WT Hunting Forum Likes/Dislikes?

[WapitiTalk1]

Our elk (and other sub forum) campfire continues to grow almost daily. What do you cats like about our forum campfire and where do you feel improvements could be made? As always I'm in debt to Elknut for trusting me to continue what he started here some five years ago. I'm open to all recommendation that are available with the software we use. Thanks in advance for your input. RJ

[Swede]

More than anything I like the substantive conversations we engage in here. We manage to agree and even disagree in a more constructive way than we see on other forums. I like that. No one here is an idiot and no one is a god. We get a few people at times that get a little carried away, but the management keeps us in line without being too harsh.
I have no problem with what is offered, but sometimes I wonder if some of the less used forums need to pick up the pace or be replaced with something new. It is not for me to say.
Sometimes I wonder about my own contributions. Are they helpful or are they too forceful? I know I am willing to express my disagreement with Anyone. If that person is sensitive, and we all are at times I suppose, then they can be offended. That is not the point. I will tell RJ or Indian Summer or Elknut they are going off coarse as quickly as I will tell the 3 post member I disagree. In my opinion, it is good only if it opens the conversation and we get a broader perspective.
RJ, I think this is a good time to have this discussion. Over-all I would grade the forum a solid A. You own it and manage it, but its quality is based on all who take part and help make it what it is. I would encourage everyone interested in talking hunting to take an active part. There is no reason to be a lurker. As stated above there are no idiots here. The other side is true too; you won't be worshipped as a god. You will be respected.

[N2mywake]

I enjoy the forum and the points of view. For me I usually focus on these subs: Elk hunting, Gear/Weapons and sometimes on the Virtual and classifieds (but not much). Personally I like the scenario/what would you do threads. Those seem to bring the best dialog.

[six]

The best thing about this forum is the lack of negativity. The mods do a great job with this. There are other hunting forums I used to go on frequently but the negativity got to be too much. I rarely go to any other hunting forums.

[N&N Waterfowl]

I may have a slightly different perspective than someone that lives in an elk hunting state. I live in the midwest and until last year had absolutely no experience elk hunting. I have had that desire most of my life, but it was always seemed an impossibility. I'm not a regular poster, but have scoured this sight for information and answers to what seemed like endless questions. I was sure that most of the questions that I had had already been asked by others. I was right. This site provided knowledge and the confidence to just go and hunt. The best part about this site is that years of acquired knowledge is shared freely without any ego!! When someone has been hunting a specific species for 20+ years it is easy to forget that some people are just starting out and that even the basic information needs to be learned. Most members are not only willing to share that information but do so in a patient manner. So, what is the best part about this forum...the members! For those that share that information and knowledge freely, thank you!! Also, really enjoy the scenarios that RJ posts. Very informative!!

[Tigger]

First of all, management should loosen up the reins on the corporate jet. Indian Summer and Swede seem to hog it.

I tell ya what, this is the first forum I check in the morning. I also go to 1 other one daily (Hunttalk), which is also run very well. I drop by 24 Hr Campfire maybe a couple times a month, but that is a dumpster fire over there. So, what is common about the 2 well run forums? A strong moderating presence. That is soooo needed. It weeds out the asshats pretty quickly.

As mentioned the members are great here as well. I will echo all that has been said. I hope that I have been able to give back half of what I have learned from the forum. I like to throw in a little humor, but sometimes that is a little hard to do via the written word, so I am sorry if I have offended anyone! (maybe surmising that Elknut photoshopped all his pictures wasn't funny? ). Just kidding Paul, we know they are real.

To the software piece...."View Unread Posts" is huge. I use that all the time. I frequent Elk Hunting, Virtual Campfire, and Gear/Weapons mostly. Don't know what other ones I would suggest. I also use "View your Posts". From Hunttalk, I like how the last posts are up on the home page (from any category).

I really enjoy the scenarios. I get all excited inside when I see a new one come up.

[saddlesore]

I'm just along for the ride.I don't have much to offer in the way of archery hunting as I am strickly ML or center fire rifle hunter. The only forums I visit are elk hunting , gear, wild game processing and, sometimes virtual campfire. with my typing skills that is all about alI I can handle.
I do appreciate the civility that is common here

[wewarev]

As has already been stated, I just appreciate some many (especially the veterans) willing to offer their knowledge so freely. Most of what I've learned about elk hunting has been from this forum. Outside of actually hunting of course. I think that started with the attitude that Paul brought in the beginning. Don't know if I could tell you how to make it better. I like how it is.

I probably would have never gone elk hunting in the first place if it weren't for finding this forum about 5 years ago. Now I'm planning my 3rd trip.
Thanks everyone...

