_Dan

Exactly....money may be able to buy you some kills, but that's not success....in my eyes.

Gundeck

If you are talking about safaris and guided hunts on private land, then sure. But, there is no equipment you can buy that will replace common sense and experience. I can't tell you how many Philly and Baltimore business men I saw come to our area with their fancy hunting clothes, packs full of gadgets and top of the line rifles and shotguns. They went home empty handed more often than not.

kevin1

I couldn't agree more. Yes, you can buy your way into a record book, but you haven't really accomplished anything.

Kid

People come to my home State and do it all the time.

bigtim6656

it think with money any can kill a deer be it paying some one to walk a deer in front of you on a lash to eat corn or buying thousand of acre of woods

with money i think you could better your chances develop your land pay a guide or whatever

if i had a 100 acres money for say 10 stands trail cams food plots and feeders i think i would fill my 4 tags

but just because you have money does not make you a hunter if you pay a guide to put you on a feeder and walk the deer by your not a hunter your out killing deer there is no success there

Kelly/KY

While I do use an outfitter for my out of state hunt, I do have to agree that hunting success can be bought. They do work hard to put you on the deer and you must be able to close the deal; however the personal effort that it takes to shoot a deer with most outfitters is minimal. Now, you may not shoot any deer, but you will almost always have an opportunity at a deer that most of us would harvest on our own land any day. The difference for me is that I'm looking for an opportunity for the quality deer I may not have an opportunity to see at home and to expand my hunting season along with the escape getting away to hunt provides. Since I have limited time from work and family to pursue my desire, an outfitter is a great option. I wouldn't say it's a piece of cake, but it's definitely nice to have someone else do all the leg work for you and just enjoy. Call it what you will but I don't regret having the opportunity to go.

iamyourhuckleberry

Just so I'm perfectly clear, are we talking solely about white-tailed deer, or about hunting in general?

I have many DIY hunts under my belt and many guided hunts ta boot. To generally say one is better than the other is wrong. And, to say that one gives more of a sense of accomplishment is also wrong. If you think I'm lying, then give me a chance to change your opinion. Let me take you above 13,000 feet and we'll chase mt. goats. You do not have to shoot it with anything but a camera. We start our ascend from, let's say, 8000 feet. I will have you barfing in the first 2000 feet-that I promise. I will pat you on the back if you make it to the top. I will buy you dinner if you shoot a goat! You can demonstrate all your skills! If it's so easy, there shouldn't be a problem! Who's game?

Guides, for the most part, get in the way (at least for me). Unfortunately, many have been there soley to keep the hunt legal. Some have contributed greatly (many are still like brothers to me), while othershave been nothing buta burden. So, wouldn't you say the killing of an animal with a nimrod in tow is a greater accomplishment than one without the nimrod? There are too many generalization being spat out!

I am so tried of hearing (mostly from guys that have never been on a guided hunt),"Well, the guide does this and that, tells you where to sit, and what to shoot....". It is all a bunch of BS!Huntersmake choices...period! If you do not like where you're sitting, you move. If you do not want to shoot something, you don't pull the trigger. You all make it sound like everyhunter using a guide is brainless...has deep pockets...and has never effectively killed a thing in their life.

I really want someone toanswer me this: What is so hard about scouting an area and hanging a tree stand? Ya'll make it sound like only a genius has the capabilities of such an act. I, personally, think it is so easy a Caveman could do it! And they do...

My second question: How much of this "can money buy you success" stems from class envy? You cannot do it yourself so you belittle those that can...Hmmm, "land of opportunity"? Hard work pays big dividends!

Honestly, who really cares? When I'm dead, are any of you going to want my trophies? They mean nothing to you, right? I surely hope that's not the way I'm measured when I depart!

Who really holds the key to your success box?Go hunt and have fun!

KodiakArcher

How many really good hunters can afford to become famous by shooting the Super Slam or the African Big 6? Does it diminish the accomplishments of those that can? No, but it also in no way says that the average Joe is less of a hunter. It is what it is. Hunt for your own reasons and live up to your own expectations, not someone elses.

Oh, and iamyourhuckleberry, as far as goat hunting... "I'll be your huckleberry".

Uncle_Buck

I would have to say NO to this one.

The greatest success I have had in my 20+ years of hunting can not be measured in inches with a ruleror with any other instrument nor can it have a monitary value placed on it. My biggest success came last year when I harvest my first deer (A Doe mind you) with my 8 yr old son by my side. Ihave taken plenty of other deer in years past, but to this day, that is the most successful one.

JMO...

Kelly/KY

Nicely put Uncle Buck. One of the problems that many of us have in this day and time is being caught up with inches, racks and records.Unfortunately, I am not exempted. The media whether popular magazines, videosor most internet sites are caught up with the size of racks and inches. We all feed it. How are we in this verypost defining accomplished? Based on our own responses, it's the size of the deer one can harvest via financial means.However you want tocategorize it,only individuals who receive popular media recognition are those harvesting "monster" deer. One only has to thumb through North american whitetail to see this. It's rare to have someone recognized in the popular media for working hard to harvest a deer or for skill alone. It doesn't sale. Is it right NO. This is one reason I enjoy this site. A person can share his/her experiences and most often receive an Atta Boy/Girl from our online community regardless of size or other criteria. This is nice and quite different from other sites.

We all come here to share and enjoy what we love with others. Many of us have developed great relationships. So,if one can afford it, who am i or anyone of usto scrutinize his/her motives? I doubt that most are seeking any sort of additional recognition or financial gain, so what's the harm? Good for them or you if you are lucky enough to do what you want with your hard earned dollar.