where are you in skin_dog's path of progression?

[skin_dog1]

I believe there is a certain path that hunters progress through. The first step is success, basically the kill ranks high on these hunters list of priorities, they are new to the sport or consider themselves meat hunters. Next is the trophy phase. Here hunters slowly slip out of having to be successful to holding out on that trophy. Next is the teaching phase-here it's important for you to help beginners start ther progression. Then comes the Phase where kills aren't as important as just spending time in the woods enjoying the world around you, and maybe sharing a stand or blind with one of you're progressing students. I fit somewhere between the trophy and teaching phase. I hope in the years to come success or trophies are no longer a factor but as of now I can't deny the fact that these are still the driving force behind my hunting. I thoroughly enjoy taking others who have never hunted or are new to my our. I want them to have success and enjoy the experience. Where do you fit in skin_dogs system? Ofcourse some folks skip parts or never get out of the first phase and I'm sure others have different reasons they hunt.


http://www.bigbuckforum.com/cgi-bin/yabb/yabb.pl

[RutNBuck]

I guess i would fall in between 2 areas
Trophy and Teaching

"A wise indian once said,the more you move the less you will see,the less you move the more you will see"

" I live to hunt, but my wife says i may be hunting a place to live"

[Turkeyhunter2]

i just startedhunted but i mean i kill for trophies

Cree McFadden

[P. Beyer]

Obviously, I wouldn't hunt if I didn't enjoy just being there, Sure it's nice to have success, as in a Harvest...(Especially if you hunted for 6+ years without one) That said, I'd rather, and in fact I did spend more time this year trying to get others a Turkey instead of myself. However, I don't consider myself a "teacher" per say, as I'm still learning myself.

"It makes no difference whether I got anything; it has to do with how the day was spent"

Fred Bear

[gung]

Im would consider myself in the same category as p.beyer.

[REGULAR JOE]

Skin dog, I hate to tell you but you are not the originator of the stages you claim to be your own, or imply as if it is. I've got a book or magazine article that predates your post by probably 5-10 years.

With that said, I would believe I'm doomed to be in all phases at all times. Though I do not always seek a trophy, it is my ultimate goal in hunting certain areas. I have people that I have brought along with marked success. Yet when I go into the woods, it is never about the kill. It's what is all encompassing, nature itself that makes the trip worthwhile.

[skin_dog1]

Hope they don't sue me!!!!!!!!!!!!

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[dixie hunter]

I have hunted off and on for about 25 yrs, starting with small game then moving up. moved to fla in 82, not much to hunt there but feral hogs and property to legally hunt them mis getting hard to find. I Joined a 6000 acre lease in columbus ga. for a couple years, but I read a book that really turned my hunting experiences right around. The name was " Life from a tree stand " I believe that is the full name of it.If you can find it. i would encourage any hunter to read it. Remember Just getting in the woods and watching the world wake up, is totally awesome.

[schuyler olt]

Skin Dog, I think your progression applies to folks getting into deer and turkey hunting primarily, but I don't think it has much application to folks that hunted other game before turkey and deer, or who hunted for many years. I'll be hunting my 45th season this fall, and started on rabbits, squirrels, quail and pheasants, and some waterfowling, as well. Where I grew up, deer and turkey were as numerous as unicorns.

I've been hunting deer and turkeys for a long time, though. However, I have never been motivated to hunt them from a standpoint of a trophy. I've killed big examples of both and while it's neat, it doesn't make me feel like I'm an accomplished hunter. One thing you learn is that there is an awfully large amount of luck in hunting. As for deer, if I never killed another one it wouldn't tear me up--I get much more enjoyment from a limit of doves than from popping a deer, but that's me and to each his own. From the standpoint of turkeys, I have no idea how many I've killed, but I know how many I've had mounted--zero. Again, that's just me. The 29+ pounder I killed fried up really nicely, thank you.