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Backyard]

The best thing about this forum is the lack of negativity. The mods do a great job with this. There are other hunting forums I used to go on frequently but the negativity got to be too much. I rarely go to any other hunting forums.

^^This^^

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

I enjoy looking at this forum almost everyday. The members are willing to share information and knowledge. Everything is very clean. If there is one suggestion it would be an unread post feature. And thank you RJ for the dedication!

[Brendan]

If there is one suggestion it would be an unread post feature.

Most recent active topics: (This is what I personally bookmark...)
search.php?search_id=active_topics

New Posts:
search.php?search_id=newposts

Unread Posts:
search.php?search_id=unreadposts

[Elkhunttoo]

I just enjoy having a place I can come and talk elk! As much as my wife loves archery hunting, she gets sick of all of our conversations turning to elk...I just say thanks to everyone envolved and keep up the good work.

[cohunter]

It's the People! I've never been on such a positive or respectful forum... Even if I did get called out sarcastically by Swede once over scent management Really, though I'm not sure the format or programming is what makes the forum. Like others have mentioned, I enjoy the scenarios. I also appreciate that the forum isn't dominated by folks trying to sell a product or knowledge or one-up one another - Kudos to all you moderator types for managing such a cooperative atmosphere here. I don't look anywhere else any more.

[Lefty]

What kept me coming back daily in the early years was the no nonsense responses. Seems to me the fellows on here are more focused and passionate about what were do. Those with lots of time in the elk woods share their experiences instead of brag, or act condescending,Newbies are welcomed and encouraged to share,
Nothing wrong with some appropriate bragging or being proud, but there doesnt seem to be any chest-pounding keyboard know it alls ,.. without experience.

I quite enjoy reading about other unique experiences even more so when I can read the excitement in there writing!!

[Old school]

For me - the likes are all the different hunting scenarios with pictures that are posted. This is a tremendous help to me. Also, the willingness of experienced elk killers to post tips and share their knowledge and even some spots. I want to learn elk behavior and this is a forum with a conducive format to do just that. Probably most importantly is this - The mods set the tone with their responses to different threads that are posted. I'm sure I've asked more than one dumb question, but was never put down or anything like that. Hats off to the mods and keep it up. One last thing, when we have gotten the occasional goofball, liar, blowhard, etc... RJ dealt with it graciously and we move on.

THANKS!!

--Mitch

[Swede]

... Even if I did get called out sarcastically by Swede once over scent management

I have forgotten that I got after you about anything, but am sure you deserved it. You can consider yourself blessed as I don't chew on just anyone. Well not quite everyone.

[WapitiTalk1]

Thanks for the feedback folks (I'm taking notes). I'll check with my super smart web dude and see if I can have some additional buttons/quick links (thanks Tigger/Brendan) made available for quick searching when a member signs in in addition to the "View Your Posts" link. I'm surprised somebody hasn't asked for additional smiley/emoticon options . RJ

[hike2hunt]

So to be bullaty honest, I do not post enough replies and input my experience. I have trolled a lot through different sites through the years. I truly enjoy this site for a couple of things.

First, I enjoy the small crowd that provides advise.

Secondly I enjoy reading about the psychological aspect that we all go through. We all come from different backgrounds, different levels of experience, different ideals. The stories shared by others is very inspiring. To see our fellow outdoor lovers hard work pay off, reading their epic stories, and viewing the incredible scenery we post makes my day.

Third is reading replies on all the different scenarios that RJ posts, (I should reply more).

Maybe one thing to consider is asking or having members post on our plan and how it transpires through the year, which would help people get a better understanding of the (why's). Not giving away specific area details, but some of the tools we use to help us in our planning process.

Example being, I use the SNOTEL site to get an idea of temperatures for the time and place of the area I will be hunting. Second, I use GEOMAC to review, current, and past wildfires for the same. I use more then one map program (garmin, onyx, gmap4, metopo, USGS) to look and at the area I'm going into, as some of the older USGS maps, show the small springs.

Anyway some food for thought.

[six]

I just enjoy having a place I can come and talk elk! As much as my wife loves archery hunting, she gets sick of all of our conversations turning to elk...I just say thanks to everyone envolved and keep up the good work.

Well said. My wife was noticeably upset when I got home from my yearly elk hunt a few years back. Of course I had to ask. She said she felt jealous because I love elk hunting as much or more than I love her. Its nice having a place to share stories with people who truly understand.

[lamrith]

My biggest complaint is that the boss in this place is a bit of an overbearing knuckledragger.

Joking (purely at RJ's expense) aside he and his predecessor have done a great job building not only a community but a family here. It is a great site to come to to learn without facing the bashing or aggressive/bully tactics common on many online forums.