Back when I was working for Versus, now the NBC Sports Network, I posted this picture of Chad Christie’s incredible monster. Two reasons. One, I am absolutely obsessed with drop-tine bucks, and this just might be the most impressive one I have ever seen. I wonder if I could hold it together if I saw that thing coming through the woods at me?Two, I asked Chad to get in touch with me because I’d love to profile his buck here on the blog and on TV.
I never heard from Chad, but some guy named Dave chimed in:
Why would you want to put this guy on TV? I hate gun season because they (gun hunters) only go out opening weekend, sit on a bucket or walk around and get this kind of luck handed to them. But if it makes them and you proud, then great job.
I encourage people to speak their minds and either agree or disagree with me and the other bloggers. Discussion of hunting is good because it brings out different points of view, and makes us all more thoughtful hunters. But this one hit me wrong–we don’t need elitist and narrow-minded attitudes like Dave’s.
He’s a hard-core bowhunter, fine. But why look down his nose at a fellow gun hunter?
Why would I want to put Chad and his monster drop tine on TV? Well Dave, because that is what I do–celebrate hard-working and hard-hunting guys who go out and shoot dream bucks near their homes each fall. I showcase those hunters and those amazing animals with the awe, dignity and respect they deserve.
The bigger point here is that we deer hunters, some 15 million strong, need to stop the jealousy, bickering, pettiness and downright rudeness that I unfortunately see a lot on the Internet. We need to coexist for the good of the sport.
If you don’t like bowhunting, fine, don’t do it. But don’t diss all bowhunters, it makes you look and sound small and petty.
If you don’t like gun hunters, fine, but don’t berate all gun hunters. What good does that do?
If you don’t like the way one man hunts (food plots, bait, drives, etc.) don’t do it, but if he shoots a giant buck, don’t get jealous and spout off about it. To each his own. It’s none of your business anyway.
Be civil. Nothing wrong with disagreeing, but do it with respect.
Every time this topic of hunter jealously and pettiness comes up, I am reminded of a comment left one time from blogger Vin from NC:
Just hunt your own way, and don’t be concerned about what others do.
Your thoughts?
I used to hate on crossbow hunters. I thought they shouldn’t be allowed during archery season, because it was “too easy” compared to compound and traditional archery equipment. My father is just now getting back into hunting after a nearly 25 year break. There is nothing more I love to do than hunt with my father and spend that time with him. I wanted him to get in to archery for so long and he is now showing interest, but with his bad shoulders, he cannot pull a regular bow. He is now shooting a crossbow. In my close mindedness, I previously completely overlooked hunters that were just like my father. Now I have a much different philosophy about hunting. If it is legal and ethical, and gets more people in the field, I say go for it!
well said John!
Dave….Really! I have always felt sorry for people who seem to justify their shortcomings in themselves by downgrading others. That is a great buck and I don’t care if Chad was hunting him for 10 years or 10 minutes. The weapon you choose to hunt with is a personal one and that is what you should hunt with. It doesn’t mean the same to others. I hunt with every legal weapon I can except High powered rifle and teh reason I don’t hunt with them is…….I don’t own one and wouldn;t get enough use out of one to justify me buying one. That doesn’t mean that they are better or worse than any other legal weapon. Face it….big bucks are smart and hard to come by no matter what you hunt with. Bow being harder…..well, we get to hunt deer that aren;t spooked by tons of hunters or noisy gunfire. Crossbow being easier…..They are easier to shoot accurately once sighted in but getting off another shot is almost impossible. Each weapon has it’s advantages and disadvantages. We all hunt for the thrill so…..enjoy it and let others do the same. Nuff said.
In the words of the immortal Rodney King…”Why can’t we all just get along?”
We all must stick together. Remember the famous(?!) gun writer who voiced and penned his thoughts on “Black guns” We don’t see or hear much from him……………..Divide us and we will be weak.
Dang we’ll written Mike! I grew up with the gun and compound haters. I still hunt hard with a recurve or longbow bit anyone’s welcome at my hunting camp.
That is why I believe in what you are doing Mike. As a guy who has been lucky enough to harvest some big deer and have a couple of them shared on your website I know what it is like to have people say hurtful untrue things. I wish people would realize how lucky we are to be able to pursue this passion and could keep things in perspective. Chad Gray
Let he that has no sin cast the first stone! Bam! Well said Mike, I would throw rocks at deer if they let me! Just hunt, Bow,Blackpowder, Gun
I hunt with archery, shotgun, and muzzleloader (for the most part); and also acquired a Remington .270 recently. Although this rifle isn’t legal for Indiana, I will eventually hunt in Canada, or elsewhere where centerfires are legal. I don’t have an issue with what weapon a hunter uses, and God knows there are many methods to score. I do have an issue with un-ethical practices, however. I’ve seen arrows in the woods with UPC code/stickers still on them. I know of groups of deer drivers that don’t follow many rules, and can’t seem to read No Trespassing signs. I’ve been on deer drives in the past and, in part because I have tinnitus, I don’t go on them anymore. I personally love to hunt deer one-on-one in tree stands, or deer blinds. My favorite method is archery, but I also love hunting them with firearms too. Since we’re allowed one buck during the general deer season I am very patient, and in many years don’t score. I’m fine with that; I usually eat plenty of venison in the off-season. As long as hunters are legal, utilize ethical practices for fair-chase, don’t trespass, practice with their weapons until proficient, or poach, then I say live and let live.
