got a lot of nerve? # of posts vs advice

[colockumelk]

When it comes to giving out advice it is a somewhat complicated matter for me.  On the one hand I am a public servant and I can't help but help people out that need it. So it is really hard to bite my tongue in giving out info.  There is almost nothing more rewarding than giving people some help or info and then they succeed. 

Also I asked for advice on places to hunt the Westside for Archery elk.  I'm originally from Ellensburg and have never hunted or ventured into the West Side of the PCT.  Furthermore I'm in the Army and stationed on the East Coast so I can't exactly scout out areas.  So I asked for some places such as GMU's and Trailheads (basic broad info) and by PM what I got in return was grid coordinates, names of basins and some pretty detailed information.  So now because of members on this site once I draw my bull tag on the East side I now have a place to start hunting and some good knowledge about the West Side.  Without this advice I'd waste the first hunting season or 3 just trying to figure out where elk exist.  So with all this help how can I not return the favor.

On the other hand I've had places ruined before by helping out.  Generally speaking if someone is too lazy to even hit the search button on a forum then they are probably the inconsiderate lazy slob hunter we all to often see.  So I don't want them hunting anywhere near me.  But if they have done their research and this is just part of their overall research then I'll give some stuff up.

But....  there are places I will never give up.  Such as if its a shared honeyhole or area.  It's completely disrespectfull to my brother and friends to give up a secluded spot to the world since its not "my" spot.  Its our hunting groups spot.  Furthermore if someone has given me advice on where to go aka the advice I got from members on here I will NEVER give those spots up.  Again its not my spot its someone elses spot that they were kind enough to share with me.  I would never disrespect that person by giving someone else those spots.  The only time I give up somewhat detailed info is if its my spot and my spot only.  But generally I just give up general parts of a GMU.  Such as go up to Lost Lake in the Manastash.  That is a spot that only I go to in my group so I have no problem steering people there.  Plus I don't hunt it anymore. 

Generally I just try to feel the person out and decide how much or what info I'll give up. 

[Cascade]

I try to help out as much as I can reguardless of the number of posts someone has.  It is called being nice to your fellow man.  Is it annoying when they don't post again or say thanks, YES.  But that is life and it happens everyday outside of the internet forums.  You can choose to let bother you or just move on.    

However, I won't give out honey holes for this exact reason.

The next year they had 11 people in their camp and all of them were hunting the area that I told them about.  This same thing happened when I told a guy about a spot in the Mt. Adams wilderness where we have taken some dandy benchlegs.  I will never again give out specifics to another newbie.  There are a couple of longtimers on her that I wouldn't hesitate to help but unless you have been on here a while and I have a good feel of whether you are trustworthy or not, not gonna happen.

[Swatson]

I'm amazed at how some people on here take extreme ownership in this blog and think/act that since they have been posting on here for a long time then they are superior and are more willing to help those that have belonged to this site for a long time versus a new member!  The whole idea of this site is for helping others out and talking about the one thing that most of us are all so passionate about.  If I drew a coveted tag in an area I have never hunted before a long ways from home, this would be the first place I'd turn to for help.  It's very reasonable for someone not to know an area that well, especially in some of these Quality Bull and Deer permit areas because often times you can't hunt these units without the permit.  This being said, doesn't mean I shouldn't put my time in and do my own scouting but it would be great to have a little guidance and a starting point from the help of someone that has drawn the permit before or is fortunate enough to live close to that unit where they have quite a bit of knowledge about it.  If someone on here doesn't want to share information then simply don't respond to the persons question!  Not sure why all of a sudden its a terrible thing to try to get every advantage you can to prepare for your hunt?   

[BuckHunter23]

This thread is quite funny to me.  I too, do not have many posts on here, but I have asked for help more than a couple times.  I've got a mixed bag of responses and reactions, but all in all the information I have been given has been good.  What I find funny is how bent some of you get about newbies asking for help.  Like many, I wouldn't have found this site without doing some internet searching of my own, or should I call it pre-scouting?  I thought it was awesome that we had a site specific to our great state, with lots of experienced hunters and all around cool people.  Also like many, I am new to hunting (within the last 5 years), so I didn't have a lot to go on when I started.  Unfortunately for me, my family is not a bunch of hunters, and I wasn't lucky enough to be born on the eastside with easy access to all kinds of land.  But as I have gotten more into hunting and started exploring a bit more, I turned to this site for help, thinking what better place to get some knowledge than a forum on Hunting Washington.  I would never expect a honey hole to be given out, but some general help is always appreciated.  Hell, this year my brother drew a spring bear tag.  We asked a couple people from this site for help and got some decent general information.  When we couldn't put it together, I PM'd the guy an area we found a bear and told him exactly where it was, in case he didn't get one where he went.  It was my thanks for the information he gave me on here.

