Anyone else hate gun season?

[Chris Shelton]

#3861

Topic is not as terrible as it sounds, or mabye it is. Today coming home from getting my butt kicked out in western Maryland hunting with my recurve during gun season something came to realization! I dont like firearms season!? I hate that there are so many people out, that everyone seems to think that this is the time to shoot all there guns and that they cant shoot there guns any other time of the year, and that I have to try and blend in with that god forsaken orange hat on my head! I definatly realize that gun season has its place, without it there would be too many deer, and not as many hunters, but if you havent gotten a deer with a bow before it, you are asking for a challenge. I was hot on a monsters heels before gun season, I dont think I will see him again this season:cry:! Dad missed him with his rifle, and he has probably found some thick laural thicket somewhere by now! I dont know, just thinking aloud!? Best of luck to all-
Chris

[SteveMcD]

#24466

Well.. all things have there place and time. As explained in the 5 Stages of a Hunter, many of us just elevate or gravitate to one form of hunting or another that we prefer. I prefer to hunt big game with traditional archery equipment. But I do not begrudge or frown upon other forms of equipment or hunters, each has it’s place as a management tool.

Most of us, took a hunter safety course to get a license, and in all probability that meant taking a basic hunter safety GUN course first. As the saying goes… “Be sure to dance with the one who took you to the party”.

What a hunter carries in his hand, cannot determine what they carry in their heart. Most are just as passionate and just as dedicated.

I use to be obessed with fine double guns for Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock. I gave them to my son. Usually after the deer season is over, I take out the 12 gauge pump (my meat gun), and go gunning for Grouse over the Holidays! :D:shock::P

Be thankful in America we have the Freedom to choose.

[aeronut]

#24547

I have nothing against the people who choose to hunt with a rifle as long as it is legal. I do have issues with the methods some of these ‘hunters’ use. There are a lot of road hunters around here along with the trespassers who will do anything to get a deer. And although it is legal here,I do not like deer drives.

[William Warren]

#24567

I know things get tougher for bowhunters once more people take to the woods even if you have a really good handle on what the deer will do once gun season starts. I begin using the orange when squirrel season starts. I have had a squirrel hunter slip up behind me unaware and shoot a squirrel I was watching in the next tree. 😯 If that happened now I would probably have a coronary.
But even though we would like to have the woods to ourselves we must remember that collectively, all sportsmen represent a clear force for our cause. Divided we become fragmented and much less effective against those that wish to stop our lawful activity. Where I live I’ve noticed much less shooting this season. On the one hand it makes me think I might be able to safely bowhunt again, but on the other hand I wonder if hunting in general is falling out of favor. You no longer hear squirrel hunters shooting on weekday afternoons which tells me youngsters are indoors with their Playstations instead of outdoors learning hunting skills and as a result there are less deer hunters over all and the deer are taking over. Its been a long time since I saw a kid walking along the road with a shotgun in the crook of his arm heading for the squirrel woods. Just 40 years ago that was a common sight here in the south but today, someone would call 911 on their cell phone if they saw that today.
I can’t look down on my gun hunting bretheren I just have to learn to hunt around them. We might need each other one day.

[Patrick]

#24598

I think the above replies echo my sentiment. Despite my rant in another thread, I do not begrudge gun hunters. I choose to hunt with my weapon, they choose there’s. As noted above, I’m grateful that we live in a country where we can make the decision as individuals. That statement may not have the same implications as you may think. There are some countries where you can’t bowhunt, which is perplexing.

[Daniel]

#24651

The word hate to me is very hurtful. Too much hatred in this world, many first nation people with kind hearts hunt with guns to survive. Many of the families I know here don’t have running water or enough to feed their kids. Gun hunting is not only a way for them to gather food and has been their way of life.

Allowing one to choose what is right, allowing the people to choose the weapons of their choice, isn’t that what our fathers, mothers, oncles, brothers and sisters are doing right now, in Afganistan, fighting for our freedom. I apologize for bringing this up but I try and avoid the word hate all together.

No, I don’t disagree with guns as a form of hunting. I carry a CZ 375 H&H American Safari magnum whenever I guide for the local outfitters and have used it in the past to help families in need fill their freezers, its called a subsistance community hunter.

Thanking all of you for allowing me to share my opinion, and I would like to mention we do not have people up here that disrespect others while hunting, perhaps I would have a different point of view if I had people abusing their rights in our area.

