Gear is great, BUT you need to get in the field!

[Jon Boy]

Another aspect you have is the ego driven posts. A lot of guys love pictures. Myself included. But posting a bunch of pictures doesn't make you an expert. You know what I'm saying? You could have a guy who spends the same if not more time in the woods but doesn't have any pictures to prove it. That doesn't mean he has no credibility.

I think there is a lot of that on the Internet. The drive to try and impress others and show you are a great hunter etc etc. that's the wrong stance. It should be to share and help others out. Not a di@$ off.

There are a couple types of guys.

1.) Guys that post photos/advice to help others and share

2.) Guys that post photos/advice to pat themselves on the back in an effort to make people think they are a hero.

3.) Guys who don't post much because they don't care what people think. I know a handful of guys who are amazing hunters. Kill animals and big animals year after year. Yet you would never ever see a pic of them.

I think that's where some guys go wrong. They get so caught up with trying to make a name for themselves or prove themselves.

I hear what your saying and agree mostly. I dont have a whole lot of experience or advice to offer people here compared to a lot of the others who are truly experts so you dont see me giving much advice. What I do have is a lot of pictures to document my experiences and share with others and thats about all I have to offer.
If I had half of the savvy of a lot of these guys you would see a lot higher post count on my profile, but I dont and dont pretend to. I hope everyone enjoys my photos at least!

 

[tttoadman]

I just walked down Lake Shore drive with pack ____ , with 50lbs in it, boots______, and pants____...... Never mind, I wasn't wearing pants.

That is a hardcore way to cut a few pounds from the pack in. Now you can wax your legs to reduce wind drag while hiking.


Hardcore!

. Zzz

 

[Colo4x4XJ]

I find the whole "the-more-pictures-with-dead-animals-the-more-experienced" mentality is pretty hilarious. Some people don't need to seek validation amongst complete strangers for the success or failures experienced in the field. Why someone would judge another's "experience" based on the amount of grab-n-grins they have on their rokslide account is petty if you ask me. But then again I'm just some dude with no pictures and a low post count so what would I know

 

[Jeff Martin]

I dont always use my gear, but when I do, i choose Kifaru, Kuiu, Hoyt.........

Sorry...i could not resist.

 

[a3dhunter]

I dont always use my gear, but when I do, i choose Kifaru, Kuiu, Hoyt.........

Sorry...i could not resist.

Do you trust your life to it?

 

[Shrek]

I'll never measure up no matter how much time I put in the field because I just don't take many pictures. As for name brands , if in doubt I will get kifaru packs and shelters because I know for sure that they will work. They may not be the absolute best in every category but they will be field tested and work. There are not many companies I give that level of trust to.

 

[hflier]

Actually, it's funny. Aron's thread is drawing out some of said individuals. Lol.

 

[Shrek]

I feel unwelcome here after reading this thread and I wonder what the impression is to someone visiting for the first time is ? I read the thread that fillthefreezer cited and what I read was just a lively post up that had some misses and hits but if the only guys who posted were the ultra experienced then it would have been boring and without real comparison relief. I post a lot and not all of it is going to be of great quality. I would guess that about half of my posts are congratulatory in nature and most of the rest are conversational. I give opinions and like all of the opinions here they are just that , opinions. We all know the saying " opinions are like a** holes , we alll have them and they all stink " . I try to keep mine to what I THINK I know but I'm far from perfect. If the only people here who have a voice are the guys who have been in the field half a year this forum will die. If you want an edited magazine then go buy one but this is a public forum and it is going to be by nature all over the place. To the people complaining to the owners about others inexperienced opinions and advice all I can say to you is grow up. There are guys here with gravitas and those without and if you don't spend the time here to learn who and what and take the first line of advice you read all I can tell you is what Forest's mom told him " stupid is as stupid does " . A lot of whining , egotistical jerks here along with a bunch of fun people and this thread is a venue for the jerks to run to the front of the line. Thats my opinion and it stinks just like the rest.

