Trade craft involved in hunting??

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PSE

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Ever notice whenever that topic comes up and it does a lot these days, that the discussion is almost always about the guns, loads, calibers and shooting and almost nothing about the techniques in stalking, camouflage and maneuvering into position.

As far as I'm concerned, modern rifles, ballistic calculators and loads are effective even in semi skilled hands out to long ranges. The real skill lies in the
trade craft (spotting the game and setting up for the shot) but so little is heard about that or admired. Are we just lazy, preferring to allow technology to do it all.

Not meaning to flame the guy who's spent a fortune to get just the right rifle and loads but won't bother carefully selecting the right camouflage or worry about lines of approach and knowledge about the game's habits but why is there so much discussion about equipment and little about about actual hunting?

I've become more interested in bow hunting lately as they seem to have the right idea. Still like to occasionally use the rifles though.
 
I am more interested in the stalking and setting up stuff. That part can be applied to many different kinds of hunting, i.e. archery, predator, waterfowling, upland, small game, etc.

Tips on this stuff is great and sometimes more difficult to learn than the other parts of hunting.
 
It's called commercialism, you can't sell the technique, only the gear! The older I get the more I hate the commercialism of it. I quit watching hunting shows a couple years ago for that one and only reason. Lately I have had thoughts of selling off almost all my gear except a bare minimum and sticking primarily to clay target shooting.
 
40 years of bowhunting has taught me much about the necessity of bushcraft and having a complete understanding of my quarry and environment... more than the equipment or even the animal itself, getting into close proximity, often touching distance, of wary big game animals, is the rush that keeps hunting as fresh today as it was forty years ago...
 
the spank said:
It's called commercialism, you can't sell the technique, only the gear! The older I get the more I hate the commercialism of it. I quit watching hunting shows a couple years ago for that one and only reason. Lately I have had thoughts of selling off almost all my gear except a bare minimum and sticking primarily to clay target shooting.
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Good point, Much better to make people dissatisfied with the gear they have than talk to them about using it more effectively.:agree:
 
The stalking is the best part of a hunt. Its amazing the amount of time it can take to move in for the perfect shot.

The shot is the easy part. The real work is before and after the shot.
 
As said, you cannot buy experience. I've been hunting for 40 years and I'm still learning and seeing things I've never seen before.


A lot of younger people are asking whats most important? and everything is. There are a whole bunch of things that you can do that puts the odds in your favor, and things that can go against you. Sometimes you have to learn the hard way what doesn't work. Equipment is only a fraction of changing the odds. Most of us started without all the fancy goods, guns, and camo but we still had some success despite our inexperience. requiring good marksmanship is a reality. Just because you can shoot off a 3 point rest does not mean you can make a hunting shot. Standing, sitting, or in a tree stand all require spontaneous shots that are not shooting range perfect. I'm constantly amazed how many hunters can't shoot worth crap. Its not a step to skip, although reciting velocities and distance drop do not make you a better hunter.

Get out. Enjoy it. And have enough open mind to learn something you didn't know before. If you give nature the opportunity, it will always show you something new. Don't forget to enjoy what you have, even if you go home empty. A bad day hunting is still better than a good day at work.
 
I just can't imagine sitting in a tree stand for hours on end or me butt up against a stump
all greened up waiting for the right 10' shot.
My achie bones don't allow for this park'in me butt nonsense.
 
PSE said:
Good point, Much better to make people dissatisfied with the gear they have than talk to them about using it more effectively.:agree:
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I never said I was dissatisfied with the gear but having gotten caught up in the commercialism I realize there is alot of it I dont require. Thats why I say I'll keep the bare minimum I require. It's the commercialism of it thats a turn off.
 
the spank said:
I never said I was dissatisfied with the gear but having gotten caught up in the commercialism I realize there is alot of it I dont require. Thats why I say I'll keep the bare minimum I require. It's the commercialism of it thats a turn off.
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I was referring to the firearm and ammo companies constantly trying to get hunter public to switch, upgrade etc etc to the latest new gizmo.
 
I did something different this year, after about 30 years of hunting...

I went out and bought a pair of boots that are not leather. Those new fangled materials keep my feet much warmer.

as to bushcraft and technique its all part of getting in a postion to get off a good shot.

you will also notice that there are different ways to hunt based on where you live. eastren hunting is different then western hunting and BC is another game, so when your talking technique and how to do things you might have the correct technique for where you live but you would be in for a surprise if you wre hunting in another region.

and there are too many "know it alls" ready to tell others that they are "doing it wrong" and "not being ethical" to have a polite discussion. :)
 
All the fancy gear in the world will never help you more than patience, persistence, practice and determination. I think those 4 things will serve any hunter better than the newest fangled super duper critter getting gizmo! Although buying quality equipment makes for more enjoyable experiences and "can" improve success ! Just my 2cents
 
PSE said:
Ever notice whenever that topic comes up and it does a lot these days, that the discussion is almost always about the guns, loads, calibers and shooting and almost nothing about the techniques in stalking, camouflage and maneuvering into position.

As far as I'm concerned, modern rifles, ballistic calculators and loads are effective even in semi skilled hands out to long ranges. The real skill lies in the
trade craft (spotting the game and setting up for the shot) but so little is heard about that or admired. Are we just lazy, preferring to allow technology to do it all.

Not meaning to flame the guy who's spent a fortune to get just the right rifle and loads but won't bother carefully selecting the right camouflage or worry about lines of approach and knowledge about the game's habits but why is there so much discussion about equipment and little about about actual hunting?

I've become more interested in bow hunting lately as they seem to have the right idea. Still like to occasionally use the rifles though.
Click to expand...

If you think that archery is immune to technology, you're about to get a real eye opener. :)
 
Hunting is a good excuse to get out in the bush with purpose. I feel at peace while wandering around out there. Not a logical reason but a feeling. Hunting is at its most intense during the final stalk, be it grouse or deer, that never fades. We all have different parameters by which we measure our hunting success but I am guessing that the final stalk is something we all share in.
 
kamlooky said:
I just can't imagine sitting in a tree stand for hours on end or me butt up against a stump
all greened up waiting for the right 10' shot.
My achie bones don't allow for this park'in me butt nonsense.
Click to expand...

I thought it was your ADHD that prevented you from sitting still that long.
 
PSE said:
Ever notice whenever that topic comes up and it does a lot these days, that the discussion is almost always about the guns, loads, calibers and shooting and almost nothing about the techniques in stalking, camouflage and maneuvering into position.

As far as I'm concerned, modern rifles, ballistic calculators and loads are effective even in semi skilled hands out to long ranges. The real skill lies in the
trade craft (spotting the game and setting up for the shot) but so little is heard about that or admired. Are we just lazy, preferring to allow technology to do it all.

Not meaning to flame the guy who's spent a fortune to get just the right rifle and loads but won't bother carefully selecting the right camouflage or worry about lines of approach and knowledge about the game's habits but why is there so much discussion about equipment and little about about actual hunting?

I've become more interested in bow hunting lately as they seem to have the right idea. Still like to occasionally use the rifles though.
Click to expand...

The same can be said about archery! It started with longbow and next thing you know we have bows pushing 400 fps!
 
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