I've been a Tradgang member quite a while. In the early years there was a lot of people sharing their experiences and hunts. At that time there was only around 9,000 members, now there are 45,000 members and you only see about 30-40 people that contribute. Can't any of you guys get over the lock jaw and contribute?
I'd contribute if I had something worth contributing. Had some close calls this year, but nothing really worth writing about yet unfortunately. I really enjoy reading about others hunts though. The longer the story, the better!
Lurkers are members too! Merry Christmas y'all!
I wish I had more to contribute as well. I've killed one deer this year and posted it in the missouri hunting thread. Trust me, if I happen to get something else this season I'll be happy to share it with everybody.
It's better if you do a main thread on Powwow on your hunts, not everybody checks the state threads and hunt story's are often missed.
Then you'll have two threads going :bigsmyl:
Tracy
I'd contribute more often if I could post pictures.
It doesn't bother me at all. Some like to be very active, and others don't, but that's all right. I participate more as a social interaction to touch base with my friends I haven't been able to meet in person. I have relatively few entertaining stories to tell so mostly just give attaboys to the more productive shooters. But if I do come up with a good hunt story, I will be the original mouth of the South.
I'm more of a reader myself.Started writing a few stories over the years but cannot seem to get the wording to sound right to me after writing.
Does it not seem the same topics appear often? Only so much one can share, but respect for others is paramount on this site..keeps me reading
I'm tryin Ben!! I still have 4 tags! 2 gun tags I have been saving til tomorrow(for bow of course) that are good in alternative season which is anything but rifles. Also have my other anydeer archery and a bonus antlerless archery. So I'm set!
Maybe one more story this season... :D
I try to tell a good tale now and then, but the great stories for me are few and far between. I have been at it for a long time [since 1967] and so far I have had 4 shots at deer and one successful black bear hunt. The deer seem to have my number most times. I thought I was in a good spot this year, even bought a ladder stand to up the odds.......never saw a deer while hunting.
Ron, you gotta move to a new area, brother!! Your patience is second to none tho.
Kennym, I did miss a deer in Missouri once....... :biglaugh: I have a move to Georgia planned in the not to distant future.
Kenny, Ron, Sam and Tracy, This was not directed at you as you are four of the most prolific writers. I was hoping some of the silent majority could produce some how to's, stump shoots and hunts that were not productive but saw something interesting. Some of my best hunts didn't produce game, but had great camps and friendship. What scares me most is a lot of forums die as interaction decreases. We certainly don't want that to happen.
QuoteOriginally posted by kennym:
Ron, you gotta move to a new area, brother!! Your patience is second to none tho.
This is what I think every time Ron posts about his hunting luck over the years! Ron, you really need to find somewhere to hunt where there is something to hunt!!!!
Bisch
Facebook has taken over a lot of social media. I've noticed a major decline in activity on a couple of othe boards that I belong to.
Simply enjoy sharing in the love of the traditional, the camaraderie, new invaluable friendships often acquired thru PM"s, didactic reads, supporting others and being included in the joy of other's success.
Few are privileged to be afforded the opportunity to hunt prime developed ground with a prime deer herd and hunt virtually every day personally desired. Posting my personal harvests, has been a personal challenge as to not be perceived as boasting, demonstrating a blatant lack of humility and unforgiveable lack of respect to the game we pursue. This struggle is my own demon as I thoroughly enjoy sharing in other's hunts.
Humility is simply the truth. Have passed on 44 separate solid shot opportunities on bucks from the ground this season alone. Did not loose an arrow on a buck last season and still may not have the opportunity to be gifted an opportunity to execute a shot on a targeted buck. The primary fulfillment has already been graciously granted and anticipation of possibly enjoying future hunts as well as to experience a close encounter with a majestic whitetail sustains enflamed motivation.
Often, the truly greats are silent. A possibility may be that they either may not precisely know themselves or feel handicapped in their own lack of confidence to effectively communicate. As for myself, I just continuously work at it year around and success is likely to be directly attributed to statistics.
The Trad Gang family has been the refulgence of its life and unmerited blessing.
