New to Duck Hunting?

[Wingman]

Randy,

Can you type a post without using italics?

[Anatidae]

I doubt it.

[cwink]

Anatidae,

I agree that my comments could be stereotyping, but it was in response to comments I have seen in other threads. Being new to duck hunting, I was lumped into the same stereo type from comments by some of the "more experienced" hunter.

I was more interested to see if that truely was the feeling of the "more experienced" hunters, or just the ranting of a few. Your going to have extremes in every group.

New hunters, who no matter how hard you try to help them understand what being a sportsmans is all about, simply want to go out and "kill something"

More experienced hunters, who will never accept the youth that is coming in and the different ideals they may have.

I have yet to run into anyone in the field that has showed any animocity towards me. Everyone I ran into have been friendly and eager to help a newbie out.

This thread was an attempt to hopefully bring those extremes a little closer together, because I think that the future of this sport needs both the experience of it's past and the energy of it's youth.

[Anatidae]

I agree that my comments could be stereotyping, but it was in response to comments I have seen in other threads. Being new to duck hunting, I was lumped into the same stereo type from comments by some of the "more experienced" hunter.

I understood what you were saying.....merely pointing-out the problem (stereotyping). And, yes.....it's unfair to those who don't deserve the 'labels'. I just hope I wasn't one of the ones who left you with a negative impression.

I was more interested to see if that truely was the feeling of the "more experienced" hunters, or just the ranting of a few. Your going to have extremes in every group.

I think it's more 'ranting of the few' than the overall sentiment of one group of hunters towards another. The only way to get a true sense of how folks feel, is to meet'em in person.....'cause we're all different.......and this medium (talk forum) doesn't lend well to accurate assessment of people (until you've analyzed some of their posts). So, it works both ways.....you have to do a certain amount of personal assessment to determine which people you truly respect and which ones you are just polite to.

New hunters, who no matter how hard you try to help them understand what being a sportsmans is all about, simply want to go out and "kill something"

That's part of the process of growth as a hunter....regardless of the game.

More experienced hunters, who will never accept the youth that is coming in and the different ideals they may have.

I think that depends entirely on the individual....both the crusty old traditionilst (like myself)......and the young person coming-up.....and I think you will find your next staement more the norm than the exception.....

I have yet to run into anyone in the field that has showed any animocity towards me. Everyone I ran into have been friendly and eager to help a newbie out.

So, don't worry about werds on a computer screen....that generalize and stereotype folks.....lumping you in whatever group they want to exclude you from......they haven't met you yet, and if they don't give you a chance....then, maybe that's THEIR loss, not yours.

This thread was an attempt to hopefully bring those extremes a little closer together, because I think that the future of this sport needs both the experience of it's past and the energy of it's youth.

I admire that..........that statement alone, shows that you care about the sport of duck hunting.......that's enough to make me want to welcome you to the sport and help you anyway I can. Those that feel like duck hunting is an entitlement.....I might hold to a higher standard. If you've ever noticed......whenever a 'new' guy posts-up for the first time........everybody's polite and says welcome, and all that?......well, how the hell do I know whether I'd want to share the sport of duck hunting with him, until I get to know him a little better? But that's just how protective I am about the things I cherish. I'm not being mean, or unfreindly......I'm just not real enthusiastic about flooding the sport with folks that MAY have little regard for the heritage, or those that enjoy and honor it. Yes......in my book, we all have to prove ourselves.

Your statement also shows that you have a certain amount of respect for us older guys. I learned the sport from my Dad, Granddad's, uncle, and older brothers......in other words.....it was passed-down through the generations. That's a pricelss legacy and a precious gift. So, I have a tendancy to scoff at anything 'new', 'better', or 'revolutionary'.....because I like things just the way they ARE.....(or 'were'....depending upon your perspective). I feel I owe it to those men to honor that tradition and pass it on to someone else. But like you said...there appears to be so many out there who are just in it for the 'numbers' and it's difficult to explain that there's more to duck hunting than doing whatever it takes to kill a limit. (here we go, stereotyping, again). Just remain true to the sport, set the best example, be the best hunter you can be, and be patient with the ones that don't 'get-it'.

