Lurkers.....Esteemed members

[hunter399]

Lets assume for a minute that we kill OT.  Now,every single thread that goes a bit too political is now deleted opposed to moved.  OK whatever I don't care, but many on here want a place to debate the news of the day as it relates to huntung, fishing, gun toting, and being a not really liberal.  A few just want a platform to thump from and some seem to enjoy stirring the poop by posting ridiculous links yet never sharing an original AL thought.  All of that will flood,the other boards and create more moderation forum wide.  But at the end of the day it ain't my joint to worry about, not my monkeys not my circus.

Good Point!

[JL]

I just viewed a thread with 17 replies of a Mule Deer's C and B's titled "Guess How Big?" A few days before, I had posted reply pics of a 4X4 NE Mule Deer in the 2017 Velvet post in this same deer section, which received no responses? I did this ONLY because people in this thread suggested sharing more. I was encouraged to contribute. I don't know, did I offend someone, share too much, come across as bragging or something? Seriously... not sure?

I found the testicles and sheath thing almost funny, but found it more fitting for a bar/saloon type of atmosphere, personally...  I think others would agree, but nobody wants to step up and take the lashing. The poster is a supporter after all. I spend my free time running mountain tops and going deep, work hard for everything. Real hard. I'm sure many of you are more interested in those experiences, but why would I want to share that? This is my real direct take on hunt WA at this time. Really makes me not want to post and forces me to question the general caliber of hunter/sportsmen on here. So wah wah wah, nobody commented on a stupid trail cam photo of a deer and wah wah wah they're talking about deer testicles. Well, sorry, I'd just prefer something with the reversed preference. Call it more tasteful and appropriate too.

[hunter399]

I just viewed a thread with 17 replies of a Mule Deer's C and B's titled "Guess How Big?" A few days before, I had posted reply pics of a 4X4 NE Mule Deer in the 2017 Velvet post in this same deer section, which received no responses? I did this ONLY because people in this thread suggested sharing more. I was encouraged to contribute. I don't know, did I offend someone, share too much, come across as bragging or something? Seriously... not sure?

I found the testicles and sheath thing almost funny, but found it more fitting for a bar/saloon type of atmosphere, personally...  I think others would agree, but nobody wants to step up and take the lashing. The poster is a supporter after all. I spend my free time running mountain tops and going deep, work hard for everything. Real hard. I'm sure many of you are more interested in those experiences, but why would I want to share that? This is my real direct take on hunt WA at this time. Really makes me not want to post and forces me to question the general caliber of hunter/sportsmen on here. So wah wah wah, nobody commented on a stupid trail cam photo of a deer and wah wah wah they're talking about deer testicles. Well, sorry, I'd just prefer something with the reversed preference. Call it more tasteful and appropriate too.

I Guess the first thing is to report to mod,There's lots of topics that kinda get away with stuff , Do you wanna know if bigfoot uses the bathroom,or gender relations of bigfoot it's there.A lot off topics in virtual camp,but mods kinda just keep what they feel is good for the forum,and topics they don't want get sent to the scrub land of the forum of off topics or locked up.

I can't find your pic so I can comment on it,I love any pics that are from north east washington.

I do agree that topics that are not so family friendly should go to off topics.

[Miles]

I want an option where I can block what certain people are posting. Kind of like caller ID.

You can block members, or at least you used to be able to?

[Blacktail Sniper]

I want an option where I can block what certain people are posting. Kind of like caller ID.

You can block members, or at least you used to be able to?

Still can, just takes a minute to get to the option:

[boneaddict]

I saw it, didn't like it, but don't want to impose my will on the rest of you.  I decided it was harmless even though I didn't like it.   These are the types of calls we make daily.   There is always someone pushing the envelope.   We always have to weigh whether the post will cause drama, offend someone, is outside of our rule set.   There is an entertainment factor etc......that's one thing I like about a photo of a nice buck.  Pretty cut and dried.

[jennabug]

I'm recovering from the flu, so my post is not going to be eloquent.

I appreciate a lot of the comments in this thread and agree with a lot of the lurkers. The negativity and drama have really turned me off.

My perspective is from a new hunter that does not come from a hunting/fishing family. Getting started in this area is overwhelming, frustrating, and financially draining. I looked forward to coming to a place where I could get support for that. But instead, when I come on here to read, I get distracted by the drama and arguments. I get frustrated and disillusioned by people putting each other down and constantly arguing over pointless nonsense. It seems that the folks that have been around here for a while like to write off behavior of other long time members as "the way they are" or that it "just a joke." Classic.

I've tried to pitch in where I can, make suggestions from a new hunter's perspective, but it seems like nothing has changed... not sure if it should. The yearly posts on "how can we make the forum better" seem to go nowhere, people are happy with status quo. Things continue to bump along the same road. In short, I'm a little disillusioned.

