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Author
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Topic: Do you miss "the good old days??"
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Nahuatl
Knows what it's all about
Member # 708
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posted October 17, 2006 03:47 PM
Compared to last year, or ten years ago, or even twenty, how's your year shaping up?
I've had some amazing days as of late. A friend of mine and I, on a hot streak, picked up 9 in 2 hours 45 minutes last month during a hunt that totalled 28 coyotes and 5 badgers. Another solo hunt yielded a dozen. Hunts around the house are counting another dog or two most times out. And Sunday morning, on 7 stands, I called a six-pack, a single bobcat, a four-pack, a single, a double and a cat, a triple, and nada on the last stand. The day before wasn't quite that good, but almost. We're seeing three to five more for every shot.
I'm just not that lucky or that good. This has to be a great year in the making.
What's it like in your neck of the woods?
Posts: 202 | From: Mount Gleason, Angeles NF | Registered: Sep 2005
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Q-Wagoner
FREE TRIAL MEMBERSHIP
Member # 33
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posted October 17, 2006 07:30 PM
I think every area has its boom and bust cycles. Around here we are on a bust cycle. Mange has really got its hooks in our population. I am sure I’ll do alright but I think only 50% will be skinnable. The coon will catch hell though as soon as the fur primes up. My season doesn’t start for a couple more weekes but I won’t be able to really get after them until about the third week in November. To much work to do yet.
It could be quite a chore to break a hundred this year but I’ll hunt clear through February if I have to. LOL
Good hunting.
Q,
Posts: 617 | From: Nebraska | Registered: Jan 2003
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sparkyibewlocal440
Knows what it's all about
Member # 397
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posted October 17, 2006 08:04 PM
Gary,how many Coyotes have you killed thus far this season?Gary
Posts: 170 | From: So. Cal | Registered: Sep 2004
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Az-Hunter
Hi, I'm Vic WELCOME TO THE U.S. Free baloney sandwiches here
Member # 17
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posted October 17, 2006 08:08 PM
Southern Arizona looks to be so-so this year. Ive not seen lots of drive by sightings, but did see a fair share of squashed pups on the roadside a month or so ago.
Ive not been out calling yet, still has to much of a summer feel in the air for my liking,although last two nights, it has begun to cool down some. Maybe first part of november will kick off the hunting season for me.
Posts: 1670 | From: 5 miles west of Tim | Registered: Jan 2003
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Tim Behle
Administrator MacNeal Sector
Member # 209
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posted October 17, 2006 08:56 PM
I can think of Old days and good days. But they aren't the same.
Years back, I used to hunt and trap several hundred animals each season for their fur. My ability to pay for my winter propane and heating oil depended on those fur checks.
I didn't particularly like it when people called me at two in the morning, with a hungry raccoon in their kitchen or a skunk in their living room, But I got out of bed and took care of the problem each time, I had a truck payment to make.
These are the good days. I can finally afford to pay my bills and the wolves are no longer at my door each night. I had a great time in days gone past, and took a hell of a lot of game. But I wouldn't trade the life I live now to go back. I no longer skin the low grade coyotes, and I don't stay up half of the night sewing up holes in fox.
I now hunt and trap, only because it is something that I love to do, the fickle fur market no longer keeps me awake with worry.
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Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take
an ass kickin'.
Posts: 3160 | From: Five Miles East of Vic, AZ | Registered: Jun 2003
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The Outdoor Tripp
Knows what it's all about
Member # 619
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posted October 17, 2006 09:05 PM
Hey Leonard,
Would you please penalize member #708 for taunting and piling on?
Sincerely,
Member #619
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The Outdoor Tripp
www.theoutdoortripp.com
"All great truths begin as blasphemies."
Posts: 805 | From: Texas | Registered: Mar 2005
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 17, 2006 09:12 PM
I'll tell everybody at the campout that he's a liberal.
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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The Outdoor Tripp
Knows what it's all about
Member # 619
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posted October 17, 2006 09:15 PM
Just make him sleep between Alec Baldwin, Howard Dean and Michael Moore.
That'll teach him.
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The Outdoor Tripp
www.theoutdoortripp.com
"All great truths begin as blasphemies."
