About the Deer Contest.

**BowJoe** · 09-02-2008, 10:35 AM

Not to sound negative but I don't think I'll be signing up for these "contests" anymore after the stink was made last year about members not "contributing" last year after they signed up. Some members like myself aren't as involved as they used to be due to family, job and time constraints. I'm not even home anymore but for about 6 days a month. Regardless of who the comments were directed at, I've been a member of these forums for over 3 years now and have posted well over 2,000 times yet I was put into the same category as people that come here and post the minimum amount to be allowed into the contests. I simply don't have time to post on here as much as I used to. I know no-one is begging me to be involved in this or for my opinion to be included in this but I just wanted to get this off my chest. I think I was disrespected pretty harshly by the words that were posted by all level of members and it was one of the worst examples of the Realtree Family being a place welcome to everyone that I have ever seen. It's a contest that I feel has been taken too seriously by a lot of members and placed too highly above what we are all supposed to be here for. This is just my opinion and I am not looking to offend anyone. I'm sorry if I have made anyone angry or given the wrong impression of me but like I said, it's just my opinion. Their are a lot of great people here and I love competition as much as anyone but not at the cost of broad stroke attacks on those that can't or don't participate as much as others would like. Good luck to everyone and I hope everyone has a great season.

**MCH** · 09-02-2008, 10:50 AM

I guess my opinion on the subject is that if someone signs up for the contest, they owe it to their team to at least check-in. If beforehand, you know that you're not going to have time to post on here, then don't sign-up.

Bottom line to me is that this is a "team" contest. If it were an individual contest, I could understand people signing up and "hoping" that they have time to post.

But since this a team contest, people should be signing up with every intention of "forcing" themselves to contribute.

**texastrophies** · 09-02-2008, 11:08 AM

To follow up on what MCH said, I don't think any people in the contest would get upset if you sign up and then get skunked and aren't able to contribute to the score, that's hunting, as long as you at least post and let your team members know that you are trying.

But if you sign up and then don't show up or post or anything, that's different. The outcome is still the same, no score for you, but, the remaining team members feel like they were let down.

Bottom line, if you are going to sign up, you should participate. If you are not going to participate, don't sign up.

**Rhino** · 09-02-2008, 11:34 AM

I don't think BowJoe was talking about the issue of participating or not. The way I read his post was to what extent and how often you're able to participate. Some people simply aren't able to participate by posting hunting updates as often as others. I sure don't have a problem with that. Family and providing for your family comes first. After that even an occasional check in is fine by me in the case BowJoe described.

If someone believes that checking in and posting within some set time frame like daily, weekly, or whatever for a deer contest here should be first priority over family and providing for their family then they need help.

What I do have a problem with is people that sign up and never show up again. Worse than that is some that do show up kill a deer, brag about it, never post their kill in the entry thread, come in and make excuses why they haven't posted it promising to get it done but never bother getting it done before the contest closes. That's what I call letting your teammates down.

**MCH** · 09-02-2008, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by Rhino

If someone believes that checking in and posting within some set time frame like daily, weekly, or whatever for a deer contest here should be first priority over family and providing for their family then they need help.

That's ridiculous. Noone's asking someone to do this. Family comes before everything. Everyone knows that.

If you sign up for this contest and do not have free time in between Sept and February, then something's going on. I've seen people on this forum that are going through some of the roughest periods of their life and they still have time to post an update on how they're doing.

**toddyboman** · 09-02-2008, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by Rhino

What I do have a problem with is people that sign up and never show up again. Worse than that is some that do show up kill a deer, brag about it, never post their kill in the entry thread, come in and make excuses why they haven't posted it promising to get it done but never bother getting it done before the contest closes. That's what I call letting your teammates down.

I agree.....That exact thing happened last year to the team I was on.....Guy posted to say hello.....Then never again...but did post his kills in the deer room....several pms where sent but never answered.

**Rhino** · 09-02-2008, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by MCH

If you sign up for this contest and do not have free time in between Sept and February, then something's going on. I've seen people on this forum that are going through some of the roughest periods of their life and they still have time to post an update on how they're doing.

Obviously you either missed my point or didn't read all of my prior post.

**MCH** · 09-02-2008, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by Rhino

Obviously you either missed my point or didn't read all of my prior post.

I caught the intention of your post. I was just trying to show that the extreme that you mentioned wasn't the case here.

I actually think Bowjoe was talking about signing up but then forgetting to post at all or at least not posting at all. I tried researching the post he may have been eluding to but couldn't find it. I believe I did find his team thread from last year but not sure if he had posted in it or not.

Again, I'm not trying to convict, hang or even chastise Bowjoe. Winning this contest is not on my list of priorities either. That being said, since I signed up, I feel the need to at least check in from time to time. If I were for some reason to forget to "check in", I would feel the need to apologize to my teammates.

**Rhino** · 09-02-2008, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by MCH

Again, I'm not trying to convict, hang or even chastise Bowjoe. Winning this contest is not on my list of priorities either. That being said, since I signed up, I feel the need to at least check in from time to time. If I were for some reason to forget to "check in", I would feel the need to apologize to my teammates.

I agree with that MCH.

Just like last year out of courtesy for my teammates, I'll let them know when I'm heading out of state or gone to the woods for an extended time. When I return I make the time to let them know I'm back and share my hunting experiences. IMHO this contest is really about sharing your hunting experiences with one another.

**texastrophies** · 09-02-2008, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by Rhino

IMHO this contest is really about sharing your hunting experiences with one another.

EXACTLY

It not like the winners are getting rich are anything.

**turkeygirl** · 09-02-2008, 09:04 PM

Last I knew...this was about comraderie and having fun...

I think the only concern is the people who sign-up for the sole intent of being on a team to win something, then they never show up again...even after the deer contest...and usually they get sent PM's.

Not the big of a deal, really....and let's not make it a big deal.

Remember - "Family, Friends, and the Outdoors...it's what we do"

**BowJoe** · 09-02-2008, 09:42 PM

I just didn't like the way people that didn't post as much as others were talked about. Plain and simple, it was not family, friends and the outdoors as the slogan goes. People were run down for it and it was total broad stroke bashing of us. As a long standing member, it was not how I hear members talk about how we treat eachother. Members that have been here for a lot longer than me were even making statements. I'm over it but I just wanted to mention it so maybe it won't be repeated again. Just remember, you don't know the reason for lack of participation. I'm better now. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

**Nut** · 09-02-2008, 10:52 PM

Truth be told. I always prefered silent hunting partners.

**BowJoe** · 09-03-2008, 12:09 AM

Geez... I re-read what I just posted and it sounds like I'm yelling. No CAPS needed. I just wanna drop the subject of what I originally posted. I like coming here and while I may not be as much a part of this forum as I'd like to be, I honestly feel it is the best one out there. My loyalty has been to the great feedback that I have received and tried to give on this site. Others have lacked a lot of information and willingness to help while this one has given even the dullest of questions the attention desired by it's poster. (Repeatedly) I honestly hope everyone has a great season and posts some whoppers and lots of does taken at close range. You gotta love the sniping of a deer at 10 yards with a bow. Good luck everyone and Happy Hunting.