I'd ask myself the following... Does the forum want to change, or not? Is it able to accept the fact that no single solution will make everyone happy? What's the purpose of the forum? What's preventing success?

[cboom]

I just viewed a thread with 17 replies of a Mule Deer's C and B's titled "Guess How Big?" A few days before, I had posted reply pics of a 4X4 NE Mule Deer in the 2017 Velvet post in this same deer section, which received no responses? I did this ONLY because people in this thread suggested sharing more. I was encouraged to contribute. I don't know, did I offend someone, share too much, come across as bragging or something? Seriously... not sure?

I found the testicles and sheath thing almost funny, but found it more fitting for a bar/saloon type of atmosphere, personally...  I think others would agree, but nobody wants to step up and take the lashing. The poster is a supporter after all. I spend my free time running mountain tops and going deep, work hard for everything. Real hard. I'm sure many of you are more interested in those experiences, but why would I want to share that? This is my real direct take on hunt WA at this time. Really makes me not want to post and forces me to question the general caliber of hunter/sportsmen on here. So wah wah wah, nobody commented on a stupid trail cam photo of a deer and wah wah wah they're talking about deer testicles. Well, sorry, I'd just prefer something with the reversed preference. Call it more tasteful and appropriate too.

Several years ago on here you probably wouldn't  have seen this. The quality of  posts  have gone way down hill. The quality posters  have mostly  left because the type that thinks a pic of a deers sack is funny took over. Sad, this was a sight that a lot of knowledge  was passed around. Not so much anymore. .

[pygmy1985]

I'll have to admit, I'm a lurker. I originally joined to voice my opinion on youth and disabled hunting and hoping for more opportunity for those user groups. I've posted a few times since then, and reached out to the group looking for an opportunity for a young man with a heart condition, whom I coach in baseball, to see if the Forum could help him out. I have to tell you, you all were awesome in that regard and PM's were flooding my in box!! I thought to myself "We stick together and take care of our own"!! And in the boys' case, we did and you all helped make his dream come true!!!!

On the other hand, at times I see divisions being formed amongst us through remarks and comments, judgments, and the like. It is disheartening at times to see how divided we can become, when in essence, we share many of the same passions and love for the great out doors, and being able to share it with others. 

I don't know PLAT but was particularly disappointed the last time he became so frustrated he logged off and didn't come back for a long while. I looked forward to reading his perspectives and thoughts, and what a valuable asset to have on this forum! Thick skin or not, it can get darned tiresome and at some point throwing one's hand up and saying "I'm done" might be the best option.

A suggestion would be: If we have an issue or a thought about a particular thread, why not PM the OP or the person who made the most recent post who got your dander up, get in contact with them personally, and have a discussion? I've reached out to a couple folks on this Forum through PM when I saw an issue was getting heated or turning south, or when I read something I thought was truly inspirational. It is a tactic I've used and it has so far worked well. Just my  twocents:
.

I think that last paragraph in particular makes a lot of sense, Mhbrewster71 (hope I got handle right). Just like in the work place, I try to go straight to the source, the person I have issue with. Many times, issue is resolved quickly and the source is not so defensive. However, some people will be hard to deal with , no matter how tactful the approach.

[jrebel]

I just viewed a thread with 17 replies of a Mule Deer's C and B's titled "Guess How Big?" A few days before, I had posted reply pics of a 4X4 NE Mule Deer in the 2017 Velvet post in this same deer section, which received no responses? I did this ONLY because people in this thread suggested sharing more. I was encouraged to contribute. I don't know, did I offend someone, share too much, come across as bragging or something? Seriously... not sure?

I found the testicles and sheath thing almost funny, but found it more fitting for a bar/saloon type of atmosphere, personally...  I think others would agree, but nobody wants to step up and take the lashing. The poster is a supporter after all. I spend my free time running mountain tops and going deep, work hard for everything. Real hard. I'm sure many of you are more interested in those experiences, but why would I want to share that? This is my real direct take on hunt WA at this time. Really makes me not want to post and forces me to question the general caliber of hunter/sportsmen on here. So wah wah wah, nobody commented on a stupid trail cam photo of a deer and wah wah wah they're talking about deer testicles. Well, sorry, I'd just prefer something with the reversed preference. Call it more tasteful and appropriate too.

Several years ago on here you probably wouldn't  have seen this. The quality of  posts  have gone way down hill. The quality posters  have mostly  left because the type that thinks a pic of a deers sack is funny took over. Sad, this was a sight that a lot of knowledge  was passed around. Not so much anymore. .

Says something when more people will post about a deers twig and berries than will post about a picture of a nice buck's head gear. 

I personally was not offended by the twig and berry photo and could care less that it was posted.  I just think your observation about what post get responses and which ones don't is very valid.    