I won't say I'm disapointed, because I post too little in that vein myself - work and elder care really cutting into my hunting and camping time, thought I try to shoot and be outdoors daily. But I will say, my favorite posts are hunting experiences.
I'm quite guilty of being more a silent stalker here in these last few years. My only excuse is that my life may have turned me into more of a introvert.
I'm afraid I am also quilty of living vicariously through the hunts of others who may have more time and better places to hunt than I do. When I was younger I worked on a pipe crew that started early and got off work at 4:30 when overtime was not required and I was just 10 minutes away from thousands of acres of prime public lands so I guess you know where I went during bow season. Today I still work for the same company but in a different capacity and a different location an hour from my home and favorite hunting grounds so it has become much more difficult to go hunting as much as I used to except on weekends or vacation. Thats my story Ben. Wish I had more to share other than my past hunts. Maybe when I retire I'll get to go more often, right?
My biggest problem is photobucket, especially since getting an iPhone. I have taken a bunch of hunting pics and uploaded many trailcam pics with the intent of posting longer (and hopefully more interesting) stories. But when I begin trying to "copy the links" I get so frustrated I end up posting one pic of the animal and just provide info on equipment, shot and recovery distance etc.
Someone suggested Imgur over photobucket, so I gave it a try, but ended up with a link being posted instead of the pics themselves.
It would sure be nice to be able to post directly from a phone. I do understand the webmaster probably has good reason for not allowing that practice.
QuoteOriginally posted by ksbowman:
I've been a Tradgang member quite a while. In the early years there was a lot of people sharing their experiences and hunts. At that time there was only around 9,000 members, now there are 45,000 members and you only see about 30-40 people that contribute. Can't any of you guys get over the lock jaw and contribute?
The ratio of active participants to lurkers is pretty consistent across the net on forums. There are far more lurkers than regular posters. Most forums and probably including this one begin to look even more skewed over time as people register but don't always stick around. If there is no way to unjoin or terminate a registration, the number of members grows constantly even though many never log in after a few visits.
Probably a forum administrator could figure out the real numbers.
this sites more than just hunt reports, Its a great site to find out information and people here will always help positively if you ask for advice. I don't consider I know enough to go giving advice yet, but always try post a hunt report if i can to say thanks to the guys who contribute a lot.
I must confess to beeing a lurker most of the time, but writing about killing stumps kind of gets old after a while. I can't even shoot a field mouse without breaking the law. I can stomp it to death, but using the bow is illegal. So I read all your hunting stories with a longing in my heart, and contribute when I can.
Merry Christmas to you all. You're a great gang!
State threads? I've been here a long time. Didn't know there were state threads. I just went to the State Bowhunter Assoc. section. I've seen that before but I don't go there much.
I like the hunt threads, some are better than professional magazine articles, but the info posts are of the greatest interest to me.
Photo bucket has gotten tougher. I have to upload in Safari and then copy the link in Google Chrome. Don't know what changed in my computer set-up to require those two steps. Still doable though.
Yes, I am disappointed. My main hangout over the years has been the history and collecting forum. Now it is common to go several days without seeing a post. It makes me feel that I am sitting in an empty room talking to the walls when I post something and it takes several days to garner a half dozen responses. I suspect that I know why that particular forum has all but died, but will just keep my mouth shut and gather information elsewhere. There is nothing to be gained lamenting what cannot be undone.
I was thinking about becoming a lurker in 2017 with the occasional heckle and bicker...
Hi my name is Seth and I'm a lurker :)
I haven't been a member for very long but try to post threads when I feel someone might enjoy it or get some use from something but I would say most of the time I'm just lurkin around
Hopefully next year me and my Sasquatch will have stories to tell. This year was a bust-too busy, next year I am making time.
I try to check in daily and usually read every post. Yes, I wish more people would post about their experiences. I particularly enjoyed Kevin Dill's moose hunt, but I often pick up some useful info from the guy that just hunts locally, such as Littlebigman.
I struggled with posting photos when I switched from apple to Droid, but now that is working ok.
I've been busy, but I should be able to post up some pics from this year soon.....
I've been here since the beginning almost, and don't post as much as I used to, and I've noticed a lot of others do the same. I do however, usually let you guys know how we did up here in our neck of the woods....hang tite!