'Hunting defines the hunter'.

[Anatidae]

I found the following excerpt interesting.......the article appears in Dec 2004-Jan 2005 issue of Wildfowl Magazine.

Hunter behavior mirrors human growth and development over a lifetime. The basic pattern is described in Maslow's infamous "hierarchy of human needs." He proposed five levels of human need ranging from basic physiological need (for example, the need for food) up to the highest level, which he called "self-actualization" when a person reaches for the fullest lifetime achievement of their capacity. As needs are met at each level, new needs are developed at the next highest level.

The hierarchy kicks in for young or new hunters, once lower basic needs are met, the person is introduced to waterfowling and he or she has access to the resources required to become a waterfowler. This entry level is based on the strong need for the average person to feel part of a group, or social acceptance. The young or new hunter neds to feel accepted by his family or peers, and will go considerable lengths to ensure that happens. It may be lugging decoys or cleaning birds, but the reward comes when an experienced hunter says,"It was sure good having you back me up out there, we make a great team!" This is the stuff of lifetime memories, being first recognized as a contributor to the group.

But once social acceptance is achieved and a proficient skill-set is in place, the hunter naturally aspires to a higher need for autonomy and self esteem. The hunter feels secure and accepted, but now wants to be recognized for who he is, rather than for what he can do for others. The hunter becomes more independant, arranging his own hunts and taking out others. His knowledge and skills as a hunter continue to flourish and his reputation builds with finding and killing birds.

The final level, self-actualization, is only achieved with time and maturity, first as a human being, then as a hunter. The pinnacle is reserved for those who have "nothing left to prove," not because they are more skilled or successful at killing birds than those at lower levels, but because their needs and goals have matured beyond the markers that create satisfaction in the minds of those at other levels. These needs are expressed in many ways. It may be the desire to hunt over their own carved blocks, or they may become a student of waterfowling traditions and history. Some waterfowlers join conservation organizations, learning to grow within groups of peers and to "put back" something as payback for years of enjoyment in the field. Others become fascinated with biology and gain a tremendous practical knowledge or waterfowl and their habits. One older gentleman wanted to become an expert caller, and would bring flight after flight of birds over the blocks, only to wave them away and see if he could call them back again.

Odds are against most waterfowlers making it far into the self-actualization stage. But this has nothing to do with a lack of wealth, privilege or education. The waterfowlers market-profile is a self-made, independant male who is better off financially than the general public, largely because of pure grit. Waterfowling attracts folks with a "come from behind" attitude and competitive nature. Many waterfowlers earn their living as entrepreneurs. Duck hunting doesn't attract easy going couch potatoes. A duck hunter's autonomy, like good hunting, is hard-won by most, not passed on as privilege.

While these are great characteristics, the downside is that numbers and "tangibles" tend to motivate the waterfowler, whether he is judging finances or the success of a hunt. It's conflicting for most to brag about a great hunt, when two ducks were shot. The numbers/ego link is tightly tied to the self-esteem level of Maslow' hierarchy. It's a tough barrier to break.

[Jordan River]

Great post.

[Anatidae]

which one?

[Jordan River]

heiarchy of needs one. makes sense.

[crow]

cwinkler, you are correct. There has, and always will be comments about the "newbies," "kneebooters," "topwaters," and other names aimed at those new to the sport. I have an unusually caring compassion toward "young" hunters just learning the sport. They don't know any better than to do some dumb stuff, just like I didn't know better. I have less compassion for those who are older, new to the sport, and ought to know how to act.

But, this ain't nothing new. I remember hanging out with my Papaw and his friends, or standing around the old men down by the courthouse who used to play dominoes all day. They were always on the "younguns" about something.

Also, remember this is the internet, the new "old west!" Everybody is ten foot tall and bulletproof on the internet. It's a way for some folks to be more than they are and some even to be what they never have been! Don't take to heart everything you read on an internet forum. It is amazing how different some folks are from their online persona. I am not nearly as articulate and bright as I appear on msducks. However, all the women do find me devastatingly handsome!

crow

[cwink]

Thanks all, I appreciate the comments. Good to know that the majority of the waterfowlers are out there for the right reasons.