5th Annual Beouf WMA Hog Hunt ---> What a hunt!

Huntschool · January 29, 2020, 07:38:43 PM

OK.... Old guy wanting to kick a dead horse......

The Maturing of a Hunter

In the beginning we shoot what we can... Then we shoot for numbers (I can kill more then you) Then we move on to trophy only and then we just enjoy the experience.

At 72 I am no spring chicken and I can say I have seen/done all of the above personally. Even though my Dad tried to control me I was, even as a youth, a typical "A" type.... Got to be on top of the pile and yes, I am sure one could easily say in todays world I was/am still highly ADD. I am not even sure how I made it this long.
That being said, at least I was instilled with the concept of a hunt as an ethical thing. As such, in the maturity thing, I slowly began to realize that the experience was what it was all about and not the kill. That thought goes to instant self-gratification and nothing more. Did I need to kill to feel good back in the day, sure I did and I firmly believe so did/does everyone else as a means of fulfilling their assumed desires at that particular stage in their growth.

Now, just getting to the woods is a blessing for me. Do I need to kill anything to be happy.... NO ! My students asked me every year if I was going to deer hunt that year and I said yep.... I am going to the woods. Will I shoot anything, don't know. I have this on the wall:

and to really have a chance at beating him I would need to go to either another part of Illinois or perhaps Canada. I can not walk the way I once did with the above buck so I guess I need to be satisfied and I am.
So, given the trophy concept and the enjoy the experience concept I truthfully think I might be done. However, there is always the chance, right ?

For someone to degrade the proceedings of a hunt merely because no "meat was brought to the skinning shed" and the stories were run on without a kill is rude plain and simple.

I am fortunate to not need a lease, I am my lease, and my "ranch" is roughly several thousand acres here at home of my own land, land of neighbors and USFS public ground. We do have good deer......

Perhaps a look at several other "drawn out" stories such as those in the past by Charlie Lamb et al will reveal there is some finesse to story telling whether it be a successful kill hunt or not.

If one measures their success by kill only, they are, in my aged opinion, still growing, hopefully, out of one of the earlier stages of being a hunter

JMHO..... Carry on

South MS Bowhunter · January 29, 2020, 11:34:28 PM

John Scifres · January 30, 2020, 12:13:53 PM

Hey Dave,

I'm thinking about a new headlamp. Stuck between a Petzl and Black Diamond. Which do you prefer? I wouldn't mind getting the opinion of your camp mates too

Petrichor · January 30, 2020, 12:15:29 PM

Quote from: John Scifres on January 30, 2020, 12:13:53 PM
Hey Dave,

I'm thinking about a new headlamp. Stuck between a Petzl and Black Diamond. Which do you prefer? I wouldn't mind getting the opinion of your camp mates too

Black diamond for sure. I guarantee it'll be the bane of every one your in camp with.

DanielB89 · January 30, 2020, 02:47:02 PM

Quote from: John Scifres on January 30, 2020, 12:13:53 PM
Hey Dave,

I'm thinking about a new headlamp. Stuck between a Petzl and Black Diamond. Which do you prefer? I wouldn't mind getting the opinion of your camp mates too

As one of the first victims.. Daves was great at blocking out your view of his face, which is much appreciated after I saw his face the next day.

DanielB89 · January 30, 2020, 02:49:28 PM

I found a picture of Dave from camp. This is pretty much what everyone saw when they first met him.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

John Scifres · January 30, 2020, 02:52:08 PM

Hi Dave. Good to see you again!

HOGLESS2 · January 30, 2020, 02:55:12 PM

Dave sure had me lit up!

DanielB89 · January 30, 2020, 02:59:13 PM

He was definitely the brightest one there!!

Petrichor · January 30, 2020, 03:00:35 PM

Yall are too much. Serves you right for inviting a couple of noobs to camp.

Petrichor · January 30, 2020, 03:03:30 PM

For everyone's information you have to keep a bright light on daniel when in camp. It's almost unbelieveable that sasquatch comes out for a group hunt once a year. This a view of daniel as illuminated by my headlamp in camp.

DanielB89 · January 30, 2020, 03:11:48 PM

Quote from: Petrichor on January 30, 2020, 03:00:35 PM
Yall are too much. Serves you right for inviting a couple of noobs to camp.

Not only were you a noob, you also have a road named after you now.. "Detective alley".

I do have to thank you for the entertainment, Dave! I can assure you we have never laughed like that on one of these hunts. I can still bust out laughing thinking about the head light.

Petrichor · January 30, 2020, 03:13:42 PM

Quote from: DanielB89 on January 30, 2020, 03:11:48 PM
Quote from: Petrichor on January 30, 2020, 03:00:35 PM
Yall are too much. Serves you right for inviting a couple of noobs to camp.

Not only were you a noob, you also have a road named after you now.. "Detective alley".

I do have to thank you for the entertainment, Dave! I can assure you we have never laughed like that on one of these hunts. I can still bust out laughing thinking about the head light.

Well I do enjoy a good laugh even at my expense. I do hope to be the shining star of next years hunt again.

DanielB89 · January 30, 2020, 03:17:31 PM

Quote from: Petrichor on January 30, 2020, 03:13:42 PM
Quote from: DanielB89 on January 30, 2020, 03:11:48 PM
Quote from: Petrichor on January 30, 2020, 03:00:35 PM
Yall are too much. Serves you right for inviting a couple of noobs to camp.

Not only were you a noob, you also have a road named after you now.. "Detective alley".

I do have to thank you for the entertainment, Dave! I can assure you we have never laughed like that on one of these hunts. I can still bust out laughing thinking about the head light.

Well I do enjoy a good laugh even at my expense. I do hope to be the shining star of next years hunt again.

Don't you worry, next year were all bringing head lamps that'll make yours look like a candle..

Petrichor · January 30, 2020, 03:18:21 PM

Negative sir. I have a 6000 lumen search light I'm bringing to light your butt up.

DanielB89 · January 30, 2020, 03:21:29 PM

Maybe that'll help you see the ATV/UTV only sign next year..

Petrichor · January 30, 2020, 03:22:40 PM

Quote from: DanielB89 on January 30, 2020, 03:21:29 PM
Maybe that'll help you see the ATV/UTV only sign next year..

Unless they move it I'll remember. I have cataloged its location in my enormous brain you all keep chatting about.

John Scifres · January 30, 2020, 03:30:47 PM

I found another pic of Dave with all his new DNR friends trying to help out.[attachment=1]

Petrichor · January 30, 2020, 03:32:08 PM

Quote from: John Scifres on January 30, 2020, 03:30:47 PM
I found another pic of Dave with all his new DNR friends trying to help out.[attachment=1,msg2905752]

This one damn sign is gaining more fame than the magic bullet theory with JFK. My god no end in sight ever.

Crittergetter · January 30, 2020, 09:52:26 PM

I've been called an ahole many times but never been called one before for shining my light at someone who was blinding me while talking to me!!