Jimmy S

jpm, After thinking about this answer, I must admit, I agree with you. There is one distinction that I make under these situations and the guy that shoots from the window, tell me he's a good shooter, not necessarily a good hunter. To me, there is a big difference. Sure anyone can tag a deer that way, and without getting cold. Time spent in the deer woods is what hunting is all about. We all know there is so much involved in our sport. To a real hunter, it's putting the hunter against him. Trying to figure out where he might be, when he might show, and most of all being in the position where I see him before he knows I'm there. That's where satisfaction enters this big picture. Obviously your Pop has a different view. It seems anyone that tags a deer no matter how it's done is what it's all about. That's sad in a way, especially since he taught you. Don't get too upset or concerned, we both know time spent scouting, etc is just a small piece of the puzzle and it's something your buddy just might not understand. Too bad he's missing out on that! Good luck.

jpm8920

Thanks guys. I appreciate the honest opinions. There probably is some jealousy in there that I have to deal with. When it comes to my brother, my father did his best to teach him all he could about hunting. It was just that my brother wasn't really into it. As for my step-bro, I feel like my dad is starting him off on a very bad note. He isn't teaching him all the valuable skills he taught my brother and I, and I don't want my stepbro thinking that hunting is just about putting out food and sitting in the cabin. I want him to respect the animal and the outdoors. I also feel that without going out and hunting and putting some time in, he doesn't really respect what a great deer he has shot. He is already saying how easy it was. So, even besides the jealousy, I just feel like he isn't being taught what hunting is all about. But again, thanks for the good view points. I will take them to heart.

Alsatian

I think you want to separate your own code of hunting from your expectations for others. Don't try to impose your hunting code on others. You can discuss it with them, you can provide your rationale for your code to them if they want to hear about it or you care to disclose it to them. But I think you are bound for trouble if you try to impose your code on others, particularly other family members. This advice holds for other things than hunting codes also, such as politics.

I happen to sympathize and agree with your opinion that shooting deer over a food plot from the porch isn't hunting, but I and you are not designated to be the dictators of hunting behavior. And I don't think it is worth spoiling relationships with fathers or brothers about. Be content and happy in your own hunting methods.

Maybe your father is just trying to build your younger brothers's self-confidence or self-concept up? People change with age. If you plant the seed in your brother's heads now that there may be a more challenging, sporting way to hunt deer, maybe when they are older they will rise to the challenge and adopt your methods?