Please don't read this post and move on. Instead, comment. Heck, say something like work sucks, or I'm pissed at the kid or my wife, or night shift has been being lazy. Anything that might make us always look at the glass half full.
I understand that people are passionate about what THEY'RE passionate about, and passion is a good thing. Complaining about things you have no control over, or tried to change or mend, but were unsuccessful at, and didn't go your way, does nothing in the form of release of frustration. It generally doesn't make us feel better. Instead we find ourselves stressing over things (often little things) that are most certainly out of our control. You might find yourself gaining a few comrades who agree with you, but now you just have a few ornery people with the same commonality. No better off really. Possibly worse? Now we can all feed off each other. For what? A public announcement that you're pissed off?
I'm not trying to be that feel good guy. Trust me. I can be a total dick. Plenty pisses me off. Most of time it's how horrible people are to their fellow mankind. Everyone wants to be heard, be right, be recognized, and be appreciated, that often times we step on people along the way.
We all know the complaints lately. Bait, dogs, back tags, online registration, crossbows, etc. So, why the need to lose your mind trying to be right, be heard, be recognized, when these things are done. Many tried to change these things....unsuccessfully, many don't like these things even though they are legal. Many lump certain people as lazy, or slobs, or less of a hunter because they don't see it the same way...even though perfectly legal? I actually believe some people believe because we choose a vertical bow, it makes us a better hunter, with greater woodsmanship skills. That is not the case. It just makes us a different hunter. Some have great skills, some don't, and some in the middle.
I have asked this question with very little response in the past, but how does the knocking of another HUNTER do anything good for our future of hunting? Do you think antis only want our guns? Additionally, how many of us own guns? I own thirty. Do you think antis differentiate betwwen a gun or a bow or a crossbow? Or do you think the emphasis is on the death of a defenseless animal? Instead, we as hunters call out other hunters. We are our own worst enemies. We offer the distention and separation amongst ourselves that the antis adore. Does that thinking do more harm for bow hunting than the crossbow we perhaps fought and lost, or embraced and won, or didn't try, and don't care?
I know for some guys this is very long winded. I know, I typed it! LOL I just would ask how you keep focus during archery season, so angry about crossbows (that are not a gun, and not a bow, but are here). Or those backtags that scratch the tree and ruin your hunt (but are going away good or bad or perhaps not as bad as we make it)? Or the guy who is baiting (big deer or small, or young and mature, but most importantly legal)? Or online registration (that is quite honestly convenient)?
I just wanted to ask if it doesn't appeal to you, that's cool for you. If it does appeal to you, that's cool too. But complaining about stuff that's out of your control is doing your soul very little in the positive aspect. Just ages us. Makes people not like us. Corrupts our minds with mean thoughts. Attracts people like us.
I think it's time to change. I know I need to.
I honestly wish all of you a fun filled season. I will personally try and embrace my fellow hunters....even if I don't agree with their way of hunting. And no this is not group hug stuff. I'm as guilty as anyone. Maybe on the road, maybe at work, maybe at home. But don't you notice that this fast-paced world has changed into a much angrier place? I have.
Some people are just miserable and want to spread it.
Some people are insecure and tend to overcompensate.
Some people think the internet is reality.
Regardless of how angry I may be at life, I try to make my point and share my opinions here without being a Dick.
I think that there are still a lot of good people here. Even those that disagree with my values.
For me, Bowsite is kind of like tapping out messages on the cell wall of my self imposed prison, dreaming of freedoms. I'm trying to save my energy and focus for cutting myself loose, not to hammer on the wall more furiously.
I am much happier in the woods or on a mountain than I am posting about it when I'm fried after yet another 12-14 hour workday.
I know where I want to be and I know what I want to be doing. Making that happen is on me. Ranting and raving at anyone on-line won't make that happen any faster or improve my general demeanor.
Be who you want to be and conduct yourself as such.
Having said that, I still think Rowdy Dowdy is a douchebag and someone should hit him with a rock.
:>D
Where the breakdown occurs is when people stray too far from center, become uncivil in their argument, and profess to be righteous. None of us have all the answers and none of us are on the right or wrong side. We better debate and work out our differences or some group will make critical decisions for us. The less we have meaningful debate, the more we lose.
I agree, the petty name calling and juvenile insults have got to come to an end.
Thanks for the comments. I believe this could be healthy for a lot of us itching to get off the internet and in the woods. ;-)
It is a changed world. I came from a state that never baited. I came from a state and area that was shotgun only and about crapped my pants my first gun hunt in Wisconsin. I gun hunt no more. People have different views and so be it. I see baiting as lazy hunting. So I am to embrace? NO WAY legal or not I think it should be illegal but food plots and growing deer has changed that.
