Fran I think your heart is in the right place but to generalize that it is new hunters only is off base. In the area I hunt it is some of the old school guys that fit your model the best. There are 2 in particular that have locked up a rediculous amount of hunting land either though their family's farming coop, eventhough they themselves don't farm, or through encouraging people to lease their hunting rights to them for a small donation. By those approaches they have pushed out most of the "weekend warriors" and have put many others in a bad position because they are unable or unwilling to pay for hunting rights. It won't be long before the ground I hunt is up for grabs because I'm not willing to pay to hunt, it's just a matter of time before the owner decides they want to cash in. Do I have a big truck, yes. Do I have an expensive bow, yes. Do I love to hunt big antlers, yes! Do I do it because of the marketing absolutely not. I do it because I love the outdoors and as I've grown as a hunter my goals have grown as well. I am not an archer, I am a bow hunter. Will I win 3D contest, probably not, will I put in enough hours in the stand this fall to bag a good buck, I sure hope so!
im only 18 years old and i understand where you are coming from. i wish we all didnt have to have the fancy equipment and millions of acres to kill deer nowadays. i will admit that i do fall into the trap sometimes of wanting that new bow or the best new product. but its nice to take a back seat ride and see how good times used to be. my grandpa is 69 years old and still bowhunts. kills the big one every year without new equipment. he shoots thunderheads, alum arrows, and is still puttin em down.
Alot of truth in Fran's original post...and conversations away from an open forum would probably drive the agreement of this poll up 10 fold. Good thread and good discussions boys...
Even though I am not as old as Greg it is my 37th season so I guess that throws me into the crotchety old man section also.. King you are spot on with this post..Walt
I'd love to have this conversation around a nice campfire at deer camp. In fact, come this fall, I will do just that.
Most polarizing thread ever! Nice job Quicksilver. I only have two thoughts. One, if you're using a compound bow, then you're just as technologically advanced as the rest of us. Put your rant on the "traditional archery" forum and see how much love you get. Secondly, I'm not seeing this huge influx of serious bowhunters. Believe me, for every newcomer who is taking this seriously, there are 10 guys unloading all their gear on Craigslist. Why? Because they realized that, to be successful, it takes a lot of hard work. Something that most young people today are allergic to.
I agree. I am a new guy and not bragging but, I put in seriouse time, energy, passion and everything I can into this. I love it and want to succeed. Not many people I know put in the time and effort that I do. Like I said, not bragging but, I am proud of what I do.