Posts: 805 | From: Texas | Registered: Mar 2005
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keekee
Knows what it's all about
Member # 465
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posted October 17, 2006 11:58 PM
I agree with Q. Every area seems diffrent. There seems to be alot of pups here this year and so far the season has been ok. I really dont hunt hard till after Nov. To many crops still on and to many leaves yet to tell, still got alot of areas that I cant hunt yet do to deer hunters.
Time will tell!
Brent
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Kee's Custom Calls
http://www.keescalls.com
Posts: 295 | From: Southern Ohio | Registered: Dec 2004
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DAA
Utah/Promoted WESTERN REGIONAL Hunt Director
Member # 11
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posted October 18, 2006 05:49 AM
I miss the good old days in at least one way. There used to be a Helluva lot less people living around here. And a Helluva lot less guys out calling. Literally, most of the places I used to go, are now covered in new houses and grocery stores and schools and churches and roads and masses of humanity. Makes me ill. Also forces me to have to travel WAY further than I used to in order to get in a decent day of calling and not have people driving through my stands all day.
Coyote numbers out away from the sickening masses of humanity, seem to be pretty much the same as they have always been. More coyotes, than the 1080 days. Ups and downs, like everyone else has said. So far this year, having only been out twice, it looks like numbers are definitely down in the areas I've been to. Lots of bunnies too. Suspect airplanes and getters got there before I did... Going to have to move around a bit and see if I can't find a nice clump out there.
- DAA
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"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.
Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter
Posts: 2676 | From: Salt Lake City, UT | Registered: Jan 2003
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UTcaller
NEVADA NIGHT FIGHTER
Member # 8
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posted October 18, 2006 11:26 AM
Dave,
I couldn't agree more.Most of the spots I used to hunt are either subdivisions,or overrun with callers or motorcycle/ATV riders.LOL I too have taken to putting some serious miles on the truck to find the coyotes but it has been well worth it.We have found some great areas with lots of coyotes to call. ![[Smile]](smile.gif) Good Hunting Chad
Posts: 1708 | From: Utah | Registered: Jan 2003
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Possumal
HONORARY CALLS FORUM MODERATOR edit: AND TOKEN LIBERAL
Member # 823
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posted October 18, 2006 01:13 PM
Hey Nahuatl: Those few hunts would make a good year for a lot of folks. It has been too hot around here to even get me interested, but my time is coming. I hope your luck stays good.
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Al Prather
Foxpro Field Staff
Posts: 781 | From: Nicholasville, Ky. | Registered: Mar 2006
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Kokopelli
SENIOR DISCOUNT & Dispenser of Sage Advice
Member # 633
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posted October 18, 2006 04:08 PM
Someone who is wise once said; "If you miss the Good Old Days, turn off your air conditioner."
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And lo, the Light of the Trump shown upon the Darkness and the Darkness could not comprehend it.
Posts: 8231 | From: Under a wandering star | Registered: Apr 2005
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NASA
Knows what it's all about
Member # 177
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posted October 22, 2006 07:16 AM
"Don't let the past remind us of what we are not now." ...- Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
Posts: 1168 | From: Typical White Person | Registered: Apr 2003
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Cdog911
"There are some ideas so absurd only an intellectual could believe them."--George Orwell.
Member # 7
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posted October 23, 2006 12:18 PM
In the "good ol' days", there were country folks and townies. If you farmed, you lived in the country. If you didn't, you lived in town. Pretty cut and dried.
Nowadays, the biggest problems around here has nothing to do with all the new people getting into calling. If that were to bother me, I'd have a real problem since my writing pretty much encourages new people to try calling out. lol
Anyway, the three biggest problems I face today are 1) city folks moving to the country and building houses on every quarter section of ground.
2) Absentee landowners that buy ground as an investment and don't give the local renter the authority to grant or deny trespass privileges. In the past three years, a lot of the old guys I've hunted and trapped on all my life have died and their ground has been bought up by out of state investors that are impossible to get hold of for permission.
