Contributors to this thread:
Has the tone on WI bowsite always been so hostile , almost an actual hatred towards others . I kid around a lot on here but it seems like some guys have gone over the edge What would it take to follow the words below , I got them off trad gang . "Expect to be respected if you decide to join the gang, because the rule of respect is held highest of the few rules that apply. Tradgang.com has a zero tolerance for disrespect directed to anyone. If you want to disagree, then please do so in an adult manner. Debate is healthy, as one sword sharpens another, but it must be done in an honorable fashion."
Unfortunately the divisiveness amongst deer hunters will never go backwards, in any state. There are too many factions today, too many special seasons, and too much emphasis on competition for the score.
Remember when the regulations were a pamphlet? An archery tag was good for a deer or a bear? There was no such thing as a shooter, or little buck? No tree stands, no youth seasons, no compounds, lighted pins and nocks or scoped crossbows. Just as in any business, complexity and competition spawns division. I believe Glenn St Charles said it best,.... Remember when bowhunters looked like bowhunters, smelled like bowhunters, and acted like bowhunters. Well guys, those days are over and many of you missed it.
There was a time before nocks? What might be a cool thread is posting old picks of bowhunters or ofbus when we first got started.
When you have a certain person always stirring up things constantly. Yes people remember and say it how they see them. I could name a certain someone. Others know who I am referring to. That's the way it is on this site. Nothing to be surprised about.
This forum was at its best when Serb and others were here. This place used to be loaded with great hunters with a ton of knowledge.
There are still great hunters here. Some of them just post more infrequently. For some reason, there are some individuals who choose to perpetually grind their axe and take great pleasure in spreading aggravation.
I've been getting my azz handed to me by life the last several months and have generally been inclined to kick dogs and knock heads. So I've somewhat quarantined myself and limited my posting. I'm aware that no one needs another dose of surly d-bag.
Choose who you want to be.
I hope you guys have a great season. I may have a surprise opportunity for a good hunt and an attitude adjustment.
EDIT - When I referred to great hunters here, I was not throwing myself into that group.
Now there are new guys like myself, looking to learn and maybe make a few aquaintences
This forum got cancer a good while ago. It appears treatment resistant. No matter what it keeps coming back. As mentioned above it has lost some very knowledgeable and good people. True there's some still here and just lurk and post infrequently. Luckily, they still provide some good info and experience on occasion. Just too bad most causing the problem are so ill they don't even realize it. No insight whatsoever. Narcissism also has run rampant around here.
Tweed's Link
Is this him?
http://mobile.bowsite.com/forums/thread.cfm?threadid=389583&messages=28&forum=4
I might add I rather have a forum like Wisconsin has with all the roughness but still plenty of gems rather than the almost completely dead other regional threads.
Good point tweed, some states have like 3 threads total. Ours always has really good threads falling off the 2 page limit too darn soon.
Right! That two page limit doesn't work for good ol' Sconnie!
The greatest thread I seen in here was a while ago on scrape hunting. All good stuff with out "much" of the play ground antics of the children here. To many get their kicks stirring the pot to see what comes to the top now.
I have a totally different perspective on bow hunters and bow hunting than some it seems. I think hunters are a great bunch, no other group of individuals I would like to hang with.
The vast, vast majority of hunters are respectful, kind, considerate, and helpful. It is, and always has been in all walks of life, the loud mouth, negative personalty type minority that gets all the publicity. Ignore them!
I have been bow hunting since 1978, loved every minute of it, but now love it even more. I decided to embrace change and use what I'm comfortable with using while doing my best (I'm not perfect) in respecting others peoples decisions even if they differ from mine. I am doing something related to hunting/bow hunting every single day. Yes, certainly my job requires it, but I am doing something every day related to hunting outside of work as well.
I do agree, certain people on here can make it hard to return back to this site. Just ignore them, ignore the threads they start and their posts. BC
You could always join the Minnesota forum...nobody picks on anybody there...mostly because NOBODY hardly goes in there!
I think Bow Crazy is absolutely right. Just ignore the people instigating arguments. If you bicker back-and-forth then you are just fueling the fire. Be the bigger person and just let it go. No one on here is respecting their opinion anyways and you just discredit yourself by bickering with them.
A few bad apples. Make it bad for everbody. Never sit and the real deal. I don't think have life's and are miserable. And want everbody else to be. Good luck and have a great season. !!!!!!!
Bow Crazy, What is it you do for work that is related to bow hunting? I'm curious, because I've been trying like hell to get a job in the outdoor sports industry. Tough sledding living in Hudson, as i'm not on the east side of Wisconsin where it seems most companies reside.
Lilzim-Be careful what you wish for. The hunting industry is a soul sucking world. It used to be a rewarding life in the 80's and early 90's but it's a turd sandwich now.
I've been in the footwear world for almost 20 years as a designer/developer of work and outdoor boots, same goes there. I just would rather be involved with products that are inline with my passions in life. Designing boots has gotten old and stale
"Tradgang.com has a zero tolerance for disrespect directed to anyone."
Unless it's an admin or moderator attacking someone who has a difference of opinion. Then look out. That site started out as a great place, but eventually devolved into pimping products and promoting internet heros. I'll take the free exchange of information over that any day.
I enjoy this sight. I think WI has the top state forum and the arguing is simply added entertainment for me for the most part. Not everyone in the classroom has to get along for us to still make progress and learn.
