I wasn't going to get into this, other than supporting Chris. But, I gotta say a few things.
Mike, you're a smart guy and even though we haven't met I have nothing but respect for you. I also know there are a lot of guys who share your sentiments about the "commercialism of the industry" or for that matter, hate the word "industry" when used in conjunction with their passion of hunting.
Having said that, I am going to mention a few things you said, but I am not attacking you (Mike) or anyone else for that matter... Simply stating a few things that I consider as facts, yet you can take as my opinions. Not pointing fingers at anyone specifically... just keep that in mind when you jump my crap after reading this. Civil conversation, that's all....
The simple truth is a reality.... without commercialization all the products we enjoy as hunters, $25 Slick Tricks all the way up to the $80 Titanium Rages (or whatever for that matter) only exist because of money and advertisements, which in other words is commercialization.
What kills me is everyone on here, except for maybe one or two guys buy modern hunting equipment.... whether its a $50 jacket or $250 jacket, or $1500 bows, and still complain about the direction or commercialization of the industry.... My question - is innovation worth anything? Some bows are extremely expensive, but it takes a lot more than simple manufacturing to build a bow.... new concepts and ideas should not be free! Is it fair to "reward" the guy who came up with those concepts that made that product what it is? In ANY other industry, people wouldn't share their ideas unless they get paid for them, why should it be any different with the hunting/fishing industry? On top of that, there is always a price mark-up, thats good business, simple economics and if you don't make a profit you fail and your product (regardless of what it is) will cease to exist.
I guess to be honest, gripping about the commercialization of the industry and turning around and buying ANYTHING hunting related seems very hypocritical. Perhaps thats my opinion and maybe you disagree, but prove me wrong. I'm open minded...
Life is unfair, no doubt about it... The cost of EVERYTHING is going up and paychecks seem to stay the same or even go down, it sucks.... But the reality is - EVERYTHING is commercialized: your coffee, your milk, your tires, your internet, your music, EVERY sport is completely commercialized, etc., etc., etc.,. I guess my point is simple, you can't change it, you won't change it... I say get on board and enjoy the fruits of modern technology and innovation as there is a lot of cool stuff out there....
But, if you choose to stay with more inexpensive options, GREAT! You have the choice to buy Slick Tricks over Rages... or carve your own out of Churt... but to participate you have two options... Pay for any product you need, which only exists through monetary investment and advertisement. Or, your other option is to build your gear through natural means. Is one method right or wrong over the other? I don't think so... But, you have to pick one or the other OR YOU DON"T HUNT. Its not a mandate like ObamaCare (I don't care if they call it a tax, its a mandate, period :grin: )
What's worse, is these people who complain about commercialization of "Their Passion" are quick to criticize anyone who chooses to take the risk and invest in the industry professionally. I find this just sad...
So, someone has worked hard to work in the outdoors and has developed a "name" that can endorse certain products, why is that so bad? Like it or not, most of these people have earned that amount of credibility, and its a smart business decision to grow product sales off of respected individuals. Some of you hate the Drurys, or Waddell, or whoever, but I am willing to bet any amount of money that if you actually got to know them and left jealousy out of it, you would find that a very strong majority of these hunters are good ethical people that are interested in helping others become better hunters... Why is that so wrong?
Unfortunately, a lot of people claim "If I had his money/land I could shoot the same big bucks that they do." I understand how one could think this, but to be honest, I doubt it would be true. Lee Lakosky is not a slouch. He knows his deer better than most. Larry Weishuhn is a deer encyclopedia, Mark and Terry Drury are big buck killing machines and have a lot of knowledge to share... They didn't get to where they are at by being lucky, or being in the right place at the right time... they earned their way to the top. But, because they live their life in the lime-light, that opens them up to criticism and haters... they will always have haters, no way around it. But walk a mile in their shoes....
Some also claim the industry is to blame for declining land access... I don't really buy that mentality. Land changes hands, it always has it always will and when a new purchase or lease comes to the table, those that hunted the property previously will no longer have access.... If I bought land, no one else would have access to it, period.... And I flat guarantee that everyone on this site would do exactly the same if they owned ground. You are not entitled to land access, Period. My situation is very similar to Chirs', I have lost more ground than I care to recall, thousands of acres... but I didn't complain about it or quit hunting, I got out and built new relationships with new land owners and now I have more and better access than I ever have, all through a handshake. I do not worry about sharing my photos because if someone wants to take "my" hunting access away from me due to a big buck I have on cam, it wont happen. Why? Because I have invested in the people. I have some great friends that let me hunt, because I don't put the deer in front of the relationships.
Is it wrong to choose to hunt a mature buck over a younger deer? Absolutely not. I agree with Mike when he says its too bad when someone says "imagine that buck in a few years" after someone took a "lesser deer". Shoot what makes you happy and I'll congratulate you regardless. But, worrying about what other hunters shoot is a moot point because unless they are across your fence, it doesn't affect you, AT ALL.
I have avoided controversial discussions on here lately, but I felt inclined to comment on this one. I'm not going to argue, I've given that up as its not worth the bottle of Tums I eat in the process. :grin: Anything I have said above is not meant to be argumentative, simply for the sake of the discussion. I'll continue to share my opinons and personal experiences that clearly indicate why I feel the way I do, but I won't bicker back and fourth on this...
:way:
