most hunters are great

[leechlake]

I just wanted to briefly mention that throughout my hunting career I have rarely met in the field a fellow hunter that was a jerk. We tend to mention the people who irritate us here on fm but I think it needs to be mentioned that from time to time when I run into a fellow hunter on public land the person is nearly always someone who if I knew better could be one of my "hunting buddies." I bet that rings true for most of us? The next ten guys you meet in the woods most likely 9 or more will be like the above.

[Coach1310]

Well said. It's the world we live in....always talk about the bad when they are in the minority....kudos to the courteous and respectful sportsman

[Scott K]

This is my experience also, I dont hunt public land much, but when I have most people will be very nice, and even helpfull. I have had people help drag deer, even have given me a ride when I locked my keys in my truck. Its easy to complain about the ones who piss you off, and you usually dont remember the ones that are nice. Most are sportsman!

[snapcrackpop]

Good post!

I hunted a new area this opener Up North. Walking along an old, overgrown road in the middle of a section I found a good tree to climb about noon. It already had branches cut down from previous years.

While I was sitting there 2 guys from St. Cloud came through and we visited briefly. I said this looks like a good spot and found the area on airphotos. He said, "yea, how do you like my handiwork?" I said, "I'm sorry, I didn't know this was your spot. "Did you want to sit here today, I can find another? Just looking around anyways." He said "no, go ahead, were hunting further south." Then I checked to see if he wanted it tomorrow morning.

Good visit and nice people most of the time I'm out too.

[vermilionwally]

I guess ive been lucky so far and have not met any "jerks" in the woods yet. Ive only met a couple people on public land and both times just had a quick friendly conversation, then continued hunting.

[Craig_S]

The vast majority of hunters are better than great. They are the best people I will every meet. And I'm proud to be in their company.

There are a few, probably less than one in ten, that sour it for us all. They run in packs. And deserve to be exposed. And run out of the woods. I think it might be getting worse. Tradition seems to be losing ground.

Normally, I look for the shiny side of everything. And the one I see here is that the majority can clean the pool.

Read these forums. If you see something that bothers you, chime right in. I think a lot of folks on these forums are pretty surprised when somebody calls their rough ethics. And maybe, just maybe they will change.

IF you see a violation, call TIP. 1-800-652-9093. Program it into your phone. Help keep our image what it needs to be. If not, my kid and your kids may not enjoy what we had.

Craig

[Shack]

I would agree with the name of this thread!

[Sandmannd]

Kingfisher and I met a few hunters while we were out and they were all great to talk too. I'll go one further and say it's not just the hunter, but outdoorsman in general. While fishing I haven't met too many that won't talk to you and enjoy what you do. Also, many thanks to this site. I've met a handful of people off of here and have made some real good friends here. I think in general we are all cut from the same type of cloth. I look forward to meeting more folks out there.

[Shack]

I figured you would run into "good people" out here.

I wish you or KF had shot a deer. Let me know if you or KF go back out.

[chucker34]

Ditto. A shout out to my neighbor who helped me track a wounded deer we were never able to find. But the guy was great, he helped me track all afternoon and into the evening and gave me advice on where to look the next day. This from a I guy I've talked to once in the three years we've lived there. He said he had a lot of fun doing it. Great guy. The silver lining in the whole experience.