Respecting what everyone has to say.
SB

[MontanaFord]

#24750

As a general rule, I carry my recurve during our archery season, and during our rifle season, I carry my 7mm Rem. Mag. I haven’t as of yet carried my recurve in the woods during rifle season, as I’m far more focused on filling my freezer during rifle season. Archery season for me is a time to get out, enjoy the woods and nature, and relax. Rifle season becomes my “grocery shopping” more or less. My wife doesn’t understand my philosophy of “taking my bow for a walk”. With my bow, I don’t care if I shoot something or not. I’ll sling arrows at stumps, logs, squirrels, bushes, grouse, or whatever other handy targets I happen to run across. Most bowhunters (at least compounders) seem to be too serious about killing something to have much fun. Or maybe it’s because the arrows they’re shooting are costing them 75 to 100 bucks a dozen and they don’t want to lose or break any?? It doesn’t bother me to go out and break a few arrows while stumping (or rocking, if that turns out to be my “target”). I can buy more down the road. Heck, even out hunting with my rifle, if I have the extra shells to burn, I’ll do a little target practicing if I haven’t seen a deer or other game animal to shoot at. Sure, I’m more serious about filling tags when I have my rifle. That’s because I have a family to feed, and beef is expensive. But if I pull the trigger on a branch on a downed log and a deer runs off out of the bushes next to me, WHO cares???? I mean, honestly…I’m out in the woods to enjoy myself. If I’m not having fun, then why am I out there at all?

Michael

[Chris Shelton]

#25121

I think some of you got the wrong message, and I am sure that it is my fault! I dont hate gun hunters!!!!! I just hate the season, hate what it does to the game! That is all, I dont disrespect anybody for there lifestyle choices. And the reason I hunt exclusively with my curve is because I like the challenge, but what I was saying is that hunting with my curve in the deer driven, if it is brown it is down hillsides of western maryland is just a bit over my head.

With that said dad and I were discussing my new found dislike for this certain time of year, and he agreed with me to a extent, he knows that this is his best chance to get some meat, but he is much more of a late muzzleloader/bow season kinda guy, with the chance of the fireing mechanism freezing up(has happened before!). I on the other hand am much more of a october guy, not too cold, but that hint of colder weather is in the air, the deer are not presured, and wildlife is everwhere getting ready for the long winter ahead! Anyway, just something for you all to consider!

[Mark Turton]

#27378

Hi Chris

I’ve been giving this some thought all week, don’t let others dictate how you should hunt, time spent with friends and family is precious, opportunities to spend time with your father hunting should be made the most off.

You could spot for your father or fish whilst he is hunting.

Just my take on the situation.

Everyone needs a motto perhaps yours should be ‘Illegitimi non carborundum’ 😆

Mark.

[William Warren]

#27406

GTA
These moments and these seasons will become more fleeting as time goes by. You are lucky that your father wants to make camp and hunt with you. I wish you both many camps and hunts.

Pothunter: I’m afraid my Latin is very rusty. Would you translate for us dummies?

[Mark Turton]

#27422

Snuffornot
Probably as well not to, don’t want to upset the Mods:wink:

Mark.

[William Warren]

#27430

Gotcha. How’s everything Down Under? You mentioned pigeons once in a post and it piqued my interest. How do you hunt them?

[Bert]

#27665

snuffornot wrote: GTA
These moments and these seasons will become more fleeting as time goes by. You are lucky that your father wants to make camp and hunt with you. I wish you both many camps and hunts.

Pothunter: I’m afraid my Latin is very rusty. Would you translate for us dummies?

The Latin quote means in the King James version, “Don’t let the bastards grind you down.” Carpe Diem!( OK- it is “Seize the Day!”) Finally 3 years of the noble language last century in highschool has not been fruitless- still remember the beginning of Caesar’s Commentaries-” Gallia est diviso in partes tres- Gaul(France) is divided into three parts”- be good reading for POTUS(TOTUS) on how to fight a war, i.e., W I N!!!!

[Chris Shelton]

#27732

hmm that makes sense, now. I dont think the mods would care about that little word, man you guys are showing your age, most schools around here dont even offer latin anymore!

[Bert]

#28664

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Greatreearcher wrote: hmm that makes sense, now. I dont think the mods would care about that little word, man you guys are showing your age, most schools around here dont even offer latin anymore!

GTA- Yes, you young whippersnapper, we old graybeards are showing our age and if you live long enough(may you live long and well!), and there are still computers around-TEOTWAWKI notwithstanding- you’ll be typing advice and thoughts to some younger GTA!
Schools not being what they once were, centers of first princples and the teaching of how to learn, you must educate yourself. We live in an age of the most accumulated and accessible knowledge ever known to humans throughout history and the question is- why is there so much ignorance? Read what Thomas Jefferson learned in a one-room schoolhouse in Virginia more than 200 yrs. ago- amazing!
Re-read StandingBear’s post again- we hunt trad bow mainly for the return atavistically to what we perceive as a “simpler” lifestyle- though we can perversely “unsimple” it very easily- but realize in whatever culture, in whatever age- LIFE IS NOT SIMPLE- it’s hard.
I hunt with a longbow because I have the luxury of a certain amount of free time- and a freezer full of purchased beef, pork, chicken and fish with a store close by for most other needs. This is a gift that I am eternally grateful for as most people on this earth at the present age do not have access to such a bounty, much less clean water.
So, as SB states, if you’re a subsistence community hunter, sorry longbow the scoped 270 or 308 or M1A or 45-70 Marlin Guide gun( how many rifles do I own……?) will be used just as if you want to go fishing, grab a reel and pole. If you really need to fish-grab a NET! And if you don’t have a net- grab the DYNAMITE( not recommended for the fumbled fingered!).
Re rifle season- cover your fletches with a camo bag so they don’t think you’re a flagging whitetail- buy or make a “camo” orange popsickle vest( yes I dislike them too but it beats a slug in the liver)- further off the road, deeper, higher, away from the “boomers” and that’s probably where the game will be too. Oh, and don’t forget the gamebag and plenty of orange flagging tape for the obvious reasons.
Ok, lecture over- keep up your inquiring spirit, young guy- we old-timers just envy your impetuous youth and strong legs!!!
Good Hunting-Bert- “Oh, Dear, where did you put my Depends?”)