I guess I could write a little more, but then I'm gone in the bush a lot doing all sorts of outdoor activities... not always bow and arrow related.
I call myself semi-retired now, but not long ago when I was guiding full time I would be gone for months at a time... then back for a bit, and then gone for months again.
But even now, there's something to do out there every day if you want!
For instance, I want to go and try to find a few ptarmigan tomorrow.
But - they've been really jumpy lately, we've gotten -40 temperatures already, and the snow is very deep and swallows up arrows.
That means if I want to eat some, well...
Anyhow, it's blowing out there right now, it's only 4:15 p.m. but night has started already, and I just finished a 2 hour bow practice for form in my garage.
And Merry Christmas to all!
I don't really consider myself to be an introvert, but when it comes to anything on-line, I'm not comfortable "talking". Facebook creeps me out! I just don't care how wonderful, or how awful, people's lives are at every moment of the day.
HOWEVER, I love some of the success stories and photos. Keep em coming!
Lately my issue has been time and lack of internet access. Heck, no cable either... Now I'm forced outside lol. Merry Christmas everyone.
What can I say? I did scare the sh%T out of a deer this year but that's all. :banghead:
I'll add a story!!
T'was the night before Christmas and all through....... Oh, wait a minute that story has already been told a few gagillion times. Very well, Merry Christmas to all and great hunting!!
Nothing for me....yet. I have over 100 hrs in 9 different stands all over PA. Ive seen 2 spikes and a small 6 point. Thats it. Nothing to tell about. And Im not a person who has to post on every thread just so I run my count up.
Merry Christmas everybody! Lets get flintlock season started here in PA. Ive got several customs ready to go.
Lurker but poster too.....lurking around at Wild Things earlier this month
(http://i.imgur.com/wJpfU63.jpg)
I guess we just need to figure out how to prompt the folks too shy to share into starting. Once you start, it gets easier. Nobody knows everything so just share what you know, think you know, or did. Its all just mild and friendly discussion anyway, isn't it ?
CHuckC
Picture posting thing is tough. WHEN YOUR OLD. lol
My computer and photography skills stink. Plus most of my stories would be kinda boring, if you know what I mean.
Also lots of newer folks probably lurk to find info, and there is a ton of it here. If I need to know what brace height, arrow or point weight others are using I do a search. It does bug me though when someone asks a legimate question and get the answer "do a search" .
Anyway, Merry Christmas everyone!!!!
I think most of the problem is , people get tired of getting ridiculed for what they post .
Some sites are down right disgusting .
I myself have totally quite on another area of Trad Gang because of some people that twist your comments around to make you sound like you are self centered and or lying .
I won't name the catagory or member names , but it is as bad as a whole different site .
The mods must not ever look there .
That kind of thing makes some people think that they all are like that .
It's sort of like getting cheated by a used car salesman , so all used car salesman can't be trusted .
Actually, I am enjoying this thread. It shows that many are enjoying the site, even if they don't post a lot. Some of them have indicated that they will share stories when they have experiences that will make entertaining reading. This thread has pulled comments from a fair number of quiet members. I wish I could write a bunch of Charlie Lamb type stories, but in order to do that, I would need to have a lot of Charlie Lamb type successes. Maybe one day...
I read nearly daily, and try to post as often as I have something to say that's "worth posting."
I enjoy participating - but at this point it is mostly through reading and learning. Considering the vast wealth of experience and knowledge, I am rather selective where I voice my experiences. Maybe one day I will have acquired some knowledge worth sharing - and a few stories along the way.
Ron I wish I had acerage for you to hunt buddy.. id be happy to put you on um..unfortunately I only have local public lands...Hopefully your luck will change...2017!!!!! Your year ,my friend....
May I suggest another perspective that may have the potential to impede story contributions?
This is just one mans observations, but I tend to post or at least respond to threads that others do post knowing the effort that go into a good storyline.
It tends to be frustrating when a person take the time and effort to post a story and perhaps take the additional steps to add pics and videos to have no one respond :saywhat:
I speak this from experience having done so and no one show any interest.
Now it is quite possible that others are viewing the post, but none the less unless feedback is given no real communication has taken place