The main stream definition of Professional Hunter seem to have changed over the years. There was a time when a professional hunter was a teacher, a conservationist, and pretty much an average joe. Today they seem to be the rich, trophy hunters, or wanna be rock stars. (No offense Ted you really are a Rock Star.)

 If you have the money you can go to a ranch and pay for the buck of a lifetime. If you can afford this odds are you can afford the equipment needed to film this hunt. Once said trophy is secured and the hunt is successfully lodged onto your video unit you can spend a little more money for some fancy editing and some nice packaging and like magic you are a professional hunter.

 Maybe I am just jaded or maybe it is the little green monster sitting on my shoulder but what ever the case I am sick of watching pretty boy college kids that pay for their deer being glorified.

 Raise your hand if you have seen a professional hunter hunt on public land. Anyone? I see a few gray haired gentlemen raising their hands. I was raised watching men like Roger Raglin, Dan Fitzgerald and Ted Nugent hunting public or private land without high fences not ranches with guranteed shot opportunities. They scouted, glassed, packed, canoed, in short they hunted like a normal man. Of course they traveled to some prime spots but once there they were not lead to a treestand or tree condo that someone else had hung. They did all of the work themselves.

 Times have changed and like any smart business man the old timers have adapted as well. But I can recall watching these men live the true adventures of hunting. One of my favorite memories was a Dan Fitzgerald hunt in which Dan shot a small deer. Skins and quarters the deer giving instruction on what he was doing and why. After the meat was cut Dan then proceeds to cook the deer on an open fire using his treestand for a cooking surface. This is a scene that has happened in deer camps around the country. This is the type of scene that the common man can identify with.

 I am ecstatic to see all of the hunting shows on T.V. I am a big fan of alot of these hunters. Even though I don't stand behind their ways these show have done alot of good. I just miss the good old days and once just once would like to see some of these young pro's work for a deer.

 If any of you pro's need a lesson on how to work for a deer visit some public land with just your gear and no guide and have fun closing in on that moster buck. If this proves too easy call me. I will give you a few lessons on how to hunt the hard way. I have a natural talent for turning a sure thing into the hardest hunt.

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