Accomplished Hunter.....

[shootbrownelk]

Then why hunt? Why not save your money and just go for a hike instead?

Because hunting is about the experience, not just filling a tag. If that was the case, I'd shoot the first legal elk I saw, not hunt for big antlers. Filling a tag is not all important to me. And no, I do not consider myself an "Accomplished" hunter. I consider myself an average hunter. I'd consider Gordon, Mike, Guy & Ike Eastman accomplished hunters.

 

[Elkoholic307]

Passing on a spike and shooting a six point would be an accomplishment. Unless you're impressed by a wall full of spike mounts.

 

[Fink]

Accomplished max point holder

This made me Lol.

Accomplished hunter, trophy hunter, meat hunter, trophy animal..... We spend so much time trying segregating ourselves, or tying to put a definition on something, that we could ALL be accomplished hunters!

 

[tim]

where does setting your own goals and achieving them come into play?

 

[go_deep]

I want to fill my freezer ever year with wild game that's what I'm out to accomplish. I've shot a handful of net P&Y animals in my life and a net B&C, but they don't mean anything more to me than a doe, just want some good eats in the freezer. I think your an accomplished hunter when you can just be happy to have the opportunity to hunt.

 

[CrossCreeks]

Very broad question with many broad answers, this is mine. A person who has learned the habits, traits and living environment of the animal they hunt as well as the skills needed to fairly hunt the animal as well having the respect and love for the animal.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Great Hunter. Yes?

[video=youtube;gpHWv4qbYrI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpHWv4qbYrI[/video]

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Well.......maybe in the movies! LOL

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

That is all you need to know ... for now.

 

[Elkfitness]

You've come far pilgrim. Watch your top knot!

 

[Murdy]

Then why hunt? Why not save your money and just go for a hike instead?

When I hunt, I look at the woods differently, when I pick mushrooms, I look at the woods differently, and when I go for a hike, I also look at it differently. An unsuccessful hunt is not the same thing as a hike.

 

[Drhorsepower]

A hunter that meets his intended goal when hunting. Whether it's filling the freezer, or killing the biggest frigging animal on the mountain.

 

[CoHiCntry]

A lot of guys are describing what I would call content, satisfied, or rewarding. To me "accomplished" means something different. An accomplished hunter is someone who gets it done more times than not. He understands the land, the animals, and how to effectively stalk and kill them. This leads to a full freezer and animals on the wall if that's your thing.

If you had a once in a lifetime sheep tag in your pocket, which guy do you want to come along with you... the guy who is content to spend a great time in the mountains without being too concerned with the outcome. The one who's really only taken a few animals in their life. He doesn't really have a game plan or know what to do next. Or do you want the guy who's been on a dozen or more successful once in a lifetime hunts who has taken several sheep, knows without a doubt what to do and when to do it. He oozes of experience and confidence and you know that together you will get it done. There's nobody else you'd rather have on your team.

Accomplished goes hand in hand with successful, at least in this context. Not everybody will be an accomplished hunter to the degree that the next guy will be. Not everybody really feels the need to be. I've heard a lot of guy's saying they are content with what they do and the outcome. That's great! And the way it should be. So I guess accomplished can many different things to different people. This is just the way I see it.

 

[hoshour]

According to Webster's plain language definition, accomplished means:

very skillful : having or showing the skill of an expert
very successful : having done or achieved many good or important things

If you qualify for the first and have much time in, you'll qualify for the second definition, which is more interesting.

To me, you also have to add ethics and being helpful to others in the sport, especially those who are not as "accomplished." So, someone that shoots deer out from under other hunters or won't take the time to teach his kids or give some good advice to a fellow outdoorsman wouldn't qualify.

I think ethics also involves fair chase, keeping the woods cleaner than you found them, learning and appreciating the whole range of what you see and experience out there and being a credit to the sport, whether it's in conservation or passing along a great sport and tradition that becomes part of who you are as a man or woman.

 

[Elkoholic307]

When I hunt, I look at the woods differently, when I pick mushrooms, I look at the woods differently, and when I go for a hike, I also look at it differently.

When I make moonshine, I look at the woods differently.

 

[go_deep]

When I make moonshine, I look at the woods differently.

When I finish drinking a bottle of shine I see things differently

 

[Elkoholic307]

Raghorns become booners.

 

[lostinOregon]

I've thought about this a lot lately. Not about whether I am an accomplished hunter, but why I hunt. When I started and was younger I measured my success only by a kill. I now look forward to the planning process and the year leading up to the hunt as much as the hunt itself. There was a time I had a bunch of personal goals I wanted to achieve and most of the time it meant hunting by myself. I have acheived some of my goals and feel i have reached several personal accomplishments. Now I look at spending time with friends, taking a new family member every year to harvest their first mule deer and enjoying the experience. I measure my hunting season completely differently. I honestly think it has to do with my age and reflection.

If you are an accomplished hunter it should be an opinion or compliment that others give you. Not your own personal pat on the back.

Rich

 

[Musket Man]

Then why hunt? Why not save your money and just go for a hike instead?

Because hunting takes me places I wouldnt go without a tag. I wouldnt have backpacked the Maroon Bells in CO or Mallard Larkins in ID if I wasnt hunting. I never put my finger inside the trigger guard on either of those hunts but they are 2 of the best hunts i will ever go on in my life and I have no regrets about going home with a tag in my pocket on either. If you have to fill a tag to feel like you accomplished something or had a successful hunt you should quit hunting!

 

[CrimsonArrow]

I wouldn't ever have to buy meat at a grocery store. That's what makes me an accomplished hunter.