Are we really hunting?

[207North]

Wasnt aware any youth rifle season started in September.

In that case this applies.

No the grown men being jealous is more of it. It’s wasn’t that way growing when I was a kid is always the argument.

 

[WoolOverAll]

This is venturing into real no true Scotsman territory and only serves divides us. If you legally fill your tags, you are hunting.

 

[3325]

Who am I to say what is real “hunting” and what is not?

For example: One thing I can’t quite get on board with is “long range hunting,” as the term long range is usually understood these days. I used to think I was a competent long range shooter, because I had done a fair amount of shooting in the 600 yard neighborhood in military and police sniper schools. But when someone says “long range” these days, they seem to mean something around 1000 yards, if not further; 600 yards is not long range anymore. But who am I to say they’re not really “hunting?”

Likewise, if you’re setting in a tree with a crossbow, who am I to say you’re not hunting?

I like what used to be called “still hunting,” although I don’t hear that term used much anymore. To me this has always been ground hunting, moving slowly and quietly, with shots coming from point blank to about 300 yards. But not everyone will agree with me that this is somehow the pure way.

Wasn’t there some outrage on social media a few years ago over someone who made a spear kill? To my way of thinking, that’s about as hunting as hunting can get, yet it was controversial. The bambi crowd was outraged for obvious reasons, and some hunters thought it risked a less than quick kill and thus made the hunting community look bad.

This question will never be answered to the satisfaction of all.

 

[Will_m]

I think to be fair is to describe it as the deliberate action with intent to kill.

Everything else is about sporting, not hunting.

Flying a thermal drone around, bait, spotlighting, whatever, is hunting.

In the most distilled state, hunting is about killing. Plain and simple.

 

[KurtR]

yeah when you butt up against property owned by the Amish and all 12 of their kids are out there with rifles in September killing off all the bucks ... has nothing to do w jealous its complete BS...

Why is it bs because the kids get to hunt before you do? Seems that a problem with your state regs get it changed so they can just shoot does if the bucks matter to you that much

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Why is it bs because the kids get to hunt before you do? Seems that a problem with your state regs get it changed so they can just shoot does if the bucks matter to you that much

I don’t know where he is located, but in Virginia the youth day is one day at the end of September and requires an adult with each child.

If some state is letting kids run around unsupervised with deer rifles while the leaves are still on the trees, the 80’s child in me says “NBD” and the sober adult says, “please let me know so I can avoid that state!”

 

[Rich M]

I don’t know where he is located, but in Virginia the youth day is one day at the end of September and requires an adult with each child.

If some state is letting kids run around unsupervised with deer rifles while the leaves are still on the trees, the 80’s child in me says “NBD” and the sober adult says, “please let me know so I can avoid that state!”

Things are definitely different these days. As always - we color stuff based on our own experiences. I started in about 1978 and was shooting a 45# compound bow - was 8 going on 9. Shot 30-06 during rifle and hated it, still do all these years later. Used to hunt solo - leave camp at first light, be back around dark. Those were the rules. Then the states tarted changed the ages - home state went to 12 when I was going on 11 and adjacent states to 15. Never could understand that stuff but lost a year due to some new law.

Love kids hunting - just think that it is up to mom and dad, not the state to make it happen.

No-one needs special seasons except the handicapped and mobility impaired. Everyone who can walk and fill out the paperwork can apply for a tag or buy a license. Those having difficulty can have some help.

 

[grfox92]

I often revisit threads days after the first time I viewed them. I often wonder to myself how the threads got to where they got. This is one of those threads.

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

 

[rodney482]

Why is it bs because the kids get to hunt before you do? Seems that a problem with your state regs get it changed so they can just shoot does if the bucks matter to you that much

Use to be does and no rifles... but in the age a participation trophies IN changed it to bucks and any legal weapon.

 

[Marble]

I still believe it’s hunting, but there’s no denying that technology has helped close the gap in many ways. The age of having a computer in our hands has changed things dramatically. Tools like OnX, inReach, and similar technologies give people access to information, navigation, and communication solutions that simply weren’t available to me growing up—especially for those without deep knowledge of an area or concerns about staying connected.


Advancements continue everywhere you look:
Scopes that Bluetooth directly to rangefinders.
Archery sights that range targets and automatically place a pin where you need to aim.
Synthetic clothing that’s lighter, more comfortable, and far more effective.
Bows that are faster, more accurate, quieter, and more reliable than ever before.


The list seems endless.


What has always allowed humans to survive longer than any other species is our ability to adapt. We will continue to do exactly that—adapting, innovating, and creating tools that make our lives better in nearly every way.

 

[Marble]

If I could use bait I certainly would. Not sure I would bother for deer. But for bears, I can't use dogs, so, bait seems like a great alternative.

And I personally have no problem with people using whatever the law allows.

