Greg Krause
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Post by Greg Krause on Mar 19, 2010 23:30:42 GMT -5
Really is that what this world has come to.....that EVERYBODY gets to play. This has been wearing on me for some time and I recently re-read Gene Wensels book and I fully agree with him on this subject.
What really helped push me over the edge is a "proficiency test" that I am helping administer next week. This test is to be allowed to hunt town owned property. There will be many eyes watching the outcome of the hunt. Anything less than perfect will not do well for the image of bowhunters. The "test" is 3 out of 5 arrows in a 9" circle at 25yds. Are you kidding me? The sad part is that many will fail. This is supposed to prove accuracy? That kind of accuracy is unacceptable for hunting. Period. This is testing for deer and turkey.....3 out of 5 in a 9" circle, you'd be lucky to hit the bird ANYWHERE let along the tennis ball sized vitals.....you'll probably hit the deer somewhere and might recover it if you are lucky. The original idea behind this hunt was to reduce deer populations in the area for the health of the environment, it has now turned into a free for all for anyone that wants to have some new ground to pound. Letting in sloppy shooters is not the way to kill the most deer.
I believe that hunting is a RIGHT, not a privilege, but that doesn't mean that everyone should be able to take part without putting in the time. This "All hunters under one tent, anything that 's legal" line is getting old. I do support all types of hunting, but I refuse to support any hunter that clearly shouldn't be out there. I'll support them in any way I can to get them ready for hunting, but not to be hunting when they shouldn't be.
Just because I like baseball or think I'm good enough doesn't mean the Yankees will be drafting me. Owning a bat and glove doesn't give me the right to play with the big boys just because I want to. Lots of practice is the only way I might get good enough to play......and if I still can't cut it then it might be time to find a new sport, in the case of hunting maybe a gun instead of the bow. Having sloppy hunters is what hurts us as a group.
It's not just hunting though, it's everything. Society has become scared to say no to anyone! Look at all the local HS sports teams......everybody who tries out makes the team, they may not play much if at all but they are on the team. What happened to no being good enough and having to work your butt off to make the team next year? We have such a mindset of instant gratification that I really fear for future generations. Where will the "great men" come from that helped forge the country in the past. Without spines, work ethic or character there will be no one to step forward.
Thanks for listening to me rant
oh and yes, i will be shooting to qualify........a man can't have too many hunting spots!
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SPIKER
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Post by SPIKER on Mar 20, 2010 8:05:01 GMT -5
Don't even get me started!  Did you know that they are thinking of ending the Valedictorian achievement so that they don't make the other kids feel bad about not being smart enough?!! What you are witnessing in society today is the "have- nots" trying to drag down the "haves" in order to achieve equality, rather than the haves bringing the "have - nots" up to speed. Why? Because the "have - nots" are unfortunately the majority, and given the power, they will always drag down, rather than work up. I see it in every facet in life. This is the main problem in our country as I see it. Everywhere, I see people looking for the easy way out, the quick fix, the short cut...everywhere. Everyone thinks that there should be a handout, a bail out, you name it. I believe that everything you have should be earned by taking an interest in what you are doing, and becoming proficient at it. The rewards should equal the output. Everyone has a certain skill, or aptitude for certain things, and too many people think that they should be able to pursue any avenue of pleasure regardless of whether or not they have that particular skill, or aptitude. In many sports, if you are having fun, regardless of whether you are good, or not, it usually doesn't matter. But, I agree with you on bowhunting. If you lack the skills, whether it's because you don't work at it, or just don't have the skill set..then, you should not be allowed in the woods. For safety, ethical, and a host of other reasons. That's my rant....  |
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Greg Krause
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Post by Greg Krause on Mar 20, 2010 8:23:21 GMT -5
Hahah, I knew you'd reply and agree!
