I know there was a thread about Bill Winke on here not too long ago. Honestly, I had no idea who the guy was. I don't read magazines or many internet articles. I had occasionally in the past, but it never seemed to apply to the areas I hunt. The fly shop gets sent free issues of Bowhunting for some reason, and I decided to flip through one the other day. I came across the article by Bill Winke and decided to read it, as a result of seeing him mentioned on this site. The article was about 5 lessons he has learned about bowhunting whitetails. January issue, I believe. I was quite surprised to see him write this: Lesson 1: It Is All About Location Don't let anyone kid you; where you hunt is more important than how you hunt. I have heard the opposite said many times, but they are wrong, or selling something. I will place my bet on an average deer hunter in a great area over a great deer hunter in an average area. To be honest with you, that is how I got where I am today. I hunted great areas when I was just an average (or worse) deer hunter and everyone thought I knew something special about deer. All I knew was how to find great hunting spots. http://www.bowhuntingmag.com/tactics/winkes_five_lessons_for_bowhunting_whitetails_021811/ Now I know there are plenty of people on this site that agree with what he said, but I guess I had never seen a "pro" admit it before. Again, I'm not up on the who's-who of bowhunting, so maybe this happens often. Either way, I'm still impressed.
I agree with him 1,000,000%! It's been said time and time and time again - LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION. Having a great spot to hunt can make just about anyone look like a hunting superstar.
I don't disagree with what he said, or that anyone here doesn't know it. I've never seen a pro write it before, thats all. Much respect to that man. It could be written all the time for all I know. I enjoy the internet more than print publications. The cast of Bowhunt or Die are my heroes.
Bill is as down-to-earth as they come for being known as a "pro hunter"... not a pompous bone in his body. Had the pleasure of eating breakfast with him a couple years ago (we were staying at the same hotel for an industry trade show), and it was like talking to your longtime deer-hunting buddy... He's never tried to make himself into something he's not, and I appreciate reading his articles because of that fact, not in spite of it.
Of all the hunters/shooters I've read or seen, I hold him and Randy Ulmer higher than them all. "not a pompous bone in his body".
I have enjoyed Bill's stuff for many years...honest (as you mentioned), good attention to detail, keeps it simple.
"The passion you put into the journey will determine what you take from it in terms of success rate and level of satisfaction. I would sit out there every day of the season even if there were just one buck on our farm -- " Sounds like my farm...
I've always enjoyed reading his articles. He doesn't come across as a product pusher, either, which I like.
I've followed Bill since the 90's. The guy is as honest as it comes when talking about hunting. He could have easily been a "big name" hunter, but I don't think that is how Bill rolls. Check out his webisode website. He will show you exactly how he hunts and often says in his shows that he is blessed hunting the ground that he hunts.
He owns land and hunts a few miles to the south of me. I have never heard anyone say a bad thing about him. He knows his stuff but does remain very down to earth. He is a breath of fresh air in the so-called "pro-hunter ranks. The hunting industry needs more people like him to promote hunting.
That is no suprise to me. I have followed Bill for decades; the guy is as decent of a man as I have witnessed on the celeb scene. I'd love to get to meet him someday and talk whitetails...
I always said, I don't care if you live in the woods and eat Deer Chit and Treebark, You can't kill what's not there!
