Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    
    I saw Dick Idol two years ago in Manchester, N.H. at the White-Tail Tour.
    Dick's experience and method of "Patterning" Bucks was very interesting
    and quite frankly I learned something. 
    
    I had the opportunity at a break in the show to talk with Dick. I asked
    him why he doesn't hunt N.H./Maine. He said because it's to difficult
    and to time consuming.
    
    I heard than John Wootters (spelling?)  has stated many times that
    "Deer-Hunters from Northern New-England are very skilled
    deer-hunters compared to the Rest of the Country. He has hunted in N.H.
    many years ago one time and took a spike. The reason he feels we're
    very-good is because, we unlike most parts of the country have to really
    put in the time and effort, 90% of the time you could hunt 15 days
    and not ever see a deer, if you did it probably was the only one you
    would see.
    
    Again though he doesn't hunt N.H./Maine.
    
    Chuck Adams, and others are the same. How about George Klucky who lives
    in N.H... He's the guy that makes hunting movies of himself and clients
    hunting big-game all over the country. He's never taken a deer in his
    home state. I've asked George twice why he hasn't made a white-tail 
    
    What am I getting at here. It's these guys who in 99% of the cases have
    the money and most importantly the entire deer-season and some to hunt
    anywhere in North-America and who are mostly guided. Noel Feather for
    example has people scattered all over the mid-west looking for big
    monster bucks. When one is found Noel is called and if he likes what he
    sees he spends the entire season hunting.
    
    Hell we all could do that. 
    
    These guys just make me laugh at some of the things they say and do.
    
    I do respect them for what they've learned but I wonder how they would
    do in N.H. or Maine's heavy fir forests where when a deer steps out of
    the hemlock their really lost.
    
    Rick
    

    
    The first speaker, Peter FIducia, the one who talked about calling
    is from NY and says he has hunted alot in NY, Vt, NH and Maine. 
    Says rattling/calling works in this area, but the biggest enemy of
    rattline is yourself. You have to believe and have faith in it. 
    
    Alos, the more people around the less effective it is for you. The deer
    will probably cross someone elses path the before you see em. This 
    happened to him his first time rattline in NY, another guy threatened
    him, told him to shut up. Later he rattled some more, the guy was
    just about to come shoot Peter, when an 8 pointer came crashing out
    of the swamp, got his bearings and headed right for Peter, the other
    guy shot him.
    
    One thing Chuck Adams said, I heard a few comments about it, was 
    that some of these hunts are cheap, you could do them for $2000.
    doesn't sound cheap to me.
    
    --Bob
    
    

    yep, with enough money (and time!) you could hunt Texas every
    year and take a good buck. Guess if you make your money writing,
    you need to spend some money _getting_ something to write about.

    
    I had the opportunity to attend the March 7th show in Spokane,Wa.
    I can't say I was to impressed with the show. The trade show area
    had an NRA membership sign up, an NRA book/video sales area, a Rocky
    Mt Elk Foundation FYI booth, and the Whitetail Exhibit. Pretty bleak in
    my mind. The 3 speaker format in 3 hrs as a general session was okay.
    It sure seemed like the speakers had never presented to a group before
    or that they were given very little prep time and a lot a leeway in
    choosing a topic for discussion. Presentation skills need work!
    Our sessions dealt with 1) bow hunting in the west, from a generic
    perspective. Talked to the various animals that can be hunted/ could
    be hunted if the antis hadn't prevented a season ie Colorado/bear.
    2)An outfitter/ writer etc from Elko, NV. talked of hunting mule/
    whitetail with a bow. Had good footage of Dwight Schue (sp). This was a
    good talk. 3) Calling Elk was the 3rd session. Focused on the various
    styles and types of calls. Probably the best session.
    Overall, I think the NRA is using this as a membership drive. People
    who attended and were not NRA members could credit the $12 entry fee 
    toward a 1 year membership. Jr's became automatic members. The obvious
    cry for more support, which is needed, was heard. I felt more could
    have been done to provide attendees with the verbage needed to go back out
    and fight the gun cause, ie. handouts detailing issues to be addressed
    in letters to Congress etc. Hunters as a whole tend to be independent
    people pursuing what can be considered an individual sport. If we
    continue to sit back as passsive independent/hunters we will not have a
    sport to pursue. This message was delivered by all the speakers in
    their own style.
    
                                                        

    
    Has anyone in the North East had a chance to hit this years 
    tour? I am wondering if it is worth braving the snow for it 
    tonight in Manchester. Can anyone tell me who the speakers are
    and what the subject matter is? If it is identicle to last years
    then I will pass and spend the night infront of the wood stove,
    watching movies with the family. (Very cozy way to wait out 12+ 
    inches of snow!)
    
    --Bob