[Don Thomas]

#29977

I haven’t shot a big game animal with a firearm in decades, but I can’t say I hate gun season (and yes, I probably spend almost as much time hunting birds with my shotgun and dogs as I do bowhunting!). Sure, a lot of unpleasant things happen during gun season, but that’s also when I do all of my serious whitetail hunting. And let’s be honest: It’s hard to point fingers when “bowhunters” are taking 90-yard shots at elk! Don

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#35639

No i don’t. I think I probably would do it myself, if I repeatedly would come home empty-handed at end of season. That, lucky me, hasn’t happened yet. Rather, i didn’t make it happen, since I’m fairly new at trad archery, And i’m not selective and take the first animal Nature offers me

[David Petersen]

#35665

Hey Alex — great to see you here. Glad you’ve come to dance with us! 😆 Don’t you have a new jazz CD about to come out? Tell us about it. Where can I order copies for me and my friends (all 3 of them?)! After all, we don’t have many top-end jazz-pianist/composer trad bowhunters out there. Is there anyplace online yet where we can sample your latest? So you and Steve Mc are still hunting out there in the Far East? Steady on, dave

[Chris Shelton]

#35670

you all make alot of sense, but my opinion still pretty much stands, but lightened. I still dont like what it does, and creates to our environment. I dont know, it could have something to do with the fact that I am very sure that I could provide for myself with my bow?! I understand however that some “hunters” could not. And the reason I put hunters in “” is because these hunters I am refering to are the ones that come out this o so terrible time of the year, and shoot at anything they see. Scares the beegisus out of me, almost like fall turkey. I dont like that guys dont have to identify there targets, here during fall turkey you can kill everything, thank god where we hunt there are no people untill rifle season. I have heard horror stories about fall turkey. But I think the real reason I have this issue with gun season is because I was hunting a spot that had nothing around but me, and gun season threatened that privacy.

I definatly do not feel any better than another hunter because he is carrying a rifle, and I am not. I feel better than the man who shoots the button buck just to kill something. If you need meat and you kill a button buck, even if you know it was a button buck, that is 100 percent okay. But where I hunt, they shoot anything legal. That is totally destroying our deer herd, and if DNR would close our gun season for 3 years, our population would rebound, and our deer population would sustain. This will NEVER happend. DNR is not committed to Western Maryland’s wellbeing, and that is the main problem here, they are crocked, and they need to be wiped clean and the department needs to start from scratch. The locals run those hill wild, and follow noones laws but thereown. The drive deer with shotguns during muzzleloader, and that is unexceptable. Two years ago I was stopped during smokepole season with my bow while some hunters were 300 yards up the mountain with semi shotguns fireing away??? This is my main problem, lack of authority, crazy people out during gun season, and Marylands retartedness for game managment!

[johnny2]

#35754

I think your point, GTA, is that modern gun season opens the door for all the folks who haven’t touched their gun or set foot in the woods since last fall. I get it. One guy I know could’nt understand why his son’s 410 slug did’nt kll a deer at 150 yards and how he missed one at about 250 yards with his 30-30 since the dealer had bore-sighted it! Yeah, the same guy.

It ain’t just gun hunters, I know some guys hunting with a compound that have a hard time hitting a basketball at 30 yards but shoot at deer at 50 since they have a range finder and a fifty yard pin. No matter what sub-culture there are goobers everywhere.

Arkansas has a combined 48 days black powder/modern gun season. Way to much opportunity for folks to kill a deer for us to have a balanced deer herd, but as we’ve discussed before it all boils down to money. Most people gun hunt, more gun opportunities equal more permits sold.

[SteveMcD]

#35777

I guess in the end, it doesn’t matter what you use to hunt with. What matters is being good with it. As the saying goes, “To Thy Own Self Be True”. If I don’t close the deal with my bow some time or another, then there it is. I gave it my all. And I count my successes based upon the experiences and memories. Traditional Bowhunting Rocks! I think that as traditionalists we put so much effort and passion into our sport (craft, equipment, practice, preparation), that it literally takes on an extension of our individual persona, hence spirit & soul. It doesn’t get any better than this! 8) IMO.

I Thank God for the blessings of opportunity & ability to allow me to do it.

[griz]

#42470

I love gun season! i normaly have the bow only areas to my self.:D

[Idabow]

#42680

I am fine with gun season, although I sometimes get selfish thoughts that if there were none, then maybe I could use my bow during that season too.
Bill

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