LTL JimBow - you started this thread about hostility on this forum. I agree, something should be done to restore civility. And I think something can be done. I have a suggestion. I know this may be viewed as being ignorantly innocent and very naive, but perhaps it will have some effect. I elect to 100%-wise, completely, and totally ignore negative comments. Do not respond in any way, shape, or form. Just ignore the comment and the person. Without an audience, even the most avid complainer will eventually relent. Eventually, but it may take a while. Ignore them. Do not answer them. Giving credence to negative remarks by responding implies importance. Silence is the answer. And even if they do keep it up forever, so what,...if we ignore them then they are just talking to themselves.
Silence = Ignorantly innocent? Yes. Naive? Yes. But we do not have to have a conversation with those we chose not to listen to.
Do not misunderstand me - I am not saying two people should not disagree. But as long as the disagreement is done in a respectful manner and without personalized insult, I see nothing wrong with a healthy difference of opinion. You & I can agree to disagree, but if we do it with respect then I do not see a difference of opinion as being problematic. Heck, my wife and I do not always agree on everything, but we are still together.
I know that I am still something of a newcomer on this forum, I don't know many fellows well, and my opinion is no more worthwhile than any other, but in my 72 years of living I have learned the view is almost always better when one takes the high road. I urge others to consider this route.
Sage advice. I can live by that. I often get crabby before my vacation begins. Ordinarily a guy who likes to share. I'll certainly try and ignore the anger, and likewise try and stop portraying it on my end. Life is good, why not act like it?
"I was just on the Michigan site. Only 2 posts in the last couple of weeks. No arguing there either. "
Those posts were ours Trapper!
Since I've been here, I've seen that bowsite always eats their own. That happens on the BGF all the time too. I think bowhunters are the most divided sportsmen on the planet and argue/debate everything and expect everything to go their way.
The problem here is that people are not allowed to have their own opinions without all the name calling happening or people telling others to take meds, etc. Healthy debate is good, but it rarely goes that way here.
Happy, we've always had good healthy conversation even if we didn't agree. I believe it takes compromise, and not everyone understands that. We likely have 4 generations on here. We are not all going to see it as the other guy sees it. If we'd open our ears more instead of our mouths (including myself of course), we just might learn something from the older generation as well as the young bucks lol.
Guys, I have a great deal of respect for mature gentlemen who share their wisdom and learning on this site. The revolution of civility begins here and now with us. Bow hunters share an appreciation for one of the best things about life on this ol' earth of ours. Like somebody recently said, one man sharpens another. The reverse can be true too if we don't excersize restraint. I encourage my brothers here to think of things that would help others to be the woodsmen they have become. We're all still learning. Can't wait for the next month of chasing trophy bucks and wiley does. Good hunting!
Yeah, what Pete said. I was raised a gun hunter by gun hunting uncles. The only thing that was repeated for 2 decades was "if it's brown, it's down". I picked up a bow when I was 36 years old, and man have things changed. Glad I found you guys. Well, most of you ??
Im right there with Reggie. I finally started bow hunting 4 years ago at age 39. Not sure why I waited so long, as I lived for that one week of gun hunting, but now....... I have an entirely new perspective on hunting. I found this site this year and find myself reading through old threads to see if I can pick up on tips that might help me.
Same story here too Reg.....grew up gun hunting with a bunch of yahoos that practiced if its brown its down and deer camp was just an excuse to drink. I'm 34 now and just started bowhunting late last year and have never felt more like a hunter. This has been a great resource for not just knowledge but also encouragement and community.
There has been an influx of newer posters who bring a positive vibe to this site as well as varying viewpoints. Things have been much more tame around here other than with the 2 people who are purposely stirring the pot. I am getting better at ignoring people like that. Wish I would have learned this trait years ago :).
Threads like the Youth Hunt will always draw people's ire. It is a rite of passion here just like any xbow thread. Used to be that almost every thread turned into an xbow thread. That has tamed down.
Want to see people get their undies in a bundle, start a Rage broadhead thread. Those really get passionate on the BGF. There was a recent one there that started and ended just like the 100 or so others on the same topic. Unfortunately, so many people try to convince others that their opinion is right and they just don't state their opinion and move on letting others choose personally what they want to use.
For me deer camp is still an excuse to drink but now that I use a bow I actually get some hunting in too;-)
Lok drinking fine amd all but when you gi back in by 8 for "breakfast" because youre still drunk from last night..... Im all about commradery though.
Almost a year ago I started working for the Quality Deer Management Association. I am the Regional Director for WI, MN, ND and SD. My professional background has been in the accounting field, and starting/owning/running three different businesses. My non work related background has been spend with family and in the woods. I'm not an educated biologist or forester by degree, I'm self educated and a degree from the School of Hard Knocks with an emphasis in Successes and Errors. :) Believe me, I don't know everything and am learning something new each and every day. I really wish I would have got a degree in Wildlife Biology or Forestry, both my passions.
Someone posted above that the outdoor industry sucks out your soul or something like that. It hasn't been that way for me. It has been a great experience. I'm not saying there aren't some bad apples, but the vast majority are passionate people with a purpose that do their business in a ethical and moral way.
Back to the topic, if everyone just ignored the harassers, they will go away. The solution is really that simple. BC