Do you realize just how many people would like to see him falter in even just the smallest of ways. Many before him have given into forces evil that have brought them shame. I have never heard even a small accusation of wrong doing on his part.Never a word! Where would the likes of Roger Rothaar be today without the tainted past that a moment of misdirection has caused him?
He is a legend in the outdoor world. He has been an upstanding individual in the hunting community. What else can be said about him? Congrats to the man for making it as far as he has and I wish continued success to him.
I can tell from things you are saying that you know very little about him. Also, saying that all hunters are the same is kind of like saying Michael Jordan was no better than the rest of the NBA...it's laughable. Chuck's spot and stalk skills and determination to get on animals are legendary. Saying anyone could have done it IF this and IF that is hogwash. HE DID IT. It's the people who actually DO someting that get the credit...not the dude who THINKS he could have. He wasn't always famous...he made a name for himself through his own doings. None of this is about idolizing someone...it's just about recognizing some incredible acomplishments. But, apparently doing so makes some people a little jealous.
As to do with his past? Roger was on the same track as the Wensel's, He was one of the first to write on taking trophy bucks with archery tackle. Then he was charged with violating Ohio's game laws in what has been a very mysterious case. It involved having another hunter tag a buck that was supposedly shot by Roger. At the time M.R. James stood behind him as Roger filed appeals and Bowhunter Magazine stated that at the end of the case they would publish the complete story. Something that has never happened, and Roger has remained in the shadows selling snuffers and a few books. A very knowledgeable man brought down by a moments weakness.
I'll say it again. If you haven't read "Life at Full Draw" then you shouldn't even be saying anything about him. I didn't know much about him until I read the book and now he has my full respect.All of the crap being said about him in this thread isn't even true. It's just some jealous hunters making stuff up without even having a clue about the facts.
Like I said, he is a hell of hunter and marksman...most of us think we would be able to do it with $$ but it takes so much more than that...hell, most of us could afford one big hunt a year with all the $$ we spend every year on this stuff...so $$ is not the real issue....it's the time and dedication and endurance...most of us, including me, are just too plum lazy and lack the motivation....Take a guy like Will (huck) and Rob (kodiak)..those two guys truly live this sh_t man. they can hunt circles around me and most of us...it's just in them to do it this way...yeh I hunt hard for deer from Oct to Dec and then that's it bro... no bear hunts, prog horn, sheep, hogs, nothing, just deer and then turkey and the turkey hunting is with a shotgun. these guys and guys like them are just plain eat up with it and are willing to put it all on the line for it...no b_tching or complaining, they just do it. hats off guys!
I really did not feel like causing an argument over the status of a man, especially one that none of us know. Fact is, Chuck Adams is a man, just like you or me. Is he a good hunter, sure he is. If not he would have not accomplished the things he did. But he is still a man. Your calling it "hogwash" is not really right, and it is not very supportive of yourself. I have absolutely no doubt that if I had the time and money to dedicate to hunting as some of the "professionals" I could have killed that many large or record animals, and so could you. You go on to say that he made a name for himself, it was part of his job to do it. As a writer for magazines one needs to build credibility, and yes he did that. As far as jealousy, believe me, I have none of that. I do not live that way, I never have and never will. I also hope that this is not being construed as a rant about Mr. Adams because it is not, I do not know him and I would not do that, however, as I stated before, he is just a man. Again, I am not trying to argue over the accomplishments of one man. I started out thinking Why idolize a man? What makes him better that any of us or those that we know? NOTHING...Also, I think that too much emphasis is placed on the so called records and trophies, and not enough on the experience.
yeh what Jeff said..... .....really, I just ordered Life At Full Draw to find out for myself what Mr. Chuck Adams is a ll about..
I am in agreement with most here.Chuck Adams is absolutely the real deal and is deserving of all the accolades that are directed to him.These guy's who believe people are tipping him off to record caliber animals I believe are coming from a place of envy or jealousy.Those who say well if I devoted myself to the single minded obsession of hunting like he did I would be as successful are full of it.Life is all abou tchoices and he made the choice to put his passion for hunting first and fore front.Many people say they would love to do that but they have no idea of the effort,enrgy/stamina that that type of committment takes. Any bowhunter that doesn't hold him in the highest regard doesn't get it!
"I am sure that if I or any of you were given the chance to hunt non stop and spend most of every year hunting we would have some spectacular hunting accomplishments as well. He is no better than many of us." "if I had the time or money" These are the quoates I ponder. I ask myself, "What's keeping you from having these things? Maybe we should have a Hall of Fame for...ifs"! He's just a man, you say? Sargent York was just a man but he captured seventy some germans solders by himself. Tiger woods is just a man, but he hits the ball better than anyone out there. The Red Baron was just a man, but he sent a whole bunch of other men to their graves. Some men strive for greatness, other men achieve it (applying their entire makeup in the process). I think what seperates men from legends is the "ifs" and the "whens". I wonder how many times Chuck has said "if I kill a world record". Oh wait, he's been there done that-more than once! Ten bucks says he was there for the memories, the sharing, and the experience too! I wonder if Chuck would be at every turn sharing memories and promoting this sport "if" it were only about killing big animals? I think not I respect the man. You will not find any silver spoon hanging from his mouth. Sure, he put his pants on one leg at a time, but when it comes to hunting, he does it better than the majority of men. He has opted to take the high road, and I'm thankful he has choosen to share that road with us. I, personally, look forward to reading his books
For a long time I wondered "what I could do if given the chance". Problem was I was waiting TO BE GIVEN the chance. I realized that you have to TAKE THE CHANCES. Honestly, I still have done nothing, but I realize it is no one's fault but mine. If you are waiting for someone else to make something happen for you, then you will probably be waiting forever. Sure, some get lucky, but most truly work for what they have. True in all walks of life, not just hunting.
On one hand it's tough to see many people drag a man down or try to lessen his accomplishments. But on the other hand it is VERY refreshing and motivating to read some of the more inspirational comments in this thread. I would hope those motivational comments make us all think & reflect about our own lives.
Like I said, Im not even a 1/4 of the hunter Chuck is because I choose not to be...I didn't have to get married, or have 2 kids, or take on a career in teaching...I chose to do it and because I chose this life, I will never be what Chuck is...I love bowhunting, it's all I think about mostly, but Im sure I don't love it as much as Chuck or even Will and Rob for that matter... the only thing I have ever killed with a bow is deer and squirrel...that's because they are right here in my back yard, I have to put in very little effort....these guys...they know what sacrafice is and they know what their limits are, but they go on and they follow their hearts and they MAKE it happen...me, Im lazy compared to them and live vicariously through these type of men.. but, I choose to do it this way..they choose to do it their way. No excuses, if I wanted to do it, I could. I just don't. For that, yes, they are better bowhunters than me and I will gladly shake their hands..they have "it" the inner fire that burns..
