Let me start by saying this isn't some type of indictment or criticism of one hunting style versus another. It is just a discussion I've been having with myself and wanted to get input from folks on this forum.

I've been away from big game hunting for many years. In Arizona, it can be darn near impossible for a rifle hunter like myself to get drawn for most of the big game hunts. Accordingly, I put away my rifle and have been wearing out shotguns and fly rods for the past 20+ years.

I've reached a point in my life where I can afford to spend a few bucks and go big game hunting outside my state with outfitters/guides. As I study the opportunities and rediscover American big game hunting, I've noticed some changes since I last was afield. For example, my father and I always hunted by doing lots of tracking, walking and stalking. Most shots were under 200 yards and many under 100. We would never have considered taking a shot past 300 yards. Long range hunting has clearly become an alternative for any type of big game hunting. While sheep and antelope were the species I used to expect longer shots on, now I find that folks are taking elk and deer at yardages usually reserved for the varmint specialists.

I've also noticed lots of hunting from stands (i.e. Texas deer, etc). Again, this was not part of my mindset when I was regularly afield.

I still can get around the mountains and valleys I like to hunt (althought I need more medication at the end of the day), but I'm wondering if my old method of hunting elk, deer, antelope, etc has become outdated? Do I need to modify my approach for hunting with modern big game outfitters and guides? I've got nothing against any new methods of legally taking big game; however, I simply prefer to walk, track and stalk to the closest range possible.

As they said in Cool Hand Luke, I need to get my mind right. Thanks.

You don't need to modify anything. Your style of hunting is the way it should be. The newest, latest, and greatest ways of hunting are hopefully just FADS and hopefully people will go back to HUNTING instead of SHOOTING. I bet back then when you were hunting, you didn't complain that your buck had a broken tine, or that an extra point here or there would be a deduction. I bet you actually noticed the smell of sage on a cold morning, or the beauty of coyotes howling in the distance. Do what you did back then and you will be fine. You don't even need an ATV or a superultramagnumshortmag.

I've killed 12 elk on 15 DIY hunts to WY and numerous mule deer bucks and does as well as antelope on western hunting trips. Countless Whitetail deer east of the big river and I've shot exactly one head of BG at a distance beyond 300 yards. And then I was kinda showing off. It wasn't because I had to.
+1 to what Mr Hawg said.

quote:

Originally posted by MrHawg:
You don't need to modify anything. Your style of hunting is the way it should be. The newest, latest, and greatest ways of hunting are hopefully just FADS and hopefully people will go back to HUNTING instead of SHOOTING. I bet back then when you were hunting, you didn't complain that your buck had a broken tine, or that an extra point here or there would be a deduction. I bet you actually noticed the smell of sage on a cold morning, or the beauty of coyotes howling in the distance. Do what you did back then and you will be fine. You don't even need an ATV or a superultramagnumshortmag.

Thanks for your comments. I'm 54 and don't kick butt like I used to; however, I still enjoy the walks. For me, there is nothing like cutting some fresh tracks and seeing if I can find the animal that put them there.

I don't think as much has changed as you think.
I don't imagine there are many treestands or beanfields in Arizona. Your old methods are probably what most others there are using. In the east, we have used treestands for years, we have more trees.

People lie, I don't think shots are as much longer than you think. My shots have been getting closer over the last 10 years.

quote:

Originally posted by wasbeeman:
I've killed 12 elk on 15 DIY hunts to WY and numerous mule deer bucks and does as well as antelope on western hunting trips. Countless Whitetail deer east of the big river and I've shot exactly one head of BG at a distance beyond 300 yards. And then I was kinda showing off. It wasn't because I had to.
+1 to what Mr Hawg said.

I'd like to know more about DIY hunts in WY. I've done some serious fishing in that state and would love to hunt some of the mule deer I've seen. I've always thought it required an outfitter and guide to hunt WY. If you can get me pointed in the right direction, I'd be very appreciative.

My Dad and I hunted the AZ White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation in 1970 (the last year before the tribe took control of its hunting/fishing). This area has some of the largest elk on the planet. My Dad put a long stalk on a very old bull that had been through many battles. His rack was worn and well past its prime. While it would have been great to get a B&C elk on that hunt, it was very satisfying to walk with my Dad and watch him use the wind, cover and his hunting experience to get a 75 yard shot on that old boy.

BTW, we were wearing Levi's, Pendleton flannel shirts and my Dad's Air Force flight jackets. We thought we looked very sporty and the elk did not seem to mind that we weren't wearing camo.

quote:

Originally posted by bja105:
I don't think as much has changed as you think.
I don't imagine there are many treestands or beanfields in Arizona. Your old methods are probably what most others there are using. In the east, we have used treestands for years, we have more trees.

