Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting The State of the Campfire

It’s been interesting to see the degradation of Campfire as well as most all internet sites.
I’ve been here since 2004 and posted when I had something to contribute. I have always tried to be like my father raised me to be, respectful of others beliefs and that I most certainly don’t know it all. But, it seems that over the past several years there have come some members to Campfire that not only know more than I will ever know but more than anyone that has ever posted here.
I think that perhaps the time has come to just spend my time enjoying the outdoors and my wife and dogs and quit waistiing my time with any attempt to provide any positive input.
But again, I have only been around for some 60+ years so probably don’t have a whole *ell of a lot t contribute.

I hope you reconsider. I will miss your input.
Ed T
"Alfalfa sprouts come from alfalfa.
Radish sprouts come from radish's
Where do brussel sprouts come from?"

The real question is where does baby oil come from?

Those of us who check in here to learn stuff know who's who. Hope you keep posting, your experience is appreciated.

Stick around Ed, the trolls come and go but like the two guys said above, real contributions will always be valued by those who come here to contribute.

Ed is correct. Having been on and off for 25 years the level of vicious actions by a VERY few members is increasing. . People who don't conform are insuletd, lied about and their banning engineered. One member who had serious heath issues was called a criminal, swindler and faked docouments ere posted to support this. Additionally his wife was called, on this site, a biker whore. Other have been threatened with beatings, killing of their animals, midnight visits and even death.

While it's not unique to the campfire, it is especially disturbing here.

As you would expect, all of these "tough guys" hide there identities behind "manly" screen names and intimimidating memes.

There are ways identify them if things become serious, but otherwise the best way is to stay here regardless. Act the adult and outside of their sychophants, most members will see them for what they are.

They can obstruct, call names, offer insults, make threats, but in the end they are just gutless wimp losers.

I will ALWAYS be here and there is not anything thing they can do about it.

I'm sure they would all like to be in this guys boots !

Safariman, “Boo!”

At least we still have Kellory.

Ed, you are one of the good ones. You know what you know (and it is a LOT!) from field experience, and don't pretend to know what you don't. I have learned from you. Hang around and drop some of your wisdom and experience now and then, even if it is less frequent.

The backpack forum is the best part of 24Hour, but as you say, the whole site has degraded in the ratio of garbage to quality, trash talk to civility. But it has waxed and waned along these lines for the 18 years I've hung around. Part of the reason for decline is the repetition of topics that long timers don't want to go over again so don't post the good stuff they know.

I post less but so far I still hang around and skim read, in case something of interest pops, and to see what people I consider friends may post, even though I have not met most of them in person.

Ed T: I have been her since 2,003 and I have noticed "degradation also!
But I still find enough wisdom and first hand experiences and advice to make digging through this site worthwhile.
Best of luck to you whichever way you go.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Nothing has changed, the same was going on 10 years ago. I remember when I first discovered the CF and thought this place is crazy. However, I think many long timers have just grown weary of the same old battles.

Ed, it doesn't take long to learn who is worth listening to around here, please stay.

If we would all ignore the trolls perhaps they will seek gratification elsewhere.



mike r

Ed_T, I'd prefer you stick around and continue to share your wisdom. But understand if you don't. It's been said that forewarned is forearmed. Ignore the pricks and know that the majority appreciate relevant exchanges without all the juvenile crip-crap some bring to the fire.

Too funny! You're always good for a chuckle Root.
Swing that purse Larry!

You can use the ignore button, or just skip over stuff you don't like.

Larry:

HAHAHAHAHA!

geeze according to the azzhats who are ruining this site (look at their BIG post count !) I am everyone but Maxine Waters !

Folks like Ed and the other adults will notice a pattern of behavior:

1. Attack somebody with nothing other than slander and name calling.
2. Post memes altered to fit their predjudices.
3. Pile on like third graders in a playground fight.
4. Never have the balls to own up to who they really are.
5. Don't follow up on their threats with anything beyond being a keyboard warrior.
6. Avoid any chance to actually meet the "insultee" FTF.

If I missed any salient points feel free to chime in.

















;

You can create a slew of usernames and pretend to be your wife, your dog, or your mouth breathing friend with the "blinker", or anyone else.... but you obviously can't hide. You stick out like a sore thumb. And you'll always be a pariah.

It's rather bizarre that you feel entitled to return here again and again under yet another screen name, after having how many banned? Literally dozens. 100+

Yet, I notice on your various auction sites (Gunbroker/Gunsamerica) you like to add to your auction descriptions how many people you've banned from bidding on your auctions as you feel slighted as they didn't bid enough in your estimation.

Double standards apparently...

Rather pathetic, but your antics and paranoid delusional rants add to the humor and entertainment. Nothing more, nothing less.

Hope you make good on your threat and come out to Fredericksburg this summer. Rather looking forward to it. Seeing an old never was "bat sheit crazy" fluffer first hand should be entertaining if nothing else. Be sure and wear your red dress, but go easy on the purse swinging! chuckle

"It's rather bizarre that you feel entitled to return here again and again under yet another screen name, after having how many banned? Literally dozens. 100+"

I only do it because it drives you Batsheit and I know you are too yellow to do anything beyond hiding behind your keyboard wearing your monkey suit.

