Frustrated with the haters
- Thread starter hickslawns
- Start date
I understand your frustration Phil.
You live by a code and try do everything properly and be a "good guy" but yet there are people that skip through life taking short cuts and cheating...
The bitch is that people like you see what's going on but could not knowingly stoop to their level like trespassing or slob hunting. You may think about it but it's not in your template to do things in such a manner.
It's a fucked up thing to have to wrestle with when you see it going on around you in life but such is the price we pay...
Your ok. It just seems like some days there are a lot more of them than there are us.
I would like to think karma's a bitch but anymore I just don't know.
You live by a code and try do everything properly and be a "good guy" but yet there are people that skip through life taking short cuts and cheating...
The bitch is that people like you see what's going on but could not knowingly stoop to their level like trespassing or slob hunting. You may think about it but it's not in your template to do things in such a manner.
It's a fucked up thing to have to wrestle with when you see it going on around you in life but such is the price we pay...
Your ok. It just seems like some days there are a lot more of them than there are us.
I would like to think karma's a bitch but anymore I just don't know.
Lundy
Member
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I have come to believe over the last 40+ years of hunting that the majority of hunters are pretty useless. Many seem to be driven primarily by ego or peer pressure. They might be OK in the rest of their lives but deer, turkey, duck season kicks in and they become worthless and create a very bad image for hunters in general.
The really sad part is that this peer driven pressure has been created by the hunting industry itself. It is a fact that many think that their hunting prowess is measured by their peers in inches of antler only. Ask some hunter how his season went and he says he killed a couple of does and no one asks for him to recount the story of his success. The industry, the hunting shows, websites, make many a hunter believe that they are just a new bow, or stand, or scent, or clothing away from killing a booner and being admired and revered by the masses. It is this same passion for "success" that leads many hunters to be slob hunters, trespassing, bad shot selections, poaching, cheating, etc.
Only around 1/3 of ohio deer hunters will be successful in any given year. That leaves a lot of people that want to be "successful" and many are willing to do about anything to achieve that goal.
The really sad part is that this peer driven pressure has been created by the hunting industry itself. It is a fact that many think that their hunting prowess is measured by their peers in inches of antler only. Ask some hunter how his season went and he says he killed a couple of does and no one asks for him to recount the story of his success. The industry, the hunting shows, websites, make many a hunter believe that they are just a new bow, or stand, or scent, or clothing away from killing a booner and being admired and revered by the masses. It is this same passion for "success" that leads many hunters to be slob hunters, trespassing, bad shot selections, poaching, cheating, etc.
Only around 1/3 of ohio deer hunters will be successful in any given year. That leaves a lot of people that want to be "successful" and many are willing to do about anything to achieve that goal.
Thank you CJD and Lundy. Maybe a better summary of what I was getting at. Every now and then it weighs on me enough to bring my spirits down. It is simply frustrating. Nothing I can do but do what is right and teach my kids the right way to go about things. Good lesson on integrity. AKA doing what is right when no one else is looking.
It's tough turning a blind eye to all the negativity that's infiltrated deer hunting nowadays. It existed back in the 70's,80's and 90's but not near close to the way it is today!
Just keep doing what you've been doing Phil and let the rumor starting haters wallow in their jealousy. You won't be able to change em, IMO.
Just keep doing what you've been doing Phil and let the rumor starting haters wallow in their jealousy. You won't be able to change em, IMO.
You can only control yourself and what you do. Do what makes you be able to sleep with you at night.
Gordo
Senior Member
I've never met you Phil, but you seem about as stand up as they get. People trying to give you a bad name? Fugg'em is right!
Thanks Gordo. I am not perfect. We all have our flaws. I do play by the rules though. Truthfully, it is all the more satisfying beating a cheat playing by the rules.
Hang tuff brother. At least when you lay your head on your pillow at night you can sleep with a clear conscience.
Bigcountry40
Member
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I feel ya Phil, because politics property lines,lies, cut throat leases, etc, I have considered just going back to hunting state land and the hell with it. The crap your talking about can gets tiresome, I got 3 properties that guys are hunting right on the line with the stand literally facing my side and all their shots would be on my side. I like to hunt care free and friendly, not worry about ass hats ruining my hunts, etc.
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Big_Holla
Senior Member
Great post Phil. It is definitely eye opening to see how antlers can change a person. I've seen what the antler envy can do to a friendship first hand and I honestly believe at times people don't realize what they are doing to themselves and especially others. In the case of trespassers all we can do is fight the good fight, in the end only the important people in our lives know the truth. As far as the hate talk and someone trying to make another look bad (because of antlers) it's simply a jealousy thing. Those people will always be a mess and again the important people in our lives already know the truth.
Thanks guys. My intent was not to whine, moan, and complain. More a statement of how disheartening it is to watch it happen. Isn't worth it. I keep finding myself hunting my old stomping grounds this year. It is littered with people. Everyone has access. One property owner has 26 or 29acres. "Maybe" 5 acres of it is woods. 8 people have permission that I am aware of. You want a challenge? Kill a deer in there. Crazy how I find myself in there where EVERYONE can hunt. Great part about it? My 12yr old and I had two deer within 50-60yds this weekend and we were hunting a makeshift ground blind we had just built. Safety was off. Crosshairs were aimed at the heart according to Garrett. He decided he wanted to wait for a buck. That was the most satisfying hunt i had all year. The time with my boy is exponentially more rewarding than any set of antlers I could lay my hands on. Life is short. I love deer hunting. I love big bucks. I am fascinated by the antlers like many of you. I am going to do my best to stay grounded and not let a set of antlers dictate my standards of morality.
Last year I was stuck on one buck...I hated it during and after. Really was upset with myself after the season. I have already hunted with my kids more often then last year. I've actually hunted more times with a kid with me, then not. I guess what I am saying is that I've been guilty of this "antler rage" that is being talked about. Maybe on a different level, but all the same, I shorted my kids last year. I hope I never get blinded again.
After my last two seasons of fails, I have a whole new set of priorities. I had a lot of fun growing up hunting "brown is down"! Forks may be in trouble...
After my last two seasons of fails, I have a whole new set of priorities. I had a lot of fun growing up hunting "brown is down"! Forks may be in trouble...
Thanks for this thread, Phil. Really gives me some hope for our future reading all these replies. "Pay it forward" ain't that right, Jesse...