People lie, I don't think shots are as much longer than you think. My shots have been getting closer over the last 10 years.

I hear you Jason. My outdoor adventures have been limited to western US. I'm used to more open country and tree stands have not been part of the equation.

It has changed some, in the east. Can't speak of changes or not out west. Much of the tree stand hungting here is related to deer on smaller properties. In the states I hunt each fall, there have been a lot of houses built and large tracts have been made into smaller properties. Neighbors don't tend to let neighbors hunt on their properties as much anymore. Deer populations have been generally reduced through management objectives in the big woods, and populations are higher in the developed areas. Tree stands work well on small properties. It's not like you can still hunt on ten or fifteen acres. But if you go the the big tracts of forestland, be they paper company, national or state owned, you will find fewer tree stands and more guys and gals out there still hunting and stump sitting, just like our grandads did. Many of us still don't really care that much about big antlers. They are nice, but a plus, not necessarily the objective. It's the hunt, a few days away from work, and time in the woods.
Go out and have fun. Life isn't a TV show.
Bfly

quote:

Originally posted by Black Fly:
It has changed some, in the east. Can't speak of changes or not out west. Much of the tree stand hungting here is related to deer on smaller properties. In the states I hunt each fall, there have been a lot of houses built and large tracts have been made into smaller properties. Neighbors don't tend to let neighbors hunt on their properties as much anymore.

Yep. The loss of hunting grounds plus antler restrictions has seriously changed my hunting styles in the past 10-15 years. We used to still hunt and drive deer much more. The deer drives would cover a couple of miles. Now, we can't hunt on several of the properties.

As a result, my folks bought 25 acres and now we hunt out of stands.

Your best first stop for info in WY may well be the DNR. They are very pro active toward tourism. Which (I think) is now the #1 revenue producer in the state. They can give you blm maps, accesses, list of hunter friendly ranchers and some dutch uncle advise. They even have a hot line to call if you're needlessly hassled by a rancher when you're obviously on BLM or state land.
FYI, I did my elk hunting in the Big Horns out from Sheridan. Be in shape. I did my mule deer hunting acrost the hywy in the bad lands out from Kaycee. Be in shape.
Wife and I would make a total package of it in that we'd tent camp and come into town once a week or ten days to take showers at the truck stop, eat at a resturant and buy some more groceries and go back out.

Jeff,

All of my whitetail hunting in the US has been by tree stand or blinds. However I have enjoyed "walk and stalk" for Black Bear in BC and for Plains Game in Africa. These are my favorite two hunts and not just because of the game, but the style of hunting. I intend to put this into practice for some of my whitetail hunts.

I have noticed that considerably more of the hunting shows on TV are now utilizing more of the "walk and stalk" method for whitetail verses the "stand or blind". Have I just not been paying attention in the past, or is this a more recent direction the professional hunter is moving?

Fred

I still like the spot and stalk style, but I enjoy hunting in every style I can, but each terrain and locale presents challenges that may favor another style, and when in rome.... The 1000 yd shots show fantastic skill in shooting, but very little in fieldsmanship. Stand hunting can be necessary in really heavy terrain as well as dog hunts.

That said, their is something magical about sitting on a ridge line glassing for game, then doing your best to use cover and terrain to get within 100 yds before firing.

John

irreguardless of the change in hunting techniques, the game animal luckly hasn't.
they still leave tracks and keep your nose into the wind

quote:

Originally posted by Big Bore Boar Hunter:
The 1000 yd shots show fantastic skill in shooting, but very little in fieldsmanship... their is something magical about sitting on a ridge line glassing for game, then doing your best to use cover and terrain to get within 100 yds before firing.

John

The above captures the essence, in my opinion, of the difference between "hunting" and "shooting."

Perhaps another way to put it is this: as distance increases, the likilihood of game detecting its pursuer and fleeing diminishes; closer distances are more akin to "hunting", while further distances, therefore, are more akin to "shooting."

Don't get me wrong, my preference is to hunt game that is unaware of my presense, and hopefully therefore at ease. What's more, I have no problem with people shooting game at long ranges, if they have practiced and can consistently hit their target at long range.

What I'm not sure about is whether I would call shooting at ranges in excess of 400 or 500 yards "hunting."

Then again, I'm afraid the same could be said of any modern hunter with any high-power scoped rifle from someone a hundred years ago shooting iron sights or even black powder or traditional archery. To them, I suppose 300 yards is the same as 1000 yards is to me today.

In the end, the only line in the sand I would draw is, "how consistently can you make a clean kill?"

Happy New Year!

friar