BT said I called him lazy for baiting. Never did I call him lazy I said baiting was lazy hunting and he automaticly got on the defensive feeling a need to defend. I have nothing against BT as a person. People are people and different in every way. I am currently in New York and then Boston. They say Wisconsin is whitetail mecca and I disagreed. I said it was becoming a horn porn obsession state but many will disagree with that.
Pete Pec you are ok with crossbows in the archery season, I am not. Should I change my thoughts the show solidarity? HHHHAAAAIIIILLL NO... I will not. 65 and handicapped was fine and doing well but...
Sorry but your koombia thread probably wont take place but I think you might be a swell guy even though you dont put your last name and go only by PETE. Pete is a good name! HA I am soory if I am wrong and you are related to Gregory Pec though...
Pete - This has all the makings for one of the best posts yet on Bowsite - I'm just going to sit back and read them! Very good so far!
-Proverbs
I look at this place as being like the local bar or gun club, we all have different opinions but in the end we're all hunters and agree on the basics. BT and I have gotten into our share of scuffles but we still joke with each other - at least I assume he's joking with me and not just treating me like a moron!
For the last couple days the stuff on here has not seemed very important after watching an American get his head cut off by a barbarian dressed in a bed sheet or watching people riot in Missouri because they think something was done wrong, even though no one knows what actually happened yet. Missles are being launched into and out of Isreal, what the hell is happening to the world?
Maybe the stuff on here is actually important because it lets me forget about the crap that's happening in this world and focus on what I love most (besides my children) and that's hunting.
RANT OFF!
Now to sleep so I can talk to a room full of narcotic's officers tomorrow! I'd hate to be tired and look stoned with that audience!
I share my last name with a guy who has been a less than stellar guy. He has three pages under ccap, and I didn't want to be confused for that guy. I only recently removed that name when someone pointed out that I was being sued for tax evasion. I searched my name, and there he is. we do not have common names, and a simple statewide civil court search being so simple, might give people (like yourself) the wrong guy, therefore the wrong opinion.
When UGG the caveman discovered putting an animal skin on his stone tires made for a softer ride I was pizzed. Stone tires without skins worked just fine for me. I still use a flip phone and just dont want to get the new stuff.
When I fish I do look at the fish finder for depth and marks but truly feel like I am cheating in a weird way.
- their weapon of choice
- the broad head they use
- the size of the animal they kill
- the number of animals they kill
- whether they use bait or not
- public land versus private land
- whether they plant food plots or not
- other hunters sharing the woods at the same time
- using dogs
The list goes on and on. We are a divided group. I often feel (my opinion) that bowhunters are the worst and many come off as being elitists. We (please note that this does not imply 100%) really look down on others' weapons of choice and sharing the woods. We already get months but want it all.
I agree with Pete. I feel we are more divided than united. Every hunting site has more bickering than camaraderie. It does seem that threads related to species other than deer, say bears, turkeys, yotes, tend to stay more tame and civil. Maybe Whitetails and the almighty rack is the crux of the issue?
Happy, I have noticed the same antics on other sites as well. Archers are not alone. We all have an opinion. Some people believe their opinion becomes fact, and fight it like it is a Wikipedia answer. There are great people on this site. I believe there is humanity in all of us. I can't say I completely agree with anyone here. I wouldn't expect to, nor would I want to. I will tell you that even when I don't agree with people, I tried to keep it civil, with a "lol" after throwing a jab perhaps? I will tell you I am far from perfect. Flawed in many ways. Crazy at times. Rarely use a filter when talking to people. But I most certainly look at things arbitrarily using science and simple logic, thinking about the opposing oppinion, and rarely hate someone for disagreeing with me. I save hate for child abusers, and the like!
If nothing else comes from this post that the blows will soften, I think we have a win. I know I have looked within. Probably owe some apologies.....at work and to the caveman who made those new-fangled tires! He started this you know?! ;-)
I have my health, I can hunt when I want, and to really tell you the truth, I can not remember the last time, I was mad at anyone.........
PS..... BT I can fish them trout pretty good, been at that a long long time, ha ha.........
I hope for all of you a safe and fun season......
Razor - I suspected you were a great trout fisherman -so I thought I would poke a little fun at ya about "learning" to fish them. I suspected you've been filling the creel for sometime now!
I really do enjoy the people on bowsite and the different backgrounds and comments!
There are many, many good people here!