Tradhunter - Traditional Archery Bow Hunting Forums

Jason First allow me the privilege to thank you for what you do. I have several good friends who are also in the same line of work so I know pretty well of the things you've gone through and sacrifices that are made. I salute you sir.

I don't see a thing wrong with anything you've said Jason. You and I differ in a few particulars, but that's because you are in a different situation then I am, so we are going to have our own preferences to match. I don't like early hunting, and you and Tony do and There are others who do as well on here. There's no problem there, there are no rules to that sort of thing. It's all in what we want to do. I should have placed my personal preferences that don't really matter, apart from my distain, in a separate post. Then it wouldn't have been as confusing or offensive. I apologize for that portion, I was in a bit of an agitated state so my phrasing wasn't the best now that I look back at it.

Please Don't get the wrong idea about my post above. The bulk of it, has to do with the people who are driven to hunt and take animals for prideful reasons, bragging, and who try and lift themselves up above as many people as possible so they feel a cut above ... bad mouthing and back bitting others as they go. We arent talking about the good kind of pride here.

I kill. I'm a hunter and I've killed hundreds if not thousands of times in my life. It's part of it right? Its not the most important part of hunting to me, but it IS part of it. I do not like it though, when people kill for the sole reason of ugly self pride that says..."im better then you because...". In that case I'm certainly not impressed. Its the same reference with taking numbers of animals. I have zero problem with someone taking numbers. I've done it a lot, my few friends still do. As long as a person does not do it in order to be able to look down on others who either do not shoot as much game or chose not to freely. As long as competition of a bad sort does not drive their killing the numbers, even if they really dont want or don't need the meat. In your case You all need and enjoy the meat. That's as perfect of a reason as I can think of and zero wrong with it. It would do me no good to continue taking more numbers if it isn't going to be used, but that is just for me and my family. So that part is purely situational preferences for us both.

The sick game part I referred to, is again referring to the persons who hunt and kill strictly to elevate themselves in pride and bad mouth others tearing them down behind their backs or even to their faces. Its certainly not twisted or sick to hunt, kill, and provide for your family. Neither is it sick to enjoy doing so. Sorry for the confusion.
The post came about, because I grow tired and weary of those who use hunting as if it's a big competitive tool of some sort, used to degrade and bad mouth other hunters behind their backs or tear them down in some other way. Those who are driven by self elevation. If you carefully read my post above, I'm certain you can see that's exactly what I'm agitated at. It's not directed at fellows like you and others on this forum who are doing things hunting wise good and honest, and with pure intentions.
These self elevating type of people should stay FAR away from me as possible. It would not be a good encounter.
...and everybody should know that doe meat is superior to my taste buds too! I highly prefer them.
I hope I gave you a bit different take on my rant above Jason.

Agreed. That's why I agreed with your first post!

I do pass on a lot of deer myself and as you guys have seen in the past I usually try to take pictures of them passing by and post it on here. But when I hit the woods early in the season I'm not real selective, I'm after freezer fillers also. I only pass on small deer, mainly small bucks, but mainly because I get to hunt often and see deer quite regularly. I hold off as the rut nears but still want to get all the meat I can before season ends. Thankfully I have a friend who lets his kids thin the Doe's on his farm and give me a couple of them to eat. I know the attitude Jason is talking about and got to agree with him. But as I look back to my younger wheelie bow days I think I went through a time that I got caught up in that mentality myself. Coming to realize and recognize it was probably a major factor in my conversion to a simpler way and the stickbow. I am blessed with a good area to hunt, it's only 30 minutes from my driveway, and I get to go there quite often, I am thankful for that. Even when I'm just taking their picture I fully enjoy the outdoors experience. I don't enjoy the heat and bugs any more than the rest, but if I wait for those things to go away then I missed out, the orange army will be circling my stand with guns blazing. Not that I'm against them hunting however they choose but they sure make it challenging for me to fill my freezer. After their arrival (rifle season) the deer become more nocturnal. So I am ready and waiting opening day, I will make my decision when and if I see a Deer whether or not to shoot, and I'm glad I get to make that decision myself. I'm not pressured to kill or not to kill based on anyone else's situation or feelings. Hope everyone has a great season this year and post lots of pictures!

