90 percenter

[Bonecollector]

Being on the East Coast, I'm in a similar situation. When I go West, I have "that" gear.

I'm 90% when it comes to muley scouting time vs talking about it time. It's 20hrs to where I like to hunt and 10hrs to even get to where they live in this state. And I do have gear (spotter, binos, rifle, GPS, clothing, boots, packs, etc) solely geared to out-of-state hunts. That far away I need it to be reliable and not used & abused during our 150 day season.

 

[THelms]

You might be a 90%-er if...

...you've ever bought one arrow the day before archery season opens.
...complained about having to buy an entire box of ammo or pack of broadheads, again the day before season.
...get pm's from people with one or two posts asking for advice!


On a side note... it does bother me that the industry seemingly deems those of us who hold down 40-80 hour per week jobs, support a family, and give some time to our communities, less because we don't get up at four a.m. to scout before work or neglect our family responsibilities to perfect our "woodcraft". I truly rue the fact that I haven't shot my bow or rifle since last fall (fired my 7mm RUM once and my 257 Wthby twice; killed a bull elk, a buck pronghorn, and a buck whitetail). Unfortunately, I simply have not had the time to get to the range. I get Sundays off and I should not be made to feel like less of a hunter (90%-er) because I realize that hunting is my hobby and while it is a passion it is not my profession! That said, with Basketball season winding down I'm looking forward to limbering up the flyrods, dusting off the bow, and breaking out the firearms for some fun and practice between now and next season. With a little one due in May I know that my schedule will be taking another hit but that is life. I want my wife and my kids to look at me in 40 years and say, "yeah, my husband/dad was a 10%-er, he gave us everything he had, we were the most important thing in his life next to his faith!" That's my goal.

 

[CoHiCntry]

I want my wife and my kids to look at me in 40 years and say, "yeah, my husband/dad was a 10%-er, he gave us everything he had, we were the most important thing in his life next to his faith!" That's my goal.

This is WAY, WAY more important than our hobby, hunting. I don't think anyone should "feel bad" and I also don't think the author was trying to do that. He obviously is a 10%er... maybe less. I don't know him personally but have seen his name around enough to know he's an accomplished hunter. The article does a good job (IMO) of explaining why 10% of the hunters kill 90% of the big game. Instead of studying the latest piece of gear from KUIU, we might spend some time learning about the game we pursue and how to effectively pursue them. I'm not a 90%er, I'm also not a 10%er... we all fall somewhere in the spectrum though. The article helped me to see some areas where I can improve. At the end of the day, if your happy with your outcome it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks!

Oh yeah and you said you killed an elk, a pronghorn and a deer last year. In my opinion you are NOT a 90%er! No matter your time constraints. I know a local guy or two who has no idea what KUIU, Kifaru, or Sitka gear even is and they kill elk and deer every year! Some really nice one's too. They are 10%ers because they know how to hunt! Nothing wrong with having quality gear, I have lots of it! But if your banging your head against the wall because you can't kill an animal yet you have tons of time and money wrapped up in gear, and fitness supplements, you might be able to see where your lacking from an article like this and fix the problem!

 

[ScottR]

This is WAY, WAY more important than our hobby, hunting. I don't think anyone should "feel bad" and I also don't think the author was trying to do that. He obviously is a 10%er... maybe less. I don't know him personally but have seen his name around enough to know he's an accomplished hunter. The article does a good job (IMO) of explaining why 10% of the hunters kill 90% of the big game. Instead of studying the latest piece of gear from KUIU, we might spend some time learning about the game we pursue and how to effectively pursue them. I'm not a 90%er, I'm also not a 10%er... we all fall somewhere in the spectrum though. The article helped me to see some areas where I can improve. At the end of the day, if your happy with your outcome it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks!

Oh yeah and you said you killed an elk, a pronghorn and a deer last year. In my opinion you are NOT a 90%er! No matter your time constraints. I know a local guy or two who has no idea what KUIU, Kifaru, or Sitka gear even is and they kill elk and deer every year! Some really nice one's too. They are 10%ers because they know how to hunt! Nothing wrong with having quality gear, I have lots of it! But if your banging your head against the wall because you can't kill an animal yet you have tons of time and money wrapped up in gear, and fitness supplements, you might be able to see where your lacking from an article like this and fix the problem!

Nailed it!

 

[THelms]

I don't mean to throw Aaron under the bus on this, that is not my intent. I simply get frustrated with the idea that we "have to be..." to be successful. Success is an individual measure.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Sign up on a random hunting forum to not request honey holes, but to gather exact GPS locations to hunt..... yeah I helped a guy out with exactly that, haven't heard a word from him since.

Been there done that...... More then once.

