Hunting alone

[mackay 3,330]

After reading many varied and interesting posts of hunting exploits it comes across to me that very few people hunt alone nowadays and rather than being a one man solitary venture has become more of a social pastime with some perverse point to prove. What also with digital cameras, camcorders and all the latest technology the dog and ferret play second fiddle to the expectations of the digital world. Is hunting in the true sense of the word (when we walked all day in pursuit of game and often caught none) gone. The internet has launched us into new realms where pretenders can make outlandish claims, but what of the days of our youth, no locators, no fancy names, no profit in hunting just hunting for the love of it. When we hunted purely for the love of hunting, had a respect for our chosen quarry and the countryside as a whole when we could walk home with a rabbit or two, or a pheasant and look at our charges with pride and not lambast them for the fact they could not kill three from three hares or a fox single handed happy and content with our dogs accepting their capabilities and failings. Is it just me or has hunting become a bit of a competition, the enjoyment and bond between man and dog seems to have been replaced by a new type of hunter, one who must have results and expects robotic qualities from his dogs whilst missing the enjoyment of the actual hunt.

[Moll. 1,770]

I dont understand your post, what has hunting in company, and using digital cameras got to do with perversion, a lack of respect and all the other negatives you wrote.

Do you really think that people who hunt in company, do not also hunt alone?

Personally most of my hunting is done alone, i do not put threads up about these days/nights, it would get boring. But i do get a lot of enjoyment going out and meeting new people and their animals, you can learn new things, pass on your own learnings. And if my photos and threads about my exploits give other people some enjoyment reading them, then for that i am also gratefull. Even if people such as yourself think it is a perverted thing to do

[courseadog 231]

I believe its always been like it as a comp but internet makes it easy 2 see the boating .I go out with dogs on my own ,or with me boys dad and brother and with me traveller mates ,we have good sport and I belive its human nature to want to be good at something ,or having a good dog ,I don't see the flash car or best phone as anything special but that's just me that is some peoples comp human nature

[bri1970 22]

i've always prefered one man one dog hunting,although i know of lads thats won't go out unless in company.probably scared of the dark

[iworkwhippets 12,521]

i've always prefered one man one dog hunting,although i know of lads thats won't go out unless in company.probably scared of the dark

 

Same here, always work alone

[Stabs 3]

When I did a bit of pest controlling it was by virtue of the gig, a numbers game, and that led me on a certain path, one that made me adjust my natural inclination to keep inappropriate dogs around me and become a whole lot more professional. I was under the microscope and had to be seen to be delivering a result - being conspicuous when every fibre of me longed to be the opposite. But when I wasn't on the clock, I loved nothing better than dodging along hedgebacks looking for opportunities, be it a kicked up bunny, a stray pheasant, a tub full of raspberries or a puffball of two. That was and has always been my raison d'etre.

 

Now that pest controlling is just a memory, I have reverted to type and just wander around my local countryside these days. I hunt alone or with two close mates and that's it. As it's no longer a numbers game, the guns and rifles have long gone and all that's left are my two mutts and a pocket knife. Hunting for the table and the freezer makes me happier than when I was under scrutiny and pressure to produce the numbers - not that I didn't enjoy it of course.

 

As for digital cameras....before them I used to have to take my rolls of film to a little Indian bloke who ran a kiosk on Knightsbridge Green to develop. He didn't care what the pics where of just as long as he got his cash. As soon as I got my Fujitsu I was like a pig in muck. It was essential part of my kit when I was out on the geese and foxes.....dog, 686, shells, camera....happy days and lots of great pics to serve as a memorial to dogs that are sadly no longer with us.

 

[NEWKID 27,131]

Go out alone, with a mate with dogs and another ferreting or ratting, will take friends who want to see what it's about who are genuinely interested (on permission), as a kid was the same. I love to be out just on my own with the dog or a couple of ferrets, don't see any problem either way.

I know what you mean about the competition thing though seems there aren't many bad dogs around , wish mine was better in some areas, retrieve mainly, would never pretend she's anything better than she is, she put's a few rabbits in the bag most times we go out and thats ok for me, your always gonna get bullshitters and boasters though, before the internet was the same but you just knew who the bullshitters were, where as now it could be anybody.

As far as Photos and stuff go I wish I had an album like some on here, Moll, Anubis, etc I love looking at good photographs and will get a decent camera soon ( just take me ages to learn how to use it), reading Darcy's new book at the minute some stunning photography in there

[old school 517]

i've nearly always hunted alone... i've went thru 2 hunting partners... one lost interest when we grew older and discovered drink and women lol!!! and the other just came at a time when i was enjoyin my hunting by myself too much!!! these big meetings when theres friends and then friends of friends and then friends that some dick as just met down in the pub is when the trouble starts and pics end up in wrong hands!!! and a few hunts i've gone on with hounds etc... theres always some bell end that has better dogs at home!!!! that sort of fecker needs kept at home with his dogs.... diggin is the only time a partner is needed and a trusted partner at that!!!

[bird 9,872]

well i think the net a good thing in alot of ways, met some great lads,and you never to old to learn stuff, and get some good info from the sites. Regards going out on your own or with other people, been doing it now 25 years and alot time back then was on me own.So its nice to go out with other lads and see other lurchers run, its to me sport= hobby not a job . I think if we are honest we all like to test our dogs now+again either big bag, or pre ban old charlie. you would prob do it more now with the net, but back then you still like to test your dog

[mackay 3,330]

I dont understand your post, what has hunting in company, and using digital cameras got to do with perversion, a lack of respect and all the other negatives you wrote.

Do you really think that people who hunt in company, do not also hunt alone?

