by Aimee Schrader

Created on: January 26, 2009

When one thinks of a hunter today, many of us envision someone in full camouflage, topped off with the essential, legal amounts of blaze orange. The hunter is armed with a high powered rifle, or state of the art compound bow, and loaded down with boxes of high speed ammunition, or with a quiver full of Luminok topped arrows. A tree stand or hunting shack keeps this modern-day huntsman out of sight from game, and since they have bathed themselves in scent-blocking solution, there is no way the game will ever wind them. Yet still, there are some that come home empty handed! One wonders how a hunter of today, with all of the advantages that science and marketing majors can imagine, can ever NOT fill a tag? How in the world would a hunter from a century ago have been able to put game on the table?

It's no secret that hunters of yester-year were not equipped with the same scientific advantages that we have today. Hunters relied on positioning themselves in order to get on the best game. They relied on stealth as they stalked their prey; getting close enough to be able to take a shot with a muzzle-loading cap and ball rifle, or longbow. Hunters were dressed in everyday attire- wearing the same coat, boots, and mittens to hunt as they wore to feed the cows and hogs that morning.

Many would ask, just what advantages DID those hunters from a century ago have? First of all, deer were not over run and gun shy. Hunting then was for food, not strictly for sport. Hunting was not a million dollar business with outfitters, paid hunts, and trucks and ATV's driving all over. Deer hunting was a quiet affair where hunters took only what was needed at the time. Hunting occurred throughout the year, as well, not just in a particular season. Therefore, deer didn't become a query only at one time of year, and at a time they could become accustomed to. Without all the hubbub of modern life and hunting season, it was a much easier task for hunters to be able to spot and stalk their game.

Now I'm not ragging on the modern hunter. As a hunter myself I can tell you that all the toys and tricks available today can be quite a bit of fun! I know I certainly wouldn't trade my .243 rifle for the old cap and ball muskets, nor my brand new compound bow for the old stick and string. There are a few things, though, that go overboard. One doesn't need to be in matching camouflage from head to toe in order to take a trophy buck. And if you forget to spray everything down with Scent-block, as long as you aren't perfumed up too much, you'll probably be able to fill your tag. It's things like these that tend to make too much of hunting, but sure do line the pocket books of outfitting companies. Just remember, hunting is about having fun, and putting a little extra meat on the table, and whether you hunt like the pros of today or yesterday, you are bound to accomplish both!

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