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December 2005 Feature Article:

Hunting's Dilemma: Balancing Cost, Access and Opportunity

Please use this area to post comments or questions about this feature article.

[Summit Hunter]

Good article. I have two comments. First, designation of national forest or other public land as "wilderness" does not take hunting land away from anyone. Some people do not have the physical ability to hunt in congressionally designated wilderness areas, but then there have always been blank spots on the map. I know that expectations have changed in our "fast food" society, and a lot of hunters will no longer stray very far from their four-wheelers. However, some of us still place a high value on trips into remote country. Wilderness provides the physically fit hunter an excellent opportunity to find solitude and a good selection of animals.

Second, a large portion of the access issue is directly related to the quality of trophies. A lot of guys will always be focused on trophy animals, but I don't believe finding a huge royal bull elk is part of our hunting heritage. I suppose some folks can afford to drive around on ATVs until they find a trophy-class animal, but I am grateful to find meat. I believe the challenge of the hunt and finding meat is our hunting heritage. I am even more grateful if I can find meat in a remote backcountry area, where I do not have to put up with a lot of "tourist" hunters.

Now, some of the gents on this site would undoubtedly call me a green or newbie hunter, and in fact I am. However, I spent a few years in the military, serving in airborne units of the U.S. Army. I understand the value of hard work. Think about the ex-paratroopers or ex-marines you might know personally, and ask yourself why they are proud of their military service. They are proud because it was hard. Likewise with any Ph.D. candidates or business owners you may know. People assess more value to that which took great effort to earn.

Each time this greenhorn hunter grills a few cow elk steaks for his family, he is as proud as any so-called trophy hunter, because he carried the quarters on his own back. Working hard for your meat is the ultimate in trophy hunting. Period. And that's what I teach my 7 year old son. That's why I spend time schooling my son in backbacking and navigation techniques.

Hope I haven't offended any of you personally. We each have our own motivations for hunting. Mine is to get out into the backcountry, participate in nature and honor my heritage. We're not going to change the fact that this is America and a lot of people will restrict access to private land where "trophies" might roam. But then I don't feel the need for a 6x6 hanging on the wall. However, we can get in shape and get out beyond the masses. And we'll earn more respect as a community for our greater efforts.

[WesternHunter]

I agree with you Summit Hunter. I think we in todays era have made hunting more expensive than it really used to be or should ever be. Too many hunters place too much importance on the so-called Trophy.

[walker]

Antler lust drives a lot of this. I never could understand that. I think many hunters feel they can't brag about their hunt unless they have huge antlers to show for it.

Me, I'am happy with a an antlerless "trophy". :) It has more to do with the experience. I just can't get myself to pay a guy to lead me around the woods or mtns.

[tim]

I do agree that we need to keep the wilderness we have.
But we don't need anymore designated wilderness. There is already alot of that land out here in the west. and alot of that land doesn't get much use. Especially in the winter.

tim