Remembering back

[MSDuckmen]

I joined this site back in June of 2001.
I can remember the day like it was yesterday. Old Duckhunt4 came by the house talking about this Mississippi duck hunting site where people of common interest would post question and talk about hunting. He was like a little boy telling me about new toy.
It wasn’t long after that the old boy posted a post about a guy that set up to close to us and he started getting raped by some of the members of the site. Old duckhunt4 is one of the calmest and nicest guys I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He kept telling me I need to get on to this site cause people could benefit from someone that has had years of success. I kept him at bay for several weeks until one day when the old boy was under fire by several of the posters. So much that he doesn’t even want to post anymore.
The part that bothers me the most about this is that it is people that reside in the same state as him. People that he thought he would have a common interest with.
What I have learned after posting on these sites for the past few years is that it is not what you know, how good you are at it or what you can offer but more with what you can do for someone.
As I scan through many of these posts it is apparent that most on here feel they are the ultimate hunter. They know more than anyone, they are quick to post insults, and basically proclaim to be the only ones with any sense at all.
I guess I could fall into that category as well. I feel that possibly I have proclaimed my morals, ethics, and vision of the outdoors on those that are not necessarily interested in what I have to say. I have allowed myself to fall into the arena of internet hunting professionals that know it all and pound my chest as being the best.
So where does one go when he can finally see that he has taken the bait and is hooked.
Well I’ll tell you where I’m going to go with it. I didn’t join this site to belittle anyone. Nor did I intend to prove my worth as a hunter. I joined to meet and talk hunting with people that have a common interest. What I have to offer is very little since we all are self-titled professional hunters. I am not a politically correct speaking person and have no intention of trying to be. What you see is what you get. You either like it or not. Those of you that have had to opportunity to spend time in my blind know that what I harp on in post on this site is how I live. If you don’t like it or you think that I have issues then I suggest you should take a long look at yourself before you condemn me for my way. Everyone has issues. Just because mine don’t fit into your mode of thinking does not mean that I need help.
I have found that typed words are many times viewed in a manner that the writer did not intend for it to be viewed. With out a face to face many times the intent of the post is lost in the emotion one feels while reading it. I would venture to say that many times post are put out there with the intent of causing flames. These I can spot in a flash but the others are much harder sometimes to decipher. Many a person on this site is quick to punch back at what they believe to be a challenge. I’m also guilty of that.
You can say you are disappointed in what someone posts on this board and you have opened the Pandora’s Box. You can post about weathering out a storm and someone is going to call the post stupid. You can ask a question and it is taken as a challenge or insult. You can joke with someone and they take it to heart. Above all each man’s religious beliefs are the only ones that are correct in his eyes.
Have you ever wondered why? It is because it is something that that person would never dream of doing. When it is so far out there that they can’t conceive it then it must be insane.
Where we are losing the true value of the internet is that it allows us to see how others feel and opens us up to a magnitude of new information. How you use it is up to you.
We have the ability to learn and experience things from people we have only briefly met at one time or another. Friendships can be built and knowledge can grow from a simple post.
I have in the past been accused of always distancing myself from others in post. I thought about that statement and it’s true. But I had to stop and think why. It was simple!
It’s because I am different than most on this board. I see things in a whole different light than most and that is not saying I’m right just different. One PM I got told me that people don’t want to socialize with me because they fear that I will condemn their way of doing things. That they are intimidated by me. What is there to be intimidated by? If you’re afraid of what someone else is going to say about how you are doing something then it is already in your head that there is something wrong with it.
My day of killing large numbers of game is over. I know longer feel the weight of my game bag as being the gauge for quality by which my hunt is measured. Each and every one of us is at different levels when it comes to using this resource. Where we have to go from here is understanding that each user has value, some good some bad but value none the less.
Let’s try to remember that next time before you push that reply button, I know I will

[RedEyed Duck]

Well said Duckmen, I for one welcome the knowledge, keep it comin'

[chopper30]

I'm with RD, been trying to work up the couriage to put a piss sack, and a rock out of the fire in my pocket ever since the deer story.

[dukbum]

i agree well said.....

[Jeff]

Dan ever since you joined this board I have enjoyed reading your posts, in fact I have enjoyed them about half to a quarter as much as I did eating your duck sausage at that first get together. You always have your own tilt on things and most of the time I really agree with it and if I don't I at least like to read your point cause it's a pretty good one. From a suzie shooter to a greenhead shooter keep it comin'!

[marionfd708]

i just wanna go huntin with ya. seriously i too enjoy reading your posts wether it be stories or otherwise.
keep em coming
kev.

[vicksburg]

Duckmen

You need to write a book about hunting and the outdoor ethic.

I really enjoy reading your posts. Your feeling in the message is always easily felt, and easy to follow. I'd love to read a book of your hunts and experiences. We all could learn a thing or two.

[Duckbuster]

MD,

Keep the post coming. I very much enjoy your insight and love
for the outdoors. I am probably not as old as you, but older than
most on this site. I too am learning that it's about quality time
outdoors and not "how many" critters I can kill. Good friends and
good memories are what it is all about. I think several of these
knuckleheads will get it when they mature.

DB

[GulfCoast]

Lately, I think if you are over 18 you are older than "most on this site."

[SilverBack]

You took the words right out of my mouth GulfCoast

[RDB]

Everybody is unique. That's what makes this America and that's what makes it great. Although we may all think different from one another from time to time, I can be safe to say that I believe we would all band together in a crisis to make the outcome the best that it could be.

God Bless America.

[SoftCall]

Sheesh Duckmen, just because I don't agree with you on anything don't mean that I don't like you. Every duck club has a member like you...and one like me. It's what makes the world go round man. Keep spreading the word.