Posting Wounded Game Threads.... What is your opinion?

[squeekieslayer]

Every year I see tons of threads on here, archerytalk, bowsite etc. posting about wounded or lost game. I typically have very mixed emotions about these threads.

My gut feeling is that I know how bad it hurts to lose game. It feels good to hear people say "it happens to everyone," and "keep looking," and all other words of encouragement. Sometimes good advice comes out, but it is all typically the exact same advice. Look by water, work in circles, make a grid, look uphill and down, get a dog, look for crow etc.

Mistakes happen, bad shots happen, wounded game happens.... But do we need to post it on a public forum?

I am NOT, i repeat: NOT, poking fun or trying to be insensitive. I am just worried that this is a public forum, and these types of threads give tons of ammo to the "archery is bad," or "hunting is bad" arguments. Yes, i KNOW and AGREE that this is america, this is our right to hunt, it is our right to post online, and it is our right to wound game. Wounded game happens, we get it, the g and f gets it, and most people understand it is a sad yet real possibility every time they step in the woods... But is it ok to post on these threads?

I am not trying to start an argument, I just struggle with this dilemma all the time. Especially when the excuse for the miss is a very poor excuse. HAHA

what do you guys think?

Joe

 

[dreamingbig]

I personally would not do it. It happens but we don't need to give anti hunters additional support.

 

[armyjoe]

I'm on the fence on this topic. Yes, anti-hunters like these threads to exploit them BUT as hunters there are things we can learn and discuss about this that is very beneficial.

I'd say if you have a story - say it. Someone could learn from it and thats what we all want.

 

[squeekieslayer]

I'm on the fence on this topic. Yes, anti-hunters like these threads to exploit them BUT as hunters there are things we can learn and discuss about this that is very beneficial.

I'd say if you have a story - say it. Someone could learn from it and thats what we all want.

I agree, but I feel like 99% of the time the same advice is given to every single post.

1) keep your chin up
2) Don't give up as long as possible
3) circles from last blood
4) make a grid
5) check water sources
6) don't forget to look uphill and behind you, they may double back
7) get a dog (if legal)
8) look for crows
9) Its ok, it happens to everyone, better luck next year.

I feel like most of the time people want sympathy because they are hurting, and I get that 100%.... I just don't know if I want it posted online. I am on the fence still.

Joe

 

[DWarcher]

Have any of you actually seen an anti-hunting organization actually exploit a 'wounded animal' story from a hunting forum?

 

[squeekieslayer]

I have, I used to be a member of a anti hunting forum just to monitor... it was kind of fun, but extremely frustrating. I have seen them post links to threads on some of the other state forums and they all log on and thrash it.

Joe

 

[realunlucky]

It happens pretending it doesn't make it to away, and doesn't give anyone more or less ammo. It is a fact that is factored in to all game management strategies from the start so that says something right there about it doesn't it. If you took what you thought was a great shot hold your head up if you took a questionable shot and knew it have some one kick you in the balls and only take good shots going forward. It's a personal boundary thing that is different with every one

 

[Coyote Commander]

Its something a hunter should be embarrassed about.

Theres far too many threads like this (archerytalk is inundated with them every fall). To me, young hunters see that many wounded animal threads, and they start to get a "ho hum" attitude about the whole situation, they say "oh well it happens to everyone", and rather than be embarrassed by what happened, they take a lackadaisical attitude about it, and it may happen more often and they dont care enough to strive for it to NOT happen.

Wounded and lost animals DO happen. But it should be a hunters "dirty little secret". Not something "shouted from the rooftops" on internet forums over and over and over again.

 

[squeekieslayer]

Its something a hunter should be embarrassed about.
To me, young hunters see that many wounded animal threads, and they start to get a "ho hum" attitude about the whole situation, they say "oh well it happens to everyone", and rather than be embarrassed by what happened, they take a lackadaisical attitude about it, and it may happen more often and they dont care enough to strive for it to NOT happen.

I agree with this attitude as well.

