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Don't make it complicated
#5897804
08/26/15 11:49 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,857
cmc
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,857 |
Sorry just realized this is long and not very well written but oh well.
I was considering an elk hunt this year and started thinking of all the gear I "had" to have. I'm not a gear junky, in fact I often don't even take what I do need so when I started thinking of what I needed I thought back to my first elk hunt. Back in 1997 I was 18 years old, I had no real direction in life and was and still am mostly uneducated so I pretty much just ran around like an idiot hunting and living like a bum. When October came that year I said hell with it I'll go try to kill an elk in Colorado.
I drove to Colorado bought a license at the first gas station and drove up a mountain and went to sleep. I had a borrowed 30-06, a summer tent, one pair of not warm boots, and no camo, no guide, no nothing. Long story short I used what I knew about hunting to kill a 5x5 on public land. Did I get lucky? Hell yes I did. Could I have gotten lucky if I wasn't in the woods? Hell no I couldn't.
I hear people all the time worry about the right camo, the right scent cover, this bullet, that bullet and they let this effect their time in the woods or even how they feel about what they took. Hunting is not that hard, deer are not as smart as the guy selling the next big buck secret would have you believe.
Yes they have a good nose, so don't hunt where they can smell you, yes they see pretty well, so don't hunt where they can see you, yes they hear well so don't make a bunch of noise. There's no reason to buy brand new everything every year because Lee and Tiffany did, use what you got and get out there.
Hunting skills can be applied to hunting anywhere, once you learn how to hunt and use the land, the wind, the sun, and trees to your advantage you can kill any critter anywhere. Don't make it hard. The best way to learn is to be out there. Deer are not that hard to kill and I promise they won't mind a bit if you shoot a 140 grain or 180 grain bullet. Don't worry about it, learn to shoot and go shoot something.
Last year my friend who hunted probably more hours than most of you reading this but has never fired a gun in his life bought me a pack of broad heads from Walmart, the cheapest ones they had on clearance. They were on clearance because no one bought them because this company does not have a Rage size advertisement compain. These heads were sharp and flew straight, I killed two deer and a hog with the three heads. He couldn't believe I used them on a deer and when I asked why wouldn't I, he said I just never seen this kind on TV or anybody use them. I quickly explained how he had been duped. I'm not saying if Rage called and said we would like you to shoot our heads I wouldn't, because I would they work, but I'm not gonna spend $40 on heads when a $5 head will work. An inch is an inch is an inch, no matter who makes the head if you poke a hole in a deers lungs one inch wide he WILL die period.
I don't have to shoot what I shoot, I could buy a new bow every year or I can take $1000 and go hunting. Learning the skill of hunting and the art of stalking is way more important than the brand you use. Keep it simple and don't think the brand is what killed that deer, it was you and your skill that killed it. I catch more hell for the gear I use than anybody Ive ever seen and I kill at least a half dozen animals with a bow a year and that many more with a gun. Once you realize your skills are why you take more game and not because you had some Bone Collector garb you'll have more fun and the only way to become more skillful is to be out there learning. I'm not running down anyone's style if it's working for you by all means continue to do it but don't let the lack of a new bow or the lack of the best advertised broadhead keep you away from the woods.
Ive seen several people on this forum asking questions about will this kill a deer, will this kill a hog, the answer to all these questions is yes, it's always yes, if you have the skill then most anything will work.
I taught my kid long ago about shot placement and how to read a deers body language, watch his tail, is he alert is relaxed. All these things will make your hunt better so that you don't have to blame your poor shot placement on a bullet or a broadhead. When a deer jumps the string and your Rage hits high and the deer don't die it's not the Rages fault, it's your fault. When you shoot at a deer walking and hit him in the brisket and find a little blood and some hair but no deer it's not Core Lokts fault, if you had hit that deer in the lungs you'd be on here telling us how great of a bullet they are.
Well I'm rambling, my point is go hunting, stay out of Cabelas, learn how to hunt not how TV tells you to hunt. It's not that hard don't make it complicated.
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5897830
08/27/15 12:00 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,796
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,796 |
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5897879
08/27/15 12:19 AM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,034
Western
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,034 |
Said the same thing for years, put down that Field and Stream and get in the woods.
Good "rant" CMC
If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..
"Don't trust everything you read on the Internet"- Abraham Lincoln Dennis
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5897906
08/27/15 12:35 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,912
Simple Searcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,912 |
Well done And Happy Birthday
"Man is still a hunter, still a simple searcher after meat..." Robert C. Ruark
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5897938
08/27/15 12:58 AM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,161
SouthWestIron
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,161 |
Absolutely awesome! This will be a mandatory read for both my boys(19 and 21). Very well said.
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5897956
08/27/15 01:05 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5897979
08/27/15 01:15 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 52
woolyhogtail
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 52 |
way to go, truer words were never spoken
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5898094
08/27/15 01:51 AM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,091
Always ready 2 hunt
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,091 |
AMEN!
