Venting--old fart--whatever.

[Ricky T]

The last couple of years I have noticed a disturbing trend in the sport of hunting that I hope by writing about some of us may not be so prone to take for granted what I consider the most honorable sport known to man. I have been helping guide bow and rifle hunts off and on for several years now and have come to learn of what my friend and I call “collectors.” These are guys that don’t mind paying top dollar for access to prime hunts so they can get a quick shot at a trophy critter. On its face there’s nothing wrong with that, but the mindset of a lot of these guys is pitiful. If they don’t see a big-horned critter the first day or two they start pooh-poohing the operation, complaining of stand setups and lack of game movement. They seem to want to kill something quick so they can post the picture on the Internet and get back to their comfortable lives, because, truth be known, that’s what they really like, not spending long hours on stand looking at God’s creation. A lot of their drive stems from competition between their buddies, not the true desire to match wits with a mature animal. And most of these fellows don’t have enough hunting savvy to pour out of a boot. Heck, some of ‘em don’t even know how to butcher the critters they’re hunting. They brag about what all’s on their walls but most just haven’t paid their dues. They don’t know how to tinker with their bows, when to draw on a tending buck, or how to shoot through a maze of limbs because they just haven’t done it enough. I fear the media has fed them a line of bull that there’s a big buck behind every huisache tree and if you buy our newest bow, gadget or gizmo, you too can have one. After all, that’s what you see in the magazines, videos and TV. Instant gratification. I remember the time when after hunting for many days in a row and if we didn’t come across a critter we thought was a “good ‘un” we tried to shoot a doe or cow for the meat and be tickled with the whole experience all the same. I pray I don’t come across as just another old codger downgrading other hunters. I want us bowhunters to be shining examples to others, especially those that are on the fence about the idea of hunting in the first place, of what good stewards of the land and animals that we are; how we love the animals, give back to the resource, take close, humane shots, and use as much of the animals we kill as we can. Some of the hunters I’ve been around lately have even seemed forced to hold the animal’s head up for a picture, as if they really didn’t want to touch that stinky thing to begin with. They definitely didn’t want to be bothered with any of the animal’s meat or take any part in the butchering process. To be really good and truly enjoy the sport of bowhunting we must pay our dues, learn a lot of things the hard way and not resort to gimmicks or shortcuts. The outdoor writer, Bob Robb, shares a lot of the same views and says , “In the long run, making mistakes will equal success,” which, sadly, a lot of folks just don’t have time for these days. Carry on, I’m through.

[Dr. D]

I have felt your pain. It can be very frustrating.

[jake-1024]

That's a really good writeup and I know the kind of people you're talking about.

[Atfulldraw]

Although I think you are preaching to the choir, I have seen it too.

Too many think too much about the kill, and miss out on the memories made and shared around a good campfire.

[tracker]

I agree 100%. If anyone can say the had a bad day of hunting shouldn't hunt. I see a sucsessful hunt as any hunt I can go on. You don't have to kill a trophy everytime you hunt, its all about being there and enyoying what your doing, the trophy is a bonus for your everts. Anyone can kill a deer but it takes a totally different person to HUNT one.

[Burnadell]

I agree with you Ricky T...they are more concerned with the destination, and getting there quickly, rather than the journey.

[Tmag]

Thanks Rick, great write up. I love watching the sun come up on God's creation, even when the clouds won't let it shine through. Birds starting out the day, rabbits having a frolic, armadillos making so much noise in the leaves you'd think an elephant was coming to visit. What a great place we have for our good pleasure to enjoy. Thanks again for reminding me of what I love to do, hunt! If it was easy they'd call it killing.

[DavisHollow]

My only advise is to try to instill in them your values. Consider it an opportunity.

The country is becoming more and more urban, that's just the way it is. These guys are trying to get a taste of the rural life, they just don't have time to do it right. I know, my job demands more of me than there is, I don't have time to do anything right, I have more money than time and when I go hunting for 3 days that can be my entire year's available time to myself. Seriously, 362 days, somebody owns me, I might as well be in jail with Michael Vick. I'm competing against guys in China and India who can do my job for 1/5th what they pay me, they're not as good, but they don't have to be. We can't spend hours and days out in the field studying the prey, I can barely get my bow/rifle sighted in before hunting, sometime I hunt without sighting in my rifle because I just don't have time and I haven't touched it since last year.

That's you're client. They're not lacking in character, they're just overworked and getting frustrated that they picked the wrong time, wrong place, and it'll be another year before they have another chance.

Now if they're whining and complaining, take them on a long walk through the nearest chigger infested brush and send them home without a shower. I have no tolerance for complaining. But if they can't skin the deer/hog, then teach them, they're trying to learn.

[HubCityThumper]

is it just me, or has this "writeup" been in a magazine or posted before. I know I've seen this before.

