by and large the "hunting camp" era has gone away for most. It started to taper out in the last 20 years and really took a dive in the last 10. I think as many or more people are still hunting in Texas but the deer camp vibe is all but over. And that sucks....hunting in most places has gotten better, but the camp aspect sucks.

Early in life I viewed all my hunting endeavors as a contest. If you do something enough to get even marginally good at it that thing will lose a little bit of the original challenge. Such it was with me and hunting. I went from relaxing about the killing to eventually avoiding the kill.

I must add that I don't begrudge others the love of the kill. In fact I've learned to take a lot of pleasure from watching others get satisfaction afield in whatever form that takes. Taking a kid or first time hunter afield is probably more satisfying than the actual killing used to be.

Bird hunting is my exception. I love it. Mainly I love my dogs and they love it. When I was younger shooting a limit was a primary focus whereas today I generally shoot a bird only when my dogs make the find and handle the birds correctly on the ground. Wild flush birds get to fly away. I know almost as many bird dogs as I do bird hunters and am just as happy to see the dogs every fall as I am their owners. A lifetime of bird dogs has lead me to memories beyond count and a knowledge that all wonderful things end too quickly. If you want to relearn a love of the outdoors get yourself a pup!

by and large the "hunting camp" era has gone away for most. It started to taper out in the last 20 years and really took a dive in the last 10. I think as many or more people are still hunting in Texas but the deer camp vibe is all but over. And that sucks....hunting in most places has gotten better, but the camp aspect sucks.

TxTro, I know youre plugged in pretty good so I say this with due respect. Im not seeing that the "hunting camp" era has gone away. Maybe we dont have the same definition of "hunting camp" or "camp aspect." The clothes and weapons etc have changed and a lot of the goals but the camp is still there. At least it is for me. We have 18 on one lease and 4 of the other and everyone is always hanging out, helping out and sharing stories etc. Lots of the guys on here are always mentioning going to the lease with the guys and sharing stories about what all happened with the group and the kids etc.
If anything, the popularity of the game cameras has given a lot of guys hunting the same area/lease a good reason to communicate more. Also the prevalence of game management has driven the need to communicate and work together more. Certainly not arguing, but just wondering if Im wrong or what Im missing. "Deer camp" is alive and well in my world.

Our camp is closer then ever. Great camp life. Great times. Kids love it

Thanks, Bobo. I was getting worried. On the big lease I needed to add one hunter for this past season and its the first time Ive gotten someone from off this forum. He looks to really fit in great. He came to a couple work days and he really fit in great. He liked our guys and our guys really liked him. No one knew each other before that. Opening weekend of bow he came out with his daughter and SIL and it was mostly just to hang out with the guys and to learn the place and meet more of the guys. They did some pig hunting with a crossbow and his daughter killed what I think was our biggest hog in 15 years. It weighed 265. Him and family had a blast and a lot of it was the camp life with people he didnt know at all 2 months ago. Hes mostly about family and comraderie and he appears to love it. We have always had a decent number of kids and wives but that has really been growing.
I guess this is all off topic a little but I dont understand if hunters are still on leases with other hunters then where do they camp if not together and are there really very many camps where the hunters dont hang out at all? Once again this may be off topic a little so no one needs to answer that.