[Biggbear]

What has happened to our sport and some of those in it? I've read many posts this season that begin by bashing one hunting group or another. Some don't like baiting, youth hunts, QDM, or the amount of time some spend in the woods is used to question their loyalty to the hunt. Now don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with stating an opinion if it's used to try and educate or in a good natured debate, we're never going to agree on everything. I'm talking about people that think they've risen above others and now have the right to force their views on their fellow sportsmen. I'm talking about guys that think their way is the only way, self appointed hunting gods! Why do we have to judge one another? Why does there have to be such division in a sport that many of us got into because of family and friendships. What does it matter how much time some spend in the woods? My big concern is how much time I get to spend in the woods! Why does it matter if my neighbor chooses to shoot a spike and I don't, they're engaged in legal and ethical hunting, period. I don't have the right to judge them on their activities. If my neighbor wants to talk about herd management in our area maybe we can come to an agreement, maybe not, but that doesn't make him less of a hunter. Why can't we just get back to hunting for the reasons we got into it in the first place, for the pure simple pleasure. Why spend so much time worrying about those around us, we can't control what goes on across the property line if it's legal. If people want to spend time considering how loyal someone is to the sport, or how ethical their means, save your judgements for yourself.

 

[Molson]

AMEN BROTHER !!!!

My thoughts as well.

 

[boehr]

Greed, that's why!

 

[hoffie1]

Excellent post!!!

hoffie

 

[TR993]

Well said.

TR

 

[mal]

i think there a lot of experienced hunters that have the opinion that the quality of sport has declined (especially in the last 10 years). in attempting to explain the decline, the obvious place to look is the changes that have been made to rules and regulations that have allowed problems such as over harvest, poor sex ratios, etc. these changes to the rules have allowed for changes in the seasons and methods of hunting, and have introduced more people to the sport and allowed seasoned hunters more time afield. so now you have the culminations of all these changes: "traditional vs. contemporary". one guy thinks we should only shoot 8 points or better, the next guy thinks anything that is brown should be in his freezer, the next guy thinks archers wound and lose too many deer, the next guy says the youth hunt is a problem. who is right? they all are right...you know why? because what you shoot and when you shoot it is a personal choice as long as it is within the established rules and regs. personally i'm in the more traditional camp and tend to view most modern changes to our sport as promoting undiscriminate killing. but nonetheless any hunter who obeys the rules, respects the game, and truly loves the sport is a friend of mine. even if he is proud to say he shot four does and a button buck this year.

 

[butrunt]

I have said it for a long time that the anti-hunting groups love to see it when we fight amongst ourselves. I t is easier for them to divide and conqure. Lets agree to disagree at times. We all have opinions but when it comes down to it, don't take away my right to hunt or fish.

 

[skulldugary]

Great post Biggbear,............

 

[grummer]

I cannot understand how people think the quality of deerhunting has declined. I cut my hunting teeth chasing beagles around Lapeer in the mid seventies and some of our dogs would occasionally run deer. It wasn't much of a problem because there was not that many deer around. Nowadays try to go and run rabbits with a dog that runs deer in my area it is goiung to be a long day of chasin the dog. Our population has exploded and is definately out of balance, but the mature bucks are around I watch them all summer long, they just scarce when the pressure is turned up. Wasn't to long ago when you only got 1 deer tag for all seasons combined. I'll take it the way it is now, we may need to do some tweaking but come on guys it ain't that bad.

 

[Ron Howard]

i agree with butrunt

 

[Pinefarm]

A thirst for equality and a hope for a better future. Also see "American political system".

 

[FREEPOP]

Bigbear, there have been several posts about the, less than good attitudes some have had here.
I think it all comes down to an ill-conceived concept where be-littling your peers elevates your status, there is frustration from trying to convey new concepts, or it is an attempt at conversion through coercion.

While I’ve gone on at length about how much more in common we have than differences, I ultimately think it did no good. So I can think of nothing else to say except:

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

 

[omega58]

Legal means is great, poaching sucks! As you said, everyone has an opinion and is free to express it. I don't see it as trying to bash each other. It is tough to know exactly what people mean on a hunting forum sometime. A person might read one post differently that what was intended, so I give people the benefit of the doubt.

 

[FREEPOP]

Very good point. With written words, there is much that is left to interpretation and the true intent may never be conveyed.

 

[cshqck]

Last I checked this was a forum wasn't it. Isn't that the idea here. To listen to a lot of different opinions and views. It's up to you to determine what is right and what is wrong. What a boring Hunting society we would be a part of if everyone agreed on everything and tried to hide their true feelings as to not offend their fellow hunters.

 

[deepwoods]

I personally think that it is the opposing views that make this site so enjoyable. I come here to educate myself and not to only listen to like thoughts. I very much enjoy the QDM forum and the habitat forum. Oddly enough I don't own my own land, but will hopefully soon, and I currently do not practice what most would consider QDM. I am, however, learning with every post that I read and some of my own ideas have changed over the years.

My final thought is the reason that some of these post get so heated is due to the love and passion that we all have for hunting and fishing. That, I believe, is the one tie that binds our computer community together.

Happy holidays and God bless to all of you and your families this season.

 

[Shakespeare]

All good points thus far. I think another culprit in all of this is the unrealistic expectations that some advertisers and television shows set for the average hunter. I tell you what, I only got to hunt for 3 days this fall due to a new baby and a new house. I saw a total of 3 deer. It was a great season. I also got to see turkeys roost in the tree I was sitting in. Squirrels bark at and chase each other. I had a red squirrel run across my lap. I saw my first fox in the woods. I got to spend 3 good days with my dad. I got to sleep for 2 entire nights without waking to feed a baby. Honestly, not one time during those three days did I care about points, qdm, ratios, bait piles, or any of that other stuff that we argue about. Am I glad that the arguments exist...sure it makes for interesting reading, but at the end of that day, I just want to go hunting.
Shakes

 

[east bay ed]

i also think it is good that we have different opinions. it would be nicer if we agreed that good men can disagree and still be good men. hunting and fishing makes us one big family. and like all families we argue with each other. as long as like most families we put aside our differences when someone from outside the family attacks one of us.

 

[Eastern Yooper]

Selfishness and the "instant gratification" mentality.

 

[WAUB-MUKWA]

C-C-C-Ca, Can't. Can't we all just get along.
I like listening to the so called expurts, and have a good laugh and thank god i'll never see them in the woods. It's what keeps this place going.