Unhappy Hunters

Most serious Texas deer hunters knew months ago that this last deer season would be a tough one due to the above average rainfall we received earlier in the year. The thick vegetation made it difficult to see deer, plus it provided them with more than adequate nutrition keeping the mature deer from visiting feeders. Yes, it has been a season that proved to be challenging, but it also has been a season where it has turned lots of hunters into cry babies.

I can’t remember ever hearing hunters complain about hunting as they have this year. While I listen to their stories, one common denominator comes up. Their hunt didn’t live up to their expectations. If each of these hunters would have only killed what they were after, then they’d be happy.

Recently I received several letters from viewers that were complaining about locations we have featured on our programs. Their intent is to make me aware of how their “dream hunt” went on a particular place. Most of them start by saying they love our show and after seeing a particular place featured on our program, they decided to book a hunt there. It goes on describing a series of events that ultimately leads up to the hunter not killing their buck(s). Some of these letters actually mention legal action against the outfitters that took them on their hunt while others simply would be happy if they had an opportunity to return (if only for a day or two).

One letter mentions that they saw as many as 25 bucks in a single sitting and their guide would not let them shoot. They went on to say that none of the bucks met the 5 ½ year old minimum required by the ranch. On this ranch (like most), bucks aren’t taken until they reach maturity and the hunter was aware of that before they booked the hunt. It amazes me to read these letters because I learn so much about people. Some letters actually state, “they paid to kill, not to hunt”. Needless to say, writing this on this topic is embarrassing not only to me but to all true hunters. But what ever happened with “fair chase”?

I believe that everything possible should be done (by the outfitter) in order to assure success as long as it is legal and ethical. But each of these “cry baby hunters” seem forget ethics late in their hunt and replace it with the absolute necessity to kill. Many a hunter has heard the old saying “if you killed something every time you went hunting, they’d call it killing rather than hunting.”

In order to grow trophy deer it takes time, money and lots of patience. Sure, most deer hunters would like to take a trophy home, but it’s not as easy as they’d like. Mature animals are not only smart; they can be absolutely brilliant.

I know of several deer breeding operations where there may be as many a ten deer living in a single two acre enclosure. These enclosures have helped me learn how difficult whitetails can be. There are times when it is virtually impossible to see any of these enclosed deer. They are able to use every bit of cover available to them to hide. I’ve actually seen them lie on the ground and stretch their necks out (with their chin flat to the ground). If you didn’t catch the glimpse of an ear twitch or an antler shine, you wouldn’t see them. I’ve even entered these enclosures to make sure the deer were still there because they couldn’t be seen from the outside. But they will eventually expose themselves if pushed hard enough.

In order for us to produce 26 original hunting shows each year we are on the road a lot. We feature the best hunting locations we can find. Do we have success on every hunt? If you define success by the placing of a tag on a downed animal the answer is no. But if success is measured in the overall experience, the answer is yes.

To me a successful hunt begins with the question, is there a reasonable opportunity to take a mature animal and do it under fair chase conditions? Additional considerations come after that such as adequate lodging, meals, attentive camp personnel, transportation and more.

“Fair chase” has been defined as the pursuit of a wild animal in their natural habitat, wherein the animal has every opportunity to fully utilize its inherent survival instincts and skills to elude its pursuer.

I remember as a child playing games with neighbor children and there always was a cry baby. Eventually, we would leave them out of our activities because we got tired of hearing them complain. When I fished bass tournaments, there were cry babies. They’d always find some reason to complain. Eventually, they became outcasts and nobody wanted to be around them. I guess everywhere you look you can find a cry baby. Unfortunately, when it comes to this past deer seasons hunters you don’t have to look far.