sure hope the piano wire comment was a joke!

This should stir some sh...aving cream<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> What I dont like is people who want everyone else to make it easier for them to harvest huge bucks by mandating QDM<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle> I'm not bashing QDM , I just think it takes alot of the work out of harvesting a wallhanger.

&quot;Nocked,cocked & ready to rock&quot;

RE: ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

Yep BFantic the piano wire was a joke, it's too valuable for my work with the Sopranos and besides the crashing, out-of-control ATV might scare the deer away...or catch the woods of fire.

I'd prefer a 20-millimeter Phalanx Close-In Weapons System mounted on my treestand for ATV's but the added weight would be hard to climb with and that 20mm would defoliate a forest in a heartbeat.

My point is that I don't like ATVs, Jet Ski, gas powered leaf blowers,...and dirt bikes...especially in the forest or where I am fishing or hunting.

Heaven is best viewed from a deer stand at sunrise in the forest

Favorite Sticker: Vegetarian is Indian for Lousy Hunter

RE: ARE WE BECOMING LAZY HUNTERS?
 

There seems to be some authentic concerns about the &quot;Lazy&quot; issue. So far mainly products that dirupt the quite nature of the woods, esspecially when your, hunting.

I have always had a ATV, however, I have never used it to get to right to my stand. I have used it to take me to my general area using a designated country dirt road. I then dismount my meachine and walk the rest of the way, up to a 1/4 mile.

Others I know take the ATV's stright into the woods and literaly stright to thier stand/hunting area.

Last year I had the unfortunate experience of dealing with this. I waited for more that a year to get my change to harvest a decent buck I had tracked and scouted out, and when the opportunity presented it self some joke came beating through the woods effectively spooking the deer I was watching come towards my stand.

The person one the ATV had finished hunting early and figured he would do a little (Scouting) on the ATV?

Other hunter I know, some even members of our club are so relient on thier hand held GPS they fear to enter the woods in any depth.

What ever happened to breaking some branched, bright ribbons or just being familar with your area. Instead of trying to absorb the your area your hutning going 20MPH , get off the ATV and walk around a little more.

Sentlock, Though I think it is a great invention and from what I hear very effective it seems like more and more people are relying this more that keeping the wind in your face.

Don't get me wrong I am not a advocate of not using tools of the trade, but what tools I do use are limited and very selective. My tools are a rifle, a bow, warm clothing, boots, a compass, attractents and cover sents and a great passion know how to survive and learning how deer think, so to speak.

I want my hunt to be challeging and not technical for the most part.

KEEP HUNTING THE GREAT OUTDOORS & GOD ALIVE, PASS IT ON!