Figure about a dozen azzhats who were big talkers are no longer around to make their empty threats. Funny how Karma works is it not ?

Larry are you crazy is that your problem?

Only one whom is driven batsheit is you! You're little rants are epic and quite humorous! Always a riot to spool you up like a top and watch you falter about.

Only one "hiding" is you Larry. I've been here all this time under the one screen name with no restrictions on my postings. You on the other hand.... how many screen names have you created and had banned or merged with your oldman account? In excess of 100. Interesting and quite funny (yet pathetic) how more often than not, when outed, you claim not to be yourself.

Even going so far as to pretend to be your wife.... too funny!

No Larry, I hope and encourage you to return time and time again under yet another screen name. Pure entertainment and shows just how hypocritical, pathetic, arrogant, and demented you truly are.

Constantly pointing out your newest screen name; watching you first pretend to be someone else...and finally spool up like a top, and then crash; only to create another screen name hoping to fly under the radar. Always humorous.

Carry on Larry.

The input here is just not what it used to be......unless you want to discuss Creedmoors more.

Larry should just use numbers for his user name

EdT, you need to stick around! I have one of your stoves that’s been elk/mule deer hunting at least 8 seasons. Getting close to time for a new one! Just ignore the idiots. Though there are many, it’s easy to know who they are and simply ignore them.

The input here on the backpacking forum is just fine.

The inmates on the other hand are out of control.

Ed - as others have said, those of us who even been here a while, I date back to 2003, know who's who. I wish we could do something about the trolls. My best strategy is to ignore them. Not very satisfying but I gain more insight at the Campfire than effort it takes wading through the trolls. I've gone to reaching out directly to people with knowledge. That methid doesn't benefit everyone else but I choose not to deal with idiots if it can be avoided.

Long winded way of saying - stick around, ignore the crap. Most of us value your input and products.

Too bad the banned that keep reappearing aren't immediately rebanned when they are found out. More websites should have a small panel of good upstanding members that could vote to keep or remove certain users that are constant trouble.

It's ironic that this clown and his pursuers chose this thread to make an appearance, given the subject.

Give it a rest fellas.

Back to the initial post topic. It's ironic that I was feeling nostalgic and searching the archives for post by the old timers like Dober, BobinNH ect. There was better content then and I could enjoy reading topics I didn't really even care about. The quality of posts/posters has diminished, but there a still good folks here.

I read much more than post and do a lot of skimming too. Usually a hour or so once or twice a week is good. I can separate the chaff from the wheat but a lot of younger folks may not have the experience to have that discernment. That's what is most sad.

One needs to go window shopping. Only open those threads that are of interest. Leave all of the others on the shelf untouched.

Solid advice here, it's much better out if you stay out of the campfire subforum as well.

That's funny right there.

I actually meant the entire forum. I only recently ventured into the backpacking forum, found it quite refreshing & I agree.

Ed,

I rather value your contributions and knowledge. You are one of the guys who doesn't post very often but when you do you educate and bring your perspective. You don't beat on your chest or act like a troll. You are welcome at my campfire any time.

Ed,

I would prefer if you stuck around. You have good info to offer. Just skip over those you don't enjoy.

Ed has always been a great member.

POS like Root OTOH demand being ignored.

Thats about the best I can offer.

Ed, always enjoy your input here, and enjoyed your presentation at Capital Sports a few years back.

There are a few jerkoffs here, like everywhere in life. Hell, I like to let my inner fuqqtard come out to play now and then too. The internet does accommodate that sort of thing.

Hope you stick around.

The true spirit of the campfire, well put.

Yep you’re one of the really good guys here I pay close attention to. Hope ya stay and tell the chumps to go south for the winter...

I have to say I have never hunted out west or any big game other than whitetails, hogs and some alligators. I dream of one day heading west in search of a mulie or elk. I enjoy reading ya'lls experiences and advice. There are always internet bad @$$'s out their and its quick to see these types and they get the ignore list. I'm on a few duck forums and you always see the holier than thou folks who preach conservations and want you to stick to the limits etc and then go shoot lead, over the limit, whatever. Total hippocrites. I take the good with the bad. I don't post here much other than a little reloading stuff from time to time as I'm still learning. Ya'll good ones keep on keeping on. If you don't pass on the knowledge, us young'uns wont know how to do it the "right" way

The amount of meaningful info on the backpack hunting forum has decreased significantly. Nothing wrong with new guys figuring stuff out--that's awesome--but that (along with very tangential info to actual backpacking) is about 95% of the content now, as opposed to a nice mix of trip reports from all seasons, gear reviews with perspective, and new guys figuring stuff out. If I want to check in on the latest tools of the trade I go to BackpackingLight and blogs that I respect; it's just not here. The process is fairly circular and not a problem really, just a reality.

Really...you called yourself "Littledick" this time?

