Old school hunting, or Why did I waste my money? Thread

james01

james01

CGN Regular
Rating - 99.5%
201   1   0
Location
Central Bantario
I have shot more deer (and seen more deer) than anyone else at the deer camp I have been a member of for 18 great years.

That is why I was so surprised when I realized that I had not shot a deer in the past 6 years.

Why?

About 6 years ago I discovered deer calls, and deer scents, and mock scrapes, rattling antlers and cover scents ect ect.

Boy oh boy, I had the latest in deer killing gear!! I guess I had such a good time hunting even without shooting a deer, that I didn't really notice that my success rate had gone down the toilet!

This past fall I decided to hunt the way I was taught to by my late hunting buddy and good friend Glenn.

OLD SCHOOL!

Go to your watch, stay there, be still and keep quiet. Keep the wind in your face. Listen and be observant.

The only 2 items I took into the woods with me this year were my gun (Win 94 in 30-30) and bullets.

Two deer and a wolf down, and one buck within 5 yards (walked right up beside me, spooked as I turned to see what the rustling was) was this years result.

Once again, I am reminded how wise these old timers can be. The older I get, the wiser they seem to be! LOL

Cheers,

J
 
Just looked through the pics in the Bucket List thread. I noticed in one of them some guys were hacking darts and wearing flannel while posing with some dall sheep. That is my kind of hunting.

I like binoculars though.
 
First time I ever went on a group hunt. My buddy, his dad and his dad's friend. His dad's friend was wearing jeans and a plaid jacket. He said he has never purchased any camo or hunting clothing.
 
More whitetail have been shot by hunters sitting still,shutting up and keeping theirs eyes open than have ever been shot over estrus scented,electronic calling, camo clad set ups. The basics work. IMHO all of the new products add nothing. If a deer is shot using some new product it is probably only a coincidence.
 
crash277 said:
First time I ever went on a group hunt. My buddy, his dad and his dad's friend. His dad's friend was wearing jeans and a plaid jacket. He said he has never purchased any camo or hunting clothing.
Click to expand...

I love it when I see hunting shows where the hunter is in all the latest camo gear and wearing all kinds of makeup on his face and the guide is in blue jeans and a red plaid coat with a cowboy hat on. The hunter is spring all kinds of things on himself and the guide doesn't look like he has seen a bath in a month. That gets me every time.
 
How true. I too have fallen victim to many fads or gimmicks and it comes down to being observant and thinking rather than buying.
 
I like the Mantra of this thread! I am a consumer,..so yes I have gone from hunting in insulated dirty coveralls to the latest and greatest camo/tech/guns and gear. I hunt with a late 60's Vietnam Vet...He was a recon sniper in the Marine Corps. He laughs at me when I dawn all my gear. He walks out of the wall tent wearing an insulated plaid green and black jacket and black carhardt pants. He does more than his fair share of killin' kickin' it old school FOR SURE!

Great thread!!
 
Some of it works, some doesn't. I have killed more animals in a grey stanfields sweater than camo. But camo keeps you hid from other hunters, too. And I think snow camo looks cool, so I wear it and tell my hunting buddies I'm glad it snowed so I can wear my snow camo! :)
 
I too have spent a small fortune on grunt calls, estrus bleats and rattling horns and bags and have had some success using them but have shot the majority of my deer and my biggest bucks while sitting quietly on stand and paying attention to my surroundings! We are only human and if we think something will increase our chances of success we quite often have to try it! Why do you think hunting has become such a huge industry in the last 25-30 years!
 
Camo clothing serves the dual purpose of also (usually) being water resistant/silent. Its the only reason I wear it big game hunting. Throw my orange vest over top and I can remain quiet all day, and dry in a rain storm.

That said, the biggest buck Ive shot I was wearing blue jeans and a blaze orange jacket 3x too big for me
 
its odd that you are 'looked down' upon for not having the range finder, the buck calls, the scents, the magnum an the gold bullets when its all talk at the bar or at camp for that matter, things don't normally get bought up though once you walk in with the Trophy Rack or prized meat doe... that you took with an open sight lever gun or the budget 308 rifle..


keep it simple and enjoy the process..

A lot of people, forget the finer things to the hunt, looking further into the brochures than the woods.


WL
 
Gatehouse said:
Some of it works, some doesn't. I have killed more animals in a grey stanfields sweater than camo. But camo keeps you hid from other hunters, too. And I think snow camo looks cool, so I wear it and tell my hunting buddies I'm glad it snowed so I can wear my snow camo! :)
Click to expand...

Bull####. You do it because the sticks on the camo look slimming. I'm wise to your tricks!
 
I'm far from a seasoned hunter, but in my limited experience the only thing I really need when going deer hunting is a grunt call and bow/gun. I do wear camo, I bought it dirt cheap from a friend who didn't like it, because it's the warmest clothing I have and the cloth is quiet. I have a friend who wears canvas overalls, and well, he wouldn't sneak up on anything. The grunt has given me quite a bit of success getting a deer's attention without spooking them, and in some cases brings them closer. The rattles and bleats have done nothing for me, and the only thing doe estrus has done for me is make everything it touches stink. I do notice I'm quite figity when hunting, so sometimes I'll hunt from a blind to give me a bit more room for movement.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom