Gents I haven't posted much since the 2000's but didn't we used to have more action here? You guys need to dig guys like NitroX and Mike375 out of retirement or wherever they are lurking these days There were some spectacular fights back in the day but a lot of great information and threads sprung up too.

I suspect folk dont post any more because of those spectacular fights , along the abusive personal messages that some posters specialized in if anyone had a viewpoint that wasnt theirs.

The people are still here , they just dont post.....

Muzza I'd say the opposite, when people were debating there was the most activity. You weren't shy about getting amongst it and making a few personal comments yourself I remember

That was 10 years ago anyway. The forum chugged along nicely for quite a few years after that. This is a more recent observation so if those folks are here but not posting, maybe they should start again.

In my opinion the 5 or 6 sticky posts at the top of the forum probably don't help. They are good for reducing traffic on busy forums, but not the best idea on a small one.

There are several thousand views for those stickies and a lot of these views might have been an actual question posted and conversation developed instead. Just a thought...

Problem was Karl that is wasn't any form of debate. It was name calling and nastie crap that I for one don't miss. Yes it has been quiet here, for me, well I haven't been hunting for awhile, hopefully that will change with my move north.

I would love people to post more of their hunts. Hopefully it wont draw the crabs like it used to.

If you don't like the sticky's you but have to ask and I'll take them down.

The intent of stickies is not highlighting recent subjects of interest, they are "stuck" at the head of forums to provide ease of access to basic items of interest/background info to the forum objective & intent............this is to minimise repetitive threads about those basic items of interest/background info (primarily by new members or those new to the area/subject of the forum.)

Stickies & the intent of their use has evolved over a considerable period of time & experience on a wide variety of internet forums.

In this role they do not detract from a forum, they assist its efficient function.
5 stickie threads on a first page of 25 thread subjects in this forum is not unreasonable in comparison to typical forum of the type.

From time to time stickies are used to assist to highlight a high profile current subject thread. Periodic review by the forum moderator is appropriate to remove from 'stickie' status threads whose useful 'useby' date has passed.

As the moderator of forums on another international sporting activity website (unrelated to shooting/hunting) I can only see one thread in the 'stickie' list of this forum where its useful 'useby' date might possibly be considered for review..........probably when another high interest current issue raises its head.

Keep up the good work Bakes......Moderating is a necessary, but typically thankless task as forum "policeman"

Karl , I admit to holding my ground in some of those discussions , often on my own too , but I suspect the problem here is that forums tend to have a shelf life for regular users. Many of the past users are now found on the hunting forums in both Oz and NZ , and the various Facebook pages that cater to all sorts of interests.

I still post pics of our occasional hunting escapades , and seldom get a lot of response - and often have to ask myself why I continue . But if I stop , then its one less poster and that only perpetuates the cycle

It good to see you back , and would be good to see some pics of your hunting adventures sometime . Any pics are better than no pics .

There are always nasty undertones in this section of AR that you don't seem to get on other forums. I don't know why.

People are strange Matt. You can't like everyone. Hunters and shooters are also a free thinking lot who will not just agree with one another just because we share a common interest.

There isn't anything left to argue about. Everything is settled, history is written and unchangeable. Things that have been settled in no particular order are:

Softs are better than solids

30-06 is better than .308

Water buffalo are at least as cool as Cape buffalo

Bolts are better than doubles.

Soccer is better than cricket but neither is very important.

Ginger is hotter than Maryanne.

Since everything worth settling is settled there's nothing left to argue about.

Still always energy vs hole diameter.

Sometimes less is more. We don't need any more importers stirring up politicians, for one thing. Some of the stuff sold already is putting profits against shooters' long-term interests.

quote:

Originally posted by sheephunterab:
Still always energy vs hole diameter.

Better to put energy to work producing hole diameter, this is the Aussie forum. They tend to shoot it in the head and wonder what the fuss was about. Dang, that one has already been done to death too.