Personally most of my hunting is done alone, i do not put threads up about these days/nights, it would get boring. But i do get a lot of enjoyment going out and meeting new people and their animals, you can learn new things, pass on your own learnings. And if my photos and threads about my exploits give other people some enjoyment reading them, then for that i am also gratefull. Even if people such as yourself think it is a perverted thing to do

 

Expected a response, although not from you, I find your posts very entertaining and your photos are class, my post was not directed at anyone but everyone (work that one out) nowadays it all seems to be about numbers and results whereas years ago quality and enjoyment seemed to be the main factor. People hunted for pleasure rather than results. Maybe I'm getting old..

[dai dogs 1,404]

hunting alone is what i live for there is nothing better . iv been in the numbers game also in the my dog is better than yours game.

todays hunting as become a challenge to most to see if they can become the most talked about .

gone have the days you could walk up the street with rabbit in hand and old faithfull by your side thinking what a good day you have had and a wonderfull little dog you got.. proving nothing to no one

hunting has changed like all things change but sometimes not for the better.

[Moll. 1,770]

I dont understand your post, what has hunting in company, and using digital cameras got to do with perversion, a lack of respect and all the other negatives you wrote.

Do you really think that people who hunt in company, do not also hunt alone?

Personally most of my hunting is done alone, i do not put threads up about these days/nights, it would get boring. But i do get a lot of enjoyment going out and meeting new people and their animals, you can learn new things, pass on your own learnings. And if my photos and threads about my exploits give other people some enjoyment reading them, then for that i am also gratefull. Even if people such as yourself think it is a perverted thing to do

 

Expected a response, although not from you, I find your posts very entertaining and your photos are class, my post was not directed at anyone but everyone (work that one out) nowadays it all seems to be about numbers and results whereas years ago quality and enjoyment seemed to be the main factor. People hunted for pleasure rather than results. Maybe I'm getting old..

Thank you Mackay, i find your post even more confusing now though Or perhaps i am interpreting it wrong?

[blan89 159]

I dont understand your post, what has hunting in company, and using digital cameras got to do with perversion, a lack of respect and all the other negatives you wrote.

Do you really think that people who hunt in company, do not also hunt alone?

Personally most of my hunting is done alone, i do not put threads up about these days/nights, it would get boring. But i do get a lot of enjoyment going out and meeting new people and their animals, you can learn new things, pass on your own learnings. And if my photos and threads about my exploits give other people some enjoyment reading them, then for that i am also gratefull. Even if people such as yourself think it is a perverted thing to do

 

Expected a response, although not from you, I find your posts very entertaining and your photos are class, my post was not directed at anyone but everyone (work that one out) nowadays it all seems to be about numbers and results whereas years ago quality and enjoyment seemed to be the main factor. People hunted for pleasure rather than results. Maybe I'm getting old..

 

my dogs aren't good enough for the numbers game,unless the number happens to be 1 (that's if we're counting mixy rabbits)

[wilko tango 50]

iv mostly hunted on my own with lurchers.I spent many a nite out talking to myself(like my gran used to tell me sure you could nt talk to a nicer person ha ha).But i got alot more caught up in terriers the last few years and started digging with a lad i know but have since fell out with him(CAUSE HE IS A PRICK). But iv beeing digging mostly on my own now and to be honest i could do with a hand but its just to hard to get someone to trust.So for now im on my tod but am always dreding the taughts of a dog stuck somewere that i need help with but i supose when it happens it ll hve to be done.Anyway each to there own and i wish ya all alot of happy hunting for the new year

[Acuspell 329]

I dont understand your post, what has hunting in company, and using digital cameras got to do with perversion, a lack of respect and all the other negatives you wrote.

Do you really think that people who hunt in company, do not also hunt alone?

Personally most of my hunting is done alone, i do not put threads up about these days/nights, it would get boring. But i do get a lot of enjoyment going out and meeting new people and their animals, you can learn new things, pass on your own learnings. And if my photos and threads about my exploits give other people some enjoyment reading them, then for that i am also gratefull. Even if people such as yourself think it is a perverted thing to do

 

Expected a response, although not from you, I find your posts very entertaining and your photos are class, my post was not directed at anyone but everyone (work that one out) nowadays it all seems to be about numbers and results whereas years ago quality and enjoyment seemed to be the main factor. People hunted for pleasure rather than results. Maybe I'm getting old..

Thank you Mackay, i find your post even more confusing now though Or perhaps i am interpreting it wrong?

 

That is the danger with the written conversation, there is no body language, or tone of voice to give those additional clues to the meaning and so it is easy to misconstrue a statement, or even a question.

 

I think I understand what Mackay was getting at and I have some sympathy with his point of view - the internet has made the ability of people to "have their say" in public much easier. Before the advent of the WWW there was only the printed media or radio/TV as a means of mass communication. In every instance what was actually published or broadcast was vetted by someone first - the editor! With the internet anyone can publish their views to the world and it would seem that it has become a new way for people to establish their reputations, but these reputations are of their own making. Before, the reputation had to be made by someone else on your behalf. There was no outlet for blowing one's own trumpet, an editor would soon clamp down on that.

 

The Act of 2006 has also made a massive difference, both to the blood lines available and the people who now take their dog out to run a rabbit. The general public are more sensitive and less tolerant (again, because their voices can be heard so much more easily) than they were in the 70s when I started my life with lurchers as a teenager. It is an interesting paradox than in those days the man (or boy) with a useful lurcher would go out of their way to remain unnoticed, so they could slip into fields and provide for the stewpot undetected. Nowadays many lurcher folk seem to want to make themselves stand out from the crowd and big themselves up. To what end, I have no idea, but they make life more difficult for themselves by doing so, because they become well known.