Don't judge a member by the number of posts they have.  Not everyone has the the gift of gab, that many of you possess, and some are just shy and pick their opportunities carefully.  Be smart about the information you provide, and don't give out your honey hole unless you want a bunch of people to show up or are done with it yourself.  If this site is gonna be a Good Ol’ Boys club, then restrict the access and don't let just anyone join.  Hopefully that never happens, because I enjoy this site and hope to continue to do so.  And hopefully as I gain more knowledge from my own experiences, I can start to offer up advice to some of you.
   

[CavemantheHunter]

Thank you Swatson and BuckHunter23, I could not agree more. If I would have even known this site had ever existed, I would have been on it a long time ago sharing stories and reading yours. In doing my homework and searching for information on the Toutle hunt I came across this site and didn't hesitate to join. There are great people on here with a lot of passion and a lot of knowledge and it is a cool thing to be a part of.

[pianoman9701]

Thank you Swatson and BuckHunter23, I could not agree more. If I would have even known this site had ever existed, I would have been on it a long time ago sharing stories and reading yours. In doing my homework and searching for information on the Toutle hunt I came across this site and didn't hesitate to join. There are great people on here with a lot of passion and a lot of knowledge and it is a cool thing to be a part of.

[TheHunt]

Buckhunter shows the extream of exclusion.  We as hunters in supporting the sport need to be inclusive but smart about the information given out like the others have said.  OIL tags I tell people all I know because I know I will never be back.  But to each their own...

[Special T]

I only give broad info on the public side, sometimes give specific info on a PM. I NEVER respond to a "I'm looking for a place close by to hunt  ____ " When the location is not filled out on thier Handle... I don't give out my exact place of residence but at least you can tell what part of the state i reside in... especially if your anywhere close or know the area your talking about... 

[goosegetter79]

PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY INFO OR HELP.
THANKS,


It's because of peoples one and only posts (like the above) that things go wrong. Now if the person had said, Hi guys i've been hunting x amount of years and finally got my OIL tag. Does someone have any info on the area I live too far to do much scouting so any help is much appreciated. I think if someone words it that way it would have been much better for his first and only post.

[Deer slayer]

If it's a special permit hunt I have no problem helping and have been doing that. I like to see people succeed in their permits. If people ask for help on hunting tactics I will help. I like to see people get out and enjoy their hunts. So another words I help just about anybody that asks. So if you need help with the toutle coweeman parts of the Lewis River just ask. 

[HOYT6.0]

If it's a special permit hunt I have no problem helping and have been doing that. I like to see people succeed in their permits. If people ask for help on hunting tactics I will help. I like to see people get out and enjoy their hunts. So another words I help just about anybody that asks. So if you need help with the toutle coweeman parts of the Lewis River just ask.

Deerslayer helped me on my toutle cow tag.  Didnt even need to ask.  Good guy and is welcome in my camp any time.  Ive been hunting for elk for almost 30 years now.  10 in washington and the rest in Oregon.  I dont post a whole lot,  but I do help when I can.   

[Deer slayer]

If it's a special permit hunt I have no problem helping and have been doing that. I like to see people succeed in their permits. If people ask for help on hunting tactics I will help. I like to see people get out and enjoy their hunts. So another words I help just about anybody that asks. So if you need help with the toutle coweeman parts of the Lewis River just ask.

Deerslayer helped me on my toutle cow tag.  Didnt even need to ask.  Good guy and is welcome in my camp any time.  Ive been hunting for elk for almost 30 years now.  10 in washington and the rest in Oregon.  I dont post a whole lot,  but I do help when I can.   

Do you serve 7&7's?  If so PM me directions to your camp.  I might even come pack out your animal for that kind of price.

[2legit2quit]

Been on bowsite for 10 years, just found this one... Won't ask for help, DIY attitude, will always give help to fellow brethren though.  A lot of nerve?  Nope, and will keep tabs on this thread for sure.

[pianoman9701]

Been on bowsite for 10 years, just found this one... Won't ask for help, DIY attitude, will always give help to fellow brethren though.  A lot of nerve?  Nope, and will keep tabs on this thread for sure.

Most people here are helpful, very few are not. This is the best hunting site I've been on. Don't make your judgement on one post.

[MADMAX]

 

Right on !!!!!
I'm there also if any needs info PM me on most elk areas except blues and NE I can at least try