What has hunting become???

[Trapshooter1]

To me it's become a competition on who can put the biggest antlers or their wall, and who's the "best" hunter. Everyone trying to prove something that I'm better than the next guy.

I come from a long line of hunters, my grandpas Dad and his dad before him were all better hunters than I. I have bigger deer on my walls than all of them, but they were far superior to me. They hunted to put food on the table to feed their families PERIOD. (They didn't have anything)
To me the best part of hunting is listening to the 70-80-90 year old tell stories of back in the day hunts. And taking someone young to their first deer hunt.

Sometimes I see my fellow deer hunters and become disgusted with their lust for bragging rights.

I know that it seems like I'm rambling but I've been thinking about this topic for awhile and thought I would post it here, to see if others see it the way I see it.

 

[Muskrat24]

I’ve eluded to it on other posts here but trophy hunting has us going down the wrong path. Societal changes, human nature among other things lead the human race to do such things but lack of access because of the trophy/bragging rights mindset will ruin hunting and will eventually cause us to lose our guns…. IMO we can see who carry’s the votes and it is high population cities where people have no connection to the outdoors or the farm. It is inevitable IMO but expanding opportunities to those that take an interest will do more for hunting but instead too many are worried about someone else shooting “their” deer.

 

[Wapsi Tree Rat]

I've been pondering this for a few years also. This is how I see it.

A fellow hunter says he is the best. Killed 180" buck with an 18x scope on a Winchester .308 at 300 yds from an enclosed blind.
Next guy says nope, I'm better. Did the same from an open tree stand.
Next guy says nope I'm better. Did it from a tree stand with open sights shotgun.
Next guy say nope, I'm better, killed that 180" buck with a bow from my box blind.
Next guy says nope, I'm better, killed it with my bow from and open stand.
Next guy says you suck, I did it with a recurve.
Next guy says I did it with no sights on my recurve,
Next guy says you really suck if you have to be in a stand to kill a 180" buck. I do it walk and stalk, with a recurve.
Finally the last guy says ALL of you are a joke. I killed my 180" buck with a spear!

So who is the "best" hunter? Maybe the guy with the Winchester was blind in both eyes!

 

[tall@wide]

I personally enjoy hunting the oldest, biggest bucks I can find. That is what I enjoy about deer hunting. The whole process and work involved to grow giants. It's not a competition and everyone hunts for a different reason.

 

[YtailFreak]

I personally enjoy hunting the oldest, biggest bucks I can find. That is what I enjoy about deer hunting. The whole process and work involved to grow giants. It's not a competition and everyone hunts for a different reason.

The only competition is between me and the best deer I can find. I don't post pics to social media or even show many friends. Its not that I'm not proud of my harvests, but I don't need anyone elses validation or approval. I don't hunt for likes, I hunt for me.

 

[newfarmer]

Its literally became a money pit- but tell me what hasn't these days? Now hear me out before I get a ton of replies- most of us are doing exactly as already stated, hunting the biggest, most mature bucks we can. A lot of us arent posting pictures like crazy (even here, which is kinda sad). Most of us arent trying to gain likes, sponsorships, reduced price anything. All of us here are wanting to help others more than anything in my opinion.
Now, the flip side. About 10 years ago I hunted with a group (actually 2 different) that was with a big name company, talk about the WORST experience of my life for all the reasons I listed above. Constant sponsor shoving down your throat, monitoring your social media, making you do xyz. But wow, I can be a "Pro Staff" for a company right? Its the entitlement for a lot of people, even though they dont really realize its PROMOTIONAL staff.
I think the good guys got in early, made it good and have a good product/service side of things, its just the spin off that has really hurt. Youtube, its hurt more than helped. Yes, there are still good things out there, but for every 1 good one, there are 10 bad?

Now after beating the horse- I would rather have youth come to my place and shoot whatever, and I would rather do food plots and land management now more than ever before. I want the biggest, oldest buck in the neighborhood, but I sure dont talk about it. My dad on the other hand, I dont even tell him because before he would even be out my driveway half of the county would know. Long winded for no point maybe?

 

[Obsessed]

White tail deer hunting is continuing to shift to an elitist hobby, driven by horn porn. I don't like it's trajectory, and I despise the you've got to pay to play game. I still manage to enjoy hunting enough to keep doing it, but I see a day coming when I have no land to hunt, or I encounter one too many jerks (in the field), that I walk away from it completely. What's sad is that I'm still in my 40's, and I was really looking forward to hunting well into my retirement years.

 

[Hardwood11]

The way I look at it .

It’s super enjoyable hobby. My passion. I like to go after big bucks ! The challenge is So fun !

But I also like to shoot a few does for meat!

Every guy or gal can take their own approach to hunting . If they want to shoot small bucks? Go for it !

I figure I am not hurting anyone by passing small bucks. It’s not a competition to me . It’s all fun, and I love the trail cam and land management aspect … I’d be lost without it !

 

[iowavf]

It's still hunting to me and the others around me that I know who hunt. Can't kill big deer if the areas you hunt don't have big deer and killing a big deer doesn't automatically make you the best hunter. Sure, it does take some skill to kill a big deer most of the time, but sometimes it's just being in the right place at the right time and putting in the hours hunting. I've personally never been around anyone who brags they are the best deer hunter because they have some deer hanging on their wall. I'm like most hunters and anticipate the excitement of the possibility of seeing and killing a big buck each time I hunt, that's one reason I enjoy hunting, but I'm ok if I don't kill anything.

 

[T_Max]

I would venture to guess that anyone on this forum is in it for some pretty admirable reasons. Problem is in the sport as a whole (99.9% of which aren’t on here) the OP sentiment holds true. We are all in it for our own reasons.