And that's my real point here--the BEST part of hunting is the hunters. I enjoy us, and the ways we're alike and the ways we're different. The fact that we can't be pigeonholed is one of the best things about us. If somebody is motivated simply by what they put on the wall, great. If they've never spent a penny on taxidermy, that's okay, too. If they hunt only with a recurve or long bow, or with the latest and greatest compound, have at it. As long as we're legal and ethical in what we do, we're all doing it the right way. IMHO.[:D]

[skin_dog1]

schuyler olt,
Well said. I originally posted this cause I was bored and had nothing better to do. My very first hunt was an unsuccessful deer hunt or atleast I didn't harvest a deer. That deer hunt anchored a life long friendship, and I now consider it my most successful hunt ever. I also really enjoy small game but for whatever reason being successful on a dove or pheasant hunt isn't nearly as important as being successful on deer and turkeys. It's not that I have to kill a deer or turkey but on small game I'm normally with friends and the conversation and bonding makes it very rewarding. The times I've hunted with others for deer or turkeys, I've allowed them to pull the trigger. These are also some of my most rewarding experiences in the field. Especiallly when I've called a nice tom into range for a friend. Hunting offers different things for different people. Thats what I was trying to get across. I know I can't wait to be sitting next to my little girl when she pulls the trigger on her first long beard or her first big fat doe!

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[ksp771]

I have been hunting for 27 years and still consider myself a "MEAT" hunter. I would take a Trophy is if it comes along but I am not the type to stay focused on trophy hunting. I guess I am just Bass Ackwards!

http://www.wrightsweaponsystems.com

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"
- Edmund Burke (1729-1797), British statesman and philosopher

[WBBP]

Skin Dog:

I guess I would fall in the category of enjoying the friends I have made over the years while hunting and also working the land to improve all wildlife habitat. I have passed up many trophy deer simply because getting up close and personal to a trophy buck/gobbler is enough for me. If I happen to be lucky enough to see a B/C buck,I will harvest him though.

The friends I have made hunting over the last 30 years are still with me today. Ahhhh the memories.

On an unrelated note, one of your "WKU Police Brothers" ticketed me to the tune of $150 2 weeks ago. Where were you when I needed you?????

[skin_dog1]

Man, that sucks! What did he get you for? Do you have to go to court?

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[pipemkr]

I have been hunting with a "real" gun for 50 years. My father gave me a 20 gauge shotgun for Xmas when I was 12 years old. We went quail hunting that afternoon. My first shot killed a cottontail and it was all uphill from there. I began taking my three sons hunting when they were barely old enough to walk. Needless to say, on those trips we didn't bring home much for the table but the memories will continue to nourish me the rest of my life.

I hunt for meat. I subscribe to the belief of my Indian ancestors that all beings are related because of our common father (Creator) and mother (Earth). It is more important to me to take whatever I need for food and not look for a trophy animal. If one walks by, fine. If not the smaller ones will fry up just as good. If I am fortunate enough to take an animal I consider it a gift from Creator and give thanks to him. It really has little to do with my abilities.

I really wouldn't be going to the deer and turkey woods if I didn't enjoy the comradeship with my hunting buddies. The campouts can make a real difference when the game is scarce. Communing with nature and all my relatives is what it is all about for me.

[P. Beyer]

Great post pipemkr.

"It makes no difference whether I got anything; it has to do with how the day was spent"

Fred Bear

[cornbread]

I believe that the situation dictates the enjoyement level or trophy status. My most rewarding hunt was calling in 3 birds while hunting with my brother on his first turkey hunt. We got a double. He killed a nice bird and I got a jake. I had killed a long beard just 2 days before but the jake was more rewarding because I was able to share the experience with my brother. The look on his face and the embrace after seeing him take his first bird was more rewarding than any beard or spur length. I would have been just as happy to just watch him take a bird but it was nice that we both got a bird. That jake will always be my favorite turkey. On another subject dixie hunter was right you do need to read LIFE FROM A TREESTAND. I just happen to have a copy. Just remind me and I will bring it to you.
P.S
Thanks For Letting Me Pull The Trigger On That Warren Co. Longbeard

[greytail]

After years of deer hunting and making hundreds of pounds of jerky I am into the scouting and picture taking of deer and trying to help someone else where to set up a stand.


http://www.angelfire.com/ky3/sqdog/

Keep'em treed .