For the last few years, several guys in our hunting party have squabbled, fought, argued and down right back stabbed over areas: just to try to kill deer, a mature buck they heard of shared, or just a deer in general to be successful. It's something I feel too many of us have seen or shared in all too well.
When I was a much younger man, I would often allow myself to get into such squabbles and became unhappy with how situations played out. I would see a big buck, later that week when no one thought i could make it out, there car would be in the parking lot and they would be back in that area. I would move, they would follow. My dad had his spots, was successful, next thing you know the walls would close in around him. Others had there locations only to have others move in or even drive them out. There wasn't the choice of allowing an area to not be pressured, if you didn't hunt it, someone else would. Regardless of wind, or respect for your hunting area. I know it's public land and we all have the right to hunt wherever. But sometimes there's a line of knowing a guy hunts and area, he's after a deer and maybe not because you have to, but out of respect you let him do his thing. How would we ever be able to pass down the woods we hunt to our children, and them pass it down. Preservation of our hunting lineage and respect for those you allow access to such areas. It always starts out with "man id never do that to you" to watching as each year goes by your lands you've hunted since you where a kid, become over run, not by those you don't know but by those you've opened it up to. The coined term it's state land anyone can hunt, always gets said. Well then how come you keep hunting locations someone else found, your heard about, or are hunting because you seen or heard success in the area?
As i've grown I've come to realize to keep my mouth shut, and to also hunt places I KNOW, they won't go, or if they do find it, I move on. It just urked me to hear my dad tell this story of how a place he found, became over ridden and hunted day in day out, wrong wind or not until the very buck he was after moved out. He only got to hunt it once. Guys where shooting whatever that moved there. And watched as my dad suffered quietly because of the lack of respect even within those closest to him. And all he was trying to do was share in the wealth, but expected a line of respect to be followed. Instead it was crossed, and crossed again. It's why many of us are reclusive and to ourselves. It's why I struggle to allow myself to open up to new hunters, to people I've known for years. I don't want to lose friends, I don't want to lose my area. Why does there even have to be a choice? With success and learning also comes a lot of strife from those around you. It's not always what you'd think. Oh the first big buck their happy for you. Maybe even the second, by 3, 4, 5, 6..:it almost becomes envy and hatred. Jealousy sets in, motives come out, and you watch as good people will tear at one another. It's sad really. It's why I find refuge here at the BEAST. Because of this site, I know I can go to any section of woods/tails/marsh/ground and have success. Not because I'm great, because the knowledge here is. I want to pass that down to my kids, and them down as well. Hopefully this makes sense and isn't just a nasty rant on my end.[ Post made via iPhone ]
[ Post made via iPhone ]