And, the number 3 problem around here (drum roll), leasing for deer hunting. Only in the past two years or so have a bunch of farmers that lease their CRP acreage to non-resident outfitting operations and out of state rich people started to learn the value of friends, financial responsibility and fire departments. Because of their leasing efforts, many of these people have traded lifelong friendships for the cash payments they received for their ground access. At the same time, many of those leases went to hell because the leaser ended up killing more than they paid for in their lease agreements and the farmer felt shafted for the discrepancy. And, in one case, a large operation (not unlike USO, throat clearing cough) leased up a huge expanse of area and the volunteer firefighters in that region coincidentally refused to volunteer. (USO (or whoever) sure as hell didn't show up for that big range fire to put it out. Be careful whose toes you step on.)
Things are vastly different around here than when I was a kid and I suspect the changes will continue until none of us gets to hunt for free anymore. At that point, hunting of any kind will be a privilege rather than a right.
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I am only one. But still, I am one. I cannot do everything, but still, I can do something; and, because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.
Posts: 5440 | From: The gun-lovin', gun-friendly wild, wild west | Registered: Jan 2003
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Freddie
Knows what it's all about
Member # 952
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posted October 23, 2006 07:35 PM
Yea, I had some good old days, too, but I'm too busy now making THESE the good old days ! Hunt on!
Posts: 29 | From: Ohio | Registered: Sep 2006
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The Outdoor Tripp
Knows what it's all about
Member # 619
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posted October 23, 2006 07:38 PM
You got that right Lance. The future's coming fast and right now it sure ain't lookin' pretty.
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The Outdoor Tripp
www.theoutdoortripp.com
"All great truths begin as blasphemies."
Posts: 805 | From: Texas | Registered: Mar 2005
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Cdog911
"There are some ideas so absurd only an intellectual could believe them."--George Orwell.
Member # 7
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posted October 23, 2006 07:42 PM
Downright ugly if you're poor! I know for a fact that the spread we call home doesn't have many coyotes. Check it every morning. Only saw one and it was mangey AND on the neighbor's side of the fence.
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I am only one. But still, I am one. I cannot do everything, but still, I can do something; and, because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.
Posts: 5440 | From: The gun-lovin', gun-friendly wild, wild west | Registered: Jan 2003
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Andy L
HI, I'M THE NEW MODERATOR OF THE CENTRAL MISSOURI FORUM, PULL MY FINGER!
Member # 642
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posted October 23, 2006 07:51 PM
Its quickly becoming a rich mans sport around here as well. More and more leases every year. Your a lucky one if you got private land to hunt on for deer. I can still get permission for other game, but deer are like gold it seems. And you pretty much gotta forget calling coyotes until the second week of December. You might spook bambi.
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Andy
Posts: 2645 | From: Central Missouri | Registered: Apr 2005
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Nahuatl
Knows what it's all about
Member # 708
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posted October 23, 2006 10:29 PM
Gary, I'd answer the question, but then I'd really feel like I was piling on. Truth be told, I called another cat while cooking the brownies for the campout, between putting them in the oven and taking them out.
Steve Criner and I called a coyote while hunting at the camp out - you could hear a Skilsaw in the background and the workers pounding hammers in a new subdivision nearby.
Posts: 202 | From: Mount Gleason, Angeles NF | Registered: Sep 2005
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Locohead
World Famous Smoke Dancer
Member # 15
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posted October 24, 2006 09:26 PM
Gary!!!!
You made those brownies, no wonder I was hallucinating after eating them. Just what kind of cactus were you looking for in those super thick cacti forests?!?!
No kidding man, those were spectacular!!! Thank you! man they were great!!!
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I love my critters and chick!!!! :)
Posts: 2219 | From: CO | Registered: Jan 2003
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Cal Taylor
Knows what it's all about
Member # 199
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posted October 25, 2006 06:28 AM
Cdog, Yes isn't it terrible that those farmers and ranchers have figured out that thier deer are worth something. They used to "give" them to friends that didn't do a damn thing for them, but now can sell them and maybe stay afloat in the ag industry. I understand that in places "big money" is buying up land and they really don't need the hunting income. But the people I deal with are small family outfits, and with fuel and equipment costing what they do they need every penny to stay in business. A prime example is the place I have been on the last two weeks. It belongs to my cousin and his family. He used to let all comers in for $50. He would have as high as 40 hunters tearing around, leaving gates open, throwing trash everywhere, tearing up roads and generally shooting anything that moved. All for $2000. Now he makes 5 times that or more from me, Only has a handful of hunters that he doesn't have to worry about because I am there to keep an eye on them. No gates left open, no beer bottles, pop cans etc.. The deer herds are healthier and better than ever due to a little management. That amount of income has made a huge difference in his operation. They have been in a drought cycle for several years and have had to cut back on cattle and he has a job running heavy equipment part time to make ends meet. So the hunting income there is a make or break deal and he is damn glad to have it. Funny, none of the guys that hunted for practically nothing have ever tried to help him out in any way. They just piss and moan that they have to go hunt public land somewhere. Remember there are always two sides.