The helping part to be clear. Ha

 

[micropterus79]

This might be the wrong thread but can I get GPS coordinates for y'alls favorite hunting areas in AZ??

I will also need to borrow pants (sitka only please) and a knife...thanks in advance!

 

[lostinOregon]

I hope that some of you don't misinterpret the fun. I would say to some that have posted if your total self worth is tied up in your hunting record than your priorities are messed up. Family is and should be your first priority and measuring a persons status by his hunting prowess was not the intention. I have an odd sense of humor, so this stuff cracks me up. I think we all understand the true measure of a man is not whether he is a 10 percenter.

Packmule, you are a 10 percenter

Rich

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Been there done that...... More then once.

The helping part to be clear. Ha

Thanks for the coords, sucker!

This thread is funny with the slob hunter stories, but I agree that isn't what Aron's article was about.

My take from the article was:

Being fit, having great gear, and reading forums don't make you a good hunter, but all of those things can help the good hunter.

 

[25contender]

Below is my favorite from here on the east coast. Since the late 1980s I cant tell you how many people commited to go Elk Hunting out west with me then have backed out on me at the last minute. I had all but given up asking anyone then last year I finally had someone commit and go. It only took 27 years!!


Elk hunting cant be any harder than deer hunting here.

 

[az.mountain runner]

Just spent all your money on Russell hunting clothes, to find out they are no longer making hunting clothes,that includes boots,bow,rangefinder because buy the time you have the money to buy it the following year it becomes obsolete .

 

[packmule]

Packmule, you are a 10 percenter

Rich

I feel I am when it comes to our whitetail and their mannerisms. Luckily differing species require the same necessities so some of the knowledge can be transferred.

 

[MWScott72]

You hike 3.5 miles in the snow towards your hunting spot only to realize during a quick break (and check of your license) that your hunt ended the day before. Man...that was a long, frustrating hike back to the truck.

 

[HeartElk1]

Great thread to have fun with and keep going...

Sure you have a freezer full of venison, but only because your state implemented a Wildlife Salvage (road-kill) program last year.

You realize that the most effective piece of "hunting gear" you've ever purchased is the grille guard on your wife's SUV.

You camo-painted your jacked-up pickup truck to make it even more effective as a "Rolling Ground Blind."

 

[2rocky]

I remember the Story in Eastman's about this Fella on the Cover...

I think shooting an 80's vintage bow, and wearing "WW2 duck hunter camo" .

He managed to get it done on a bull of a lifetime.

I think about that often when the Catalogs come at Christmas.

 

[QuazyQuinton]

Your kids can recite the narration from your hunting DVD's, but they've never been with you on a successful hunt.

QQ

 

[Wyoming Hart]

You pull into the parking lot at 5 minutes to daybreak, unload your ATV, drive to the top of the mountain that was a mile or so ride, pass the 10%er that left an hour or so earlier and hiked to the top, and be in your tree stand "taj mahal" for a day of hard hunting. This has been a pet peeve of mine for so long. And they always seem to shoot the biggest bucks.

 

[ColoradoV]

I was not able to read the article but here is my 2cents.

To me a 90% is the guy who has to buy a magazine to tell him where to hunt...

Or the guy who builds a ton of points and posts on a forum about what is the best unit for a 380 bull or 180+ buck with 29 points...

But the guy who shows up at the trailhead with 3k in spanking new gear and is going to hike far enough to "get away from the crowds" with never even seeing the unit other than on google earth takes the cake..

Now a 90% like me takes the kids out along with the wife many days, get out with my 71 year old father more days than not, always seem to have a non hunter who is looking to but never seems to get hunters safety tagging along, and able to keep a perspective that hunting is not a competition but a time to share outdoors and make memories w family/friends as well as building new relationships. Guys like us dont chase the best units but hunt usually only one state where we can be with or near family... That is why I am happy to say I identify more with 90%ers than 10%ers.

Now how many more bucks or bulls would my 10% self would have killed only hunting alone in a tent for a 5 day hunting stent or leave the family at home with the wife for a out of state hunt - a lot more I am sure. How many animals would I have seen glassing that last 15 min of light but would ensure I arrive back to camp when the kido's were asleep? A few but making a dutch oven cobbler and watching the sunset with the family makes up for it... I have not even got a deer since 2012 but I would not trade any buck or bull if it takes away from my time in the hills with family/friends.

 

[laxwyo]

I totally get the last post. How many weeks of hardcore hunting have I given up just to keep hunting with my dad. Never know when that could end. It's a good gig. Has a nice warm trailer and we drive each morning to little spots on the mountain we know so well to hike for 3 or 4 hours.

 

[CrimsonArrow]

You think a can call is essential deer hunting gear

I've arrowed several deer that never would have come in range without the can call.