 

[Macintosh]

Im all-in on getting kids hooked on hunting. If some early success helps with that—and I believe it does—then Im all for making that happen. My state puts the youth weekend ahead of our rifle season. Any legal weapon and any deer (must be accompanied by an adult hunter). Also a youth waterfowl weekend ahead of that opener (same). And a youth turkey weekend. Less-skittish animals on a more predictable pattern and a bit nicer weather, and timed so its before many of the extracurricular school activities really kick in, is all part of maintaining a tradition of hunting. Not everything needs to be hard right from the start.
Not sure how anyone would argue against that, but I’ll argue for it if you want.

 

[KurtR]

I don’t know where he is located, but in Virginia the youth day is one day at the end of September and requires an adult with each child.

If some state is letting kids run around unsupervised with deer rifles while the leaves are still on the trees, the 80’s child in me says “NBD” and the sober adult says, “please let me know so I can avoid that state!”

I would assume the kids are accompanied but I would bet it’s as much as it’s about kids it’s about the Amish. Kids in South Dakota can shoot a doe from September till January and have to have an adult with. I haven’t shot a deer in 4 years because I’m looking for that one deer but if a 15 year old kid killed that one deer I would high five and congratulate him that’s a life memory.

 

[Rich M]

Im all-in on getting kids hooked on hunting. If some early success helps with that—and I believe it does—then Im all for making that happen. My state puts the youth weekend ahead of our rifle season. Any legal weapon and any deer (must be accompanied by an adult hunter). Also a youth waterfowl weekend ahead of that opener (same). And a youth turkey weekend. Less-skittish animals on a more predictable pattern and a bit nicer weather, and timed so its before many of the extracurricular school activities really kick in, is all part of maintaining a tradition of hunting. Not everything needs to be hard right from the start.
Not sure how anyone would argue against that, but I’ll argue for it if you want.

You gonna keep paying your kid’s rent and phone/internet when they 30 too? Seems like a lot of folks do.

When do you stop pampering?

Why is your kid entitled to the at ease elk/deer in nice weather when the 40 yr old onset hunter isn’t? He’s trying to feed his family, your kid is trying to make you happy.

Doesnt make sense to me. You want your kid to hunt - take him or her. Plain and simple. You dont need a special season unless you lack skills as a hunter.

 

[KurtR]

You gonna keep paying your kid’s rent and phone/internet when they 30 too? Seems like a lot of folks do.

When do you stop pampering?

Why is your kid entitled to the at ease elk/deer in nice weather when the 40 yr old onset hunter isn’t? He’s trying to feed his family, your kid is trying to make you happy.

Doesnt make sense to me. You want your kid to hunt - take him or her. Plain and simple. You dont need a special season unless you lack skills as a hunter.

You’re comparing a 40 year old late onset hunter or what ever they are called to a 13 year old kid. I would hope the 40 year old is a little more capable.

 

[TSAMP]

You’re comparing a 40 year old late onset hunter or what ever they are called to a 13 year old kid. I would hope the 40 year old is a little more capable.

They arent. 40 year old pansies. If they were real men they would have went out and strangled animals in the alley like I did. People with parents or mentors are soft.

 

[Pony Soldier]

I guess I am truely hunting. There are no electronic gadgets, no baiting, no blinds and no land rental.

My season starts with searching drainage by drainage, on horseback, 8 to 10 hrs a day for weeks at a time. First is to find what elevation are they at. Then is the search of where are they in the drainage-- on foot. Borderline hand to hand combat - if the weather/wind co-operates and the elk are stupid that day you win. Otherwise you start over.

A long shot is 50 yds. Shortest so far is 12 ft - charging. Classic self defense. Binoculars are handy but not necessary. You can't see that far.


A short season is 2-3 weeks and a normal one is 5 weeks and wishing for another. Maybe it should be called searching followed by shooting. Someplace in there is scouting new country in hopes of animals.

 

[Ope]

I see the slide gets fairly hostile when seasons are over/almost over. Is it just crossbows, leases, electronics and bait that people don't like? How about dog drives? Doesn't take much to get a pack of dogs to chase the deer where 5 or 6 guys are waiting with semi shotguns and blast away like they're in Saigon? But its traditional, so I was wondering if it's accepted as hunting or do a lot of guys look down on it?

 

[ianpadron]

I ponder frequently on the ethics vs legality of types of hunting.

Personally, I think all forms of baiting are a sorry excuse for fair chase hunting of any sort, bears included.

If it's legal though, you won't find me trying to make it illegal, because sowing division is the last thing hunters need.

I think cell cameras should be banned, non-transmitting are fine.

I'll always make fun of anyone that uses a crossbow, unless they're disabled, those are just the rules of my crew

I'm sure there are guys on this forum that agree with all, some, and none of that...which is why we have rules/regs instead of a free for all.

 

[WoolOverAll]

Anti crossbow guys will gladly use a wheel bow with no shame. Different times I suppose...