Now that folks, is what a big and good man looks like. Seeing the light and doing something about it is all it takes.

I admit, when I started hunting deer I was a card carrying member of the Orange Army and as gung-ho as a Marine fresh out of boot camp. But after filling a few tags, and my freezer, I began to slow down as I realized I had nothing to prove to anyone. But I still understand where newer hunters are coming from; the only way you get good at something is put it to practice. I have no problem with those who hunt intensively, as long as it's for food...even if to give to others. I also understand the 'trophy hunting' mindset but not my cup of tea.

If we were all the same in our thinking then all of you would be as boring as me!

I don't personally see it as a bad thing for a person to shoot their limit of deer, whether because they need that much meat, or to try to get more efficient at the "moment of truth", so long as the meat is used. Only one way to get better at dealing with nerves and a live target! We can't utilize more then a deer or two, so that's what I do. I cannot afford more tags anyway, nor the bill of the butchering that is required to give it to charity. I don't think they accept private butchering jobs and that's all I do.

Extreme jealousy or envy, and the "look at me" syndrome are not good reasons to kill no matter the number. In that case, higher numbers should bring increased shame but often it does not. Those type attitudes, are a lot of what fuels them people to take bad shots and low percentage chances. GOT TO HAVE IT SO BAD, they'll do about anything to score no matter how unethical.
I know of someone who gut shot a big buck deer because they launched an arrow at 50 yards just hoping theyd kill it, so they could drag it all over the country to convince folks what a great white hunter they were... I know this because the deer was located a day later by helping acquaintances who are on the level, and a killing shot made and afterwards thats exactly what happened. The whole world knew then that the guy was the best hunter in the State. That deer is on his wall today.
I also know folks that empty their rifles at running deer 100 yards away in tall grass, going over hills...it don't matter...Again just throwing lead and hoping one strikes lethal enough, only to be able to say "Looky at me, I got one". I know one of those same people, who was so upset over what people would think about him not getting any opportunity at bear on a hunting trip, and on the way out of the timber on the last evening right at dark...took a 40 yard shot at a bear heading down the trail coming right towards. The bear had stopped to try to figure it out and then shortly got shot in the face...the end of the nose to be exact... with the arrow. In every case the persons claimed to have made a good shot, until tracking, and eventually catching up with the animals, told a different story. Fortunately the bear was found, and a follow up shot at closer distance killed it. Fortunate for the bear, but unfortunate for the shooter and hunting as a whole. Recovering those animals, only seemed to encourage further, that kind of behavior. Got to have it so much...just to brag about how great they are....I need a puking emoji.

So that is why I'm so much against hunters killing for wrong reasons and pridefully defacing other hunters who aren't harvesting as much. Not to mention the possible harm it does to the targeted people. These examples above are the end of where that road leads. Its easy to let that kind of temptation to creep in, but beware, and never let it gain control. Once you do, you will feel you must keep the Great white hunter reputation, and when seasons of difficulties find you, and the next thing you know, you start doing things like the above examples.... Done At first in secrecy and private, then after its done so much there is no more guilt, there is no effort to even hide it.

Amen! Overall I think the tradbow community have a little better mentality and appreciation for what they hunt. Not that we are perfect thoug.

Jase,most of those hunters (thankfully!) shun archaic weapons like a traditional bow because the results are not good for the score card. Remind me to tell you the story sometime of my last hunt in what was our traditional gun deer camp...and the landowner invited his new son-in-law with a .223 Ranch Rifle carbine..."puking emoji" indeed! (not for the Ranch rifle, but for the way it was utilized...)
I see nothing wrong with aggressive hunting so long as it complies with the game laws and ethical hunting. It's the guys that bend or break the rules in their quest to be the next Nimrod that give hunting a black eye.