POLL: Question for Northwest Whitetail Hunters

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I am just trying to get an idea of what kind of information you NW whitetail hunters enjoy most. I personally like watching videos and reading articles of animals taken in the NW US and Western Canada more so than animals taken anywhere else. However, I know many hunters who could careless about watching/reading about Western Canada hunts and I know several hunters who are only interested in the local area WA/ID/MT. I want to gather this information for a couple of projects I am working on. Thanks for your time.

[buckfvr]

Not much for results.....I could personally give you a much longer list of names of guys who'd rather not see this area get any attention what so ever.........and I mean none........

[jess]

none there is no big whitetails in this state compared to the mid west and that is what we want them to keep thinking

[buck man]

Lets keep NE Washington to ourselves and let the rest of the U.S. think we don't have any deer worth shooting

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I agree but with the WWW and the bucks we already post on forums like this the secret is already out. I see more and more of our bucks showing up all over the net. It is good to know that are addicted to these NW Whitetail.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Thanks to everyone who has voted in the poll

[bloodhound]

i think it would be nice to one day be watching the outdoor channel and see a washington hunt. its the only place they dont hunt. i see em in or, mt, id, and every other dang state but here.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I agree I love seeing WA whitetail hunts. Alwine has some great WA whitetail hunts on film. I saw a good WA whitetail hunt on Realtree Monster Bucks this past year and Gordon Whittington had a WA whitetail hunt that was on TV last year.

[buckfvr]

There are so many places that used to be pretty much well kept secrets.....then, they were written up in Fishing and Hunting Lies and or Washington  Oregon Fish and Game.  Ultimately, attention like this, ( or even worse, T.V. ) has in the past, and will in the future, RUIN many good spots.  Now if its important to you to see your name in print, or your face on film, then you are going to do what you are going to do, but I hate very much to see this happen.   Conditions are getting worse on their own, without soliciting competition from elsewhere.  If you want to see a bunch ( more ) of our land tied up by outfitters, so they can accommodate nonresident hunters, then you are doing the right thing.  Go to the other site that caters to bowhunters and see how the general public feels about nonres hunters in places like Kansas, Illinois, Nebraska, anywhere that is talked about all the time......I say hell no !!!!

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Attracting attention can certainly have an impact and hunting pressure can certainly put a damper on things. I have seen the other forums and I have lived in places that have most of the prime hunting land is tied up by the wealthy and outfitters (TX). I have had some of my favorite hunting grounds that became unavailabe as someone decided to pay money to lease the property.

These things certainly bum me out and it definitely doesn't help our recruitment. However, all of these things are a result of capitalism at work. Capitalism certainly isn't a perfect system but it is the best system we have and I certainly won't let it ruin my hunting seasons.

I am not sure about being on TV but seeing your name in print is certainly great. What is more awesome is making a living by doing something you enjoy. However, that is pipe dream for most. I can tell you that up to this point I have spent more money and time doing this than I get in return. However if you can help others reach their goals then it is very rewarding and well worth the effort. I also have a strong desire to record the legacy of our tradition for future generations. This is why it is important tell those big buck stories. It may not be important to you or to the next guy but I can tell that as a kid those types of things filled my mind and stoked my love of hunting.

You mention how the general public feels about non-res hunters in places like KS, IL, NE, etc. I have seen these complaints. Ironically, each of these places pump out more and bigger bucks year after year and as a majority it isn't with the outfitters or the wealthy. The majority of these animals are still taken by the average Joe, first time hunter, etc....just like they always were. What has changed in the past 20 years or more is that these accomplishments are publicized and they breed jealousy. The last 5-10 years I often hear people dismiss other peoples good fortune because of this jealousy.

I wish these hunters in those states who generally experience very minor setbacks when it comes to land access would stop complaining and take action to improve their situation. My experience as a leader and manager has shown me that the people who complain most are the least proactive. I believe the sam holds true in the hunting community. We need to take responsibility for making our own success instead of blaming the wealthy, non-res hunters, lack of access, hunting pressuer etc.

[buckfvr]

Fortunately, for now, theres no one to blame for anything up here.....its a great place to be, and I look forward to it continuing to be great for anyone willing to take on the learning curve...it can be brutal, but very rewarding.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Fortunately, for now, theres no one to blame for anything up here.....its a great place to be, and I look forward to it continuing to be great for anyone willing to take on the learning curve...it can be brutal, but very rewarding.

I agree. No doubt quality land access is one of the biggest issues in hunting. Fortunately we don't have that issue here in the NW

[Heredoggydoggy]

I'd vote, but there isn't a "None Of The Above".

[alwinearcher]

Speaking of TV attention... I heard through the rumor mill that there is a big shot from back eats showing up to film a hunt for the Outdoor Channel in WA the first 10 days of sept
Dang it, we are all ruined!

[huntnnw]