I've certainly indulged my inner phücktard (hat tip to Shane) here so I know I'm hardly innocent. However, I do have a perspective that others might not because I left completely for a few years to heal a head injury. The Campfire is not a place for that. Anyway, similar to when you haven't seen someone in a few years and the changes in them are really obvious.... the changes were really obvious. I remember mentioning it to SP in one of my early posts upon returning: it was darker, harsher, angrier, and many were operating in pure bad faith in debates. And, it's even worse now. I can withstand a lot online but I draw the line when guys start intentionally lying to smear character, and that's rampant now, especially in the loony bin up top.

Dunno what to say, Ed. I think it's a microcosm of society in general; I think it's going to [bleep].

I hope you stick around.

Just recently I got the boot from an Upland forum. One guy insinuated that an acquaintance of mine was a sporting clay cheat. He happens to be someone you couldn't pay enough money to have him cheat.

The other poster and I got into it and the owner closed down the thread. At which time I made a comment about how the forum was run and I was banned. It's a fine line IMO, and one better stepped over than unnecessarily moderated.

Gun control and politics were also subjects that would easily give you a warning. The very essence of the 2nd is currently being challenged more than any other time in history and it was off limits. Great forum for those interested in the Uplands, shotguns and Bird Dogs along with some great people who were knowledgeable. As long a you were willing to submit to the King you were welcome.

I suspect the nature of an essentially unmoderated forum such as this one is to degrade.

Either that, or the part where we all just agree and sing kumbaya is just around the corner., if we just......... keep.......... arguing..............

I dissent.

I think the campfire is pretty well self-regulating in spite of some embedded a-holes.

I've heard about the downward spiral of 24 hour's civility every year since I've joined... I'm member #30.

What I really think threads like this reveal is that our tolerance for vitriol changes, not that the campfire has become any different.

Every now and then I pack up and leave on a six or so month sabbatical just to get away from the place. It's not about the campfire as much as it's about me... I don't like it when I allow myself to get drawn in with some member who has arrested development and say things I wish I hadn't, etc.

Having said all the above, all bets are off when it comes to the whine-fest/echo chamber at the top of the forum. In order to maintain civility I just stay away from that chithole.

Also it goes without saying Ed's a great guy and someone who contributes real value to the forum... but he's a big boy and will make up his own mind.

I like that. Well said....

That forum has gone to [bleep]. More posers bitching and yammering about "covers" and "the king" than anything else

I crossed paths with a couple good Bird Dog/shotgun shooters there. Myself being an Eastern Grouse hunter I found a common interest.

The owner is a Dork and I found reason to question exactly whose side he is on. When I made my last post, I knew it would be that.

Lets not forget they idolized a guy that raped the MT prairie on a yearly basis, and when caught/charged with such, many defended him. And if you didnt, you got post holed.

“Post holed”, haven’t heard that since I got thrown out. Always thought it was an appropriate description.

Another poster, who I think will eventually be gone, said the owner every so often has to have a public hanging.



Addition: There are some better than good people on that forum. Like here there are some dedicated and serious hunters that specialize on the Uplands, a few really knowledgeable shotgun shooters, more than a few that know there way around the shotgun market and a small few AHoles. For the most part a good crew. Dedicated to the point they are willing to be muzzled by the owner, in order to have a forum in which to converse with others. I guess to them it is worth it.

Yeah but......like others, I sure hope Ed sticks around. Hate to lose his knowledge. And good humor.

I got to agree with ya there Brad.

And Ed, take a break if needed, but always come back to share your knowledge. Always a pleasure to read your posts sir!

Your a good man Ed. I always pay attention to your thoughts on the backcountry. Follow your heart Ed. Your wife and dog are way more important than this place! Enjoy....

I also hope you stay, Ed, I consider you to be among the most worthwhile posters on these topics I have met on any hunting forum since I first found them circa 2004.

I would enjoy meeting in person and exchanging ideas and war stories over a coffee.

Best Regards, Dewey aka Kutenay

Sad to see worthwhile contributors reach their fill of [bleep].

Seem to be more of them around too.

I agree, utterly. This is my perspective exactly. I didn't join the Fire until 2013, but I was here quite often for years before that. There were many squabbles, much insulting and calling people out ten years ago. And there were very experienced, very intelligent people giving their accumulated knowledge freely, and often with some charm.

This idea of "the good old days" is a human error in perception, so it is going to happen on the internet as well. Certainly, some of the really great guys to have around have decided that spending time in the outdoors is more valuable than posting online about the outdoors. I suspect that age is a factor in that.

I'm a bit more sporadic on the Fire. I've never been a regular poster. I go through periods where I post a lot, and periods where I don't even come to here. That is how I've personally managed the BS, and my ill feelings about it. And yes, I too use the internet and the Campfire as arenas to let out my inner Ass hole from time to time. I don't argue much anymore though, because it just doesn't matter. I didn't come here to make friends, or convince anyone of anything. I didn't come here to make enemies, either.

A last note....what the hell was Junior talking about with the 25 years? There wasn't a viable WWW 25 years ago, let alone forums like this one. I just shake my head at guys like that. Some of us never needed to lie to get laid.