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[Bassattackr]

This might ruffle some feathers, but if you're getting caught up in comments from other hunters you're either 1) watching too many of the wrong hunting shows or 2) spending too much time on social media..

Let it go and enjoy the outdoors!

 

[NextBuk]

Studies have shown that social media in general, not even hunting-specific, makes you feel BAD about yourself...it lowers self-esteem because people don't necessarily project reality...man, you couple this with hunting and it just ignites this fire of jealousy and competitiveness...that's definitely one thing it has become... but it doesn't have to! You have to be strong as an individual, i.e. comfortable in your own skin (mature), and do it for your OWN reasons...

Wapsi Tree Rat summed it up!

A fellow hunter says he is the best. Killed 180" buck with an 18x scope on a Winchester .308 at 300 yds from an enclosed blind.
Next guy says nope, I'm better. Did the same from an open tree stand.
Next guy says nope I'm better. Did it from a tree stand with open sights shotgun.
Next guy say nope, I'm better, killed that 180" buck with a bow from my box blind.
Next guy says nope, I'm better, killed it with my bow from and open stand.
Next guy says you suck, I did it with a recurve.
Next guy says I did it with no sights on my recurve,
Next guy says you really suck if you have to be in a stand to kill a 180" buck. I do it walk and stalk, with a recurve.
Finally the last guy says ALL of you are a joke. I killed my 180" buck with a spear!

There will ALWAYS be someone out there that can reason why you suck, they're better...blah blah blah...

But, hunting can be everything it ever was and more if we focus less on what others think and more about the enjoyment it brings you personally. My advice is if you find yourself going down the path of "wrong reasons" get off social media. Focus on family and friends and the amazing things hunting STILL can bring.

Oh, and the money thing...that's a separate topic IMO... very frustrating, I agree... but if you're not worried about comparing yourself to those with more money who have more opportunities, and you focus on the true reasons for why you hunt, it shouldn't matter. Just get comfortable with the budget you have and enjoy it!

 

[Asclepias]

Yeah, it may be a big root measuring contest, but it's like driving a semi. You have the wheel, don't let the cars around you drive your truck for you. I harvest the deer that gets me excited, and gives me a chip shot.

 

[Wi transplant]

Just like everything in life its what you as an individual make it to be!!! If you want it a competition it can be! If you want to introduce young people to the sport it can be ,or if you just want to sit and enjoy nature thats great also!! Thats what makes it great for everyone!!! Just enjoy why you do it!!!!

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[Hardwood11]

I think fishing is in the same category. Would be nice if it was the old days … small boats, small motors, poor electronics.. no social media !

But that’s not gonna happen !

**Actually it wouldn’t because it took me 1/2 hour just to get to my spot with a 15 HP motor !

 

[Wi transplant]

Now days a 400 gets you there in a hurry!!!!

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[Windlooker]

This goes beyond its what you make it perspective. I agree with obsessed I don’t like the trajectory regarding owning a piece of property. In SC Iowa I just watched two marginal farms go for 5750 per acre. Many are being priced out due to horn porn and too many videos exaggerating reality, even in Iowa, and real estate subsequently jacking rec farms through the roof. My .02

 

[Wi transplant]

I hate to say this but i believe many pcs in southern iowa were under valued / bargin compared to lots of good hunting ground in other states! 5 yrs ago i bought my farm for 2500 acre in davis co. Iowa and i felt that was a bargin coming from ne wi. Where rec ground was 4 to 5k an acre then iowa has caught up and even surpassed national average on price per acre but its the best managed deer state around! In northern wi it went the other way you can buy lots of 80s for 100 to 150k up there but the deer are gone!! Dnr lost control of wolves and property values dropped like a stone !! The more people we have to divide the pie the more each slice costs! I just dont ever see it going down much it will platue and when interest rates drop down more people will buy! My 2 cents

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[Bassattackr]

I think fishing is in the same category. Would be nice if it was the old days … small boats, small motors, poor electronics.. no social media !

But that’s not gonna happen !

**Actually it wouldn’t because it took me 1/2 hour just to get to my spot with a 15 HP motor !

As someone who used to spend a LOT of time on the water (30+ days a year), fishing has also gotten insanely popular. The fishing industry has also become a cash cow pushed by all those wanting to "grow the sport" not for the betterment of the resource, but rather the end goal of more buyers. The result is overcrowded boat ramps, more frequent altercations on the water over fishing locations, etc..

Guys livewelling fish around to get huge hero shots at the end of the day.. It's happening everywhere I'm afraid.

Social media has made life into one big **** measuring contest, with everyone participating. The answer is always the same IMO.. disconnect!

 

[Rous14]

On trophy hunting leading to the demise thought (and admittedly there are potential downsides to it, not saying there aren’t)……

Would just say that on the farm I was blessed enough to be able to purchase a handful of years ago in IL weve tried to do a nice job of both “managing” the place for older age class deer while at the same time putting a small, nice cabin on it and enjoying the heck out of hunting w my dad, my son and 3 daughters, my wife, one of my best friends from h.s. and his two boys. Nothin like deer camp and the memories/relationships/laughs/food/stories.

So trophy hunting AND enjoying deer camp like the old days can be done and aren’t mutually exclusive imo. Would I kill a bigger deer if I chose to hunt the place by myself or maybe just one other person? Probably. And am I doing everything I can think of to kill a Booner one of these days? Definitely! But if I have to go the rest of my life wo killing a Booner bc I have friends and family that hunt with me, then so be it.