The last couple of years I have noticed a disturbing trend in the sport of hunting that I hope by writing about some of us may not be so prone to take for granted what I consider the most honorable sport known to man. I have been helping guide bow and rifle hunts off and on for several years now and have come to learn of what my friend and I call “collectors.” These are guys that don’t mind paying top dollar for access to prime hunts so they can get a quick shot at a trophy critter. On its face there’s nothing wrong with that, but the mindset of a lot of these guys is pitiful. If they don’t see a big-horned critter the first day or two they start pooh-poohing the operation, complaining of stand setups and lack of game movement. They seem to want to kill something quick so they can post the picture on the Internet and get back to their comfortable lives, because, truth be known, that’s what they really like, not spending long hours on stand looking at God’s creation. A lot of their drive stems from competition between their buddies, not the true desire to match wits with a mature animal. And most of these fellows don’t have enough hunting savvy to pour out of a boot. Heck, some of ‘em don’t even know how to butcher the critters they’re hunting. They brag about what all’s on their walls but most just haven’t paid their dues. They don’t know how to tinker with their bows, when to draw on a tending buck, or how to shoot through a maze of limbs because they just haven’t done it enough. I fear the media has fed them a line of bull that there’s a big buck behind every huisache tree and if you buy our newest bow, gadget or gizmo, you too can have one. After all, that’s what you see in the magazines, videos and TV. Instant gratification. I remember the time when after hunting for many days in a row and if we didn’t come across a critter we thought was a “good ‘un” we tried to shoot a doe or cow for the meat and be tickled with the whole experience all the same. I pray I don’t come across as just another old codger downgrading other hunters. I want us bowhunters to be shining examples to others, especially those that are on the fence about the idea of hunting in the first place, of what good stewards of the land and animals that we are; how we love the animals, give back to the resource, take close, humane shots, and use as much of the animals we kill as we can. Some of the hunters I’ve been around lately have even seemed forced to hold the animal’s head up for a picture, as if they really didn’t want to touch that stinky thing to begin with. They definitely didn’t want to be bothered with any of the animal’s meat or take any part in the butchering process. To be really good and truly enjoy the sport of bowhunting we must pay our dues, learn a lot of things the hard way and not resort to gimmicks or shortcuts. The outdoor writer, Bob Robb, shares a lot of the same views and says , “In the long run, making mistakes will equal success,” which, sadly, a lot of folks just don’t have time for these days. Carry on, I’m through.

[skooter]

I'm with you 110% RickyT. Some of my most memorable hunts were trips chasing elk in the national forests of Colorado. We spent a week with friends in some of the most awesome country in the world, and never drew the string. It was a great time with friends and family. I'll never forget the first raghorn bull I called in, and couldn't even get a shot at. My legs were shaking so bad after the encounter, the battery in my range finder was rattling!

mjb

[keep]

I agree that there are many hunters like you posted about but not all that want a big animal quickly are like that. I met a emergency room trama unit Dr. that just couldn't take time for the "journey" but loves to hunt and loves shooting big animals. He can only get a couple of days off together once in a blue moon and doesn't have the time to put in like many of us with more traditional jobs. I had 2 guys that went on last years 7 day bear hunt but could only stay for 3 days due to work, both owns their own companies and just can't be away that long.

[rtread]

A lot of their drive stems from competition between their buddies, not the true desire to match wits with a mature animal.

This is their problem. They clutter their desks and office walls with "proof" of what macho big game hunters they are. They think they are impressing their clients, cronies, secretarys, with all of this memorabilia. Their conversations center around size and mass rather than sunrises and how to cook the best backstrap. They are only focused on outdoing something or somebody so they can project their greatness to the people they most want admiration from.

[River Bottom Hunter]

It's like I over heard my buddy (that hunts in Brady, TX) telling his nephew when we were hunting NE LA. this year. Yea it's like hunting East Texas Slooooowww. I told them this is what they call huntiiiinnnng, not Wal-Mart shopping.

[Snakelover]

I agree with you Ricky T...they are more concerned with the destination, and getting there quickly, rather than the journey.

Ahhh... well said, Randy. This is a tendency I have to even fight within myself occassionally. Yes, I'll admit it. The longer I've been in the concrete jungle, the more results oriented I become and the longer it takes me to settle into that other pace that hunting provides and just enjoy the journey. Heck, that's half the reason I hunt. It "forces" me to slow down, relax, take notice of the little things, and focusses all my energy and attention away from all the day-to-day struggles that seemed to be so important but really aren't. It helps me put my life back in perspective. There are times when I feel I literally come away from a hunt a different man. While I enjoy a successful hunt as much as anyone, the spiritual cleansing doesn't come from the destination, but from the journey.

[Chew]

is it just me, or has this "writeup" been in a magazine or posted before. I know I've seen this before.

If you did see it, RickyT wrote it. You're doubting/questioning/implying B.S. on the wrong guy. They don't come any better than him.