I also see so many that say "it was a perfect hit," "I hit no-man's land," "I got both lungs," and my personal favorite.... "he dropped at the shot and I hit high." Here's a heads up...with most modern bows, a well aimed shot on an elk will never get "ducked," they are too big, too slow, and bows are too fast. Assuming you are shooting at a reasonable distance (30 or so yards.) IF you are shooting further, you better be very proficient and know how to judge an animals actions... if he is super jumpy and worked up looking at you, he may duck or move significantly... but that is on the hunter. If you aim where you should on an elk (or most big game for that matter) if the animal ducks you are still in lungs, or worst case the spine. I don't really see how so many animals "duck the string" when you finally find them and the hole is in the liver or further back hahaha

Joe

 

[Shrek]

It happens and there is nothing to be ashamed of if you are taking good shots. Yes , the advice is mostly the same but for a hunter in a panic about a bad hit or a lost trail the advice might be the thing that reminds them of something they missed that may lead to recovery. Just because you know what to do doesn't mean you are thinking clearly at the moment and doing it. I would rather some post for advice than loose an animal that could be found.

 

[squeekieslayer]

It happens and there is nothing to be ashamed of if you are taking good shots. Yes , the advice is mostly the same but for a hunter in a panic about a bad hit or a lost trail the advice might be the thing that reminds them of something they missed that may lead to recovery. Just because you know what to do doesn't mean you are thinking clearly at the moment and doing it. I would rather some post for advice than loose an animal that could be found.

very valid point.... BUt couldn't a quick google search yield thousands of pages of advice? Like I said, I understand why people do it... I am just not sure if it is the best for the sport. That said, if a hunter is not embarrassed or ashamed about losing wounded game, then they need to find a new sport.... especially if taking marginal shots.

Joe

 

[Shrek]

Not good for the sport so you show your concern by posting another thread with a loaded question. A divisive which method is worst question combined with a judgment question. Personally I think you are a troll at this point.

 

[squeekieslayer]

Not good for the sport so you show your concern by posting another thread with a loaded question. A divisive which method is worst question combined with a judgment question. Personally I think you are a troll at this point.

I don't know what your deal is man, if you don't want to participate... stay out of it. I did not say I was completely against it at all. I said I am torn on the subject and am just trying to wrap my head around my own reasoning.

And you are right... I am a troll from PETA, as you can see from my other 300 posts about wounded game and tree hugging.

joe

 

[Shrek]

I haven't looked at your other post but today you are trolling for an ethics fight. My deal is that if you are so concerned about hunter image then don't start a public ethics fight.

Btw , you are a member of an anti hunting forum by your own admission . Lol.

 

[squeekieslayer]

I removed that thread... sorry if it hurt your feelings. I understand where you are coming from, it would turn into an argument in a hurry because people on most forums have a very hard time keeping conversation intelligent. A long back and forth pissing match would certainly not be good for the sport. I feel that it would be nice to discuss, but also impossible to do in a positive light.... it is truly too bad, and come to think about it, says something about our community as well...

Joe

 

[squeekieslayer]

Btw , you are a member of an anti hunting forum by your own admission . Lol.

WAS... Trust me, they are awesome at sniffing out trolls hahaha

Joe

 

[Shrek]

Squiekieslayer , the questions were loaded and would start a fight in a moment. However , I would have that conversation in private all day long and my feelings are far from hurt . I have a much more jaded view of game than most after I was on a few shooter permits where you shot everything you could regardless and had to let everything just lay. All you could do was drag them out of the way of working the field. Shoot a couple of hundred deer and let them rot will give you a different perspective on the importance of a wounded and lost animal. In the personal effect on the hunter it's a big deal but in the big picture it's all factored in the management plan. I do my very best not to loose an animal but if it happens I don't beat myself up over it and I don't judge others for even slightly grey area shots. You would have to do something outrageous to get me throwing stones.

 

[Shrek]

And you sucked me into it. Danm !

 

[Shrek]

As for the question posted. The percentage of hunters intentionally taking marginal shots is very low. Lots of bad judgments and decisions basedin ignorance but intentional recklessness no.

 

[KHNC]

I agree, but I feel like 99% of the time the same advice is given to every single post.

1) keep your chin up
2) Don't give up as long as possible
3) circles from last blood
4) make a grid
5) check water sources
6) don't forget to look uphill and behind you, they may double back
7) get a dog (if legal)
8) look for crows
9) Its ok, it happens to everyone, better luck next year.

I feel like most of the time people want sympathy because they are hurting, and I get that 100%.... I just don't know if I want it posted online. I am on the fence still.

Joe

Maybe we should just make this a sticky?