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smj
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Post by smj on Mar 20, 2010 9:33:24 GMT -5
Really is that what this world has come to.....that EVERYBODY gets to play. This has been wearing on me for some time and I recently re-read Gene Wensels book and I fully agree with him on this subject. Greg - which book, what's the title? This thread could go many directions and still find pay dirt with this subject... As to the "proficiency test" - you say that many eyes will be watching the results of the hunt and anything less than perfect will not go well for bowhunters... Who set up the requirments? Do you have to shoot the "test" with broadheads or target tips? It almost sounds as if the program it is being set up to fail. Spiker - maybe the question to ask is how long are those who work hard to support the rest willing to keep doing so? |
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SPIKER
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Post by SPIKER on Mar 20, 2010 9:43:20 GMT -5
Who set up the requirments? Do you have to shoot the "test" with broadheads or target tips? It almost sounds as if the program it is being set up to fail. If they have to match Greg, then they should just give up before they try. ;D Seriously, if skip's involved, I'm sure it's a fair shake.  Spiker - maybe the question to ask is how long are those who work hard to support the rest willing to keep doing so? Ahh, and there's the rub.  |
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Greg Krause
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Post by Greg Krause on Mar 20, 2010 10:21:06 GMT -5
Really is that what this world has come to.....that EVERYBODY gets to play. This has been wearing on me for some time and I recently re-read Gene Wensels book and I fully agree with him on this subject. Greg - which book, what's the title? This thread could go many directions and still find pay dirt with this subject... As to the "proficiency test" - you say that many eyes will be watching the results of the hunt and anything less than perfect will not go well for bowhunters... Who set up the requirments? Do you have to shoot the "test" with broadheads or target tips? It almost sounds as if the program it is being set up to fail. Spiker - maybe the question to ask is how long are those who work hard to support the rest willing to keep doing so? I love all of his books, but he mentions this topic in Come November and in his new book Buckskin and Bone. Barry has out his new one, Once upon a tine. Also a great read. It is set up to the same standards as the county has used for their control hunts and pretty much all of the towns in the county have followed their lead. They have all been deemed a success. In reality yes, they killed deer but many more would have been taken if they required more skilled shooters. There are no more eyes on this hunt than any of the other control hunts, but it will only take one idiot doing one stupid thing to make the papers on any of these hunts. They can use whatever head they want. I was told today that they expect many to fail and that one nearby hunt did 3 out of 3 in a 9" circle at 25yds and the majority failed. That is why most towns go with what the county does. This way no ones feelings get hurt. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2010 19:13:21 GMT -5
Well...Greg, I understand why you're upset, I get mad when I see these types of guys too....you know the guys buying a bow three days before season starts,fully expecting to go hunt that season.Unfortunatly barring anyone from anything is against our 'politically correct' society.
I've found the best cure for me is tactfully teaching some of these people what a real hunter/shooter is.
I had a 17 yr old kid last fall tell me about how he could shoot this and that and blah blah blah.... so I invited him down to do a little shooting before season opened.I hadn't actually practiced much, but his huge groups at all ranges, compared to my first group of the day...three touching shafts at 50 yards got him thinking.He ended up not bowhunting last fall after we talked and I've done some work with him as far as a set practice routine and his mechanics.He's far more proficient now than before,and has a real understanding of what a good ethical hunter is about.
I know we can't change them all, but lets face it we are all percived as the same ...so the only ones who can change the face of our sport is us IMO.
Just my thoughts as I read this.
Ster
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Post by mtshooter on Mar 27, 2010 5:28:52 GMT -5
Greg we have had several talks about this subject and you are right on. Several States are making a bow Safety part of their requirements to getting an archery stamp to hunt, yet in their field day part of the course most do not make the students show how proficient they are with their equipment. They are graded and passed on their written knowledge. Sure they may have them shoot, but they are not graded on actual ability. IMO if you can't put 5 arrows in a 3" circle at 25 yards you are not ready to go into the field.
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Post by Doegirl on Mar 27, 2010 8:14:51 GMT -5
Greg we have had several talks about this subject and you are right on. Several States are making a bow Safety part of their requirements to getting an archery stamp to hunt, yet in their field day part of the course most do not make the students show how proficient they are with their equipment. They are graded and passed on their written knowledge. Sure they may have them shoot, but they are not graded on actual ability. IMO if you can't put 5 arrows in a 3" circle at 25 yards you are not ready to go into the field. X2. People forget that this is suppose to be a challenging sport, and it does require a bit of time and effort to become proficient. I think the Bowhunter Safety Course should be divided into two parts. The written portion should be taken first. We can only assume that the individual has no or very little knowledge of bowhunting safety and that's priority #1. When that individual is ready, s/he can shoot for profiency and then be issued that certificate. Give them the basics first, let them work on it, but let's not hand out certifications until compentency in the field is shown... |
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Post by voodoofire1 on Mar 28, 2010 9:21:41 GMT -5
"IMO if you can't put 5 arrows in a 3" circle at 25 yards you are not ready to go into the field."
That would definately change bowhunting as we know it, I'd bet 75% of the archers out there couldn't do that on their best day, and let's not even talk about the trad shooters, because there probably wouldn't be any left after a test like that, but think of how much woods you would have to yourself... for a while anyway.......most bowhunters would leave, turn to guns or crossbows, bowhunter numbers would be but a drop in the bucket compared to what they once were... along with their influence, archery seasons would be shortened, gun season would be lengthened and bowhunting would hit a downward spiral that it may not recover from, that's good for killers, they'd have free reign........ but hunting would suffer across the board, archery businesses would close their doors in record numbers, and we'd have yet another story to tell our grandchildren about the good old days............. sounds like a future I myself want no part of.........
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