Well, if the ANTI's just wait 15-20 years the battle will be over at our current rate of decline. The high point for American hunters was in 1982.......whoa.....we better stop arguing among ourselves our this thing we call hunting is doomed!!!
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That is alarming. I didn't read the entire article but the last segment talked about focusing on Hipsters and recruiting. If that's the target they will fail miserably. It's the cost of hunting and the commercialization of hunting that is killing itself. Back in the early 90's I said Bill Jordan, the Buckmaster nucklehead and Texas Trophy Magazine will ruin Hunting as we know it. My bad call was it happened quicker than I thoughtLast edited by BrandonA; 01-22-2018, 07:47 PM.
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Originally posted by BrandonA View PostThat is alarming. I didn't read the entire article but the last segment talked about focusing on Hipsters and recruiting. If that's the target they will fail miserably. It's the cost of hunting and the commercialization of hunting that is killing itself. Back in the early 90's I said Bill Jordan, the Buckmaster nucklehead and Texas Trophy Magazine will ruin Hunting as we know it. My bad call was it happened quicker than I thought
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Originally posted by Landrover View PostHipsters was just a small discussion in the article. But it was surprising to learn that children are NOT the best target audience to get ourselves out of this hole. I am sure that some will say the "research is flawed" but bottom line we know the situation is approaching critical mode!!!
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Originally posted by BrandonA View PostOscar you are absolutely right it is critical but again, regardless of who you recruit, it all comes down to the cost and availability of hunting. I can see that children not being the best target but recruiting the parents etc that have either given up hunting due to whatever reason. It's getting more cost prohibitive and restrictive ( last part self induced) every year.
Cost and restrictive
Most folks are not willing.to sacrifice thousands of dollars in hopes of spending some relaxing time in the woods only to have someone else tell them what they can and cannot do ( kill ).
I said several years ago all this " antler management " was going to further ruin our heritage.
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Originally posted by 100%TtId View PostI would like to see an overlay graph that compares the number of hunters to the loss of habitat over time. I suspect the two trends mirror each other.
As population grows so does urban sprawl. Your great great grandad used to have a deer blind where that new Starbucks sits.
Few years ago a Neb. GW told me then that "local" hunting license sales had decrease by 20k
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Originally posted by flywise View Post
Cost and restrictive
Most folks are not willing.to sacrifice thousands of dollars in hopes of spending some relaxing time in the woods only to have someone else tell them what they can and cannot do ( kill ).
I said several years ago all this " antler management " was going to further ruin our heritage.
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I think the whole trophy hunter aspect of hunting has a negative impact on hunter recruitment. Not that I don't love some big antlers. But when people think that is the goal of hunting, and then see that killing animals with big antlers is very expensive, it makes less people get involved. I think we could all do a better job showing hunting in a more positive light. Show the whole lifestyle and especially the FOOD aspect. I think Steve Rinella is a great advocate for hunting and we need more folks like him. Randy Newberg is too. Randy's focus is more public lands and Steve is more field to table but both are good for hunting IMO.
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I am posting this at my own peril because I may get flamed, but here goes. There seems to be a lot of hypocrisy going on about hunting. I hear on this thread about how the price has gotten too high, trophy hunting is killing hunting, and to many restrictions. Well to me telling me what I have to do (in the interest of improving the herd (antler quality)) is the same is telling what I can't do. I understand general management rules to stop the "it's brown it's down" mentality. How many leases have we seen posted where the cost of the lease is anywhere from $2500 to $4500 plus all the extra money you have to spend to follow the "you have to's" and what is always the prevailing comment...."this shouldn't last long". The market is what anyone is willing to pay and then you aren't sure how long you will have it. Also, we have too many young people that need instant gratification to validate what they do- I drew a blank for the season that just closed but I am not throwing in the towel because I didn't get a physical return on my investment (venison in the freezer)- it is a challenge that I accept to make next year something to look forward to.
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