archerycrazy
Active Member
- Messages
- 207
LAST EDITED ON Nov-01-11 AT 07:57PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Nov-01-11 AT 07:02?PM (MST)
First of all, I want to thank the many upstanding hunters on this site. Your pictures, stories, and tips are what keep me coming here.
Unfortunately, this site also has a large number of individuals who make the site distasteful, in my opinion. I can't wait to read what they say about this post.
I am an avid sportsman and would prefer to be in the wild hunting and viewing wildlife whenever possible. I am not, however, someone whose entire identity and life is shaped by hunting. My job in the military can make it difficult to return home each fall to hunt. In addition, my family obligations always take precedent over my hunting. That being said, I love to hunt.
When I can't hunt, I enjoy experiencing the successes of others and reading their stories. It's a shame to see that many threads somehow turn into an opportunity for others to show they haven't made it out of Freud's Anal Stage.
Many of the threads have a similar undertone as arguing over whose trailer park meth lab is better, or whose beer gut looks more attractive in an extra small wife beater. A guy can post a story of his hunt and then be blasted relentlessly for shooting a spike elk or a small buck. Perhaps they deserve to be hammered because they aren't one of those who have never had anything but a one shot kill. Or, a guy new to hunting can ask for advice and all he gets is ridicule or a verbal assault from some of the distinguished members here.
I respect those who put in the time and consistently harvest trophy animals. They deserve the trophies they take. Many of them are willing to share their knowledge and support others in their hunting experiences. That being said, it doesn't elevate them to judge over the those who choose to hunt differently than them.
Some on this site find it blasphemous to even consider harvesting an animal that doesn't make it into the record books. They would infer that those who harvest non-trophy specimens are damaging the herds or are the downfall of hunting. They never cease in sharing their "expert" opinions with the rest of us, and they can't ever do it in a respectful way. It's like a professional body builder who spends 7 hours a day in the gym making fun of the guy who can only spend 45 minutes a day working out. Have you ever tried to hold a decent conversation with "hardcore" bodybuilder? Most of them sound as educated as the "hardcore" hunters on this site.
Honestly, I find this attitude a little ridiculous. The vast majority of hunters do not spend fifty percent of their life each year chasing after trophy big game animals. They have lives, too. Some may not even get out until opening day for the first time. Believe it or not, many don't even have a four foot wide big buck sticker on the rear window of the pickup truck that their bank owns and they drive. I'm happy they are able to get out at all to do something they enjoy.
I'm sick of hearing myself ramble, but I wonder if others share my sentiment. Keep the great pictures, stories and hunting tips coming. I believe that is why the site was created in the first place. We may not always agree with someone's choices or hunting methods, but there are respectful ways to give insight and education to those who need it. Newcomers to this site would appreciate finding a place where they can celebrate hunting and wildlife, and not have to listen to a group of men acting like schoolchildren.
I'm envious of all the big bucks and bulls that have been taken this year. I hope to make it back to Utah next year to hunt. (Yes, I am a TARD...I'll admit it, go on and bash me for it!) Thanks again to all those that do make this site a great place to visit. My therapy is complete.
First of all, I want to thank the many upstanding hunters on this site. Your pictures, stories, and tips are what keep me coming here.
Unfortunately, this site also has a large number of individuals who make the site distasteful, in my opinion. I can't wait to read what they say about this post.
I am an avid sportsman and would prefer to be in the wild hunting and viewing wildlife whenever possible. I am not, however, someone whose entire identity and life is shaped by hunting. My job in the military can make it difficult to return home each fall to hunt. In addition, my family obligations always take precedent over my hunting. That being said, I love to hunt.
When I can't hunt, I enjoy experiencing the successes of others and reading their stories. It's a shame to see that many threads somehow turn into an opportunity for others to show they haven't made it out of Freud's Anal Stage.
Many of the threads have a similar undertone as arguing over whose trailer park meth lab is better, or whose beer gut looks more attractive in an extra small wife beater. A guy can post a story of his hunt and then be blasted relentlessly for shooting a spike elk or a small buck. Perhaps they deserve to be hammered because they aren't one of those who have never had anything but a one shot kill. Or, a guy new to hunting can ask for advice and all he gets is ridicule or a verbal assault from some of the distinguished members here.
I respect those who put in the time and consistently harvest trophy animals. They deserve the trophies they take. Many of them are willing to share their knowledge and support others in their hunting experiences. That being said, it doesn't elevate them to judge over the those who choose to hunt differently than them.
Some on this site find it blasphemous to even consider harvesting an animal that doesn't make it into the record books. They would infer that those who harvest non-trophy specimens are damaging the herds or are the downfall of hunting. They never cease in sharing their "expert" opinions with the rest of us, and they can't ever do it in a respectful way. It's like a professional body builder who spends 7 hours a day in the gym making fun of the guy who can only spend 45 minutes a day working out. Have you ever tried to hold a decent conversation with "hardcore" bodybuilder? Most of them sound as educated as the "hardcore" hunters on this site.
Honestly, I find this attitude a little ridiculous. The vast majority of hunters do not spend fifty percent of their life each year chasing after trophy big game animals. They have lives, too. Some may not even get out until opening day for the first time. Believe it or not, many don't even have a four foot wide big buck sticker on the rear window of the pickup truck that their bank owns and they drive. I'm happy they are able to get out at all to do something they enjoy.
I'm sick of hearing myself ramble, but I wonder if others share my sentiment. Keep the great pictures, stories and hunting tips coming. I believe that is why the site was created in the first place. We may not always agree with someone's choices or hunting methods, but there are respectful ways to give insight and education to those who need it. Newcomers to this site would appreciate finding a place where they can celebrate hunting and wildlife, and not have to listen to a group of men acting like schoolchildren.
I'm envious of all the big bucks and bulls that have been taken this year. I hope to make it back to Utah next year to hunt. (Yes, I am a TARD...I'll admit it, go on and bash me for it!) Thanks again to all those that do make this site a great place to visit. My therapy is complete.