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5898124
08/27/15 02:06 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,891
txshntr
T-Rex Arms
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T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,891 |
One of the best rants I have read on here
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5898134
08/27/15 02:12 AM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 162
Bobby Frey
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 162 |
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5898180
08/27/15 02:33 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091 |
It's true.
I'd be willing to wager that there are many guys who spend more time at Cabelas/Bass Pro and watching hunting shows than spending time in the woods.
Example: Both Cabela's and BassPro have a fall weekend "campout" event where Dads bring their kids to the store for a weekend and they sleep in a tent, watch videos, eat stuff from the little restaurant inside the stores, try out gear, etc. All inside the store.
All I can think of is how sad that is. I mean, if you can do that - take your kid camping outdoors for heaven's sake!!
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5898200
08/27/15 02:40 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 10,496
Halfadozen
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 10,496 |
Freedom is a fragile thing ...Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again. -- Ronald Reagan
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5898208
08/27/15 02:43 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,605
fouzman
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,605 |
Didn't find your diatribe to be rambling in the least Your words were obviously founded in experience. You did a fabulous job of articulating something so complex.
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: Nogalus Prairie]
#5898232
08/27/15 02:54 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,535
rickym
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,535 |
It's true.
I'd be willing to wager that there are many guys who spend more time at Cabelas/Bass Pro and watching hunting shows than spending time in the woods.
Example: Both Cabela's and BassPro have a fall weekend "campout" event where Dads bring their kids to the store for a weekend and they sleep in a tent, watch videos, eat stuff from the little restaurant inside the stores, try out gear, etc. All inside the store.
All I can think of is how sad that is. I mean, if you can do that - take your kid camping outdoors for heaven's sake!! That makes me feel bad, for the kids. They would be better off if they were in boy scouts at the least
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5898322
08/27/15 03:42 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 474
erok11
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 474 |
Well said ...
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: erok11]
#5898334
08/27/15 03:53 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,179
therancher
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,179 |
Awesome rant!
But I still accept the fact that some people need/want a different experience. And I'm fine with that.
Crotchety old bastidge
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: therancher]
#5898342
08/27/15 04:01 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,891
txshntr
T-Rex Arms
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T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,891 |
Awesome rant!
But I still accept the fact that some people need/want a different experience. And I'm fine with that. I would agree. I have a buddy that shows up at the first of the season in the newest camo, has the latest bow, designer arrows, a bag full of gadgets and gimmicks, and he loves every minute of it. Says that he gets to start "hunting" before all the others. I don't think he can drive past a Cabela's or BPS without seeing what is on the shelves. More power to him
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5898344
08/27/15 04:01 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,205
LuckyHunter
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,205 |
Enjoyed the post
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5898356
08/27/15 04:11 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,738
passthru
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,738 |
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5898360
08/27/15 04:16 AM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 20,988
BuckRage
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 20,988 |
I agree but I also don't begrudge someone elses way to experience their life.
If you mind your own business you won't be minding mine.
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5898364
08/27/15 04:19 AM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067
titan2232
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067 |
You and I can argue till we're blue in the face about baseball/football, but not on this subject at hand. Great job and well said. The guys on my lease keep picking at me because I'm the only one left riding the lease on a four wheeler while they're sporting $15K-$20K side by sides.
I tell them the four wheeler works just fine and hell I can even drive my darn truck to my spot to fill feeders. Different stuff for different folks I suppose.
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5898375
08/27/15 04:25 AM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067
titan2232
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067 |
Example:
BIL: .257 Mag, muzzle break, nightforce, and entire gun coated desert camo to shoot deer @ 100 yards. Cost: $5,000
Me: .270 with a Nikon 4.5X14 to shoot the same distance. Cost: Not remotely close in comparison.
Would I like to have his set-up? Well hell yes. Do I need it? Not at all. It's all about priorities.
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5898429
08/27/15 10:11 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,857
cmc
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,857 |
I ain't saying what other people do is the wrong way unless it keeps you from being out there. I got a buddy gets a new rifle about once a year, he has over 30, I'm all for it but he also hunts less because of it. If guns are your thing then go for it but don't buy a $3000 rifle and then have to work four Saturday's out of deer season to pay for it and not get to use it. An old man told me once, invest in the experience you'll be better for it.
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: cmc]
#5898447
08/27/15 11:06 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,593
decook
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,593 |
Cmc this is well "rit" and a true message at the same time. Thanks, this is a timeless post.
Press for an AMERICAN.
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Re: Don't make it complicated
[Re: txshntr]
#5898468
08/27/15 11:39 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,652
Pitchfork Predator
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,652 |
Awesome rant!
But I still accept the fact that some people need/want a different experience. And I'm fine with that. I would agree. I have a buddy that shows up at the first of the season in the newest camo, has the latest bow, designer arrows, a bag full of gadgets and gimmicks, and he loves every minute of it. Says that he gets to start "hunting" before all the others. I don't think he can drive past a Cabela's or BPS without seeing what is on the shelves. More power to him
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