I entered into the bowhunting world as a novice in 2000-2001. I had gun hunted since 1992, but was still generally a novice hunter when I started bowhunting. I only had one other person that I talked hunting with and he was a tight lipped bud of mine that doesn't like to talk much. So I found the HNI website in 2001-2002 or so I believe and just began to read and listen. I didn't know crap about crap when it came to bowhunting, and the more I read and listened, the more I realized I really did not know crap about hunting. Many of you guys were on the old website and have come over here to this terrific place. I have learned so much from you guys that I just have to say it...THANK YOU. Many of you guys have helped me and don't even know it. So many of you have expertise and knowledge in areas that have been critical to my development, and have readily shared your knowledge with me. I am not only talking about guys talking about big buck tactics, but I am talking about guys/gals talking about all the things that make a good hunter. Cheese factor over and out. THANKS Brett
I've said it before, but my learning curve would have been much more steep if I didn't have these forums to ask questions, read, etc. I'm pretty much running solo when it comes to bowhunting. My father taught me a lot about being a hunter and an outdoorsman, but he doesn't archery hunt. I went into this blind, and am just now starting to make strides...ok more like baby steps, but still.
Matt, I did not have anyone to teach me how to hunt. Before getting on these forums I didn't really talk hunting with anyone, other than myself in the shower.
I would have to agree. My brother and father have always hunted, and I used to go along to help call in or push the bush. But I really didn't/don't know much about the actual hunting. I've learned probably more in the two months I've been a member on here than I have from observing what my family was doing. There is a fountain of knowledge on this site and it's great to see. I know that I haven't even come close to being involved with people on this site, but I can just imagine how much I will know by next year, which sadly enough as it is, still won't be much compared to most members on here. Congrats to you guys for having such a great site, and thanks for all the help.
And just think, Brett. It wasn't long ago, people said the internet/printed media was no substitute for experience. I'll take the experience of learning to do something right over the experience of just doing something.......every time. Looking forward to sharing camp with you again, soon.
I agree. I spent years "just doing it". They were years well spent because they forced me to really start thinking about every aspect of the hunt in order to be succesful. However, it wasn't until I started reading things on here that I "took off". THANKS again!
Everything stated here is very true. Without someone to take you under their wing, sites like this and HNI are great resources for getting information and asking questions. I've learned a tremendous amount from forum members and continue to do so every year.
I wish I had the internet when I started 30 years ago. I wish I had many, many of those hunts back but I guess it did put me where I am today. I wouldn't have traded it for the world but it sure would have been nice to have some guidance. Nice post Brett. After 30 years, I learn things too and have made many, many great friends, met a pile of people and likely experienced things I would have never experienced if it were not for HNI and now BHC. It's the passion that drives us, these places give us a media to share, learn and even teach.
I found this site is one of the best for keeping a posative atmosphere. There has really been no flaming or bashing that I've seen. Even if someone posts about a bad shot they had or some big screw up that they did. Everyone just seems to give others the benifit of the doubt that they didn't mean to do it and that they'll learn from it. I have found with other sites that people flex their internet muscles whenever given the opportunity, but here everyone is more interested in helping people out and giving them positive reinforcement. Obviously you can't keep all the idiots out, so there will be certain people that need a attitude adjustment. But for the most part everyone here is A+.
I have always maintained the idea that hunting is a game of "connect the dots". Success is directly proportional to "who you know" and "what you know"-not just talking about killing here. There are two types of hunters: those that turn inward and those that turn outward. I am 100% convinced every person on this forum is the latter. I love it! It is truly all about learning, sharing, and having fun... I am with Rob, the heaps of peope I've met on HNI and BHC are priceless! We have a grand bunch of good eggs here!
