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

Agreed Hoyt....there is no substitute for knowledge but it's hard to argue that we don't all incorporate technology(gimmicks) into our hunting regime and it's hard to argue that they don't make us more effective hunters. Your blend of the old and new is a perfect analogy.
 
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
Yep, you did waste your money on gimmicks. Old school hunting skills plenty for capturing game. I never play the wind, otherwise I would be walking in circles, or look like a linebacker zig zagging. The very last gimmick that I would use is a game tracker camera,it would take the mystery out of what is in the area. Keep it simple, old hunting skills are not difficult, and most rewarding.
 
Sheep,
My doe last year was taken at 60 yds with a 200 gn, gas-checked Lyman cast (wheel weight) bullet in front of a load of WC735 from a 1898 Lee Enfield Calvary carbine that, I will admit, wears a Lyman 57 rear aperture sight and kept the original front sight. I was wearing a green coat and surplus olive drab combat pants.
I was driving a 1990 F-250 to the area and then walked the remaining 2km in to my blind. After I shot her, though, I did bring the truck in to get her, rather than drag her out.
My first deer was taken with a 20 ga slug from 15yds. I was walking an animal trail and heard some rustling off to my left and fwd of me. A nice little buck walked out in front of me, feeding. Laid him down, went and got my Dad to help me gut and carry him home. (About 2km)
 
Great thread. Some interesting opinions and experiences have been put forth. I guess I am pretty much an old timer now, and have never fallen for the gimmicks. My whitetail hunting clothes are the result of buying various pieces over the years. It is all blaze orange, with the exception of a yellow scarf! :p

I even found a neat blaze orange backpack a couple of years ago, for $18. Oddly, it is of fairly good quality and has lots of useful pockets. :) Usually I hunt alone, so a rifle, ammo, knife, little saw, couple baggies, maybe an apple, some cookies, and a bottle of water and away I go. Spending an afternoon wandering in my old hunting grounds is the main object. I've been carrying a nice old 94 in .32 Special the last few years.

I am still looking for some decent blaze orange underwear! :cool:
 
Great thread. Some interesting opinions and experiences have been put forth. I guess I am pretty much an old timer now, and have never fallen for the gimmicks. My whitetail hunting clothes are the result of buying various pieces over the years. It is all blaze orange, with the exception of a yellow scarf! :p

I even found a neat blaze orange backpack a couple of years ago, for $18. Oddly, it is of fairly good quality and has lots of useful pockets. :) Usually I hunt alone, so a rifle, ammo, knife, little saw, couple baggies, maybe an apple, some cookies, and a bottle of water and away I go. Spending an afternoon wandering in my old hunting grounds is the main object. I've been carrying a nice old 94 in .32 Special the last few years.

I am still looking for some decent blaze orange underwear! :cool:

No ppp in yer kit?
I can't help but think of Reeses Pieces.................:runaway:
 
Yep, you did waste your money on gimmicks. Old school hunting skills plenty for capturing game. I never play the wind, otherwise I would be walking in circles, or look like a linebacker zig zagging. The very last gimmick that I would use is a game tracker camera,it would take the mystery out of what is in the area. Keep it simple, old hunting skills are not difficult, and most rewarding.

You never play the wind because you are the most awesomest Track ever! Oh, and you shoot them from 400 yards... try bowhunting at 10 yardz and ignore the wind... you're going to starve to death.
 
I don't believe in the scent free stuff. I never use it I just throw in an earth wafer that smells like dirt and that's it. Sure I wash my clothing once or twice a season.

One of the guys I hunt deer with does everything to keep it scent free yet he gets dressed at home and gets into his truck and drives 40 minutes.. Kind of defeats the purpose. Haha
 
I hauled a 240lb black bear in a ford fiesta hahah

I hauled a blackbear out on a Honda dirt bike... sat it on the passenger seat behind me, roped it to my body and put the front legs over my shoulders and tied then down to my belt... 15 mile trip out of the bush and through town all the way home... got some funny looks.
 
I hauled a blackbear out on a Honda dirt bike... sat it on the passenger seat behind me, roped it to my body and put the front legs over my shoulders and tied then down to my belt... 15 mile trip out of the bush and through town all the way home... got some funny looks.

I would have paid to see that!!!Laugh2
 
All the gimmicks in the world will not make you a better hunter. Grasp the basics and the rest will fall into place. If not, you can be as new or old school you want it will not put meat in the pot. I watch guys every year go out with the best intentions and draw a blank because they refuse to grasp those basic principles of hunting.

If I could only keep one piece of gear it would be my Ghillie suit and nothing but the firearm or bow of my choice. Lets me hide in places most would be busted in flannel or just regular camo. Ask any of my buddies that have come looking for me LOL. Best part is let them get about 3 feet from you then stand up or yell. The look of a big bad hunter with the s***t scared out of them is priceless.
 
You never play the wind because you are the most awesomest Track ever! Oh, and you shoot them from 400 yards... try bowhunting at 10 yardz and ignore the wind... you're going to starve to death.
Not awesome at all, just an old time\old school hunter. Generally I kill big game while they are standing still, however when I was stalking this old boy, (not caring for the wind) I went down on one knee while he was trotting at 100 yards, aimed and pulled the trigger. My son passed on three bucks that was just as big or greater than the one I harvested................I taught him well to conserve for the following year, moreover; good old hunting skills..................no gimmicks!
 
Not awesome at all, just an old time\old school hunter. Generally I kill big game while they are standing still, however when I was stalking this old boy, (not caring for the wind) I went down on one knee while he was trotting at 100 yards, aimed and pulled the trigger. My son passed on three bucks that was just as big or greater than the one I harvested................I taught him well to conserve for the following year, moreover; good old hunting skills..................no gimmicks!

Nice buck! Hope you did not get any blood on your Kenora dinner jacket! :)
 
Nice buck! Hope you did not get any blood on your Kenora dinner jacket! :)
LOL!!! Thanks Yuki, you taught me something new, didn't know that it was called that before. Case in point, I did get a little blood on it, however; these Filson jackets really repel water or any other type of liquid form.
 
I hauled a 240lb black bear in a ford fiesta hahah

The Uncle has a great hunting story that ends with 'and that's the biggest buck I ever got into a Volkswagen Beetle. Had to make a second trip for the passenger seat though'.
I am a believer in GOOD camouflage and a grunt call. Some patterns are absolutely useless outside of the hunting department at Cabelas. Buy according to your terrain. Range finder is nice now and then too.
 
LOL!!! Thanks Yuki, you taught me something new, didn't know that it was called that before. Case in point, I did get a little blood on it, however; these Filson jackets really repel water or any other type of liquid form.

Ah yes back in the 70`s and 80`s this style of jacket and those old style plaid bush shirts were a common site in the bars and restaurants of rural Manitoba and N.W. Ontario!...used to wear the green version of them for bow hunting in the pines, was pretty good camo in a pinch! Lol...actually have a picture of me wearing a green plaid shirt with my first archery moose kill!
 
Back
Top Bottom