 

[cwoodyt87]

I feel unwelcome here after reading this thread and I wonder what the impression is to someone visiting for the first time is ? I read the thread that fillthefreezer cited and what I read was just a lively post up that had some misses and hits but if the only guys who posted were the ultra experienced then it would have been boring and without real comparison relief. I post a lot and not all of it is going to be of great quality. I would guess that about half of my posts are congratulatory in nature and most of the rest are conversational. I give opinions and like all of the opinions here they are just that , opinions. We all know the saying " opinions are like a** holes , we alll have them and they all stink " . I try to keep mine to what I THINK I know but I'm far from perfect. If the only people here who have a voice are the guys who have been in the field half a year this forum will die. If you want an edited magazine then go buy one but this is a public forum and it is going to be by nature all over the place. To the people complaining to the owners about others inexperienced opinions and advice all I can say to you is grow up. There are guys here with gravitas and those without and if you don't spend the time here to learn who and what and take the first line of advice you read all I can tell you is what Forest's mom told him " stupid is as stupid does " . A lot of whining , egotistical jerks here along with a bunch of fun people and this thread is a venue for the jerks to run to the front of the line. Thats my opinion and it stinks just like the rest.

I'll start by saying I don't know a dang thing about backcountry hunting, and thus don't post much (mostly questions). I have hunting experience (only a few years, midwest), and limited backpacking experience (only a few times), but never both. I've been interested in mountain hunts (since i do love backpacking and hunting - why not combine the two!) and learned a lot from this site. I've commented on a limited number of products that I have and use (maybe 2 total?).

Shrek - I understnd what you are saying, but I think you are missing the point that Aaron was trying to raise. He's not by any means saying that "inexperienced" hunters or those who aren't "pros" shouldn't post their opinions about products. He's just saying be open and honest about your use of the product. If you've only used it a couple of times, just say so. If you just got it in the mail and it fits great and looks like it will work well, thats fine too - just be sure to state that you haven't put it to the test in the field. Aaron - please correct me if I'm wrong here.


Just my opinion (mine stink WORSE than the rest) and $0.02 (worth less than most)!

 

[Shrek]

And one more thing. The worst advice I got was from several very experienced posters here. The only critical gear failure I had was my sleeping bag. It was recommended that a 20º rated bag would be plenty of bag for the temps I would encounter and for them it probably would be but I'm from Florida and not cold adjusted. I froze and probably needed a 0º OR -10º bag to sleep well. I ignored the advice given to me by two local guys here who had been hunting out west once each who told me to buy an "artic rated " bag. My 25º enlightened equipment quilt probably wouldn't keep me warm enough at 60º and I would never use a quilt again in any season again other than summer. I'm just as interested in the experiences of guys coming from where I'm coming from as they are more enlightening than much of the advice from someone who lives there. A broad spectrum of opinions and experience will give a much better picture.

 

[Ryan Avery]

Feels like we are polishing a turd here. Its REALLY simple! If you have a questions ask away, that's what a forum is all about. If you have gear that you have NEVER used, don't tell potential buys about how great it is because you really don't know! I don't understand how people are misinterpreting what Aron is trying to say. We want you all to post! Just have a little knowledge on what your posting about!

 

[Aron Snyder]

Shrek,

Please read through this. I posted it up a while ago and explains things pretty well.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


If you've used a product for 3 days, feel free to post about that product, BUT PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU'VE ONLY USED IT 3 DAYS!

When someone asks about what's the beast fire starter is in wet conditions, but you've only built a fire in dry areas with yours, THAN POST THAT YOU'VE NEVER BUILT A FIRE IN WET CONDITIONS, BUT LIKE YOURS SO FAR!

If asked what tent is best for high wind, feel free to reply with the experience you have with your favorite model! Just make sure you add the amount of windy days that you've had the tent in the field.

Another good example would be the Hilleberg Akto. I have used the Akto a ton, but have started using the Soulo and Anjan more than the Akto. The reason for this is the amount of snow and wind that the Soulo can take when compare to the Akto and the amount of extra space I get with the Anjan when compared to the Akto.

So when asked that question, I make sure and mention the highlights of each shelter, what conditions I would suggest using each shelter in, and of course, what experience I have with each.....instead of just saying "the Akto is a bombproof shelter".

So if you ONLY had 3 days of field use with the Akto, but it was a blizzard for those three days.....than post away, as that 3 days probably told you A LOT about the shelter

So I'm not asking people to stop posting unless your a "pro" or have 100+ days in the field! I am asking for people to give a quick description of what type experience they do have with that particular piece of gear.

Pretty simple to me!

 

[Shrek]

I understood what you were saying but the tone of the rest of the thread is what got me. It really should have been an announcement not a thread . Hind sight is 20/20 and I know you had no intentions of this being more than simple guidance to make this a better forum but the thread took on its own life and direction. Personally I'd be fine with no post count or member status and the whole real name thing is totally ridiculous if you understand that I can claim any name I want and there is little to nothing you or any other administrator could do to verify it. The picture thing is stupid chest beating and the amount of animals you've killed and posed with doesn't mean squat about your camping , hiking , or wilderness survival skills. The tone had become ugly and Ryan nailed it when he said we're polishing a turd.

 

[Sunspot]

This post is a theory. I've only posted 310 times.

 

[dotman]

I understood what you were saying but the tone of the rest of the thread is what got me. It really should have been an announcement not a thread . Hind sight is 20/20 and I know you had no intentions of this being more than simple guidance to make this a better forum but the thread took on its own life and direction. Personally I'd be fine with no post count or member status and the whole real name thing is totally ridiculous if you understand that I can claim any name I want and there is little to nothing you or any other administrator could do to verify it. The picture thing is stupid chest beating and the amount of animals you've killed and posed with doesn't mean squat about your camping , hiking , or wilderness survival skills. The tone had become ugly and Ryan nailed it when he said we're polishing a turd.

Dave, you can't take it personal when only a few state how they feel, they are a minority overall. Not everyone feels the need to show off their kills and that is ok, for the few that think that is the only important aspect to hunting, they need to reevaluate why they hunt. Some want glory and fame others are here to share a common interest and a few to act like they have done everything. It will always be this way and everyone can make their own choice on what to read and respond to.

The admin is not stating what a few individuals are, they just want honest reveiws of gear, period. Others just latch on and have to spill their own opinion which we can all take with a grain of salt as well. The people I listen and learn from are the humble individuals, such as our admin, the Moffats, BB and I really respect Justin Davis. Justin and Aron were the first that helped me move from crappy uncomfortable gear that I thought was just what we had available. They have both always been very humble.

I think the big issue is a few that post 100% incorrect info on items they have never used, when they could of just directed the person to the manufactures website or a few threads here discussing the item because I would say 99% of the gear has been discussed in one way already. Now we will not all have the same experience, so when info is posted it isn't always incorrect just the experience said person had. I know of one guy that used his gear wrong and said it was the worst thing he ever used, he kills a ton of game but had zero clue on one piece of gear, but this is his opinion of the gear and is valid because it was what he experienced. My old man does not like half of my new gear, too complex and the old way is best.

One thing I really like about this forum is the fact there are so many humble guys that do not act like they know everything or are better then everyone else, they are not trying to be the next prostaff member or get sponsored, they just want to pass on thier experience. I have been doing this for about 20 years, grew up with some of the best hunting anyone in the lower 48 could ask for but guess what I currently live in Kansas City, I have had many past and current experiencess but that is what I cherish not what I need to disclose but I still have much to learn. This site is only 2 years old, what I have done in the past 2 years is nothing compared to the last 20 and I think there are many on this forum with a similar background.

Gear is fun to talk about, period. Just use the gear before you give your review and disclose maybe how long you have had the gear or how long you have used the gear before you say it sucks or is the bee's knees (my nephew just taught me this ).

If this site was just about hunting and peoples kills it wouldn't last long, how many continue their magazine subscriptions that mainly have the same hunting stories over and over? I know that I don't read Extreme Elk, Western Hunter or Elk Hunter as much and kind of just flip past most of the hunts anymore, I enjoy reading the threads similar to Shrek and Jon Boy who are doing something new or outside the norm but this is just me.

There have been two recent threads that are great hunting threads and they have nothing to do with the animals taken, Steve and Justin really put what I think we all need to learn into perspective.

 

[Shrek]

I could write another long post Dotman but I got it when Aron started this thread. The rant was directed at the guys who piled on.

 

[Shrek]

After reading my last post it sounds like I was taking the thread personally , I'm not. I generally preface my post with my experience level so I had it long ago. I could name names of those who are being jerks but it is quite obvious to everyone else so what's the point. The problem is that I like this place and would hate to see it become another campfire with just a couple of people welcome and insults thrown everywhere.

 

[Nick Muche]

There have been two recent threads that are great hunting threads and they have nothing to do with the animals taken, Steve and Justin really put what I think we all need to learn into perspective.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[rodney482]

I will say this:

I have yet to be let down by advice/information that I have obtained from this site.

 

[bobhunts]

I am a self proclaimed gear junkie and of all the gear I have seen reviewed on here I have not gotten any bad advice. But the best review for each of us would be a look in the mirror? That body that each of us wear is the best review of your hunting experience and all of the other stuff is additives to the core you bring to the table when you hit the mountains. Something I need to work on more! Bob