I couldn’t agree more Mike, well said…
I do all hunting,deer bow,gun and muzzle loader. This jealousy thing really bugs me, we should support all hunting. Are you telling me this guy Dave (The Purist) doesn’t hang his stand over a lush clover or other plot he just planted and hang trail cams out to get an advantage. That’s the whole idea to give yourself any legal advantage on those ghosts of the timber.
To harvest an animal of that caliber with any kind of weapon is spectacular.
Totally agree with you Mike. But, this should go way beyond hunting. If people would do this in all aspects of their life, just imagine how much better the world would be. Unfortunately, no matter where you go or what you do there is always going to be negative people. I can’t imagine how miserable there lives must be to have to constantly go around putting others down just to make themselves feel better.
Indiana just went through this very thing. I’ve never seen the amount of nasty back and forth that occurred (and is still occurring) over reg changes.
I hunt with bow and gun. I’m also an “opportunity” hunter. I like new equipment choices and (most of) the new seasons. Having said that, I know many think that the seasons are too long and offer too many choices.
I look @ it like this. The DNR institutes bag limits to manage the herd. Do I agree with every choice they’ve made over the years? Of course not. But I do think that our DNR in Indiana has done a good job offering new seasons, equipment choices and keeping tag costs @ reasonable levels. I’m not a fan of the new late antler less season (as I think the does have enough pressure on them already). But….Indiana (like many states) is trying to reduce herd numbers and thus, I willing to give the DNR the benefit of the doubt during this process.
As has been said…if you don’t want to gun hunt, don’t. If you think that bow hunting is a waste of time….don’t spend your time doing that.
But IMHO, we (as hunters) should support each others choices and be glad that we’re fortunate enough to still have those choices.
Everyone who enjoys the outdoors, hunting and engaging in shooting sports need to stay united if we are going to continue to be able to pursue our passions and hobbies. What a shame that we lose sight of the big picture issues like the efforts to limit the right to gun ownership and the many obstacles being placed in the way of law abiding hunters and back door efforts to achieve the objectives of the gun control and anti-hunting / animal rights crowd out there.
We cannot let our preferences and differing styles divide and weaken us as a collective community.
Personally, I like to bow hunt, rifle hunt, have done some shotgun hunting and plan on purchasing a muzzle loader this year to try a new challenge and take advantage of the various seasons set aside for specific weapons. The real fun is in spending time in the field, sharing hunting camps with family and friends old and new, learning from all and sharing the experiences and knowledge – plus the mistakes made along the way – I have managed to acquire over the past fifty plus years spent in the outdoors pursuing not only deer but waterfowl, upland game birds, small mammals, varmints, as well as just about anything that swims in fresh or saltwater.
Mike, I am not eloquent enough to add to what you already said about civil discourse and respecting the way ethical hunters go about pursuing their dream trophy of a lifetime. Well stated on your part, and everyone should heed your comments for the good of us all.
Jealousy is one of the most toxic things out there. It’s corrupted enough of the world…we hunters don’t need to fall victim to it.
Personally, I shoot both bow and rifle. Often have discussions with other hunters who do the same. Since jealousy almost exclusively deals with antlers, we’ll go with this one: “If you could shoot a 150″ with a bow, or a 160″ with a gun, which would you choose?” Almost everyone says 150″ with a bow. “If you could shoot a 140″ with a drop tine (or other unique aspect) with a gun, or a 160″ with a bow, which would you choose?” That one splits it pretty evenly. “If you could shoot a 170″ with a gun, or a 140″ with a bow…” Almost everyone says gun.
So…the point. No-one’s right, no-one’s wrong. Just preference and personal taste. Do what you love, and let others do what they love. Assuming they’re not poaching your deer, it doesn’t effect you anyways : )
Now that’s a BIG buck!
Hunters in general should take the approach every motorcyclist I’ve ever met conduct themselves by: Don’t knock someone else’s bike…period. Respect the fact one guys dream bike may be a sport style another’s an old school chopper an yet another’s a full dress bagger. Respect them as a fellow biker lending aide if needed and an ear to hear about how great their ride is.
To many folks worry about what others do. Congratulations to the hunter who took that awesome deer and I love those drops.