[treefarmer]

longtime lurker here, i enjoy this forum and have learned a lot and met a few members, including Dale last spring and i feel like he is too nice of a guy to deal with a lot of what goes on here.  I don't post for the same reason as some have said, the nitpicking and such of photos but the main reason is I'm just not comfortable posting pictures of myself or my children online where anyone can see and use them for whatever they want.  Also I've tried and can't figure out how to post photos anyways.  I don't post pictures on public forums anywhere else either.  Maybe I'm a little paranoid but I've seen someones photos misused to many times.  It does frustrate me some times because I read discussions on topics that I have a lot of experience with and I could add to but I choose not to chime in due to the fear of the conversation getting sideways, also I am too busy   

[snarkybull]

I am probably considered a lurker.  Most of a decade in here with only a hundred something posts.  The real reason behind that is simply my personality:  I just dont talk much and have little to say.  I try to help if there is something specific i feel knowledgable about, but often somebody more better suited to teaching has already chimed in.

I have learned a lot here, went from an archery noob to borderline 90 percenter.  I still look and read all the time, and when i do make my rare posts asking for help have been rewarded by some outstanding people.

I do mostly avoid anything political because i disagree with most.  I also try to ignore anything tribal or wdfw related because of my employment.  I have never been tempted to go to OT, so am not bothered by that.

Negative comments are an absolute turn off, and I will pretty much never join in a convo that has been threadjacked by that kind of behavior.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[bearpaw]

I just viewed a thread with 17 replies of a Mule Deer's C and B's titled "Guess How Big?" A few days before, I had posted reply pics of a 4X4 NE Mule Deer in the 2017 Velvet post in this same deer section, which received no responses? I did this ONLY because people in this thread suggested sharing more. I was encouraged to contribute. I don't know, did I offend someone, share too much, come across as bragging or something? Seriously... not sure?

I found the testicles and sheath thing almost funny, but found it more fitting for a bar/saloon type of atmosphere, personally...  I think others would agree, but nobody wants to step up and take the lashing. The poster is a supporter after all. I spend my free time running mountain tops and going deep, work hard for everything. Real hard. I'm sure many of you are more interested in those experiences, but why would I want to share that? This is my real direct take on hunt WA at this time. Really makes me not want to post and forces me to question the general caliber of hunter/sportsmen on here. So wah wah wah, nobody commented on a stupid trail cam photo of a deer and wah wah wah they're talking about deer testicles. Well, sorry, I'd just prefer something with the reversed preference. Call it more tasteful and appropriate too.

We can't view everything. If you think a topic or comment is off base please use the "Report to Moderator" button on the right side of every post, if members do that it will help with issues, we check all reports, and if we determine it's inappropriate we will act! If you post a link here I will check too.

Some posts don't seem to get comments, it's hard to guess why, happens at some point to some posts by everyone, I certainly wouldn't take it personal. The next thing you post might get a lot more comments?

[Rainier10]

On the topic of some posts don't get replies I am absolutely amazed and happy with all the posts and ideas that have been made in this thread.  I don't know how many, "what can we do to make the forum better?" threads I have seen over the years and this one has to be one of the best ones yet with responses that we can use to make this place better.

Thanks to everyone who has commented.  Ever comment in this thread is being reviewed by the mod team.

[Karl Blanchard]

I've been thinking on this topic a lot lately ever since coach posted that he was tired of the garbage and hanging it up. I pretty much hung it up after my elk hunt last year. We had an amazing deer season with multiple bucks over 180 inches. I didn't share any of it and some of those hunts were pretty Epic. After my elk hunt last year I received the message from a certain member and basically accused me of using a rifle instead of my bow. I dumped so much Blood Sweat and Tears into that hunt made me sad more than mad that there are people in this world that think like that.

 this forum is continually spiraling downward because all of the members that made this place what it is have moved on because of just a few trolls. It's a private site so I truly believe that there doesn't need to be a reason to ban someone. If they don't add anything to the quality of the place just get rid of them.

I still do not plan on offering much as far as advice and discussion on Topics but I have decided that I am going to share my hunting season this year as it's a pretty good one.  WA, CO, WY, lots of ID tags, and my daughter's first hunting season. I believe that if more of us share then it might right the ship a bit. I don't blame  any  of are major contributors for going other places  as I think all of us have gotten pretty burnt out.  When you spend a lot of time in the field and you put a lot of animals on the ground  it is sometimes difficult to stomach comments from people that you know  produce far less  in the field than you, or has even never done something or used something and they're trying to tell you that you are wrong  and it just gets tiresome.  You think you are adding quality information and entertainment but when you get trolled around every corner really makes a guy second guess that and think why bother.  I need to be part of the solution though and by leaving that's not what I'm doing. If I get trolled a bunch like I did last year then I think all hope is lost and I'll just move on.

Dale, Josh, Doug, and some of the other mods have done an amazing job for all of us and they deserve better from their community. This place has been a major influence in my life and some of my very best friends to this day I have met only because of this forum. I guess what I'm trying to say is as much as you guys piss me off I might post a picture to this year