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Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
FoxPro Field Staff Member
Posts: 1069 | From: Wyoming | Registered: May 2003
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Andy L
HI, I'M THE NEW MODERATOR OF THE CENTRAL MISSOURI FORUM, PULL MY FINGER!
Member # 642
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posted October 25, 2006 07:14 AM
I can and have seen both sides of it, Cal. Its good for the farmers, no doubt. But its also taken hunting away from alot of working people. Not everyone can afford $1500 for a 3 day hunt. Or cant afford to pay $10-$15 per acre for a small piece of land for himself and his kids to hunt on. There are far more that cant afford it than can. In the long run, thats going to take alot of potential young hunters out of the equasion. I guess that will free up overcrowded public lands eventually but it will also take away badly needed numbers when votes come, not to mention many that may have been hunters will have not been exposed to it.
Its a double edged sword. Public lands around this area arent worth hunting and it costs to hunt private. Im not having a problem but know many that are. Dont know that there is a good answer. Thats why I said above its becoming a rich mans sport. Just like everything else in this world.
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Andy
Posts: 2645 | From: Central Missouri | Registered: Apr 2005
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Tim Behle
Administrator MacNeal Sector
Member # 209
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posted October 25, 2006 07:16 AM
Yup, Cal your right. There are two sides to every story.
And I'm on the other side. Don't take this personal, you spoke your side, now it's my turn.
I've always been a responsible hunter, I don't drive off of roads, and I don't leave trash. I never leave gates open, and if I find a down section of fence, I always make temporary repairs before leaving, then hunt down the Rancher to let him know where permanent repairs need to be made. Stray dogs running stock are dealt with quickly and decisively. Broken waterlines or windmills are reported immediately. I've never shot at a windmill or any farmer's equipment
I've always gone out of my way to show the utmost respect for the Farmers, Ranchers and their lands that I trap and hunt on.
And what do I get in return? Snide remarks that implicate that since I don't lease my hunting land I'm a slob hunter?
I get out-of-State land owners who buy up land, lock it off and post it and tell their local hands to allow no one in. I get ******* ranchers locking off 50 yards of private land between public roads and National Forest lands, BLM lands and State Trust lands.
Don't tell me that a Rancher who drives a brand new $50,000 diesel pick up needs to lease his lands just to make ends meet and feed his family.
That's bullshit plain and simple. He's just looking for an excuse to make a few more dollars to cover his piss poor business management.
So if you happen across some prick land owner, pissing and moaning because the gate he locked up keeping the public off of public lands, suddenly happens to have a padlock full of JB Weld, You can tell him that my name is Tim Behle, and he can kiss my goddamned ass.
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Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take
an ass kickin'.
Posts: 3160 | From: Five Miles East of Vic, AZ | Registered: Jun 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 25, 2006 08:01 AM
I'm glad you spoke up, Cal. Even if a man has a different opinion, it is good to hear from the other side.
I have seen abuse, especially locking gates on public land with grazing leases. You know, sometimes it just isn't possible to turn around and drive fifty miles the other way when you get to a gate that suddenly has a lock on it. And, if I need to pass, as an act of desperation, I cut a link in the chain, rather than destroy the man's lock. And, I mean not just an inconvenience . I mean, occasionally, and literally, there is no other way out, and no gas.
However, I do understand your message that it is a win/win situation for the land owner. And, those that lost priviliges that they didn't pay for, didn't respect the land and (unfortunately) that's always the way when something doesn't cost$.
There is plenty of blame to go around. At some point, we won't be raising enough shooters and then who are you going to charge, to make ends meet?
Maybe the end of an era is fast approaching? I already feel sad that my grandkids won't have the opportunities that I have had.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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